Chikuhodo GSN-09 Eyeshadow, GSN-07 Eyeshadow, GSN-12 Eyebrow Brushes Reviews, Photos, Swatches
GSN-09 Eyeshadow Brush
Chikuhodo GSN-09 Eyeshadow Brush ($25.00) is a small-medium, dome-shaped eyeshadow brush made out of gray squirrel hair. The brush head had a length of 12mm, width of 6.5mm, and thickness of 2.5mm. It had a total length of 182mm with a pinched, metal ferrule. Of all the GSN brushes I’ve tried, this is easily my favorite, and I could see getting multiples of it, because it’s a really versatile brush for eyeshadow application. It’s narrower than my go-to MAC 239, but it is softer with a more domed edge. The narrower width allows it to apply color more precisely, which is helpful if you’re using more than two or three colors on the lid. It packs on, sweeps, and diffuses eyeshadow beautifully. The edge also fits into the crease area well and can apply color there, too, if you don’t have a go-to crease brush (or sometimes get lazy, in my case). It’s incredibly soft and silky against the skin, but it still picks up plenty of product, so you don’t sacrifice color payoff in your application.
GSN-09 Eyeshadow Brush
PPermanent. $25.00.
GSN-07 Eyeshadow Brush
Chikuhodo GSN-07 Eyeshadow Brush ($40.00) is a large, paddle-shaped eyeshadow brush made out of gray squirrel and fitch hair. The brush head a length of 21mm, width of 16.5mm, and thickness of 8mm. It had a total length of 190mm with a pinched, metal ferrule. As an eyeshadow brush, I think it’s very much over-sized and couldn’t incorporate it into an eyeshadow routine at all. I mostly found use for it in applying concealer underneath the eye or using it to press loose powder underneath the eye to set powder over concealer. The bristles are soft, while it had a dense, firm texture with light spring.
GSN-07 Eyeshadow Brush
PPermanent. $40.00.
GSN-12 Eyebrow Brush
Chikuhodo GSN-12 Eyebrow Brush ($29.00) is a medium-sized, angled brush made out of raccoon hair. The brush head had a length of 7.5mm, width of 6mm, and thickness of 2mm. It had a total length of 177mm with a pinched, metal ferrule. The brush head is firm with a little give, and it’s a thicker brow brush so it actually gives a really soft brow color when used. You can get more precise edges, but the brow powder can be diffused and evened out throughout the brow. I like this for getting a defined but not harsh brow using powder eyeshadow. For gels and creams, it picks up too much product, but I liked it for blending out those formulas. I’ve been reaching for this over a lot of my other go-tos for brows, just because I really like how it blends out my brow powder.
GSN-12 Eyebrow Brush
PPermanent. $29.00.
Chikuhodo GSN-09 Eyeshadow Brush
Chikuhodo GSN-09 Eyeshadow Brush
Chikuhodo GSN-09 Eyeshadow Brush
Chikuhodo GSN-09 Eyeshadow Brush
Chikuhodo GSN-09 Eyeshadow Brush
Chikuhodo GSN-09 Eyeshadow Brush
Chikuhodo GSN-07 Eyeshadow Brush
Chikuhodo GSN-07 Eyeshadow Brush
Chikuhodo GSN-07 Eyeshadow Brush
Chikuhodo GSN-07 Eyeshadow Brush
Chikuhodo GSN-07 Eyeshadow Brush
Chikuhodo GSN-07 Eyeshadow Brush
Chikuhodo GSN-07 Eyeshadow Brush
Chikuhodo GSN-12 Eyebrow Brush
Chikuhodo GSN-12 Eyebrow Brush
Chikuhodo GSN-12 Eyebrow Brush
Chikuhodo GSN-12 Eyebrow Brush
Chikuhodo GSN-12 Eyebrow Brush
Chikuhodo GSN-12 Eyebrow Brush
The first thing I am struck by is the beautiful white and gold packaging!
I like how the handles are like a pearly white.
Uhhhhhhhhohhhhh… I have been *this* close to forking out for a MAC 239… and now this!!
It is a nice alternative to the 239! Not a dupe but alternative.
Thanks 🙂 I think I’ll still be picking up a 239!
That first multitasking eyeshadow brush sounds like just what I’ve been after, and it’s so incedibly affordable! (Well, by middle earth standards, LOL!). I wonder if I can get these here somehow…
Haha! It is affordable, relative to other brushes by Chikuhodo or other competitor brands (Hakuhodo, MAC, etc.).
Do they still have a $200 minimum?
Beautylish sells Chikuhodo now, and they don’t have any minimums in place.
Thanks, did not know that!! Squeee!!
It actually looks like the now-eproject has rebranded and possibly repriced everything… I was curious, because when Beautylish launched Chikuhodo, their prices were totally different (significantly lower) and wondered how now-eproject was going to compete. Their website redirects to visageusa.com, they no longer have order minimums, and shipping seems reduced.
Oh wow, these sound and look rrreally nice! Probably near impossible for me to get my hands on though…
Aww! 🙁
I want to hold them. I want to hold the handles. I want to touch them. Yes, I sound kind of creepy right now BUT LOOK AT THOSE.
LOL!
Hmm the GSN-09 seems interesting. The price also seems more “normal” than their face brushes and the Z-series. I might get one since I only have one MAC 239 (and no other eyeshadow brush for lid color), which costs $25(!) too now.
Did you also get the blending brush (GSN-10?) too, by the way?
Yes, the Z-series is pretty much their top end line, but the GSN series is a lot more reasonable–particularly for the eye brushes. Some of the face brushes do get pricey (of course, still about half the price of the equivalent Z-series brush). I don’t have the GSN-10!
Darn, they are currently sold out of the GSN-9…
I just checked, Beautylish shows “add to bag”?
Thanks for your reviews, Christine! Do you recommend the GSN09 to apply/blend shadows for my hooded eyes?
I think it might work well, since it is a little narrower and longer!
I really like the idea of the 09!
It’s a great brush!
Dear Christine,
Do you happen to know what Sally Beauty’s small shading eye shadow brush looks like? If you do, how do the size compare to GSN #9. Almost all my brushes are Japanese made, but I cannot find a perfect size for my small Asian eyes. I have a feeling that GSN 9 is it!
Sorry, I have no idea what that brush is or looks like. Have never heard of it before!
If I was between buying some Hakuhodo brushes that you recommended or this brand, which would you go for? (I have a couple Mac brushes and love them, but wanting to try other brands…)
Hakuhodo seems to have more variety, and I like that the quality of the brush heads is really similar across all the different ranges – it seems you’re paying more (or less) depending on your handle choice. I have enjoyed Chikuhodo’s brushes thus far, just that they actually have tiers for their brushes so it can be more confusing. I’m not sure they have quite the variety of Hakuhodo (at least, maybe not here in the U.S.). They’re both nice brands, but I have more experience with Hakuhodo’s range.
What a nice alternative to the ever elusive Z series! I think I see a GSN – 09 in my future..thanks for the visual treat Christine.
No problem, Erica! 🙂
Hi Christine, could you please tell me who stocks these brushes? We definitely can’t get them in NZ but where online could they be ordered from?
Thanks so much.
Hey Denise!
Now-eproject used to sell them, but their site redirects to visageusa.com, which seems to just be a rebranding effort.
Thanks Christine for the info. After looking thru some of your earlier blogs I spotted the Hakuhodo brushes which have got great reviews. I’ve sent them an email asking for some info and they’ve already replied so I’ll be checking them out too!
No prob, Denise! Can’t wait to see what you end up trying!