I’m excited to kick off a brand-new series of mini-interviews with my fans and friends as they pick their Top Tools from my ever-growing brush collection. From experts to enthusiasts, each interview will showcase how a person incorporates their favorite Sonia G. brushes into their daily lives, offering new tips and creative ideas to inspire us all—plus my insights as well. Our first profile is with Gudrun P.
I met Gudrun when she emailed shortly after my Sunset Cranes brush set was released. The set had become her holy grail; she wanted a second set. As a person with a disability, Gudrun has little mobility in her hands and uses a wheelchair. She needs a special technique to be able to hold the brushes which damages them, so she needs to get backups of her favorites.
Unfortunately, we weren’t planning to release the set again. But we had one prototype of a brush in the set she particularly wanted and I was happy to gift it to her. I found out that Gudrun was not only living in Switzerland, but in the same village where I lived from 11 to 20 years old—just about 60 meters (200 feet) away! So instead of just sending the parcel, I went to meet her in person.
She has such a wonderful sense of humor, but I am particularly fascinated by her ingenuity–I am inspired by her strength and courage and am so grateful that our paths converged.
We have been in contact since that first meeting and have met several more times—our next rendezvous is already planned!
Thank you so much, Gudrun!
Gudrun P., Lausanne, Switzerland
Makeup Enthusiast
Gudrun's Top Brushes
[Translated from French] If I love Sonia G. brushes, it’s because they are so beautiful, soft and effective!! There is something magical when I use them, because the makeup is applied and blended with such ease and perfection that I can’t believe I manage to do my makeup so quickly! Choosing five favorite brushes was a real struggle because I feel like I only have gems in my collection, so I decided to talk about the ones I use the most at the moment.
For the complexion, I use the Jumbo Base
With this brush, my Missha BB Cream Perfect Cover is applied in a few brush strokes. It’s incredible, the imperfections disappear, there’s a feeling of bare skin and my skin looks more beautiful!
The Jumbo Base is part of the Fusion series. For the Fusion series, we developed a new mix of synthetic fibers and natural bristles that, while benefiting from each other's characteristics, have an extremely soft feel on the skin. The bristles move and flex easily, which allows the brush to easily follow the structure of the face, while still having enough density and strength to blend effectively.
For the eye contour, I use the Jumbo Concealer
Despite its size, it can be very precise when laying it flat on the skin during application. I also apply my BB Cream from Missha as a concealer. With this brush, everything is applied in two or three movements!
The Jumbo Concealer is also part of the Fusion series, it is bundled with a similar mix of bristles as the Jumbo Base but in different ratios to fit the purpose of this brush. This brush can handle concealer and correctors—strong enough to also work with thick cream formulas while remaining extremely soft on sensitive skin, especially around the eyes.
To set everything, I use the Face Pro
Using an old pot from Sisley Paris, I make a 50/50 mix, with the iridescent loose powder from Sisley Paris and BY TERRY’s Hyaluronic Hydra Powder 8HA. I just have to sweep a bit of this mixture with my brush and I have a perfect finish! A real caress on the face. I use the same brush to apply my blush, the Terracotta from Guerlain, on the top of the cheeks. In two passes I have a fresh and natural complexion!
The Face Pro is the brush I recommend to anyone needing a soft and quick application of powder or bronzer on the entire face!
For the eyes, I currently use the Tradition TS4.
On the corner of the eye, I apply my dark eye shadow from MAC and then I overflow on the rest of the eyelid.
I then use the Fundamental Pencil L with a lighter color, also from MAC, to mix the two colors. This brush is just perfect for an impeccable result. It’s incredible how such soft bristles can take so much material and deposit it with such precision and softness!!!
I love how the bristles of the TS4 behave with very pigmented/dark shadows in particular. They hold on to the pigment and as we place the product and start to move the brush, the bristles release it smoothly and progressively. It becomes easier to build the application softly and to diffuse it evenly, especially when using dark or very saturated shadows.
I often found it challenging to quickly achieve the same intensity and work with the same precision on both eyes, especially when working on the outer v. This became even more challenging as I aged because my eyes became more hooded, the skin more loose and textured. On this area, I need a brush that is strong but with enough movement to build and work the product easily. The Pencil L was designed with that challenge in mind. It has strength to work with difficult or hybrid formulas but when we place the product, the working surface has just the right flow to diffuse the placement evenly, while keeping it within a small perimeter.
I come to my favorite brush, my holy grail
The one I can’t do without anymore...It’s the famous pencil brush from the Sunset Cranes set. This is the first time I’ve found a brush with squirrel bristles that are so soft and yet stiff enough to apply my powder eyeliner! I have sensitive eyes, but I can pass the brush along the lash line without any problem. I can also use it to diffuse placement and for a smoky effect. It’s just a little marvel!
The Soft Pencil was a fun, but quite challenging little brush to make! Just like Gudrun says, it’s soft yet firm, and this is exactly what we were aiming for. When a brush is too soft and lacks firmness we lose control with the tip, or it may skip on the skin and not pick up enough product to distribute it evenly. The strength of this little brush is to be so soft and feathery, yet still remain effective and reliable!
Good News!
Sonia and the artisans were able to produce a small batch of the Soft Pencil brushes. The brush is available for a limited time in the Sunset Crane handle as well as the Summer Koi handle. You can also check out Sonia G’s extensive collection of brushes and find your own faves!
