I haven’t been talking about makeup brushes for a while, which is a pity really, because I have quite a lot that I love, and so little memory of what I should be blogging about LOL! But here’s one I particularly enjoy using that I think many will too.
I bought Wayne Goss brushes when they were sold from a website in the UK, some time last year. He’s since consolidated his supplier to just Beautylish.com which I cannot vouch for, as I’ve never bought from them, but I know many have.
First off, let’s get this out of the way – Wayne Goss brushes are pricey. They are premium Japanese brush pricey, which means that yes, you may have to break your piggy bank to buy one. But to be fair, they are natural hair brushes (I love natural hair!) and they are very well made.
I picked up a few of his brushes a while ago, and I’ve shared my thoughts on Brush 1 and Brush 8 before this. Brush 2 took some getting used to for me, but once I got used to the size, I fell head over heels!
You know how they say that with makeup, sometimes, it’s not about the product. Sometimes, it’s about how you apply it. A good makeup tool can truly make a big difference in how a product looks on your skin.
Brush 2 is a soft brush, with a fairly small, tapered head. The hairs are soft and not scratchy and have a bit of flex to them. I have placed it next to a Clinique Cheek Pop blush, because they have a standard size globally and you may have a better idea of size this way. This brush was designed to be used for applying blush or bronzer, and it does make your job a lot easier.
You may appreciate that the brush head is quite small. I’d been used to larger brush heads before this, so this came as a bit of a surprise, and I wasn’t sure how to use it.
However, what makes this brush unique and very very useful, is not only the size, but the density of the brush. It looks fluffy, but isn’t floppy. It is fairly dense, yet with some give. But what makes it so practical, is that it applies blush perfectly.
The smallish head places colour precisely where you need it to go, on the apples of your cheeks for a fresh pop of colour; or if you use a bronzer, in the hollows of your cheekbones, to create dimension. The hairs also pick up colour very easily, which I found surprising, and they are so soft that blending out colour gives your skin a lovely glowy, diffused colour.
I find that because of the shape and size of the brush head, I get my blush right every single time. No guesswork needed, and no “Oh darn, my blush is too low/high!” moments. This is especially important when working with pigmented blushes, because if you make a mistake, it’s very noticeable. I tend to use the side of the brush, brushing it in an up and down motion along my cheekbones (or where I think my cheekbones should be LOL!) I don’t use the tip/top, as I would a regular blush brush.
However, if the blush is a lighter/harder textured product, then I do find that this brush can take a little more work. In those situations, I usually go for something a little more dense, that picks colour up more easily. This will work too, but I just have to work it a little more over the surface of the product.
But for blush placement, this brush really makes this idiot-proof which is why I love it so!
Now, how does it compare to my other favourite blush brush – Lunasol Cheek Brush N?
Well, they’re kind of different. I still use the Lunasol, when this Wayne Goss Brush 2 is in the wash. You could say that I rotate these brushes and I like them both. The Lunasol one is fluffier and gives a more diffused effect, like how the Japanese like their blushes you know? That blush from within effect.
With the Wayne Goss Brush 2, I get a more precise effect. So, I can see colour better on my skin. If I want something a little more precise, I use this one. If I want a “I don’t really want to think about it, I just want a flush of colour” effect, then I use the Lunasol. But both have their place and I’d be pretty devastated if I misplaced either of them!
IN A NUTSHELL
The Wayne Goss Brush 2 is primarily used for applying blush and bronzer. The small, tapered brush head allows you to place colour quite precisely on your cheeks and the soft hairs blend out the colour for a soft glow. The brush head is soft yet not floppy and not too dense, so it is easy to work with, and the handle is about the right length, with a good weight. It is a well-made brush and the price reflects it!
PROS: Soft natural brush hair is not scratchy, Not floppy, Easy to use and wash, Good quality product with good weight and make
CONS: Not easily available, Pricey
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who appreciates a good quality makeup blush brush, Anyone who likes using natural hair brushes
I like how he made the body and ferrule black. It makes the brush look more sleek, and for some reason, less like a paint-brush, unlike e.g. Hakuhodo. I have a couple more I like, so I’ll tell you more about them as I go…. as I remember to :P
A note on pricing: At current exchange rates, this brush works out to about RM152. Not terribly expensive, if you ask me, for a high quality natural hair brush. Equivalent or maybe cheaper than anything you can find locally at MAC or Shu Uemura (Pony 20 is RM228) (where else do people buy brushes locally?! Online fakes and scams don’t count!) and a million miles better in terms of quality and softness. The only problem will be the shipping and waiting time, but hey, it’s worth it! :D
Do you own the Wayne Goss Brush 2? Do you have other favourite Wayne Goss brushes?
I have a couple more that I like and use quite a lot. Brush 1 is one, but I have similar ones from Hakuhodo and Shiseido so to me, it’s sort of OK. Brush 2 is quite a winner as is Brush 8. Currently, I’m using Brush 18 a lot, which is the eye brush in the bottom. Remind me to tell you about that next! ;)
Paris B
Wayne Goss Brush 2 Blush/Bronzer Brush Price: US$35 Availability: Beautylish.com
Nice review Paris. I have been using the Lunasol brush and at times get the blush too low/ too high effect. It would be nice to try out a idiot proof brush especially in the morning rush. You got me all tempted now …there goes the credit card diet!!!
Yes, I find I’m less prone to getting my blush wrong with this brush. I hope you’ll like it if you get it! :)
This brush sounds amazing, I have to check it out!
Oooh..I have been contemplating getting another blush brush because I am using my Lunasol brush to death. Hahahaha. I have a Hakuhodo blush that is more dense but somehow, I am not in love with it anymore because I find that it does not diffuse blush nicely like the Lunasol brush. I like the term you use “That blush from within effect” as it describes the Lunasol brush exactly.
Do you think its worth getting this Wayne Goss brush? RM152 (minus shipping cost of course) is more or less the same price with the Lunasol brush (I have not checked out the price now after GST and our RM depreciation since I bought my Lunasol brush in 2013). So I am really tempted now as you said its idiot-proof :-)
I know how you feel about using the Lunasol to death cos that’s what I did! Haha! I think I know which Hakuhodo brush you’re talking about. I have one that’s a little flat, not round, and is quite dense and firm. I like that one for the less pigmented blushes. It also helps you contour quite nicely, but doesn’t diffuse colour as well unless you really work it. This ones easier. As to whether it’s worth it, I’d say it’s a hard question, especially with our RM the way it is. Let’s just say that if you can get free shipping and if you have some funds to spare, it’s a good one to own. But if it’ll put a dent in the savings then maybe hold off till the RM improves :)
I have most of Wayne Goss brushes and I love them. I got them all from Beautylish and they ship for free to Singapore when you buy for $35 USD and free express shipping when you buy over $100 USD. They also handle the import taxes and all! The customer service is amazing. I don’t know how is the shipping for Malaysia though.
I love the no. 2 for applying Guerlain’s meteorites. It is also good for any highlighter in general since the size gives you enough control over the application. I personally love the no. 19 to blend (a little bit better than no. 4 imo) out my eyeshadow. It’s incredibly soft but not flimsy. The new no. 5 is a staple in my routine to apply colour in my outer v, inner corner of the eyes and under the eyes. I love no. 00 (holiday brush) and 11 to apply powder while no.14 is my favorite blush brush! It makes it so easy. Finally, I like to use no. 16 to blend concealer. They are really great brushes, expensive, but not more than a mac brushes. I recommend them to anyone who wants to invest into their brushes!
Thanks for the wonderful recommendations , Kim! It was very helpful. I haven’t bought from Beautylish myself and it’s great to hear they have good service. I’ve been pretty impressed with the WG brushes I own myself, so I know how you feel!
I love Beautylish. They have the best customer service. It’s really sad that they’re not shipping makeup to us anymore, only tools and brushes. I only have the Wayne Goss Holiday brush, which is very similar to the Hakuhodo J103 which I also have. The Hakuhodo one is a touch softer, if I have to be picky.
I was tempted to get a few other brushes from WG, but given our weakening currency, and the fact that I actually don’t need extra brushes, I decided against it.
Thanks for letting us know Beautylish is OK to us here in Malaysia! Do we get taxed? I got burnt with Hakuhodo once. Pity to know they don’t ship anything else other than the tools. I thought they had opened up everything . Pity,but I’m sure we can get the other brands elsewhere right? :)
Funny how bigger YouTube people either get brushes made or go into make. Am I the only one that would launch a bloody skincare range??
That dream of mine scares the shit out of me, but I’d love to have my own brand.
Haha you and maybe Caroline Hirons? :P I think most YouTubers go the makeup route because they’re makeup based – makeup artists or built their following on makeup. Ditto bloggers. Most “beauty” bloggers are makeup oriented, with tutorials and makeup tips and looks. Like you, I’d prefer to focus on skincare but there’s always less of a “demand”. For some reason, people will rather learn how to put on eyeshadow, than how to take care of skin. Doesn’t help that many of those who are the “gurus” give some really crappy skincare tips, or push dodgy skincare. Meh… You need to go to YouTube, my friend. Expand the skincare “guru” segment and maybe then build the foundation for your skincare brand! ;)
nice review. the price is quite steep for me. i’ll stick to my zoeva brush sets :)
Thanks and yes, price-wise it’s steep because of what they use to make it. I’ve used a couple of Zoeva. They’re not bad, for the price! :)
Yes! Love it! Love it! I have #02 and the eye crease blending brush. I think I need multiples of both. And I still want more Wayne Goss brushes. I think he really put effort into developing the shape of each brush and that makes his brushes better than Hakuhodo.
Rumour has it they all come from the same place anyway! I mean his and Hakuhodo and other Japanese brands ;) But I agree, his brushes are definitely one of the better makeup artist/Youtuber products I’ve come across. They are actually of good quality, and perform to measure. Unlike other people who just stamp their names on OEM products and hope to make a quick buck