Review by lily

Such a special set of brushes! Makes the makeup ritual feel like a moment of self-care and history (if that isn't too much of an exaggeration lol!). Beautiful to the eye and in the hand and the koyomo hairs are very silky yet resilient. Some of my favorite fude.

Very soft but the animal stink is god awful. This one seems to be the worst of the Houkodou Brilliant Gold brushes I got. The odor wasn't very noticeable out of the box but after a wash... unbearable. I washed it two more times hoping it would improve, but no. Currently, it's being aired outside on the patio! Maybe I'll be able to use it next week? Or possibly, the next century.

Pros: Great rounded angle shape, very fluffy after a wash, softer than expected, compact for travel, looks elegant, inexpensive. Con: SMELLS TERRIBLE.

Smells as if there is alcohol in this? I don't know, but it's great for removing stains from sponges/puffs and white bristle brushes. Seems gentle enough. The pump is fine but since the consistency is watery, rather than a gel, I think I would have preferred a pointed-nozzle squeeze bottle.

Maybe it is a little extra but I use this to dust my laptop. My sensitive skin finds it somewhat too exfoliating/abrasive for daily face washing, but the dual length fibers are perfect for really getting in the individual keypad crevices. Plus, I love having it out on my desk! Aesthetically very pleasing. My laptop has never been so clean. :D

I'm surprised at how soft this is - not the softest ever but definitely softer than I was expecting. Just a little less soft than the Bisyodo "long series" dyed goat, for example. Maybe I got a fluke extra-soft batch? Anyway, I'm very happy with it - a really versatile, useful brush. Dense enough for some buffing (though maybe not heavy application?), feathery enough for a light dusting. Travels well and fluffs easily when removed from a brush net/guard. Love it!

I'd hoped this would be soft enough but I can still feel some hairs poke my skin and make it itch on days my skin is extra-sensitive. The Bisyodo "short series" undyed goat brushes are silkier in my opinion but that series doesn't have a comparable buffing brush that I know of. However, I've learnt the trick to using this brush without itchiness is to press somewhat firmly onto the skin when swirling/buffing so that you get less of the scratchy tips and more of the sides of the hairs. A few hairs have shed while using it, too, disappointingly. Overall, a pretty good brush, but personally not among my favorites.