GSN Series GSN-7 Eye Shadow

I have slightly hooded eyes and a small eye area. I saw other reviews that this is a large brush and that’s exactly what I was looking for; I wanted this for “one and done” looks. I tried this with a Pat McGrath shadow (purple to make sure it’s obvious how it has blended the colour and to leave no room for mercy). Well this brush blended like a dream. It has much better pick up power than you might imagine, I guess the goat hairs are primarily perfuming that task. The pinched ferrule means you can turn this on its side (see photo) and get more detail in application (such as in the outer “v” of the eye) and you can blend in the crease area. I held the brush closer to the ferrule when I wanted to deepen the outer corner and it layered the colour well but was still quite subtle. I also used the brush to pull the colour under the eye and it worked really well. As this brush is flatter than say the T-6 (with a round ferrule) this brush really slots into the crease and I didn’t feel it was too big for my eyes. The brush is actually quite firm and you could use this to set powder on the lids or under the eye or in very small areas. I can’t say that I would use this to highlight as I like a little more airiness to my highlighter brushes. I love all the GSN series brushes that I have (GSN-1 and GSN-3) and this is no exception. The softness is unrivalled and whilst the T-6 is incredibly soft, this is just that bit more luxurious. The handle is long so this may not work so well if you need to be up close to the mirror.

I have added some pictures comparing this to the T-6 (I have a review of that brush too) and the Sonia G Jumbo Blender. I much prefer this and the T-6 to the Sonia brush as I find that the Chikuhodo brushes just blend so much faster and without any drag. This would be a great "fixer" brush too to sort out harsh lines or good for a transition shade. I'm now looking at getting the GSN-9 and the T-7.

Chikuhodo brushes were my very first introduction to Japanese brushes... a long, long while ago. And it propelled me down a rabbit hole that I am still to this down diving further in. I had started with GSN-9 and GSN-10, and I never picked this one up because everyone always stated that the size is huge. And yes, it is big, but it’s honestly still useful and in my opinion, not too big to use. I use the tip of it when I use it, and it is luxuriously soft and blends very well. I shouldn’t have slept on this one for so long.

I have a half a dozen Chikuhodo brushes from the GSN line. They are a joy to use and absolutely beautiful. As noted by other reviewers the GSN 7 is a large eyeshadow brush. I was a little concerned that it would be too big, but it actually works well with putting down your transition shade. The brush puts down a nice even coverage with just a couple applications of makeup. In my opinion, natural hair brushes are fabulous I am now addicted to them. They are worth the investment if you are able to afford them. Beautylish gives you the opportunity to spread the expense out over multiple payments and without any interest charge. It is a win-win situation all the way around.

This brush is amazing for a quick one color eyeshadow look. It is one of my favorites and gonna have to add a second to my collection soon.

I am a makeup artist and I am always in search of brushes with this shape and softness. I really appreciate the weight of the brush and how the handle tapers down so that I can easily carry in a brush set. I can already tell that I will use this brush mainly for highlighting and diffused contouring even though it is an eye brush. Don't get me wrong, I will also reach for this brush if I need a quick sweep of color across the lid.

The brush is incredibly soft and has just enough density to press products into the skin if needs be. The brush really hold its shape well while being swept back and fourth. The texture of the hairs is pure heaven on the face.

I am going to order a couple more for myself and backups for my kit.

So I read a previous review on this brush and I read that this brush was pretty big for an eyeshadow, but hey, I thought "how much bigger can it be?" so I went ahead and bought it. I received it in the mail and at first, I thought "did Beautylish send me the wrong brush?" I read the label on the brush and it said GSN-7 and I was pretty shocked. I would have thought this was more of a concealer brush instead of an eyeshadow brush. Heck, if it was a teeny bit bigger, it would have been the size of a foundation brush. I attempted to use it as an eyeshadow brush and it somewhat works. Because of the large brush head, it's hard to be precise.

Look at the reference pictures, look at the reference pictures' hand model, now look at your thumb. Notice that the brush in the picture is about the width of the model's thumb? Yes, this brush is HUGE for an eye shadow brush. As in it dwarfs my concealer brushes and some of my highlighter brushes. I really should have paid attention to the pictures.

I was this close to returning it before I had one of those days when I just wanted one color.* I loaded up the GSN-7 and found the smoothest, most even stroke of color on my lid. For such a big brush it's incredibly gentle and cool to the touch. It cut down my "one color" eye makeup looks in half. Instead of fussing to get my desired color intensity with my other brushes ( 4+ strokes) this finished everything in about 2.

I would use this if you have a lot of product to lay down. Examples could be your eye shadow primer, a sheer color to finish a look, or your work day taupe.

*Yes, if it were possible I would put every eye shadow color in my collection on my lids. Then all of the eyeliner.