Hakuhodo - makers of MAC brushes

Audrey C

Audrey C

Well-known member
I didn't care for their retractable blush or lip brushes; I'll get basic metal retractable lip brushes at Shoppers Drug Mart (I think they're about $12 on sale and that's plenty for what these are).

I did end up ordering three more brushes, but they're all different from what I have from MAC and I'm sure I'll like them based on the reviews I read:

1 x G538 Concealer S (H2215)
1 x G542 Concealer L (H2219)
1 x Fan Brush White (H2369)
1 x Po950Bk Fan Brush Case Black (H3494)

The fan brush and case are going into my purse makeup bag to replace my cheap Body Shop Kabuki brush that I use for powder touch-ups. The BS version will be washed and donated to my 12 year-old who will be thrilled to bits with it.

The search for a good quality, retractable blush brush continues.
 
Naynadine

Naynadine

Veteran Moderator
Staff member
Audrey C said:
Pretty close, yes. My J110 isn't quite as soft but it's dirty at the mo so I'm not sure if it's traces of blush making the tips feel slightly less soft.

Don't get me wrong; I like the five brushes I bought and don't regret buying them; I particularly like the J5521 and the J5523. The main reason I like those two is because they're different from the MAC brushes I own. I like the J142 as well but it's really just a less expensive dupe for my MAC 217. I like them enough that I bought each of my daughters a J142 and J5523 (good 'nice' stocking stuffers) because they're really nice and cheaper than MAC.

I just don't think, based on my admittedly limited purchases, that Hakuhodo blows MAC out of the water. I felt that way when I bought the e/s brushes but many thought I'd feel differently if I tried face brushes. I don't; they're good, but I don't find them better. I would buy from Hukuhodo again, but only to buy something different from what I already have. Maybe those with very sensitive skin will find the softer texture to be a big benefit. I honestly don't feel that the MAC brushes I have are scratchy (I wouldn't buy them if I did) and I don't think these apply product any better.

I'm glad others love these and I like them too, I just don't think they're all that and a bag of chips.
Quote: Originally Posted by Ajigglin


My j110 sheds. I was not pleased.
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Hmm...I do find my MAC brushes scratchy since I have the J5521 to compare them to (my only Haku so far). I have very sensitive skin, so maybe I notice it because of that. That's why I wanted to replace some of my MAC brushes with Hakus.

That sucks that it sheds. I have not experienced any sheding with my J5521, my MAC brushes on the other hand shed more and more over time it seems.

I originally had my eyes on the Tom Ford Cheek brush, but since it's pretty pricey, and because I love the J5521 so much, I though a Haku blush brush would be a better idea, but now I'm not so sure anymore.
Maybe I should aim for Blue Squirrel brushes...
 
karlaedith

karlaedith

Well-known member
Hi everyone, this past weekend i got the mac 150 brush, i already washed and used it to set my makeup with loose powder(i use the nars light reflecting loose powder) but it feels sligthly scratchy and has lost like 6 hairs, i use johnson baby shampoo to deep clean it, is there any other shampoo that would make my brush a little more soft? For all of you who have this brush did it got worse over time?? Sometimes i think i should return it and get the hakuhodo J104 or J501 im not sure...
 
DMcG9

DMcG9

Well-known member
karlaedith said:
Hi everyone, this past weekend i got the mac 150 brush, i already washed and used it to set my makeup with loose powder(i use the nars light reflecting loose powder) but it feels sligthly scratchy and has lost like 6 hairs, i use johnson baby shampoo to deep clean it, is there any other shampoo that would make my brush a little more soft? For all of you who have this brush did it got worse over time?? Sometimes i think i should return it and get the hakuhodo J104 or J501 im not sure...
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I wash my brushes with J&J Baby Shampoo as well. It was a tip I initially got from a MAC mua but I also intermittently use the MAC brush cleanser and that is really good as well. I'm not sure that either product will soften up a brush that feels scratchy though.
 
brunettespylove

brunettespylove

Well-known member
DMcG9 said:
I wash my brushes with J&J Baby Shampoo as well. It was a tip I initially got from a MAC mua but I also intermittently use the MAC brush cleanser and that is really good as well. I'm not sure that either product will soften up a brush that feels scratchy though. 
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I agree. I use the Dr Bronners soap bar to clean mine, occasionally purity cleanser (not sure if it has alcohol so i haven't recently). But i feel like if it's already scratchy you might as well return it
 
lenchen

lenchen

Well-known member
Audrey C said:
I didn't care for their retractable blush or lip brushes; I'll get basic metal retractable lip brushes at Shoppers Drug Mart (I think they're about $12 on sale and that's plenty for what these are).

I did end up ordering three more brushes, but they're all different from what I have from MAC and I'm sure I'll like them based on the reviews I read:

1 x G538 Concealer S (H2215)
1 x G542 Concealer L (H2219)
1 x Fan Brush White (H2369)
1 x Po950Bk Fan Brush Case Black (H3494)

The fan brush and case are going into my purse makeup bag to replace my cheap Body Shop Kabuki brush that I use for powder touch-ups. The BS version will be washed and donated to my 12 year-old who will be thrilled to bits with it.

The search for a good quality, retractable blush brush continues.
Click to expand...
I have a re-tractable blush brush from Koyudo, the brush is very soft, i was really surprised. Had I known, I would have ordered another.
 
Naynadine

Naynadine

Veteran Moderator
Staff member
karlaedith said:
Hi everyone, this past weekend i got the mac 150 brush, i already washed and used it to set my makeup with loose powder(i use the nars light reflecting loose powder) but it feels sligthly scratchy and has lost like 6 hairs, i use johnson baby shampoo to deep clean it, is there any other shampoo that would make my brush a little more soft? For all of you who have this brush did it got worse over time?? Sometimes i think i should return it and get the hakuhodo J104 or J501 im not sure...
Click to expand...
I would use a natural product that isn't as harsh. Dr. Bronners would be good, or Aleppo soap.
 
iLoveBees

iLoveBees

Well-known member
karlaedith said:
Hi everyone, this past weekend i got the mac 150 brush, i already washed and used it to set my makeup with loose powder(i use the nars light reflecting loose powder) but it feels sligthly scratchy and has lost like 6 hairs, i use johnson baby shampoo to deep clean it, is there any other shampoo that would make my brush a little more soft? For all of you who have this brush did it got worse over time?? Sometimes i think i should return it and get the hakuhodo J104 or J501 im not sure...
Click to expand...
Hi! I also use dr bronners soap with my brushes. I add a couple drops of olive oil and tea tree oil and over time it's softened the hairs of some of my coarsest brushes.
 
karlaedith

karlaedith

Well-known member
iLoveBees said:
Hi! I also use dr bronners soap with my brushes. I add a couple drops of olive oil and tea tree oil and over time it's softened the hairs of some of my coarsest brushes.
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Ok thankyou!! Thats a great idea im gonna try it, i love the size and shape of my 150 so i need to try this :)
 
Audrey C

Audrey C

Well-known member
Audrey C said:
I didn't care for their retractable blush or lip brushes; I'll get basic metal retractable lip brushes at Shoppers Drug Mart (I think they're about $12 on sale and that's plenty for what these are).

I did end up ordering three more brushes, but they're all different from what I have from MAC and I'm sure I'll like them based on the reviews I read:

1 x G538 Concealer S (H2215)
1 x G542 Concealer L (H2219)
1 x Fan Brush White (H2369)
1 x Po950Bk Fan Brush Case Black (H3494)

The fan brush and case are going into my purse makeup bag to replace my cheap Body Shop Kabuki brush that I use for powder touch-ups. The BS version will be washed and donated to my 12 year-old who will be thrilled to bits with it.

The search for a good quality, retractable blush brush continues.
Click to expand...
My brushes arrived late last week. I really like the fan brush; it reminds me somewhat of my Hourglass Ambient powder brush that I use every morning to apply Diffused Light. It's a nice size and shape and is perfect for my purse.

The concealer brushes are just ok. They're the first Haku brushes that I wouldn't have purchased if I'd been able to see/touch them first. There's nothing wrong with them per se but they're nothing special and the short handles/small size make them hard to fish out of my brush holder. They're synthetic with an all black handle; I'll stick to Haku's natural brushes from now on. The G538 is good for applying concealer around the nose, but I prefer the MAC 234 brush to the Haku 542 for blending under eye concealer.

The more I use the Haku 5521 pointed highlighter brush, the more I like it. It's my favourite from this brand.
 
K

kath00

Well-known member
I just ordered the special white set they had on the site as my first purchase. I hope I like them! I figured the white will help me tell them apart from my MAC brushes.

Anyone else have this set? I hope they are full size. Their website is not easy to navigate.

http://www.hakuhodousa.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_9&products_id=475

 
flamingobee

flamingobee

Active member
I recently purchased a set of basic Hakuhodo short handled brushes as I was on a very tight budget. It was my first Hakuhodo purchase ever!

The Hakuhodo brushes I bought are the following:
G5555
B110
B5507
J533
B005
G5526

I was previously using various MAC full sized and short handled LE brushes for many many years!
I have been using the Hakuhodo brushes for a few months now and I must say that they are simply fantastic.
The Hakuhodo short handled ones are way much better than my MAC LE ones and so no regrets there at all!
If anyone had to choose between the basic Hakuhodo short handled brushes and MAC LE brushes, I would go for the Hakuhodo ones in a heartbeat!
 
janette9687

janette9687

Well-known member
I think next time im in Japan next year im going to visit the store and make one last big purchase for any unique ones i havent tracked down. I think my hakuhodo collection is extensive enough and i may part with some i barely use, i love them but its no need for 6 blush brushes haha
 
karlaedith

karlaedith

Well-known member
janette9687 said:
I think next time im in Japan next year im going to visit the store and make one last big purchase for any unique ones i havent tracked down. I think my hakuhodo collection is extensive enough and i may part with some i barely use, i love them but its no need for 6 blush brushes haha
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Hi, do you have the J or B5521?? If so what do you use it for?? I need a brush for putting powder under my eyes to set the concealer and was thinking of the B5521 because its squirrel hair so it wont be scratchy on my sensitive undereye area and i love the shape of it, i been waiting for mac to repromote the 165 but its taking forever so i give up, and read on some posts that the haku is softer than the mac one.. any thoughts??
 
janette9687

janette9687

Well-known member
karlaedith said:
Hi, do you have the J or B5521?? If so what do you use it for?? I need a brush for putting powder under my eyes to set the concealer and was thinking of the B5521 because its squirrel hair so it wont be scratchy on my sensitive undereye area and i love the shape of it, i been waiting for mac to repromote the 165 but its taking forever so i give up, and read on some posts that the haku is softer than the mac one.. any thoughts??
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I have the G5521, i don't think mine is blue squirrel, (nvm just looked it is a blend of boath BS and goat.) I use this mstly for highlighting but it would very well work great for the under eye. It is extremely soft you will not be disappointed. I have both this one and the 165 and i hardly reach for my 165 for under eye just for highlight.
If you look back on my posts here i have comparisons of the sizes just look at the pics! hope that helps!

Im guessing the B and G series have merged in some brushes but its the soft black bristles ones that i have
 
janette9687

janette9687

Well-known member
flamingobee said:
I recently purchased a set of basic Hakuhodo short handled brushes as I was on a very tight budget. It was my first Hakuhodo purchase ever!

The Hakuhodo brushes I bought are the following:
G5555
B110
B5507
J533
B005
G5526

I was previously using various MAC full sized and short handled LE brushes for many many years!
I have been using the Hakuhodo brushes for a few months now and I must say that they are simply fantastic.
The Hakuhodo short handled ones are way much better than my MAC LE ones and so no regrets there at all!
If anyone had to choose between the basic Hakuhodo short handled brushes and MAC LE brushes, I would go for the Hakuhodo ones in a heartbeat!
Click to expand...
This is a great starter set! I hope you enjoy these!
 
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