Review by JJL

This is a great weasel brush for applying and buffing liquid foundation. I use the sides to apply thin layers of foundation. Thanks for the denseness of the brush, I'm able to buff the foundation in by changing the angle so that the very tips of the brushes touch my skin perpendicularly. I used to think it was too streaky but by changing my technique, I'm able to use this brush for both functions (I used to follow with a sponge like a beauty blender) and apply makeup more efficiently. For that reason, it's also great for travel (although long handle is less travel friendly). If you want a shorter handle brush, look at the Chikuhodo G-12.

This is a larger version of the G-4 and GSN-9. Made with the same soft, luxurious squirrel hair and denser. Great for one and done eyeshadow. Can also use for a more subtle application of highlighter to small areas such as the brow bone or specific spots on the nose. Chikuhodo squirrel hair is such a treat!

The Chikuhodo G-4 is short-handled dupe for the GSN-9. Since the brushes are handmade, they're not *exactly* the same but they're pretty close. I bought this so that it's easier to travel with and because I love the GSN-9. It's soft and flat enough to pack shadow onto your lids (not as heavily as goat but pretty good for squirrel) but it's also dense enough to blend a bit with especially any harsh edges (without needing an extra blender brush if you're in a pinch). Great brush. The squirrel is so soft; it's perfect for sensitive/dry/mature skin.

This is a popular brush for good reason. It's a true multitasker: I like to use this for targeted powdering such as under the eyes or at my T-zone. It's meant to be a large eyeshadow brush so it can be used as an all over eye shader for eyeshadow base especially for those with larger eyes. I've also used it for targeted highlighter. For anyone with small features like me, this is a a multifunctional brush and you'll put it to good use. The only thing is that the goat hair is not as soft as Hakuhodo. I think Hakuhodo's goat hair is softer but this is still very soft, not scratchy. Highly recommended.

I don't think I would have considered this brush but I saw someone recommend it on YT and I'm so glad I bought it. It's a wonderfully precise eyeliner brush. It works really well with eyeshadow and with gels (although due to how fine it is, probably better with eyeshadow). You'll get a nice fine precise line that's highly pigmented. The weasel is soft and not scratchy at all. This has to be one of my favorite eyeliner brushes in my collection.

This is a great large eyeshadow brush. The pine squirrel is very similar to Canadian squirrel: soft but better at picking up and placing product compared to grey squirrel. I have Asian hooded eyes and actually like using larger eye brushes when I'm doing a quick one-and-done shadow wash. It has a nice pointy tip so that you can create a blended/gradient look but also is fluffy so that you can blend nicely. I actually really like this because I can use one brush rather than using a separate brush to blend. I also really like the Mizuho pine squirrel - some pine squirrel bristles are too silky/soft but theirs is the perfect texture.

This is fabulous liner brush. I use it mainly with gel eyeliner (I don't use shadow too often and haven't tried it for shadow yet). I was not looking for an eyeliner brush but had heard about this on a Reddit post and could not resist when I saw the price. This is a wonderful brush for getting a thin line. IF you like a precise eyeliner, this brush is a must-have.