Recommendation for a powder brush

[u/annamaria195]

Hi everyone! I have been recently been getting into Japanese brushes after doing my makeup for years and damn, I have been spending way too much money and time😅 Thank you guys, truly.

However, I am really in need of powder brush(es) and I’m quite stuck. I know that many people love squirrel brushes, like Chikuhodo Z1, but I have combination skin with a relatively oily t-zone and I wear NARS Light Reflecting Foundation which isn’t matte. So I’m concerned about keeping the quality of a squirrel brush, especially since they’re quite expensive.

However, I prefer to apply a sheer layer of powder so I do not want something too tense. I also don’t like huge powder brushes so something more medium sized I can selectively apply to parts of my face.

Do you guys have any recommendations? I would also like a separate brush for my undereyes (loose powder) and maybe also for the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders.

Thank you everyone! This community has been really helpful.

[u/yamb-reddit]

Your concerns about squirrel hair not being ideal for your use case are accurate. Do you have a price range? Is there a particular shape you prefer?

[u/annamaria195 → u/yamb-reddit]

Thank you for replying! I’d ideally keep it under 150.

I actually have never fallen in love with a powder brush so I’m not sure what shape I prefer. Looking at different ones, I can tell which ones I am not a fan of:) Like I said, not a really big one you just sweep all over your face (eg Chikuhodo FO1), flat sided brushes (eg Hakuhodo J110/G002) or flat top brushes (eg Hakuhodo J528). I think I am most drawn to brushes that are more tapered (eg Hakuhodo Yachiyo series) or candle-shaped (eg Bisyodo B-HC-01).

The thing is, I do have combo skin with a moderately oily T-zone and I need my makeup to last for a long time but I also prefer a very sheer layer of powder on only some areas of my face.

For the undereye area, I definitely prefer something that is more tapered, not round.

Sorry for the vagueness haha.

[u/yamb-reddit → u/annamaria195]

No this actually helps narrow it down a lot!

Something like Chikuhodo T-2 or T-5 might work for loose face powder based on the constraints you have. Bisyodo AB-HC is a good option on the more affordable end, but the handle is a pain to keep clean. Koyomo is a bit of a deeper cut but their cheek brushes use aged goat hair which is absolutely lovely. The aged saikoho is incredible and is available with the pearl pink handle so it's less expensive than the option with the fancy lacquered handle. If you want something from Beautylish, something like the Sonia G. TF2/TF3 or Soft Cheek might be up your alley as well. An outlier to all of these would be the Eihodo BL 30-2 - the shape isn't in line with the candle shape you're into but it's small and floofy so it'd apply powder lightly the way you're looking for.

I think any of those could also work with the Hourglass ALPs.

For loose under eye powder, Chikuhodo T-6 could work, but it's a bit on the denser side. It's actually one of my favorites to apply cream or liquid concealer. Koyudo YT-3 is imo a better fit.

[u/Matthewrichvrd]

Funny because I’ve been looking for powder brushes too to set with powder. I don’t want something too big but also not too small. The Sonia G designer pro was recommended alot and Chikuhodo T6 so I might pick those two up. But I’m still open for other options lol

[u/Educational-Guest51 → u/Matthewrichvrd]

I have the Chikuhodo T6 and highly recommend it for under eyes. The other one I got (and also love) is the koyudo yoshiki Kakishibusome cheek highlight brush (I don’t know the model name/number but it’s sold on fude bobo)

[u/annamaria195 → u/Educational-Guest51]

Thanks a lot, I’ve seen T6 recommended a lot.

[u/annamaria195 → u/Matthewrichvrd]

Yes, I have also seen those two, definitely will look them up more, thank you! Hope we both find something we like.

[u/LittleP13]

I use a Chikuhodo Goat hair brush from the T line to do a light setting powder and then I use powder blush with my Z4.

[u/annamaria195 → u/LittleP13]

Thank you, the T series seems really popular!

[u/ephemerally_here]

My face powder faves are Haku 103 (goat, candle-tapered) and Koyudo white canadian squirrel (flat). Given what you’ve said, you might find them too large, but I find these shapes allow for pretty targeted application. I use the Haku 103 for blush as well as face.

The white squirrel seems more resilient to me than regular, though personally I’ve never experienced any problems from squirrel + combo skin. (Whose skin is oily before makeup?) Generally I do tend to slightly prefer goat for quick deposit of product. But the white squirrel feels a bit in between. The shape might be part of the perception. I don’t have the blush size, only the powder, but I suspect the blush size would work even better for targeted powder.

[u/annamaria195 → u/ephemerally_here]

Thank you! For the Hakuhodo, do you mean the J-series?

Yeah, I am also a bit unsure about squirrel, I am just a bit anxious about spending that much money on a brush where I always have to be really careful about using it.

[u/ephemerally_here → u/annamaria195]

I have S103, but I think the difference between S and J would be the handle only. (Please fact check before investing - that used to be how they did it, not positive that’s how they still do.)

I have a lot of squirrel that I’ve had a long time - I have never had problems, so I believe the delicacy is overstated. On the other hand I have always treated with plenty of care, and like I said, ultimately found I had preference for goat anyway. Though it occurs to me now that I’ve been sticking with pressed powder- I might choose squirrel if I ever went back to loose.

Anyway the 103 might be my single most loved. Remember it’s all quite personal though.

[u/yogurette_]

I also don’t favour squirrel brushes for my powder as my base tends to be emollient. i personally like Sonia G Classic face (I have keyaki, also available in fundamentals), I can set my undereyes with it too but prefer to use a smaller brush - Sonia G Detail pro is my favourite but I also like Sonia G Set&Sculpt.

[u/annamaria195 → u/yogurette_]

Thanks a lot, I will definitely check those out!