High quality brush q's.. Help!

Jun 19, 2016

Kristen W.

I completely agree about Morphe brushes. I’d much rather pay for a $40+ brush that will last me years then pay $10 every month because it falls apart. That $10 adds up over time.

Thank you again for all the suggestions. My shopping list definitely just got longer. lol

Jun 19, 2016

Mar F.

When I deep cleanse them I use warm water and soap (I have daVincis brush shampoo) and try to avoid the ferrule (or wood in this case), remove excess water with a cloth and let them dry flat. I did not think about the humidity tho, I do store them in the bathroom, so maybe the steam of every shower is affecting the brushes. I will change where/how I store them, thanks!! :)

On a different note, its great to see I'm not the only one with a brush obsession hahaha. I get called crazy every time I buy new brushes, specially when they cost more than 40$. But those same people have 10 different purses that are over 300$ each!! I guess everyone has different priorities on what they spend their money on, I just can't stand when they pass judgement on me!! I may have over 300 brushes but only one 20$ bag!
Do you guys have to deal with that too?

Jun 19, 2016

Kristen W.

Definitely! I'm constantly being questioned and teased about the makeup/brushes I buy and always by people who own multiple pairs of designer shoes. Everybody has their 'thing' that they like. I'm just not sure why shoes are so much more acceptable than brushes. I'll stick with my converse, thanks. I've got Kevyn Aucoin brushes to buy! ;)

Jun 19, 2016

Mar F.

I love that you name your brushes!!
I might have to remove my vinyl records from the living room and put my brushes on display instead hahaha

You know what the only thing thats stopping me from buying Hakuhodo brushes is? (And I hope you don't kill me, it's such a stupid thing) But the design of the brushes aesthetically look like cheaper brushes such as mac. I'm not doubting their quality, neither am I questioning their performance!! But to me, KA or Chikuhodo brushes have a design that visually sets them apart from the rest. (And I'm not talking about design of brush shape per se, but the whole handle+ferrule+bristles image)

So now that I've decided that the Kevyn Aucoin essential set is going to be my auto birthday gift, what brush/es would you recommend I get now as a tease? (I'm thinking around 250$ from an extra job I'm doing this week)

Jun 20, 2016

Mar F.

Wow! You were right Jacqueline (as always) The Kokutan series looks gorgeous!! Any particular brushes from that series that you think is particularly special? I'm even thinking about getting the fan brush (even tho I mentioned I'm not particularly fond of them, but this one looks like pure love). Now all I need is to figure out how to get them in Spain hahaha

Jun 21, 2016

Jacqueline H.

Hmmmm, The Kokutan Shadow Brush C, the Kokutan MLL, Kokutan Finishing brush LAG, Kokutan Blush brush S and the JAG version of this brush is gorgeous as well, and the Kokutan MLL Shadow brush.  ;)

Jun 21, 2016

Mar F.

Sorry to bother you so much about this... Hahaha
I have a question about this series tho: what is the difference between the white goat hair and the dark one? They both seem to have both naturals and synthetic fibers, but the price differs considerably. I'm guessing its different types of goat hair, do you happen to know which and the practical differences between the two?

Jun 21, 2016

Jacqueline H.

Yes: Squirrel bristle is is very soft and super delicate. Squirrel is good for soft, diffused applications of loose powder, highlighter, super pigmented blush (Kevyn Aucoin's Myracle) , or shadow blending. Squirrel is also a good material for those who have dry and/or sensitive skin. For the most part, squirrel isn't as elastic as goat is on it's own nor is it super durable. That's why you will see various types of squirrel bristle mixed with synthetic fibers to give it more snap. You'll see varying types of squirrel for powder based products, and the only time you'll see squirrel used for more cream based products is when tree squirrel is used because tree squirrel shares similar characteristics to that of weasel; therefore, is usually used for cream and liquid based products.

High quality goat is still very soft; however, it is also more elastic and resilient. Goat is good for using powder based products as well, but where goat really excels... packing and producing more intense washes of color. It is altogether a more sturdy material, and if you have an oily complexion, goat is generally a better choice. The nature and the characteristics of goat material is different depending on what part of the body the material comes from.

You basically have 3 types of 'white' goat material: Sokoho, Soikoho and Ototsuho, The brushes that have the darker goat bristle are usually made made from Saichoho. It's very similar to is similar to Sokoho but texture wise, it's more durable, and that's why you'll usually see Saichoho used in complexion brushes.

It's not only the material that creates the difference in price. Some of it also comes down to the measurement specs on the brush. Some heads are more dense than others, and have different bristle lengths that effect the cost of the brush.

Jun 21, 2016

Mar F.

Thank you so much!! I was looking into older threads to look for that information, but your comments don't appear anymore :(

Today was funny because I was at work talking brushes with a colleague, and she called me the master of brushes! I told her I was only a padawan, that Ms. Jacqueline was the true master ;)