This is the last post in my series on my favorite eye brushes, and it covers the more miscellaneous brushes for brows, detail work, and the like. These are the brushes I typically rotate through each and every week like clockwork (though there are more I use in a week, but these are the ones I’ll use first!).

I would love to hear about the brushes you can’t live without for brows and detail work — share your picks in the comments!

Brows

For the last couple of years, I’ve been using brow gel/creams to fill my brows (like Anastasia Dipbrow), and I prefer a stiff, angled liner or brow brush that isn’t too thin nor too thick. For grooming my brows, I’ve had no trouble using various spoolie brushes, but after discovering Smith’s angled spoolie, there was no going back!

Smith 214, NARS 47, Zoeva #17, Smith 205

• Smith 214 Spoolie Brush ($16.00) is an angled, spoolie brush that is excellent for grooming brows into place while simultaneously softening the brow after it’s been filled in.
• NARS 47 Angled Eyeliner Brush ($28.00) is a thin, angled brush that’s firm and stiff but in the best of ways for a really controlled, precise application of brow color.  Mine is actually the 38, but NARS updated their brushes, and it’s now the 47 (I have both and there’s no difference in the brush head, just the handle).
• Zoeva 317 Wing Liner ($9.80) is a strong, angled brush with a firmer feel that has just enough give to move in fluid strokes for filling in brows.  I have a few of these (they’re in a lot of the limited edition sets), and they’re always in my weekly mix of brushes to clean.
• Smith 205 Angled Liner Brush ($) is a small-to-medium, angled brush that’s firm without being overly stiff or rough on the skin.  It’s narrow enough to yield more hair-like strokes but gets the job done quickly.

Details & Lash Line

If you’ve seen my looks, I love a good punch of color on my lower lash line, so it’ll come as no surprise that I have several picks for detail work, particularly the lower lash line. I use these brushes for depositing more intense, deeper color into my crease (typically after I’ve applied other shades) as well as for applying color and blending said color out on my lower lash line.

Urban Decay Smoky Smudger, Hakuhodo G5548, Hakuhodo B5520, Zoeva 230

• Urban Decay Smoky Smudger Brush (E208) ($24.00) is a small, rounded domed, synthetic brush that is excellent with powder and cream products for depositing color into the crease without losing opacity.  It also works well for diffusing and blending out areas for a very blown out, diffused look.
• Hakuhodo G5548 Eye Shadow Brush ($27.00) is a medium, tapered pencil brush that is exceptional for depositing color into the crease (I prefer to do this after I already have done some blending work with crease/transition shades) to darken the area.  It also works well on the lower lash line! It’s like the big sister to the B5520.
• Hakuhodo B5520 Eye Shadow Brush ($22.00) is a small, tapered pencil brush that comes to a more noticeable point at the edge, so it can deliver precise application.  I reach for this one for inner corner work as well as for when I want a very thin line of color underneath pencil eyeliner.
• Zoeva 230 Luxe Pencil Brush ($11.50) is small enough to be precise but fluffy and rounded enough to smudge and blend eyeshadow (or liner) on the lower lash line easily.  It’s not the softest of pencil brushes (though not rough/scratchy), which I find practical for smudging pencil liner in particular.

Lower Lash Line

The first brush is my go-to for applying liquid glittery eyeshadows (like Stila’s Glitter & Glows) to my lower lash line, usually on top of another powder. The other two brushes I find particularly useful for really blown out, diffused lower lash line work.

Urban Decay Tightline, Hakuhodo J5529, SUQQU Eyeshadow Brush M

• Urban Decay Tightline Brush (E213) ($22.00) is a flat, synthetic brush with a domed edge that is quite small, which makes it perfect for applying liquid and cream products to the lash line.  I tend to use it with liquid, glittery eyeshadows that function as top coats on top of my eyeliner or other eyeshadow.
• Hakuhodo J5529 Eye Shadow Brush ($17.00) is a thin, narrower crease brush that’s a bit shorter than the average tapered, crease brush that I’ve learned to love for blending and diffusing darker eyeshadows along the lower lash line for a supremely diffused gradient of color.  It has quite a bit of give, which I think works on the lower lash line but can be too much for use in the crease.
• SUQQU Eyeshadow Brush M (£48.00 / ¥8,000) is a small, tapered crease brush that I’ve found invaluable for diffusing matte eyeshadow underneath my lower lash line, especially along the outer portion of my lash line.  It also works well for depositing color into the crease and for more precise blending work around the crease area.  The big downside is (besides the price) availability, as it takes some legwork to get shipped to the US.

Yawakouki (05)

SUQQU Yawakouki (05) Pure Color Blush ($34.00 for 0.26 oz.) is a light-medium, peachy orange with warm undertones–leaning yellower–paired with fine, golden shimmer. The finish had a low to moderate luminosity to it, enough that it was detectable but it did not emphasize my skin’s natural texture or look truly shiny.

The powder formula is supposed to combine a “subtle glow” and a “pop of color.” It had an incredibly soft, smooth, and finely-milled consistency that kicked up a bit of powder in the pan, but it sat well on the skin and did not appear dry or dusty at all. The color blended out with ease, but it is light enough that it is going to work better on lighter skin tones than mine as it just barely showed on me. It was richly pigmented, which seemed more pigmented than as described, but I think the formula is forgiving enough that it is easily sheered out, so it is unlikely to be an issue for most. I could see the blush starting to fade slightly after eight hours of wear.

Suqqu Yawakouki (05) Pure Color Blush

Suqqu Yawakouki (05) Pure Color Blush

Suqqu Yawakouki (05) Pure Color Blush

Suqqu Yawakouki (05) Pure Color Blush

Suqqu Yawakouki (05) Pure Color Blush

Suqqu Yawakouki (05) Pure Color Blush

Suqqu Yawakouki (05) Pure Color Blush

Suqqu Yawakouki (05) Pure Color Blush

Suqqu Yawakouki (05) Pure Color Blush

Suqqu Yawakouki (05) Pure Color Blush

Suqqu Yawakouki (05) Pure Color Blush

Suqqu Yawakouki (05) Pure Color Blush

Suqqu Yawakouki (05) Pure Color Blush

Suqqu Yawakouki (05) Pure Color Blush

SUQQU Hanachaori (02) Pure Color Blush ($34.00 for 0.26 oz.) is a medium-dark, peachy-brown with warm undertones and fine, gold shimmer. Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Contour (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Guerlain Pause d'Ete (LE, $82.00) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop Most Necessary (P, $8.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). NYX Crushed Bloom (P, $7.99) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). NYX Glow (P, $6.50) is more shimmery (90% similar). Wet 'n' Wild Hummingbird Hype (LE, $4.99) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Surratt Beauty Angelique (P, $32.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). ColourPop Wayfarer (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Makeup Revolution Golden Days (P, $6.00) is cooler (90% similar). MAC Fairly Precious (P, $31.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Anastasia Daydream (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Sydney Grace First Date (P, $9.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). MAC Cloudy Copper (LE, $31.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). Too Faced Spice (LE, ) is warmer (85% similar). Kevyn Aucoin Sunset #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (85% similar). Milani Coral Beams #1 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). Benefit 10 (Bronzer) (DC, $29.00) is darker (80% similar). KIKO 100 Cookie (P, $12.00) is darker (80% similar). ColourPop So Retrograde (DC, $12.00) is less shimmery, darker, brighter (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

It is one of five new, permanent blushes from SUQQU that features a powder formula that is supposed to combine a “subtle glow” and “pop of color.” It had medium, buildable coverage when swirled together, with the darker shade being more pigmented and the lighter (pinker) shade being a bit sheerer (which is as described). The texture was fairly soft and smooth, with just a touch of dryness, that blended easily on the skin but did not look dry or powdery. It seemed to “melt” a bit after five to ten minutes of wear. The finish was glowing and luminous without being overtly shimmery or metallic on the skin, though I wouldn’t describe it as subtle either. It wore well for eight hours on me before fading noticeably.

I bought mine from Selfridges, but the SUQQU blushes have been going in and out of stock, even though they are permanent (shipping is a flat $30 to the U.S., so obviously, it makes sense to wait until you have a larger order).

See more photos & swatches!

SUQQU Hanachaori (02) Pure Color Blush

SUQQU Hanachaori (02) Pure Color Blush

SUQQU Hanachaori (02) Pure Color Blush

SUQQU Hanachaori (02) Pure Color Blush

SUQQU Hanachaori (02) Pure Color Blush

SUQQU Hanachaori (02) Pure Color Blush

SUQQU Hanachaori (02) Pure Color Blush

SUQQU Hanachaori (02) Pure Color Blush

SUQQU Hanachaori (02) Pure Color Blush

SUQQU Hanachaori (02) Pure Color Blush

SUQQU Hanachaori (02) Pure Color Blush

SUQQU Hanachaori (02) Pure Color Blush

SUQQU may not be the most accessible brand yet (here’s hoping they’ll expand to a good stockist in the U.S.), but they live up to the hype and are lovely brushes for those who wish to indulge. I can see why the Cheek brush is constantly out of stock at Selfridges. I know readers have recommended Ichibankao for ordering Asia-exclusive beauty brands, and they also have SUQQU brushes available (but I haven’t personally ordered from them, though I have been tempted!). I have no complaints; they’re outstanding, high-quality brushes. I’ve been putting them through testing since October, and I haven’t had any issues with shedding, smell, or re-shaping after washing. I’ve washed all of the brushes numerous times since then, and they’re still as soft and silky as they were to begin with. The shapes are well-done–more distinct from many brushes I own but they’re still useful, versatile shapes that I can easily use.

Cheek Brush

SUQQU Cheek Brush (£80.00 / ¥15,000) is a small, rounded blush brush that flares outwards from the ferrule and then tapers to a rounded edge. It is made out of gray squirrel hair, and it is supremely soft, silky, and smooth against the skin. No matter the direction or pressure, the brush never felt rough or sharp. It had moderate density with a feathery quality to it, which made it particularly suitable for use with more pigmented or very soft-textured powder products. This is useful if you’re more heavy-handed when applying your blush, even if you don’t mean to be, as it is hard to overdo your cheek color with this brush. It works well to blend and soften edges of various powder products for cheeks and face. I really liked it for highlight, though, as it gave me similar results that I get with a fan brush but with more precision–diffused, luminous, but never metallic.

• Sizing: 34mm in length, 19mm in width, 15mm in thickness (it’s round); total length of 15.5 centimeters.
• Most similar: Chikuhodo Z-4 is similar in its smaller size, but it is wider and flatter (thinner) with less roundedness; where the Z-4 looks more like a blush brush, SUQQU Cheek looks more like a highlighting brush

• Sizing: 50mm in length, 36mm in width, 26mm in thickness (it’s round); total length of 13 centimeters.
• Most similar: Chikuhodo Z-1 is slightly smaller, while Chikuhodo Z-9 is wider/flatter and a bit overall–they all feel the same in regards to softness.

Eyeshadow Brush M

SUQQU Eyeshadow Brush M (£48.00 / ¥8,000) is a medium-sized, domed brush with a very rounded edge. It’s like a much larger and wider take on a pencil brush or a really squat, densely-packed crease brush. It can apply quite a bit of color even though it’s made out of gray squirrel, if desired. There’s no doubt it’s one of the softest pencil-like brushes I’ve tried, as it swirls and taps, sweeps and blends and never, ever feels pointed. The bristles move together in a way that feels silky across the skin. Though it probably will make some cringe, but this is such a good shape and brush for applying cream eyeshadow into the crease, particularly for blending out the edges (I really liked it with Laura Mercier). I tend to favor other brushes for initial application and only use this as a buffing tool, just because it makes it cleaner when I use it for blending. It’s lovely for blending out powder eyeshadows as well, and it is nice for highlighting the inner tear duct/corner of the lid. I’ve also had good luck using it to buff out creamy concealers underneath the eye or tapping brightening powder underneath the eye.

• Sizing: 12.5mm in length, 6mm in width, 6mm in thickness (it’s round); total length of 13 centimeters.
• Most similar: Chikuhodo Z-10 is much more tapered towards the end and comes to more of a point; IT Cosmetics No. 105 is longer, so it has more spring, but it has a similarly-sized rounded edge (it is also a synthetic option)

Lip Brush L

SUQQU Lip Brush L (£32.00 / ¥6,500) is a thin, rectangular lip brush that can line, fill, and blend with great precision. Its greatest attribute is that it never feels sharp, even when using the edge get a really crisp line of color. The bristles are extremely well-cut so that you don’t get skips and drags, and they move together for the most part. I like that it doesn’t come to a defined, tapered point, which is one of the things I like least in lip brushes, and the length is nice, as it gives you enough real estate to get product on it and cover lips without it taking an eternity. All that said, I rarely use lip brushes, so I wouldn’t consider myself a lip brush authority, so please keep that in mind!

• Sizing: 10mm in length, 6mm in width, 0.5mm in thickness (it’s round); total length of 17 centimeters.
• Most similar: Hakuhodo 270 (I don’t have it) appears similar based on photo/listed measurements; Tom Ford also has a more rectangular-shaped brush

Suqqu Cheek Brush  

Suqqu Cheek Brush  

Suqqu Cheek Brush  

Suqqu Cheek Brush  

Suqqu Cheek Brush  

Suqqu Cheek Brush  

Suqqu Cheek Brush  

Suqqu Face Brush  

Suqqu Face Brush  

Suqqu Face Brush  

Suqqu Face Brush  

Suqqu Face Brush  

Suqqu Face Brush  

Suqqu Eyeshadow Brush M  

Suqqu Eyeshadow Brush M  

Suqqu Eyeshadow Brush M  

Suqqu Eyeshadow Brush M  

Suqqu Eyeshadow Brush M  

Suqqu Eyeshadow Brush M  

Suqqu Lip Brush L  

Suqqu Lip Brush L  

Suqqu Lip Brush L  

Suqqu Lip Brush L  

Suqqu Lip Brush L  

Suqqu Cheek Brush  

Suqqu Cheek Brush  

Suqqu Cheek Brush  

Suqqu Cheek Brush  

Suqqu Cheek Brush  

Suqqu Cheek Brush  

Suqqu Cheek Brush  

Suqqu Face Brush  

Suqqu Face Brush  

Suqqu Face Brush  

Suqqu Face Brush  

Suqqu Face Brush  

Suqqu Face Brush  

Suqqu Eyeshadow Brush M  

Suqqu Eyeshadow Brush M  

Suqqu Eyeshadow Brush M  

Suqqu Eyeshadow Brush M  

Suqqu Eyeshadow Brush M  

Suqqu Eyeshadow Brush M  

Suqqu Lip Brush L  

Suqqu Lip Brush L  

Suqqu Lip Brush L  

Suqqu Lip Brush L  

Suqqu Lip Brush L