Retractable Make-up Brush – Journey-sized make-up brush

After my rant in regards to the retractable (however not) brush from Guerlain a couple of days in the past, I used to be reminded of a reader request. Somebody had requested my ideas on the Chanel Les Pinceaux de Chanel Retractable Highlighter Brush as in comparison with the Hakuhodo Retractable Brush that I purchased as a memento from Japan final yr.

I’d stored the submit in the back of my thoughts, intending to put in writing about it, however by no means fairly getting spherical to it for varied causes. Properly, allow us to treatment that at this time! 😀

As these brushes additionally make good journey brushes, I may even present you a couple of different small/mini brushes that I take advantage of for journey functions, or which are moveable. They’re reasonably priced so cease cringing! LOL! 😀

However first, a fast comparability between the Chanel and Hakuhodo brushes. I’ve talked in regards to the Chanel Retractable Highlighter Brush earlier than, so I’ll hyperlink to my earlier ideas, and replace them, now that I’ve used the comb.

Hakuhodo Retractable Brush

I purchased the Hakuhodo Retractable Brush as a memento from Kyoto, the place the Hakuhodo flagship retailer is. To be sincere, I wasn’t anticipating to purchase something. I’d informed myself that I had sufficient make-up brushes (I do!), contemplating I don’t use very a lot make-up nowadays, and I’m not a make-up artist (I’m not!).

But, as a result of Hakuhodo nonetheless isn’t a model simply accessible in Malaysia, I felt the necessity to browse, after which to purchase one thing. I couldn’t keep in mind what Hakuhodo brushes I’d already owned, so I made a decision to get one thing that was completely different. A brush that I knew I didn’t personal.

The Hakuhodo Retractable Brush comes housed in a sturdy plastic case. It is a brush that actually retracts, for the bristles will slide down into the physique of the comb.

To show the bristles, you take away the comb cowl, push it into the underside of the comb deal with, and it pushes up the bristles. This really makes it safer for the bristles, for there isn’t a manner that you’ll by chance harm the bristles of your brush.

Distinction this with the Chanel Retractable Highlighter Brush, which retracts by means of a sleeve that you just slide as much as cowl the bristles, earlier than capping it and pushing it again down. If you happen to didn’t notice this was the mechanism, you could harm the bristles by forcibly capping the comb over the uncovered brush head.

The Hakuhodo Retractable Brush comes with completely different brush heads. I purchased a extra multi-purpose model of brush head, the place the comb is giant sufficient, so I can use it as a powder brush, but sufficiently small that I can use it for blush.

Mine is within the white goat hair, for a sensible purpose. It’s cheaper than the darkish squirrel hair 😛 From expertise, Hakuhodo brushes within the white goat hair are straightforward to wash, not scratchy and choose up color nicely. I had no qualms about selecting goat over squirrel.

I like how the comb compacts itself to a cushty dimension, that makes it very moveable. You’ll be able to simply slip it into your each day make-up equipment (in the event you carry one about) or, toss it into your journey make-up pouch, with out worrying about utilizing a brush roll, or damaging its bristles.

Whereas the physique is sturdy, it’s plastic, and that does detract a bit of from the enjoyment of utilizing such a well-made brush. However I forgive them that. The Hakuhodo Retractable Brush is a wonderful brush for powder and blush, and an ideal journey companion. You probably have the chance to get it, it’s well worth the funding.

Chanel Retractable Highlighter Brush

The thrill in regards to the Chanel Retractable Highlighter Brush took place when it was launched with Chanel’s Spring Make-up assortment this yr (2019). I used to be, by and huge, somewhat underwhelmed with the entire assortment, however for some purpose, the little brush stood out for me.

The Chanel Retractable Highlighter Brush was actually made for use with the balm highlighter (that I nonetheless can’t perceive 😛 ) however I noticed after experimenting, that it makes for fairly an honest blush and highligher brush too.

The first distinction between the Chanel and Hakuhodo brushes, as you’ll be able to see from the photographs above, is the scale. The Chanel Retractable Highlighter Brush is small and is just a bit longer and maybe a contact bigger than their lipstick.

Whereas the comb might subsequently seem tiny (It’s somewhat small), it does carry out its perform nicely. The bristles are white goat hair, and really pretty and mushy.

Tender brushes like these work nicely with pigmented blushes, highlighter, and the small head works nicely for exact product placement.

Nevertheless, I don’t use highlighter very a lot, so for me, the Chanel Retractable Highlighter Brush operates extra as a blush brush. The mushy, lengthy brush head offers a really mushy, subtle color on pores and skin, and you may fairly simply construct up color in the event you desire one thing stronger.

I like that it’s small, as a result of it’s really simpler to regulate, and if you must work in a confined house e.g. a automobile, airplane seat, airplane rest room, discreetly, it is vitally helpful. With longer dealt with brushes, your arm actions can be correspondingly wider.

I additionally like that the physique and cap are steel. A light-weight steel, that feels sturdy and with an opulent heft and really feel. It fairly befits the luxurious title hooked up to it.

Chances are you’ll discover that this brush doesn’t retract in the identical manner that the Hakuhodo brush retracts. So, why am I kinder on this Chanel than on the Guerlain L’Important Retractable Basis Brush?

The reason being this: Whereas the Chanel brush makes use of the sleeve to guard the bristles earlier than you set the cap on, the entire contraption then withdraws when you press the cap down. It goes again right down to its lipstick dimension. It subsequently “retracts”. Against this, the Guerlain brush is capped off with a skinny piece of plastic, leaving the sleeve uncovered. Nothing retracts, and that’s why I’m harsh on it 😛

Hakuhodo vs Chanel – Which Retractable Brush to select?

Tough query!

I’d say it relies upon. The physique of my Hakuhodo Retractable Brush is a bit of bashed up, as a result of it’s plastic. So, in the event you don’t like that taking place, you’ll not prefer it after some time. The comb itself is totally pretty, and the standard is prime notch.

The Chanel brush is considerably smaller, each in brush head and physique dimension. If that fits your wants, then it’s a good brush as nicely. Chanel additionally makes different retractable brushes for various functions, if you wish to verify them out. I consider there’s a kabuki brush, face brush, eye brushes and an artificial basis brush as nicely.

Value-wise, I don’t assume there’s a lot distinction between the 2 brushes. Hakuhodo brushes aren’t accessible in Malaysia (but besides at magnificence expos) however may be purchased on-line I consider. Chanel brushes are simpler to pay money for.

In the end nevertheless, it comes right down to the way you wish to use the comb, and whether or not the scale and performance fits your life-style. If you happen to don’t do your make-up on the go, don’t do your make-up once you journey, or solely use make-up brushes at residence, you’re higher off shopping for a daily make-up brush with a deal with.

Different Good High quality Journey-sized Make-up Brushes

I’m no make-up artist, as I’ve informed you earlier than, however I went via a part fairly a couple of years in the past, the place I used to be obsessed about shopping for make-up brushes. I’ve stopped since, eschewing most new releases.

I used to be additionally fairly a little bit of a make-up brush snob 😛 I’d solely go for the Japanese-made pure hair brushes and I spent a mint on them! However over time, I’ve mellowed and realised that I solely have 1 face, and don’t put on make-up sufficient to justify all my costly make-up brushes. So, I ended chilly turkey! The Hakuhodo Retractable Brush was the primary make-up brush I’d purchased in a couple of years, and I haven’t purchased any others since!

However that isn’t to say that I haven’t been experimenting, and whereas I like my high-end pure squirrel hair make-up brushes, I additionally don’t like bringing these alongside once I journey. I worry damaging them, and I don’t placed on that a lot make-up anyway. So, I amassed a couple of others, which are travel-friendly and wallet-friendly 😀

I included the Hourglass Ambient Powder Brush, as a result of I find it irresistible each for powder and for bronzer. I find it irresistible a lot, I’ve 2 so I’m by no means with out, when one is within the wash 😛 It is usually a really helpful journey brush, because of the brief deal with and flat development, so it barely takes up any house in any respect.

The Actual Strategies Mini Skilled Face Brush and the Mini Multitask Brush are each excellent brushes. The comb head is mainly full-sized, with only a shorter deal with to make it extra moveable.

If you happen to use liquid basis, and like utilizing a brush to mix versus your fingers, then the Actual Strategies Skilled Face Brush is definitely an excellent, very reasonably priced brush. The pinnacle is dense however tremendous mushy, and it blends basis very nicely and rapidly with out streaking. I purchase mine on iHerb (5-10% low cost with code MPW213), and the mini sizes typically come in several packaging. However it’s primarily the identical brush.

I purchased the Actual Strategies Mini Multitask Brush as a result of it seems like a very good powder brush, and I wasn’t mistaken. The mushy fluffy bristles do apply powder properly with out being too thick, and in a pinch, you may as well use it to use blush. It is extremely helpful to have in your journey pouch.

I purchased the Ecotools Mini Sheer Powder Brush and the Mini Precision Brush out of curiousity. I have to say I wasn’t too dissatisfied. If you happen to didn’t know, Ecotools and Actual Strategies are made by the identical folks, in order that’s why I didn’t have any qualms shopping for Ecotools. I additionally owned Ecotools brushes lengthy earlier than Actual Strategies got here on the scene!

Just like the Actual Strategies brushes, the brush-head of the Ecotools brushes are full-sized. They’re simply mounted on shorted handles to make it extra moveable.

I like that they do that, as a result of so typically, journey or mini-sized brushes are simply ridiculous. They’re small, flimsy and don’t serve a lot perform besides to be tossed into the bin. I’ve purchased sufficient “travel-sized brushes” over time to say so. For these very reasonably priced manufacturers to subsequently present us full-sized brushes, besides with brief handles, it’s a God-send for all travellers!

The Ecotools Mini Sheer Powder Brush has a pretty big head, with very mushy, unfastened bristles. This works greatest to use powder, and they’re proper. It affords a sheer software of powder, which is mainly what you actually need.

The Ecotools Mini Precision Brush is extra of a blush brush. It’s extra dense than the Sheer Powder Brush, however looser than the Actual Strategies Mini Multitask Brush.

In a pinch, I’d say any of the brushes right here can serve a twin and even triple perform of making use of powder, blush and even bronzing powder/spotlight. It comes down actually, to how exact you need it to be.

RELATED READING: Listed below are a few of my favorite full-sized make-up brushes I take advantage of for blush and for basis

Do you’ve a favorite travel-sized brush? Do you carry brushes once you journey?

I personally carry any 2 of those once I journey. One for powder, and one for blush. If I take advantage of a liquid basis or base, I normally apply utilizing my fingers, or I carry a cushion basis so it’s simpler. You? 🙂

Paris B