Review by NWang

I prefer this Houkodou BZ-1 to Koyudo fu-pa14 CB (grey squirrel & goat). This brush is incredibly soft, no tugging at all! Whereas Koyudo fu-pa14 CB has some tugging, compared to this brush. I also own Koyudo fu-pa14 (grey squirrel & baby goat chest hair). I don't think the fu-pa14 can replace this BZ-1. They are distinguish brushes. If I can only choose one brush for foundation, I'll go with BZ-1. BZ-1 buffs very well, due to its sturdiness. Fu-pa14 also buffs well (and most naturally for stamping blush on the cheek), but BZ-1 is just more durable based on the hair difference.

As a goat brush, it's very sleek and soft, but not useful. The tip of the bristle is flatter than most of the pom-pom brushes, hard to focus on small area or apply powders precisely. And the bristle material of goat hair makes it not effective as a finishing brush. Goat hair is too elastic. Saikoho or squirrel may be a much better option. The handle is really cute, though.

The density, softness and length of the bristle makes this brush both functional and luxurious. With each swipe, I feel that I'm hugging a furry ball, pressing my face against its baby fur, and with eyes closed, my face is kissed by the clouds. It's pricy, but it's really well-made. I prefer the short handle for commute convenience and a close look in the mirror. I love it!

It's densely packed, soft as expected, relatively small but very practical, perhaps more practical than my other large blush brushes. It can apply highlight precisely due to small size, and contour nicely due to density. It's pricy, but really very made. I prefer short handle for commute convenience, it suits in just right. I love it!

It's a featherily soft paddle brush. I assume it's the same as Chikuhodo RE-20-7. The length of the hair gives it a supreme softness in Saikoho. There is no dragging to wipe across my face, only the sleek feeling like silk. The only small defect is the ferule was not well aligned when squeezed down, somehow the handle is not vertical to the rings on the ferule, and neither the handle or the rings is well aligned. The handle print is not as delicate as Koyudo. So for the handle & ferule finish, this brush is not the best. But for the feeling of the hair, I like it very much!

At first, when receiving it, I was a little bit disappointed and thought it's over priced. Not until I used it to apply powder blush with the first strike, did I realize what a gem I've got! I should have gotten it earlier! Due to its functionality, the finish of blush is so beautiful and natural. Its bristle tips just fits in the size of my cheekbone, one stamp is well done! And the buffing is great! So glad I picked up this one!

Perhaps one of the most functional squirrel brushes on the market. Densely packed, soft to touch. It has more blending ability than the paddle squirrel brush I bought from Eihodo outlet (NO.833 Powder Brush). And the density of hair provides the bristles some elasticity to work with pigment powders. The finish of blush is beautiful. I usually don't like a domed brush but this one is nice. Bristles less densely packed or a little bit longer may not be so useful. I like the gold and black design. It's classic.

I recommend it to anyone who have thick eyebrows. My eyebrows are thick and flat, unkempt and ugly. This huge, wide eyebrow brush is the best of quality, and able to comb and smooth my eyebrows in two wipes. What a delight! The bristle is black raccoon, very pleasing to the eyes, and sturdy in use, yet sleek to touch.

Just like PM-4, super sleek, as far as I can tell. The pine squirrel contributed to this brush must be a happy soul. The nut it ate oiled the fur it shredded, thus the hair is shinning all the way down to tail! What a beautiful brush! I swiped it on my eyelids, feeling the cool breeze of fall! Totally love it.

The brush sleeve is of top quality. The SWS3 is big enough for a paddle brush. I use it to wrap large squirrel brush and feel very secured. Recommend to anyone who has a hard time in sewing and would not opt for a plastic net brush guard. This is the right sleeve for thy brush!

In short supply of Canadian squirrel hair, even Houkodou can't keep its quality as before. Here I agree with Julie, the other reviewer, it's not as soft. Maybe there is a batch difference. I noticed that the previous 2-star review was left on 2020/11/24, the hair was probably collected in summer or autumn; whereas the 5-star review trying to say something good for G-S1, was left on 2021/04/30, assuming the hair was collected in winter. So either try to order your brush in late spring when the winter stock is not running out yet, or go ahead with G-S2, with shorter, darker and sleeker hair. And I don't agree with A from Canadian, G-S1 is totally different from G-S2, you must have received a wrong brush. G-S1 is 3 times the size of G-S2, considering the length, the width and the volume. My G-S1 is yellow, crispy and somehow rough. It's good for a wiping of base color, but not good for sensitive eyelids, at all. I can use it, but I don't like it.

Just used it yesterday. Totally impressed. It's a tapered paddle, with thickness and width. I didn't think much of it when I received it months ago. It's fat, it's pointed and it's thick. I have narrow eyelids and it didn't seem to fit. I was wrong. Once I turned it upside down and the bristle just fit in quite well. The eyeshadow was well layered and dispersed, very elegant. The blending is fantastic. The softness is super. Totally amazed.

A purchase purely out of curiosity. Kept it for a month or so, couldn't figured out how to use it. Then I got an idea to apply highlight, just under my eyebrows, where a slim yet dispersed highlighter brush is just right for the job. Well done, it's so subtle that I didn't notice it under the office facility bathroom light. But when I joined in a meeting with video feature, the effect is beautiful! For a moment or two, I was wondering who is that with those distinctive, clear-cut profile? Where are my ugly, flat eyebrows? Never in my life, I am so satisfied with my eyebrows, just because a swipe of highlighter, with this fantastic fan brush! It's just the right hair type with elasticity (raccoon), and the right amount of hair. Grab one when it's still available, and you won't regret.

Firm and smooth, the bristle is not prickly at all. I have sensitive eyes but it feels so soft on my eyelids. I intended to use it to apply concealer, but now I think it's also suitable for applying under eye shadow. It's a great brush. Houkodou makes the best brushes, with delicacy and fine craftsmanship. Its name is its own warranty.

This little brush is softer than I thought. The hair is not prickly at all. Actually, even for sensitive eyelids as mine, it doesn't irritate even a little bit. And the blending is easy. Of course, the color is more pigmented than using a squirrel brush. The short handle is OK. I do prefer a length between 138mm to 158mm for eyeshadow brush. This one falls into the short range. But I can use it, without any problems.

Best eyeshadow brush ever! Soft and sleek, yet blending so well! My best investment so far. The ferrule and handle are so classic! I'll buy more Houkodou.

Hidden gem in the Koyudo C collection. Perfect bristle length and perfect bristle shape for a lip brush. I just hope that I had noticed it when the pink handle was still available. But black handle can match any other series.

It's 18-19mm thick at the ferrule and 7-8mm thick at the top. The width at the ferrule is 30mm and 25mm at the top. Bristle is soft and elastic with fine hairs. My first natural & synthetic hybrid! I've used natural and I've used synthetic. Never thought that this brush would be so nice! It does have a bit of weight.

I use it for base color application and it looks so natural as if those base color are just part of skin. The hair is of good quality. And I like the little shimmers on the handle. I don't like the dull flowers, though.

It's so well made that I feel the delicacy and durability are both far beyond expectation. First time the screw brush is not just an additive, but is a piece of art itself. I think I'll buy the whole series soon.