Hakuhodo G5515, G5520, G5522 Eyeshadow Brushes Reviews & Photos
G5515 Pointed Eyeshadow Brush
Hakuhodo G5515 Pointed Eyeshadow Brush ($15.00) is a tiny, pointed pencil brush made out of horse hair. It’s a mere 5.5mm in length, 3mm in width, and 3mm in thickness. The total length of the brush is just over 6.5 inches or 14.5 centimeters with a rounded ferrule. I thought it might work really well for applying eyeshadow to the lower lash line in a thin line, but I find that I feel the pointed edge, which feels somewhat sharp, even when I’m holding (or at least, trying to) the brush horizontally to use the edge. I could use it for more detailed work on the face, and it didn’t feel sharp, but on the lash line and along the eyelid, it just wasn’t that comfortable to use. I don’t think I have any other pointed brushes this tiny!
G5515 Pointed Eyeshadow Brush
PPermanent. $15.00.
G5520 Pointed Eyeshadow Brush
Hakuhodo G5520 Pointed Eyeshadow Brush ($21.00) is a small, pointed pencil brush made out of blue squirrel and horse hairs. The brush head is 9mm in length, 4mm in width, and 4mm in thickness. It had a total length of 5.75 inches or just over 14.5 centimeters. This brush was more comfortable to use, as it is denser, larger, and the edge is softer. It’s comparable to MAC 219 ($25), which isn’t quite as pointed.
G5520 Pointed Eyeshadow Brush
PPermanent. $21.00.
G5522 Tapered Eyeshadow Brush
Hakuhodo G5522 Tapered Eyeshadow Brush ($28.00) is a large, tapered crease brush made out of blue squirrel and goat hairs. The brush head is 21mm in length, 9mm in width, and 9mm in thickness. It has a total length of inches a little over 6 inches or just over 15.5 centimeters. This brush was fantastic for diffusing color in the crease, blending, or laying down a transition color. It is a larger brush, so it’s something I tend to use with a softer look, or to really diffuse a deeper shade. It’s soft but springy, dense but not firm. It is more tapered than MAC’s 224 ($32) and Make Up For Ever #17S (discontinued).
Sonia Kashuk makes a brush that sounds similar in shape to the tinier pointed shadow brush here in case anyone is interested.
Thank you for letting us know, Maggie! xo
I was thinking the same! Unfortunately, I’ve never seen it by itself, only in “sets”, which is where I got mine. Still, the sets are decently priced, and thenbrushes are the same quality as the single brushes.
I’ve never considered even looking into this brand, as I keep hearing about how “expensive” the brand is… However, these prices seem fairly low in comparison to some of the major brands out there, and on par with Sonia Kashuk. That said, I have more brushes right now than I need, and I typically by more as an impulse buy, but if I do find a need to buy more (or if something absolutely unique comes about! ), this is a brand I will seriously consider.
Some of them are very pricey, others are no more expensive than mid to high-end brushes – e.g. MAC. Like the G5522, which is similar to MAC’s 224, is actually cheaper! I would say that Hakuhodo’s face brushes can get you – that’s where it gets rich!
I just can’t commit to brushes, LOL! I’m always looking for differentnshapes/sizes, and I buy waaay too many… I like “playing” with brushes more than actual makeup, sometimes!
I like to experiment with a brand, and then I zero in on the ones I actually reach for and use regularly… then I want duplicates. It’s an expensive game to play!
…Which is why I can’t bring myself to buy HE brushes, LOL! I’m also grateful for sales/coupons for ULTA & BB&B, as they carry Real Techniques brushes, which are fairly inexpensive, plus 20% off!
I also do a happy dance when I find a Sonia Kashuk brush set on clearance at Target!
I really like the Expert Face brush and use it a lot for foundation, just because I’m less worried about it compared to my Tom Ford, LOL.
Which brush in this brand is similar to the MAC 226 brush?
I would try the J142!
I love reading reviews of makeup brushes (crazy since I hardly own any!)… 😀
This brand seems really interesting – I wonder if we can get them here?
Have you tried any of the Suqqu brushes? I hear that their face brush is supposed to be amazing…
They do ship internationally!
I have the J5522 brush which is the goat hair version of the G5522. Love it. I also own the G5528 pencil brush which is a little larger than your G5520. The Hakuhodo brushes are stellar brushes and some are actually cheaper than MAC brushes, particularly the J series. I haven’t been disappointed with any of brushes.
Nice! I might get the J5522 as my 2nd of the G5522 just to try the J version.
I got two brushes from Hakuhodo (J142 and J5523) and I was blown away by the price – both $18!! So cheap! And the quality blows the MAC 217 away. I don’t even reach for mine anymore. I look forward to getting more eye brushes from them. However, as Christine noted, their face brushes are quite pricey. I just wish they had a standing store!!
It’s crazy how some of their brushes are even more affordable than MAC! But you can get lost in their range and spend a pretty penny, especially if you opt for face brushes. There are some nice face brushes that are under $60, but some of the really lovely ones are over that price.
They do in Torrance, California. Their showroom just opened.
G5522 is a great crease brush! I use it when I want a sheerer crease color with a dark, pigmented eyeshadow.
G5520 seems promising. I hope it will work well to diffuse eyeshadow on the lower lash line.
Obsessed with the G5522. I love big, tapered crease brushes that are just fluffy enough to make blending super easy but not SO fluffy/sparse that they have no precision.
Nice brushes. Thanks for the review.
No prob, Chantel!
I’ve gotta say, I really like the idea of a tapered blending brush for the crease, especially because I have very little lid space. Might have to try that one!
Let me know if you do try it, @Amanda!
I don’t have any Hakuhodo brushes, but I better stay away because I seem to have too many brushes as it is!
Probably not a rabbit hole to go down then!
Lol
For both crease and blending, do you prefer the G5522, J142, or J5523 the most? I believe you included all 3 brushes in your recent must-have brushes for eyes. I am only looking for one though.
How do you wear your makeup, Let?
I don’t use the J5523 in the crease usually, but I use it for applying brow bone highlighters or to blend out the look in general. The G5522 is definitely a larger crease brush, so you may find it too large as a single, universal crease brush. The J142 is one I have multiples of, and it’s easily the one I reach for most often, if that helps. It’s smaller than the G5522, so it can deposit color, blend color, blend edges, etc. If you do a lot of very, very soft looks or usually blend your crease color out a LOT, then you may prefer the feathery quality of the G5522.
I do simple eye looks (browbone highlight, one lid color, crease–sometimes different color for outer V), since my lid space is fairly small and I have slightly hooded eyes. I currently use one MAC 217 for browbone+crease+outer V.
From your description, I’m guessing J142 would work better for my eyes. I like to blend out my crease color a lot though, but if G5522 is around the size of MAC 224, it’ll probably be too large (I remember choosing 217 over 224 because I read one of your older brush posts about their sizes).
Thank you for your detailed response! 🙂
My pleasure, Let! 😀
Won’t ever support or purchase a brand of brushes that uses animals. There is just no need whatsoever to make brushes this way in this day and age. I looked up this company once and could not believe the variety of animals they take their hair from! So sad. 🙁
There are plenty of options available for you that use synthetic brushes! You can check out those reviews if that’s what you prefer 🙂
I’m surprised you find the G5515 too pointy for your undereye, but I guess it is horse. Mine feels quite soft though. I actually just bought a second one at IMATS because I use it almost every time I do my makeup (sometimes to line under the eye, usually to line the upper lashline when I want a slightly diffused line).
Glad you like it, Emi!
I have had the G5522 for about a year now, and it is a fantastic brush to use for setting my undereye concealer with powder. It’s soft enough not to disturb the cream product there, but has enough spring to blend it out and set it for the day. I have to say that this brand is definitely worth the money – the quality can’t be beat! The G and J series are amazing and my friends always comment on how much softer my brushes are than theirs!
Good to hear! I haven’t tried it for setting under eye concealer, but now I will have to.
I need G5522! 🙂
Yes!
I really need to start investing in some Hakuhodo brushes. I’ve been putting it off because I prefer shorter handles (storage uniformity issues), but I keep hearing really great things about their brushes.
They’re not super short handles, but they are shorter than a lot of other brands overall!
In that case they might work for me, after all! Thank you! 🙂
I like Hakuhodo, though I haven’t tried very many of their brushes to comment too much on the quality-price. My one must-have would be J5523…if I had to have only one eyeshadow brush I would pick this one, and so soft too. I wish the photos on their website were more like what you have posted…okay maybe not as detailed as yours but I find the photos and measurements they put up a little difficult to imagine. Have similar issues with Chikuhodo too….
Happy to hear that you’re enjoying your J5523! 🙂
But I hear you – shopping for brushes online is difficult, no matter how many photos you see, measurements you take and relate back to what you own, etc.
I need more pencil brushes in my life. I only have one!
LOL! I think I have two or three, but I don’t use them *that* often that I feel like I need doubles (just one really good one!).
I’m just getting into using different brushes and multiple eyeshadow colors after a lifetime of using whatever spongy thing came in the cheap drugstore stuff I had. This all started because I stumbled across your blog. I’m having a lot of fun but wow can this be addicting! I’ve started with a MAC palette and a MAC 239 and a Real Techniques set and after checking in with you I just ordered some MUG shadows! I don’t buy ANYTHING without checking out what you and your readers think! Thanks so much Christine!
Aww, thank you SO much for your vote of confidence, Kristi! I hope you’re loving your new brushes. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on MUG!
G5522 looks gorgeous- I can’t believe I don’t have it! Going to cart now 🙂
Haha!
Hmm I can’t seem to access hakuhodo site… Is g5522 a recent addition? I have 5520 and 5521, either I misplaced the 5522 or never ordered it 🙁
I was able to go when I just tried now… I don’t think it’s new. I definitely bought it awhile ago! By that I mean at least a two or three months?
ooo I’m so excited for the release of these! You always have such stunning photographs, I just wondered if maybe you could do a blog post or a video about how to take good photos??
Hi Gauri!
I really don’t know much about photography – just what works for my system/setup! There are so many books that you can buy that are far more informative than I could ever be!
I’m dying to get my hands on some of these, so I’m devouring reviews like no one’s business. I don’t even know how to pick!
Shani x
It’s hard to choose! There are so many!
I have so many brushes but I want these I’m planning on looking at website and make a list of what I want if you have a rec let me know!
J142! 🙂
I have the J5522 and its absolutely amazing! So soft and perfect for applying a browbone highlight or blending shadows in the crease. Its a little large for those with smaller eyes, as it is bigger and denser than a MAC 224, but I highly recommend it for everyone! Its a perfect brush for anyone looking to try out Hakuhodo brushes because I feel like its a good representation of the quality for pricepoint that you can get.
On the plus side (since everyone is talking about how cheap it is) its even cheaper in Japan! I just got mine for around $23 in US dollars on a business trip to Tokyo. All the Hakuhodo brushes are cheaper in Japan by about 10 to 20%. Anyone else lucky enough to be going to Tokyo but are pressed for time, the Tokyu-Toyoko East department store located right above the huge Shibuya train station has a small booth located on the 4th floor. Unfortunately their selection is super limited and they carry only the S series, traditional series and only a few G, J and basic series’ brushes. The J5522 is available at the Tokyu-Toyoko East department store (I bought mine here). On the plus side though, if you buy over $100 worth of stuff, they’ll take off the sales tax for foreigners with passports.
If you have more time, I recommend going to the Hakuhodo showcase store in Aoyama. The only problem is how difficult it is to locate. They carry almost every brush in the Hakuhodo line and in all the different handle options. The store is located near the Aoyama train station, (which, from Shinjuku station, can only be reached by subway) but its off a side street from the main street of shops. Its also located in an office building on the 3rd floor so its easy to miss. Tip: memorize how the name Hakuhodo looks in Japanese Kanji characters because it ain’t written in English! But if you make it to the shop, its like a fairy tale land for makeup brush lovers. Thousands of brushes surrounding you all beautifully displayed and free for you to play with and test out. The staff is friendly but don’t really speak English. I speak Japanese and those ladies are extremely knowledgeable about everything about the brushes. I recommend bringing a friend who speaks Japanese if you can’t because the sales ladies can really help you find a brush that works for you. Or just do your research online ahead of time. Another tip: the staff will give you a booklet with all the brushes in it so if you have a change of heart on one of the brushes, you can call up Hakuhodo USA and even if they don’t carry it on the USA website, they can still order it for you!
This was a long reply, but I hope it was helpful!
Thank you so much for sharing all of this valuable information, Katie! 🙂
Would you recommend the G5520 for applying color in the inner corner? Or another brush?
It could work for that purpose! I think it depends on the size of your eye and how much you’re trying to apply (like the style).
Thanks Christine. I bought the G5514 which is the same as the G5520 but in white hair. I love it for my inner corner, as well as concentrated color on small areas of my eye and smudging on the lower lash line.
Very nice! 😀