Last year, makeup artist and vlogger Wayne Goss (gossmakeupartist on Youtube) launched his range of makeup brushes to great acclaim. I’m not a follower as such but I do enjoy good makeup brushes and when I saw that his were primarily natural hair brushes and Made in Japan (by Artisan & Artist), I was all over them!
I didn’t get the whole set though. They were pretty pricey. But I did get a few to play with and while it would make sense for me to tell you about them as a whole, it also makes a whole lot of sense for me to tell you the one brush you’d want to pick up from the Wayne Goss brush collection, if you ever just want one. The reason is simple.
I haven’t come across a similar brush out there, and that’s good enough reason as any! 😀
This brush would be the Wayne Goss Brush #8. There are 8 in the collection thus far, and they’re all numbered because they’re not meant to perform just one function, you can use each brush to perform a myriad of functions so numbers keep you from being tied to just a “Blush brush” or a “Foundation brush” or as I would call the Brush #8, a “Tightlining Brush”.
According to Wayne, this Brush #8 can be used for liner, push liner, highlighting lips, contouring lips, brows, micro highlighting, and under eye bags. I use mine primarily as a push liner or for tightlining and it is a dream!
The reason why this brush works so well as a push liner or for tightlining is simple – the bristles are short, firm yet flexible and soft, and not too thick. The firm square tip also helps a lot for it to get right in the roots of your lashes for a very natural liner that makes your eyes instantly look larger yet doesn’t look like you’re obviously wearing eyeliner.
The brush is slim and not too long nor too short and feels comfortable and nicely weighted in hands. The handle is a black glossy wood with a black metal ferrule so the construction is very sleek.
You may notice just how tiny the head of the brush is. It’s so tiny that when I first got it, I was a little surprised. I mean, how was I supposed to use this thing?!
See? It’s so tiny compared to my thumb! But seriously, this brush is genius.
I have been doing a lot of tightlining in recent times because I’ve just been too lazy to wear mascara, and wearing eyeliner is quite a fuss to get right and to ensure they don’t smudge. So, I went back to tightlining, which is essentially lining your eyes tight at the root of the lashes, usually from underneath and what you get is a very natural looking result, that doesn’t even look like you’re wearing eyeliner yet opens your eyes instantly.
I was previously using a pencil liner to tightline (I use the Guerlain Kohl pencil. Have been for years) and it works but I found recently that using a powder eyeshadow to tightline actually lasts just as long on my eyes, has a softer result and is easier if you’re travelling because you can skip carrying an eyeliner. All you need is a brush and a dark eyeshadow colour which should be present in most palettes! 😀
Here are some examples of lines I get using the Wayne Goss Brush No. 8. I just dip it into black liner and draw it on. Apparently, you can also use this brush to draw brows. I tried it once and it works. I haven’t tried it for anything else because I don’t do a lot of detailed makeup, but if you are working with very small spaces, then this brush will work because it’s so tiny.
And here is how I use this Brush No. 8 as a push liner or to tightline my eyes.
- I first tap it into a dark eyeshadow, usually black.
- Then I lift my top eyelid and draw at the root of my lashes, working the short brush into the roots to draw a line.
- The difference between a tightlined eye and a non-lined eye isn’t very obvious but you may notice how my eye on your right looks a bit more defined as opposed to the eye on your left where you can see the skin at the root of the lashes.
It really is an optical illusion but one that works and doesn’t take very long because you don’t have to get it 100% smooth or clean all the time. Another reason why I like using this technique and this Brush N0. 8 helps me achieve the perfect result every single time very quickly.
And that’s why I say that if you just want one Wayne Goss makeup brush, consider the Brush No. 8. It’s also the cheapest in the whole collection, retailing at £13 or US$17 depending on whether you are based in the USA (USD) or in the Rest of the World (GBP).
In a nutshell
If you want just one Wayne Goss makeup brush, get Brush No. 8 which works wonderfully as a push liner or tightlining brush. It is small, firm, slim and does the job in a blink of an eye. No pun intended. Of all the Wayne Goss brushes I have, this one gets the most use and delivers the best results with almost no learning curve. I’ve found no other similar brush in the market to do the job so that’s another reason I love this one. Absolutely worth getting.
Pros: Tightlines like a dream, Easy to use and hold, Good size, Brush is short yet soft and firm to get into roots of lashes without irritating the eyes
Cons: Pricey, Shipping costs is quite high as there are only 2 sites selling these brushes
Who will like this: Anyone who does tightlining for eye makeup on a regular basis, Anyone who wants a multi-function brush for lining, brows and working on small spaces
For now there are just 2 websites that retail Wayne Goss brushes:-
- In the USA: Beautylish
Rest of the World: Love Make Up
I got mine from Love Makeup (of course, since I’m in the “Rest of the World”) and shipping to me is a painful £12.50 flat rate and comes by registered mail. It only makes sense therefore to share your order with friends or make a larger order so it evens out. For just one brush, it isn’t worth it. However, shipping within the UK is free so if you have friends there, see if you can ship it to them and then get them to send it to you which might be more affordable.
Update: LeGeeque and Lipglosseater below have commented on how Nars has a similar brush. I believe they maybe referring to the Nars #15 Smudge Brush which I also own and love but it performs a different function. I managed to grab a quick comparison shot after reading their comments.
The Nars brush is thicker and is tailored more towards smudging of colour whether close to the lashline or on the lower lash line (which I use it most). It is however, too thick to use to tightline even as it can be used on the upper lash line over liner to set it or to smudge out a smokey eye. Hope this helps anyone else wondering 🙂
Do you own any Wayne Goss makeup brushes? Do you tightline your eyes?
I picked up the Brush No. 1, 2, 3 and 5 as well. I can’t seem to find my Brush No. 1 lately but I’m sure it’ll turn up somewhere 😛 I found I had a learning curve when it came to using the other face and eye brushes but not with this Brush No. 8 which worked from the get go. Definitely one I was happy I splurged on 😀
Paris B
Wayne Goss Makeup Brush No. 8 Price: £13 or US$17 Availability: Beautylish
Please review other WG brushes as well. Thanks.
Will do, Phay once I form a firm opinion of each of them 🙂
Hello Paris ! It’s been such a looong time since I’ve posted comments but I have been reading every post though >:D kinda like a silent beauty stalker lol .
Anyways , I’m thinking of getting wayne’s brushes (been following him on YT like forever) , and I was wondering what are your thoughts on the Brush 2 ? Does it apply the meteorites perles well ?
Thanks ~
Hiya Robert! Thanks for reading even if not commenting 😀 I had a bit of a learning curve with Brush No.2. I personally find it a bit small and a bit firm so while I’ve gotten it to work, I wouldn’t personally use it for applying Meteorites Perles simply because it’s got a small head and might apply product a bit too intensely. I think it would be nice if Wayne Goss came up with a fluffier powder brush. That might work better.
Hellooo ~
Umm , then what are your thoughts on the Estee Lauder brushes ? I wanted to get the lunasol ones but they aren’t available here in the UK ..and the VAT they charge ..uh( heard Malaysia is gonna start something similar to VAT soon though..but idk ).
Currently need help finding a good brush for the meteorites that I just got , mind helping pweeze :> ? I’ve looked at the Trish Mcevoy one but it’s just too expensive for me D:
Thank you.
Regards,
Robert C.
I haven’t had any experience with Estee Lauder brushes to be honest, but I’d say that I’m not terribly impressed the few times I’ve tried them. Perhaps you can try using Real Techniques blush brush? The one with a pink handle. I tested it recently and it seems to work well enough and it isn’t very pricey either 🙂 Yes we’ll get GST soon but I’m not sure how that’ll impact prices because realistically, there isn’t a lot of difference between the percentages of tax 😀
i’m not sure i know how to tightline with a brush lol! But now i’ll have to try tomorrow. and hopefully i won’t be desperate to have this brush hahaha!
Hahaha! I find it so much easier coz you can really get into the roots of the lashes 😀 Do share if you managed to 😉
Oh great. 🙂 Another person who loves this brush for tightlining!
I have the Bdellium 760 brush and I like it for getting close to my lashline, so’ve been telling myself that I don’t need Brush 08. Of course, I don’t need *any* of the WG brushes but… *sigh* all the reviews are glowing.
Haha Yes I’m afraid I am a huge fan of this brush for tightlining! Interesting that you mentioned the Bdellium brush – I’m thinking of picking up some to see how they fare! I think I’ll pick brush 760 too and give it a go. Do you have other Bdellium brushes that you like? 😀
Are you ready for a long answer? You might have to grab a cup of tea. 🙂
I have five Bdellium brushes, all from the Green Bambu line because I prefer shorter handles and they are cruelty-free. All the brushes are soft, easy to clean, and retain their shape after multiple washings.
The Green Bambu Smokey Eyes set is a decent selection of brushes for a beginner and/or for travel. I like three of the five the most. Of course, I adore the 760 Liner/Brow; it definitely made the set more attractive. The 781 Crease is nicely tapered, giving a precision that works well with my hooded Asian eyes. The 777 Shadow is a basic lay-down brush. I could do without the 716 Smoky Eyeliner and the 769 Angled Contour. I wish the 716 were denser and shorter. The pointed tip is okay when I want to line my eyes with wet eyeshadow. It is too long and flexible to give anything other than a soft line. I prefer other brushes to this one. I never reached for the 769 so I gave it away.
I also have the Green Bambu 942 Slanted Contour brush. The brush head is smaller than the MAC 168 and does not splay out with use. I really like the shape and size of this brush; however, I often think the natural hair version would have been the better choice since I have powder blushes only. I really do love the 942 though. It is very soft and is the ideal size for my face.
Waaah this is awesome BoobooNinja because I have been looking at the green Bambu brushes too! Was considering the Smokey eye set but now that I’ve read what you have to say, I think I’ll pass on it and get individual brushes 😀 Thanks for the write up! x
No problem, Paris. I’m glad my opinion was helpful. I hope you get some Bdellium brushes soon and review them. I’m curious what you’ll think of them. Since commenting here, I’ve started using my 5 Bdellium brushes more. I’m motivated to sort all* my brushes to determine what I actually like and what should be given away or donated.
* Thank goodness I don’t have too many!
I did get 2 brushes quite recently and I’m waiting for them to be shipped to me! 😀 Will definitely review them once I’ve had a chance to have a go at them. They are surprisingly affordable! Glad to have prompted you to relook at your brush stash. I should do that too!
Wayne Goss is a big big fan of good brushes. I love his youtube videos. He’s just so funny!! I would think that all brushes in his range are good and practical (yes I am biased). No chance to try them yet. The shipping charge turns me off. And I am waiting for the “craze” to die down a little because his first batch was sold out, wasn’t it?
From what little I watch he is and I love his sense of humour especially when he’s pissed off about something haha! The ones I’ve tried are not bad and are lovely and soft and very Japanese, if you get my meaning. I think he really scored well going for a premium range as opposed to a mass market. And picking Japanese brushes is just genius! 😀
Yes!! Japanese (in a stereotypical voice) is like the asian equivalent of german perfectionism. 😀 They have tools for everything!
That they do! And they are GOOD STUFF!