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Hakuhodo G5545, G5556, and J511 Brushes Reviews & Photos

Hakuhodo G5545 Blush Brush
Hakuhodo G5545 Blush Brush

Hakuhodo G5545 Blush Brush ($48.00) is a rounded, flat blush brush made out of blue squirrel and goat hair. It’s 38mm in length, 30mm in width, and 18mm in thickness. It has a total length of just under 7 inches or just over 17.5 centimeters with a pinched ferrule. Prior to my aggressive try-all-the-brushes campaign, I don’t think I had a brush like this–it is a lot flatter than I’m used to. It’s somewhat dense, flat, and just a little rounded around the upper half of the brush head. If you tend to pat your blush on, it’s a good option. It feels incredibly soft against the skin, doesn’t apply too much or too little product in a go, and can softly blend color together. I liked it best with powders. Sephora Pro Precision Blush Brush ($32) is shorter and has a more angled/tapered edge, but it is similar in flatness and overall application; the G5545 is much, much softer (feels like water, almost, against the skin). MAC 116 ($35) is thicker and fluffier overall–and feels much rougher in comparison. Shu Uemura #20 Natural Brush ($50) is the most comparable, though it has a flatter edge, so it is not as rounded, but it has a similar flatness and overall size; it is almost as soft as Hakuhodo’s but not quite (I don’t think you’d notice unless you had both).

Hakuhodo G5556 Powder & Liquid Brush ($69.00) is a blend of goat hair and synthetic fibers. This particular shape of brush is available in a few sizes (and you’ll also find a few in the S series with the red-orange handle if you prefer that aesthetic), there is the G5552-4mm ($45), G5553-2mm ($45), G5554-4mm ($54), G5555-2mm ($54), G5557-2mm ($69). Since I have a history of choosing a brush that’s just slightly smaller than I actually want, I went for what I hoped would be one of the larger versions! From what I’ve seen from readers, this shape/style is supposed to be similar to Shiseido’s Perfect Foundation Brush (which, apparently, is $30, and I had in my mind that it was going to be a $50+ brush, go figure! This also means I’ll probably cave and buy it!). I don’t have Shiseido’s to compare at this time, so I can’t weigh in on that debate.

The G5556 is 28mm in length (from the tallest edge), 28mm in width, and 28mm in thickness. It’s just under 6 inches or 15.5 centimeters in total lenght. It has a round, open ferrule. The brush handle is also very, very thick and round–about 3/4 in diameter and a wide as 1 inch at its widest point. It’s a round, dense brush with a slanted, angled edge that goes flat across (but at an angle). That angle makes it easier to pull the brush into crevices and curves, like around the nose, around the eyes, and along the jaw line. The mix of synthetic and natural bristles makes it work well for liquid as well as powder, so for cream and liquid foundations, this is a nice option. I really liked it for foundation application, but I don’t reach for it over some of my other favorites! It does take a little longer to dry due to its density. This is one of the only angled foundation brushes I own, I think!

Hakuhodo J511 Angled Highlighter Brush ($33.00) is a small-to-medium angled brush made out of goat hair (it is also available with a combination of blue squirrel and goat hair, with black bristles, for $42 as the G511). It’s 28 mm in length, 28mm in width, and 18mm in thickness. It has a total length of 6.25 inches or 16 centimeters. It has a pinched ferrule. The size makes it workable for highlighting, as you can delicately feather a shimmery product on without applying too much or getting it everywhere. For contouring, it works for those with smaller faces or who want a more precise contour. I also thought it was better for applying cream or liquid contours, as I find more precision in placement is more crucial with those textures than with powders. I noticed that this brush also fluffed up quite a bit after an initial wash, so it is more feathery and not as dense as it appears when it first arrives (not really a bad thing!). It is smaller than MAC 168 ($35) and Sephora’s Pro Angled Blush Brush ($32).

G5545 Blush Brush

PPermanent. $48.00.
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G5556 Powder & Liquid Brush

PPermanent. $69.00.
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J511 Angled Highlighter Brush

PPermanent. $33.00.
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See more photos!

Hakuhodo G5545 Blush Brush
Hakuhodo G5545 Blush Brush

Hakuhodo G5545 Blush Brush
Hakuhodo G5545 Blush Brush

Hakuhodo G5545 Blush Brush
Hakuhodo G5545 Blush Brush

Hakuhodo G5545 Blush Brush
Hakuhodo G5545 Blush Brush

Hakuhodo G5545 Blush Brush
Hakuhodo G5545 Blush Brush

Hakuhodo G5545 Blush Brush
Hakuhodo G5545 Blush Brush

Hakuhodo G5545 Blush Brush
Hakuhodo G5545 Blush Brush

Hakuhodo G5556 Powder & Liquid Brush
Hakuhodo G5556 Powder & Liquid Brush

Hakuhodo G5556 Powder & Liquid Brush
Hakuhodo G5556 Powder & Liquid Brush

Hakuhodo G5556 Powder & Liquid Brush
Hakuhodo G5556 Powder & Liquid Brush

Hakuhodo G5556 Powder & Liquid Brush
Hakuhodo G5556 Powder & Liquid Brush

Hakuhodo G5556 Powder & Liquid Brush
Hakuhodo G5556 Powder & Liquid Brush

Hakuhodo G5556 Powder & Liquid Brush
Hakuhodo G5556 Powder & Liquid Brush

Hakuhodo J511 Angled Highlighter Brush
Hakuhodo J511 Angled Highlighter Brush

Hakuhodo J511 Angled Highlighter Brush
Hakuhodo J511 Angled Highlighter Brush

Hakuhodo J511 Angled Highlighter Brush
Hakuhodo J511 Angled Highlighter Brush

Hakuhodo J511 Angled Highlighter Brush
Hakuhodo J511 Angled Highlighter Brush

Hakuhodo J511 Angled Highlighter Brush
Hakuhodo J511 Angled Highlighter Brush

Hakuhodo J511 Angled Highlighter Brush
Hakuhodo J511 Angled Highlighter Brush

Hakuhodo J511 Angled Highlighter Brush
Hakuhodo J511 Angled Highlighter Brush

Hakuhodo J511 Angled Highlighter Brush
Hakuhodo J511 Angled Highlighter Brush

21 Comments

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Abbey W Avatar

That foundation brush looks a lot like Wayne Goss’s foundation brush from his line (maybe a little less angled). His is quite a bit less expensive, so I think I’ll try it out first!

Gisele Avatar

Actually, Wayne Goss’ brush is quite smaller. Maybe like a G5553 or even 2. I’m still waiting for my order to arrive, but I think I’ll use Goss’ foundation brush for contour creams and buy a G5556 or 7 for foundation.
Christine, what’s your opinion about the size? Is G5556 large enough?

Amanda R Avatar

I really need to get some Hakuhodo brushes! Also, I have a request: can you please please please write about/review Wayne Goss’ brush collection?

Gisele Avatar

I bought the 04 – medium crease – and it’s only comparable to my Suqqu ones. Went back to order the whole collection. I was really surprised with their quality. 🙂

Beka Avatar

It looks like the bristles of the shiseido foundation brush are more densely packed. I don’t know if that’s the right way to describe it, but the bristles don’t reall come apart. They don’t flare out from each other at all. Maybe because its synthetic?

Wwendalynne Avatar

Brushes and Skincare are at the top of my wishlist these days.

The powder and liquid brush is really reminiscent of the new Wayne Goss foundation brush so I get why people are asking. I’ve been sitting on the fence regarding his collection, but would like to try a couple of his brushes. I do want to try something this size with the angle cut for foundation application. I think the Hakuhodo may be more expensive. Both seem to be a mix of natural and synthetic, but no info on the ‘natural’ part of W’s brush version goat in the Hakuhodo.

I love the angle brush. Since I’ve been embracing the whole face sculpting thang lately, I’ve been using my old Sephora brand angle cheek brush for shading and creating depth under cheekbones and while it’s great for shape, it’s definitely not my softest brush. Need to get me one of these 🙂

Vineetha Avatar

Have both the foundation and blush brush. Blush brush is kind of small and flat than my other blush brushes. I love hakuhodo brushes. they are so incredibly soft and well built

Malia Avatar

I must be the only person who doesnt love the Shiseido brush! It’s too dense and small… I wish you the best with it but I swear the hakuhodo is a dream compared to it. I don’t think I ordered the j511 be ause of the white goat hair, and now that I see the shape, I don’t think I want it after all. Thanks again your place is soooo helpful!!

patsyann Avatar

I have both the G5547 and the J511. I love them! The blush brush works best for blushes that are softly milled and not hard packed in the pan. For those, like the Tarte blushes, I need something that will get into the pan and aggressively pick up product. The J5ll works really well for me because I have a small but full face. It cleans beautifully and does not hold stain. Top quality brushes!

indiekicks Avatar

Nice review! 🙂

I’ve decided I’m going to start dabbling in higher end brushes and I’ve been looking at different MAC ones, but now I’m thinking I might as well go to the source since the prices are usually comparable as long as I stay clear of the S-line.

Temptalia, would you recommend going for Hakuhodo over MAC for a newbie? I want a buffing foundation brush, a blush brush, and a powder brush so I was looking at the 187, 109, and 150. Would I be better off going for the Hakuhodo equivalents (what would be the equivalents)? Thanks!! 😀

Christine Avatar

Hey!

I would do both, does that make sense? Honestly, Hakuhodo tends to be *softer* overall, but MAC has a couple of shapes I haven’t seen replicated in Hakuhodo’s line – plus MAC is more accessible and you can return brushes easily (assuming you’re in the U.S.).

The Hakuhodo 210 is similar to the 109 but it’s not my favorite Hakuhodo brush – http://www.temptalia.com/hakuhodo-210-blush-brush-214-highlighter-brush-reviews-photos

Not sure what would dupe the 187 or 150.

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