SUQQU Cheek Brush, Face Brush, Eyeshadow Brush M, Lip Brush L Reviews & Photos
SUQQU Brushes
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
SUQQU Face Brush (£168.00 / ¥30,000) is a large, rounded powder brush that tapers slightly at the edges and rounds out at the top. It’s dense without being fully packed (it’s not a kabuki brush), so there’s a light spring and give as it is swept across the skin. It feels like silk (even when I had my husband do the blind-softness-test, he described it as such, “It feels so silky, is that even possible with a brush?”) as the bristles move together. You just don’t feel the individual fibers at all. The fullness makes it ideal for dusting finishing and setting powders all over the face. I also liked it for diffusing the edges of a trickier blush or bronzer as well. It is made out of gray squirrel hair.
- 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
Serious Lust-envy brushes! Heres hoping I find them in Japan next year at somewhat affordable prices lol!
Good luck 😉
Purchasing in Japan is definitely more affordable! I purchased the Cheek brush there for an equivalent of USD 76.00. I went around New Year’s, so they were having a sale at the time.
Finally……..cheek brush good for pigmented blushes. Powder brush good for loose powder, not pressed ….. so not to damage the hair. Yes, I like real fur brushes. Nothing wrong with that as long as the animal is not harmed in the process. These are mighty soft. Squirrel fur.
I tend to prefer natural hair brushes for getting better color payoff or a more diffused finish out of powders, though synthetics are definitely catching up.
Suqqu eye brush L is by far my favorite brush for blending! I don’t know if you are going to test and review it, but I love it to death! M brush is also a very good one. If I could indulge the face and cheek brushes…they are the best no doubt, just crazy expensive!!!
I don’t have that one, unfortunately! I really like the M brush!
hi christine! how do you convert “pounds” to u.s. american dollars?? i still don’t know how much the blush brush costs. i’ve wanted this brush for a very long time. i heard selfridges ships to the u.s. but, when i went to “checkout” it said “does not ship to this area”. and, i live in the united states. i heard suquu is expanding and can be purchased at harrods as well. not sure if this is correct?? i wonder if i would be able to call overseas to order this? could you please tell us with shipping, tax, and the price of the blush brush how much it figures out? i’m assuming over a hundred……troy surratt brushes are available at barneys and i’m beginning to read all excellent reviews of his brushes. i know his blush brush is over $100. i am just learning about his brand, heard everything is assembled in japan.
Hi Wendy,
I think one or two of SUQQU’s brushes aren’t available for international delivery via Selfridges (it will say only available in UK/click and collect usually). You can go to xe.com to see what the current exchange rate would be. Shipping from Selfridges is pretty steep if you only get one thing (I think it’s 20 or 25 pounds). I didn’t see the cheek brush available for purchase last night when I was finishing up the review, so not sure if that is restricted or not!
You might also try http://www.ichibankao.com/Pages/suqqu.aspx as well. I went to xe.com and the current exchange from Japanese Yen to dollars makes the brush $160. The upside is that it includes shipping fees. I believe some readers have mentioned that they have called or emailed the SUQQU counter at Selfridges, too, to order.
I am not a collector of brushes. I only buy a few that is unique in shape because of the price so I do not own similar shapes from each brand. I do not own any Chikuhodo brushes, but this brand is from Chikuhodo. The cheek brush is the most coveted brush on the blog world that I have seen and the most difficult to obtain for the following reasons. Therefore I bought two cheek brushes. I have one powder brush and one eyeshadow L.
It is almost impossible to order online from Selfridges. I bought it at the counter initially by calling long distance. Then now I do all transaction with this head of Suqqu sales associate via email and her associate calls me for the credit card number. The shipping charge by phone costs slightly more than online. They will remove VAT. But when you deal with customs, I have been hit by $50.00 US dollars each time for dealing with customs and DHL carrier.
U.S. Customs is a pain in the neck. Maybe I always buy makeup with all my purchases and they want multiple lists of ingredients even though Selfridges has attached it with the box on my order. But I am not going to pay 30 pounds ( phone order shipping charges) just for one item plus another $50 dollars custom cost for each order. So I buy plenty each time of other products.
Harrods has been a gem to deal with online. No extra custom charges, no customs delaying my orders. Harrods has only started to sell Suqqu online but I have yet to buy Suqqu from Harrods and I have not seen any brushes being sold there either.
Ichibankao also is a reliable dealer. Kelly is wonderful. I bought tons of Japanese makeup from her, but not Suqqu. Ultimately, the orice for a cheek brush comes to be the same either from Selfridges or from Ichibankao when you have to factor the custom charges if you get it from Selfridges.
I was delightfully surprised Christine posted this today since I heard her say somewhere that she had Suqqu brushes, but it was a long while ago and I thought I would die from old age before I would see her review.
As you can tell, I am addicted to the Suqqu brand. The sales manager is top notched. The products are very hard to get. The brushes are refined and classy. They are to be managed with extreme care. I love Surratt brushes too, but is another page. I don’t go over crazy buy any brand of anything…..just a few of something that is unique.
You must tell me about Surratt brushes 🙂
I really like to test drive brushes, particularly when they’re as expensive as these, which is about 6-8 weeks of testing for me (I got these mid-October), so this was actually pretty good turnaround for me, LOL!
Thank you for the info on Selfridges, Harrods, and Ichibankao! 🙂
I got the powder and cheek brushes by calling the NYC counter. SF still doesn’t have them. They are now up online so SF may not carry them. Who knows? I could not wait. They told me each week it would arrive.
The box is like calligraphy cardboard pencil box and is not sealed. Suqqu I find packages it better because I don’t like many hands touching my makeup. The handles are beautiful with a multi-tone.
The brushes have more of a round shape rather than being pinched. I think there are more hairs on Surratt. I think these are blue squirrel fur rather than Suqqu being grey squirrel. I think there is going to be even a bigger than the powder one coming out soon. I still think Suqqu is softer and I use Suqqu for the Surratt blushes. Hah!
Where many brushes pinch off then flare out, these brushes I bought where round. I plan to get the medium smokey eye soon. That is a Canadian squirrel of maybe the flatter eye brush is. I also plan to get a kolinsky concealer brush one day.
I waved bye-bye to Mac, Shu-Uemura, Trish McEvoy long ago.
Interesting to hear that about Surratt! I wouldn’t have expected them to be particularly interesting or good (I feel like everybody is doing brushes these days).
I second the thank you regarding the retailers. Do you know the return policies of an of them? i have been scouring Ichibanko and cannot fond any info and they are closed for winter holiday (must be nice..note to self to move to Japan :)). So, Ichibanko is not shipping until after Jan. 7, 2015! I can wait if necessary. just wondering, if I get it, don’t like it.am I out $160? I have felt like that with Hakuhodo too many times . I love a lot of their brushes. But I have at least 3 that basically sit because they are too coarse which is not consistent with their other brushes.
This is not a brush to return. Ichibankao has a no return policy. Read its FAQ. Selfridges doesnt either for overseas purchase as I understand. Other countries do not have a lenient return policy like USA. I suggest you read search other bloggers who have reviewed this before you buy. Lisa Eldridge said it is like a kitten’s paw against your skin.
This brush is very different than other brushes in application and design. For every Japanese product I have purchased overseas I have looked at the bloggers’ pics thoroughly before I made my purchases as I have done so on Temptalia before I made my U.S.A. purchases. My purchases are well thought out beforehand. I don’t do the rush before it is sold out limited release game. I bought two cheek brushes. That is how hard it is to get. Check eBay and see the prices they go for.
Stacey, Thank you for the advice. Where do you suggest purchasing this brush when/if I do?I’ve not looked at eBay. But I am always concerned about fakes.I’d rather wait for ichibanko to come back from holiday or go through one of the others you mentioned.
Thank you for replying! I will head your advice for sure.
No custom charges via ichibankao when it was sent to USA. Suqqu is super soft. Christine probably knows better than me about Suqqu’s application. I only use the brush with pigmented blushes n on rare occasions.
I took the plunge today. Went ahead and placed the order for the suqqu cheek through Ichibankao.So excited! Still pondering getting a less expensive( $50 range) to use between the z4 and suqqu. But then it may he best to wait and see how much I love it. Hard to reach for those less superior when you have perfection ,or as close as you can get ,in front of you! May be wiser to eventually plan for a second of either or both. So glad about that no charge from ichibankao customs ..I wasn’t sure what to expect.thanks ..you have been a huge help!
You will be fine with Ichibankao. It should come through by Japanese postage to US postage even if you bought extra for tracking. It doesn’t come thru by DHL. It takes about 7 days once it gets ship. Once it gets release by US customs, the postal service will quickly deliver it to you. That has been my 3 experiences with them. Let us know.
I will keep you posted! I did pay for the insurance and tracking..well worth the $6-7!
Did you get your brush Nicole? How do you like it?
I bought all my Suqqu from Selfridges at the counter, meaning the store in London. I trust Ichibankao. I bought all my other Japanese makeup there. Never an issue. Only once was my boxes slightly dented, but I am fussy. If you only buy one item, the brush, then buy from Ichibankao. You will have to pay for shipping, possibly customs, credit card conversion charges minus the VAT from both Harrods and Selfridges. I have never seen the brush at Harrods online and a selfridge online is a hit or miss. I would never buy at eBay. I just wanted you to see the prices. I buy makeup from department stores or from a ichibankao. But check all the bloggers’ post first. The brush is super soft. I use it for pigmented blushes.
I will absolutely be researching this thoroughly. Another subscriber mentioned a couple of brushes from Chikuhodo’s artist and particularly one form the R series, C-2 as very comparable and they are $49 a piece on Visage website. I am doubting that includes a customs fee and the shipping is $10 from what I read. I am going to try to contact them for the details.I will also see if ichibanko has those if I decide to go that way. Only thing for me is, I have so many brushes I have “tried” and they are basically dust collectors. So,if I buy the less expensive and then another and don”t like them,I could have already gotten the Suqqu and would likely wind up buying it anyhow.Christine says she feels the Suqqu works better as a highlight brush and I do not need that really. $165 is a lot for me for a brush. But,like I said if it is going to finally meet my desires in a brush, well worth it. But, if it’s a let down..ugh..hate the thought..I suppose I too am “fussy”,lol..nothing wrong with that. No reason to settle in any aspect as long as you know what you are getting into imo. Once again, I cannot thank you for your help here! And ,holy cow, I did look at ebay ..close too $300 was the cheapest! That kind of stuff should be banned I think..oh well,another topic. Have a nice Holiday if i don’t converse with you before then. I will update you on my decision on the brush and the outcome. Than you again!
Suqqu cheek brush in my opinion is a luxury brush. It is like buying a Rolex. Handle with care….too afraid for me to use it like a workhorse. I have a RMK cheek brush which I bought from Ichibankao by my request….a lot cheaper and the same fur. Bon Bon Cosmetics sell that. You should check that too in the blog world. I like that brush. Those brushes by Chikuhodo confuses me so much that I get dizzy looking at it.
Ha ha..So funny that I just saw your reply. I have been sitting here at my computer for almost 2 hours looking at brushes,blogs,etc(research :)) and lost track of time! I will add the rmk to my list. I’m back and forth on the suqqu. I can swing the $..I just want it to be worth it.I don’t go crazy heavy with blush and generally use one brush to a type of product( there are days that call for exceptions here and there) I am not wealthy by any means. Brushes/cosmetics are “my thing” though..I’m sure you get me on that. So, I budget for what I want most. I am 38 and looking for brushes that will last through most of my adult life that is left. I was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder in Jan 2013. It affects the facial nerves and at some point, I may not be able to tolerate makeup much. But, I need super soft. I have dry skin on top of that..so super soft, but effective is best and worth the $. I have a 9 year old daughter and am a single parent. My illness along with my love of the beauty world spurred me into a search for all things fine in the world of makeup/brushes so her knowledge and starting collection would not be mistakes and wasted money..sounds good to support my habit as well,lol…Suqqu is out of reach until after jan 8th anyway because ichibankao is out for holiday. I sent a couple of emails today reqarding cutoms charges..I have no idea how that works. I don’t want to be suddenly hit with a huge customs charge for something that I thought was paid for… I am going to call it a night..once again ,I cannot thank you,Christine,and Christy enough!If you have any other suggestions or knowledge to share(anyone reading for that matter as well),please do! My apologies if that was TMI.:)
Definitely sounds like SUQQU is a contender for you, both now and if you need something even softer going forward. Hope you are doing well and finding ways to manage your disorder!
Yes,I am 99% sure on getting the cheek brush. I am a little worried on the customs issue. I emailed ichibankao asking if they included the fees and they do not and told me to contact customs..no idea how to do that. Do you or anyone else know about customs and brush orders? Also, I am wondering if I should pick up 1 or two of the others which were mentioned that are in the $50 range too to give my chikuhodo z-4 and the suqqu a break since they are so fine or is that excessive? Do you think I will love the two so much the others will sit? Also, I going to invest in some better “luxury ‘ eye brushes in the new year. Any suggestions? I came across these other foundation brushes in my research that I am interested in as I do not have an HG foundation brush either..the Rae Morris radiance and the chikuhodo GSN-5..thought I would ask if you or Stacey or anyone reading had an opinion on those? Thanks..sorry if its too many questions. i truly respect yours and all your readers opinions! And thank you on the well wishes. I see a new specialist tomorrow.:)
I’m sure the GSN-05 would work well with foundation, though I don’t think I have that one myself! I use Tom Ford’s Cream foundation Brush as well as Real Techniques Expert Face Brush! Right now, I’m testing IT Cosmetics’ Luxe foundation brush (similar in shape to all of those, just rounder) and have been impressed so far.
Christine, I hope so. I actually found it on Beautylish and ordered it this am..so, no customs to deal with. I have that IT brush and the other two you mentioned as well,lol. I like them all. The RT and TF are just a little small for me daily..takes too long and the TF seem to soak up product imo. So,I dont like to use it daily(wastes product and needs a lot of washing). But,I do love it for “special occasions” . The IT brush is great. MY skin is dry and I am staring to get fine line. I orefer a light coverage. So,It works well with most of my foundations(YSL touche eclat and Charlotte Tilbury’s foundation). I also recently started using Tom Ford’s Traceless liquid. Im still working on a brush for that. Not sure if its the formula or primer/brush combo..just kinda dry on me so far. I will play with it before I return. It’s to pricey for me to keep if it doesn’t work.Thank goodness for Nordstrom”s return policy!
Sounds like you have a lot of excellent brushes in your stash 🙂
I do Christine..I’m a brush addict! Lots of misses too. So,I’ve learned to do my research. What do you do with brushes you don’t find work for you? I’m going to need to thin out my collection on my tabletop.
Some brushes that I’ve used a lot (like some of my older MAC brushes) I give to family/friends, and brushes that I haven’t tested more thoroughly I donate (say something like MAC’s brush sets, which I only use a few times, because I don’t extensively test them vs. this SUQQU brush). Ones that I hate and don’t think anyone should be punished by using, I repurpose – a lot of those end up being used to dust/clean keyboards, haha.
Ha – here’s hoping they DON’T find any Canadian stockists…I find the prices prohibitive and to me, it seems excessive. 32 pounds for a lipstick brush? I’ve been more than happy with my 10 dollar QUO retractable lip brush (I have 3 or 4 of them – purse, bathroom, gym bag, school bag). I don’t doubt that these are lovely brushes in the same way that a Maserati is a lovely car but I’m quite happy to find good products in more affordable lines.
Yes, that is a good comparison — they’re well-done, but there are good brushes at all price points. I’m happy that it’s not just hype, though, because there is nothing I like less in makeup than something incredibly expensive and poorly done.
I’ve been lemming on SUQQU’s cheek brush for a while, but the price point is definitely out of my comfort zone. I’ve heard that SUQQU’s brushes are manufactured by Hakuhodo, although I have no way to confirm that. I so wish Hakuhodo would make a similarly-shaped brush!
Chikuhodo actually does SUQQU — http://chikuhodo.com/en/oem/brand.html
I’m surprised we haven’t seen the Cheek brush replicated!
Oooh, thank you for the correction! The price point makes a bit more sense now.
I haven’t found my HG cheek brush yet, and while a part of me wonders if the SUQQU cheek would be the one (it seems to have attained HG status for many), part of me laughs and tells me to look elsewhere. Just your everyday trials and tribulations of being a make-up adddict. 😛
I can see it being a holy grail brush for someone really keen on an ultra-soft, feathery, small blush brush that doesn’t pick up a lot of product in a single swipe (so someone who wants subtle blush without a lot of work). Probably someone who also likes more control/precision over the where of blush, since it is a smaller tool, or one with a smaller face!
You just described EXACTLY what I want in a blush brush!!! LE SIGH.
Welp, that sounds EXACTLY like my ideal blush brush. I would have gone with Wayne Goss #14 but SUQQU’s blue squirrel bristles would definitely be softer (and I like the shorter handle).
Karima (Shameless Fripperies) has vouched for Ichibankao in regards to SUQQU brushes, so as far as I know they’re legit. As someone who mainly uses just animal fibres for brushes (with the exception of a flat top kabuki) I’ve been eyeing these for a very long time. I’ll be doing a Jill Stuart order in January, might be time to just go for it and add one or two of these to cart as well.
Which SUQQU brushes are you considering, Julia?
The cheek brush and eyeshadow brushes L and F. I was going to ask in my first comment, how would you say these compare to Tom Ford brushes? I was very unimpressed by TF brushes.
You should try their makeup line, if you haven’t already. The brow products are amazing, as is their cream foundation. I’ve been very tempted by their skincare but at the price I can’t justify spending that much and hoping for the best (as I’ve tried SKII over the years and been largely unimpressed) so I’ll be sticking with Missha.
I have a few things from the makeup range (I actually really love the lip balm), but I haven’t tested much of it yet!
I’m not Christine but since I have Tom Ford brushes and the Suqqu brushes, in my opinion, the Tom Ford has nothing on the Suqqu. The L brush is a little big. I use it to sweep powder under my eyes after concealing and its softness is amazing. I wouldn’t use it for colour but it does a very good job of applying base colours to the eye as well: basically what Christine said about the cheek brush making things soft and luminous but in an eye brush. The F is seriously amazing. I can use it to do everything: base, laydown, blending, diffusing of dark eyeshadows when used as liner, etc. It’s really soft but firm enough to do all the hard work. The only advantage of TF brushes is that they’re goat hair and can thus be used with a variety of textures, including cream. I wouldn’t use squirrel-hair brushes with cream products since (a) squirrel hair isn’t as effective at applying and distributing cream products (b) I feel like cream products ruin squirrel hair. Though you wouldn’t know that from watching Lisa Eldridge. She uses the Suqqu brushes with every possible texture. All in all, for powder, Suqqu does a better job in a more elegant manner. I hope this helped!
Eyeshadow Brush M is my absolute favorite crease brush! It’s perfect for applying and blending as you go along. I love that it’s not pointy as a lot of other crease brushes are and that it’s not too large/wide and that the bristles are so short (I don’t need a crease brush to be f-ing two inches long – yes exaggerating, but you get the point). It’s the perfect combination of size/shape/density/fluffiness! LOVE LOVE LOVE!
Thanks for reminding me that I need to order a backup!
Nice! Do you use it for creams at all or am I just totally odd on that? LOL! I really feel like I’m breaking every brush rule doing so.
Reading that you use it with creams broke my heart just a little, lol. Cream and SQUIRREL! That’s just so so wrong. I don’t even have words, lol. I only use synthetics and natural hair like horse and badger for creams. I’m probably overly careful when it comes to my brushes, though.
It’s just SOOOOOOOOOOO good with buffing out cream eyeshadow, though. Like perfection! I usually use something else to apply, so I’m doing the blending/buffing of the edge with the brush.
I guess that’s not quite as bad when the brush isn’t soaked in product.
I think Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush is good for that purpose (although I’m not a huge fan of their brushes in general).
I’ll have to go back and see how it compares. I tell myself, “NO!” but when there’s a more stubborn cream eyeshadow… I cannot resist.
I have the Suqqu cheek brush, but actually prefer the Chikuhodo Z4. Earlier this year I was debating about purchasing them all, then just went the Chikuhodo route with the Z series. I figured with the money I was saving I could buy more brushes from different Chikuhodo series. But I did tell my husband, that I want the face brush one day, and that he’d be the one buying it for me as a present … lol
Can’t go wrong with these. Sometimes I just stroke the cheek brush because its so incredibly soft. 😀
For blush, I like the Z-4 more myself, but SUQQU’s Cheek brush is really nice for highlighting.
I have been lately, going back and forth on the Suqqou cheek. I have the Z4, also Z2 or Z3?( I think..it says highlight on it) I find I would prefer something a bit smaller than the Z4 a lot of the time. But the price and and the fear of ordering form ichibanko who I’d never dealt with, have put it on my “to research” list. So, I think I am going to try that highlight brush from Chikuhodo and see if that suits me. I have a pretty small,oval face and do like pretty precise application of blush. i recently splurged on the tom ford cheek brush and have started using that for foundation because it it HUGE for my blush area. Cristy, I posted under your comment because I have seen a couple of your posts and you seem to have quite the collection. So, I’d love to hear yours along with Christine’s opinion on weather or not this may be a good idea for a splurge for me? I do not mind spending the $ on a brush if it’s going to be worth it.
Z-2 is nice, though with the more tapered edge, it’s possible it’ll be “too precise” for blush in a sense. You may not find it as effective for diffusing edges as a traditional blush brush as well. Totally will work, but it doesn’t seem as effortless as the Z4 for me. So, you may very well prefer the SUQQU Cheek brush from that standpoint… I know Hakuhodo had some small cheek brushes, because I ordered some unintentionally, LOL, as well.
It’s so funny you posted this review today. Because just yesterday, I was thinking to myself and even put in my reminders to research Suqqu cheek brush. Its almost like the beauty Gods messaged me through you or more likely..u are a beauty God,lol. Its on my mind and I have wasted too much $ on cheek brushes that are just ok. I think I’m going to have to ease my mind with this.just weary a little on the sellers. Ichibanko is closed until after new year.so to go through them,I will have to wait. Which is ok..”good things to those who wait”. Does that seem like the best retailer to obtain this to you.I have never ordered cosmetics or brushes from overseas and I’m not sure how the customs,shipping ,etc work.I don’t want to have to go through all kinds of hassle. I wanna pay,get it,love it ,or be able to return( not sure on that policy at ichibanko)..and be in cheekbrush heaven:)
Hi Nicole,
No worries! I agree with Christine in that the Z2 would probably be too precise and if you are looking for something smaller than the Z4 the Suqqu cheek brush would fit the bill. But what I find is that the Suqqu doesn’t buff out edges as well as the Z4 … and I hate to mash it up against my face trying to get it to blend out … I was interested in buying from ichibanko as well, until I found the Visage website and they had so many Chikuhodo brushes from different series.
I highly recommend the Artist 18-2 cheeck brush or the R Series C2 cheek brushes. They are gray squirrel hair and super uber soft. I love the handles on both and the added bonus, they are only $49 each!
Hope that helps!
Cristy, Thank you so much. I surely will be doing some more research and will include those 2 you mentioned. I just googled trying to find the Visage website you mentioned. Noting is coming up that looks like a retailer for brushes,cosmetics. Do you mind telling me what the actual site is? Again,thanks a ton! I am seeing and reading so many mixed reviews on the Suqqu cheek. One major thing I have seen is that it seems best for high pigment blush shades. I have those sort of blushes. but, only a handful. Im medium skin and most of my blushes I like at pan-true color. I use the Wayne Goss #14 for those..works just fine.
http://visageusa.com/
Nicole, I also have alot of pigmented blushes, and I think all those brushes mentioned from the Suqqu cheek, to the Chikuhodo Z4, R-Series C-2, or the Artist Series 18-2 work very well with them.
Honestly, a beautiful brush is the Chikuhodo R Series C-2 … and its such an affordable option because its $49 and its just as soft to me, as my Suqqu cheek brush. Its 100% gray squirrel hair. And my experience with Visage USA has been stellar.
And I agree, do the research and read online reviews and videos and look at pictures if you can. I did the same. Hope you find the best cheek brush that fits your needs!
Thank you Cristy once again!You have been great and thank you Christine for that link! For some reason, I was unable to reply to either one of your last comments. Just wanted to express my gratitiude. ive been puting off this serch for a long time because I really didnt know where to start and have bought so m any brushes that are of not much use to me. I have some great options now!
Okay.Well, that actually found it’s place here where i wanted it. 🙂
These brushes sound and look absolutely heavanly, but at the current exchange rate, it’s about $ 250 USD for the powder brush, $ 125 for the blush brush, and about $ 70 for the eyeshadow one. I might have to win the lotto first (sigh) or wait until the exchange rate really goes in my favor. Do you know if they ever offer any “value kits”?
I don’t think they sell them as kits, unfortunately! 🙁
Any dupes?
Any brushes I thought were similar are listed above!
Ups, sorry I didn’t se that part
The Cheek and Face brush sounds like heaven. I so wish I could afford them!
They are very indulgent!
The M brush sounds best to me but I’ve been avoiding natural hair. Unless I know it’s sustainably harvested from the animal, I just don’t want it.
Totally understand!
Hi Christine,
Did you get these through Selfridges? I have the Z-4 and I love it. Suqqu brushes are the ultimate though, and even though I’m trying to resist, I’m sure they will eventually find their way to me. 🙂
Hey Laura!
SUQQU sent these, so I didn’t go through Selfridges this time! In terms of quality, the Z-series and SUQQU’s brushes (from what I’ve tried) are really quite comparable. I think the major difference would be in shape!
Hi! My first comment although I am a regular reader and really appreciate all your reviews. I have the Suqqu face brush and love it. Is the Wayne Goss holiday brush similar in size and usefulness? Thanks
It’s not as wide, and it’s definitely more tapered, so it will seem narrower in comparison. I think the tapered aspect makes it more multi-tasking than the SUQQU Face Brush personally, though it is not as soft as SUQQU for sure (if that is a concern)!
I have the Suqqu Cheek Brush and I love it! For me it’s a godsend since I have to be careful about how much blush I apply since I’m so pale. I bought the Dior blush in Redissimo last year but applying it with my favourite cheek brush at the time left me with clown cheeks! Now using my Suqqu brush I can wear it no bother because it picks up a smaller amount of product making it hard to apply too much. Plus it’s so so soft. 😀
Happy to hear it’s been everything you needed in your blush brush, Gillian! 🙂
They look beautiful. For the more serious collector than me tho!
Definitely an indulgence!
I literally just choked on my water when I saw the prices of these things, LOL. I avidly watch Lisa Eldridge’s YouTube videos and she always mentions these brushes so casually. I figured they’d be expensive, but their price tags have far surpassed my imagination.
Yes, it is veryyy pricey!
Please tell me that the squirrel don’t suffer in the process =~~~~(
I believe the story goes that none were killed for their hair but the hair is a byproduct.
Hi Christine, I love your blog and have been reading your posts for years. You have helped me make many make-up decisions, thank you so much!! I need your advice in regard to a blush brush please. I’m starting to think what I’m looking for doesn’t exist. I typically like to quickly “pat” blush onto my upper cheek bones. Japanese and Korean soft wash of colour type of thing. I normally use Burberry or Tom Ford blushes. What I’m looking for is a brush which I can just tap into the pan and then pat on my cheeks and the brush diffuses the colour for me without blending. Crazy I know but I have delicate skin and don’t like working brushes on my face too much. And because I like specific placement I don’t need much blending, but I need something that doesn’t create any harsh lines around that placement. So originally I was thinking the Suqqu Cheek brush but it seems you have to “swirl” and work the brush too much. So now I’m thinking maybe the Tom Ford Cheek Brush, although this might be too big for the upper cheek bones? I have quite a small face. Do you have any other suggestions? What about Chikuhodo Z-4 or Z-8? I would prefer squirrel hairs but I can tolerate very soft goat hairs like Tom Ford. Many thanks in advance!!
Hey Lisa,
Have you tried Hakuhodo’s G5545? http://www.temptalia.com/product/hakuhodo-g5545-blush-brush
They might the same shape in other bristle types as well. It’s flat so it works well for more precision/tapping motions, and it doesn’t require a lot of blending.
Hi Christine, thanks so much I will check this one out asap!