Z-8 Cheek Brush

Chikuhodo Z-8 Cheek Brush ($141.00) is a medium-sized, tapered, slightly paddle-shaped, blush brush. The brush head is 1.25 inches or 3 centimeters in width, just over 1.5 inches or 4 centimeters in length, and 0.75 inches or 2 centimeters in thickness. It has an open ferrule and a total length of 6 inches or just over 15.5 centimeters. It is made out of gray squirrel hair.

It's an impossibly soft, dense blush brush that applies both sheer and more pigmented blushes with ease, blends them almost as you apply and lay down the color, and never, ever irritates the skin. I like how dense and full the brush is, but it still has give; it doesn't feel stiff or heavy against the skin--you still get a lot that featheriness of a less dense brush. This brush is a real multi-tasker, if you wish it to be, because it's large enough to apply blush, bronzer, or powder as desired, but it isn't overly large, so it could also work for dusting on a highlighter (probably one that is sheerer) or finishing powder all-over the face. I've had no issues with shedding over the past two months I've been test-driving it. I can see why some splash out for luxury brushes like this one, though that "is it worth it" question is always going to be difficult. I couldn't think of similar brushes to this that I have; its density and roundness at its base made it hard to dupe (most of my blush brushes are flatter).