Beauty Product Reviews
The Alpine Mountain Winter’s Kiss
Part 4: 💫 Properties & Performance Assessment: Yashabushi + Mordant X dyed saikoho bristles of Sonia G Alpine face brushes have the strength of saikoho grade hairs, with thicker base and shaft but their tips show a special phenomenon which is RELATIVELY SIMILAR to that seen in White Canadian Squirrel hair tips. Namely, due to this special Mordant X + Yashabushi dye, the structure and texture of these saikoho bristles itself is changed, so that the tips are made much softer and thinner, and there's spacing between the tips of these bristles.
💫 The spacing between the tips and change in the structure and texture of these Yashabushi + Mordant X mix dyed saikoho hair impart certain performance properties to these hairs, including: enhanced pick up of powder products due to increased ability to grip powders. Also, enhanced ability for more controlled release of said powder products.
✨ Enhanced softness of the bristles allowing the bristles to flow and hug the curves of the face better, compared to same brush shape without the dyed Yashabushi + Mordant X factor. It imparts the airy characteristic to these Alpine bristles. The Yasha dye + Mordant X also allows for more smooth and even distribution of powder products as opposed to patchy applications
✨ Enhanced ability to impart sheen/pearl particles from powder products in comparison to persimmon dyed saikoho or White Canadian squirrel + saikoho mix bristles.
💫 Comparison Assessment of Sonia G Japanese Gardens Neo-Makie Face brush (JGNM) VS Sonia G Alpine Alp 2 brush:
✨ The JGNM WCS + HG saikoho bristles are softer than Alp 2 yashabushi + Mordant X dyed saikoho. However, the Alp 2 is relatively better at applying shimmers & pearl particles, whilst still granting the soft focus effect that the JGNM also imparts. If you want comparatively more sheen/radiance effect on your skin from your satin formula powders or shimmer-based powders, Alp 2 is the better option and the tips still feel as soft as fluffy clouds brushing your skin. Both allow for controlled build up of powder products, but the Alp 2 grants relatively more strength.
[I may post my review of Sonia G Japanese Gardens Neo Makie Face brush later]
An Expression of Makeup at Art Form
💫 Background about my Makeup philosophy: According to the ancient Book of Enoch, fallen angels known as Watchers first introduced the art & science of cosmetics to humanity. “The leader, Azazel, and the fallen angel Gadreel taught women the arts of eye makeup, antimony (dark kohl for the eyelids), and beautifying the skin.” For as long as I can remember, I have viewed makeup as the art form and ritual of self expression and self care. Hence, my interest in fude was a natural progression of my makeup art & ritual journey.
💫 Background about my fude philosophy: Fude makeup brushes which are rooted in Japanese traditional craft are the tools which connect us to the rich Japanese traditional art history, and in some ways to the psyche and hearts of the artisans. As such, each of the fude tools themselves are vessels of expression of the heritage handcrafted art of Kumano, Hiroshima
✨Hence, I view each of my fude artisanal tool or vessel as an extension of my art & science of makeup. Each fude in my makeup kit adds a different experience, a different nuance of artistic expression to my makeup art and connects me to that ancient ritualistic tradition first started by the angels; as well as connecting me to the hearts of the artisans of Hiroshima
**It is important to note that no fude artisanal tool can make one magically acquire the techniques or skills of a professional makeup artist. Further, I am not here to use some gimmicky line about “you need to read my review before you buy this fude” or “you don’t need this fude” or “this one fude is for all your needs” etc.
💫 Builder 2 Performance Assessment: In my experience, Sonia G Builder 2 is a multitasking chubby little workhorse for applying any powder formula, and I use it not only as laydown builder brush, but also as a blender, and even to draw smudged, non-precise eyeliner under my lower lashline. I also use it to contour my nose or apply highligter to my nose bridge and my nose tip. I absolutely love its fingertip-like shape, and the dense base design with the layered tip. Once again @soniagbrushes designed a winner
Feel The Alpine Mountain Winter’s Kiss
My fude philosophy: I use fude as tools which elevate my makeup routine. I view makeup as a self expression ritual and as part of my self care. Hence, using different types of fude makes my makeup self care ritual more enjoyable. No single fude tool is necessary but each provides a different experience. With that said, I absolutely love the Sonia G Alpine series fude as they add a new and different nuance of performance advantages to my makeup routine.
Performance assessment:
(I have written at length on my IG about the special properties and performance of Sonia's Alpine Yashabushi + Mordant X face brushes, and those same properties apply to the alpine eye brushes)
Key Characteristics & Advantages:
• enhanced powder pick up
• increased control to release powders efficiently and precisely
• enhanced ability to apply & diffuse powders evenly without any patchyness
• allows for build up of eyeshadow intensity without over blending
• feels super soft even on sensitive eyelids, like fluffy clouds caressing your skin
• performs exceptionally well with any matte powders or shimmer or pearl powder formulas.
Superstar Marvel
I have purchased and used Sonia G Superstar Detail 1 and Detail 2 and in my experience both makeup brushes have their own strengths and advantages.
Detail 1 Advantages:
1) the size is perfect for blush application for small face, as well as targeted blush application for any face size
2) Targeted powder setting or finishing powder application
3) highlighter application
4) all over eyelid base powder application for people with generous eyelid space, such as myself.
5) The best of 2 different rare hair mixes, provides the ultimate luxury experience. White Canadian Squirrel and high quality Saibikoho bristles makes this Sonia G Detail 1 truly a bold choice by Sonia. Especially given the very affordable pricing for such premium rare hairs and luxurious multi-layer Japanese lacquer handles.
Sonia's choice to use high quality Saibikoho instead of the more obvious and less risky choice of high grade saikoho for this Detail 1 mix reflects Sonia's drive and sincere passion for fude and her innovative spirit. The risks of using high grade saibikoho instead of saikoho include obvious factors such as higher price point, lower profit margins; but also require more careful considerations of brush head shape and performance. This is where Sonia G shows why she earned her title of Queen of Fude. Sonia explained in detail in her blog the origins of Detail 1 and Detail 2 brushes of her Superstar series.
Those with keen observational skills have already noticed the differences in performance start to show up between Detail 1 and Detail 2 and the reasons why Saibikoho mix WCS is special when used with shimmer powder formulas and highlighter powders. Personally, I love both Detail 1 and Detail 2 and I have bought back ups of both.
Kudos to Sonia for daring to create an original and refreshingly luxurious Superstar mix in the form of Detail 1 WCS + high grade Saibikoho and making it affordably priced for us hardcore fude nerds/collectors to enjoy. I hope to see more such bold and innovative mixes from Sonia in 2026.
Note: Not Sponsored in any way. Idk why my same review under superstar Detail 1 doesn't show verified purchase since I purchased back up of Detail 1 and this Superstar duo.
Superstar Marvel
I have purchased and used Sonia G Superstar Detail 1 and Detail 2 and in my experience both makeup brushes have their own strengths and advantages.
Detail 1 Advantages:
1) the size is perfect for blush application for small face, as well as targeted blush application for any face size
2) Targeted powder setting or finishing powder application
3) highlighter application
4) all over eyelid base powder application for people with generous eyelid space, such as myself.
5) The best of 2 different rare hair mixes, provides the ultimate luxury experience. White Canadian Squirrel and high quality Saibikoho bristles makes this Sonia G Detail 1 truly a bold choice by Sonia. Especially given the very affordable pricing for such premium rare hairs and luxurious multi-layer Japanese lacquer handles.
Sonia's choice to use high quality Saibikoho instead of the more obvious and less risky choice of high grade saikoho for this Detail 1 mix reflects Sonia's drive and sincere passion for fude and her innovative spirit. The risks of using high grade saibikoho instead of saikoho include obvious factors such as higher price point, lower profit margins; but also require more careful considerations of brush head shape and performance. This is where Sonia G shows why she earned her title of Queen of Fude. Sonia explained in detail in her blog the origins of Detail 1 and Detail 2 brushes of her Superstar series.
Those with keen observational skills have already noticed the differences in performance start to show up between Detail 1 and Detail 2 and the reasons why Saibikoho mix WCS is special when used with shimmer powder formulas and highlighter powders. Personally, I love both Detail 1 and Detail 2 and I have bought back ups of both.
Kudos to Sonia for daring to create an original and refreshingly luxurious Superstar mix in the form of Detail 1 WCS + high grade Saibikoho and making it affordably priced for us hardcore fude nerds/collectors to enjoy. I hope to see more such bold and innovative mixes from Sonia in 2026.
P.S. Not Sponsored in any way. Just my honest and informed opinion
Poor Quality Control
First, I love SG brushes and I have bought more than a few. I had been waiting for the restock of Builder pro and I was super excited to see my package arrive.
I opened my parcel and received my first shock: the Beautylish person whose job it was to package my brushes, had negligently thrown my brushes in the box, without the usual black paper wrap they have arrived in to protect them during shipping in every other order I have received before. It was upsetting to see my costly brushes arrive so carelessly thrown in the box without bare minimum effort to protect them during shipping.
My second and really big shock came when I picked up my Builder Pro, only to see it looks nothing like as advertised in the photos on the Beautylish website and what I have seen other customers receive. Mine doesn't have that odd little taper that makes Builder Pro what it is defined to be. I noticed from the reviews that another lady had the same issue, so I know this quality control issue is not just something that happened once. In fact, it happened to her twice! So I am not sure if I should take a chance and order the Builder Pro again in the hopes to receive the shape as advertised on Beautylish website. I will update if I decide to take that chance. But for now, I will be returning this defective brush. I decided to upload this mini review in the hopes that it helps improve Beautylish packaging service, as well as improve quality control for the SG Builder Pro brush.
Resilient and Soft little stamper for buffing and blending
This is dyed goat hair but it is surprisingly soft on my sensitive skin, and it only gets softer after each wash! It isn't as soft as any undyed saikoho hair but I use it for layering and buffing and blending in precise applications and for this purpose it is just the right softness, as too soft isn't always a good thing for some applications! Thank you Beautylish for making it available for purchase from a US site! I purchased this with my own money, and I bought back up.
Good quality weasel brush at decent price
First of all, I would like to thank Beautylish for amazing customer service and for taking great care to package my brushes so carefully to ensure they would be safe from damages during shipping. Beautylish shipped my order fast and I love that I get free shipping for minimum of $35. This brush is really great at applying foundation and even concealer and BB creams without streaks and it doesn't soak up or eat products the way a Beauty Blender does. I highly recommend this brush and Beautylish for hassle free order transaction.