This pen super goat haired brush is dense and soft. The head is circular (as seen from above, in comparison to heads that are flat at the front, such as the MAC #150) but small enough (hair length of about 5cm/ 2") not to get squashed and misshapen if put in a brush roll (as is the case with my shu uemura 18R- I have to leave him home to keep him in shape).
#6 Blush
The head is the "flattened" kind I spoke of before. It's rather small (hair length of about 3.5cm) which is great is you have delicate features, as I find many blush brushes deposit colour onto too large an area for my face. The pony hair is super soft, and gives a delicate glow which you can blend as you apply.
#19 Bronzer
This circular brush made from super goat hair and is super dense. The fibres are strong but still soft on the face. The domed head measures approx. 4cm by 4cm. It is designed for applying bronzer but I also use it for blush when I want a more bold application than #1 will deliver. This is also great for a "pop" of a brighter coloured shade on the apples of the cheeks when you have applied a softer colour under/on the cheekbones (just don't forget to blend well!). The fat cylindrical handle feels great in the hand too and allows for greater control. I haven't seen another like this.
Ita Kabuki
This is the wider and shorter of the two Itas- and my favourite. Perfect for bronzers and dark corrections to the cheekbones, hairline, jaw etc. (just use your imagination!) Try using it to dust a stripe of dark powder under your cheekbones toward your hairline, and then turn the brush parallel to your hairline as you move towards it (then blend until the stripe no longer looks "stripey"!) It is also wonderful for powdered highlighter (such as NARS Albatross). It's the perfect shape for the cheekbones, and you can also run it down the bridge of your nose, and your forehead to add a glow. You could also try it for blush, but I don't use it for this because I already have my preferred brushes for blush application.
Ita
The tall, thin sister. She has the same uses as her twin, the Ita Kabuki, but I prefer her for the chin area. I don't think you really need the pair, but they are such a work of art it is nice to have both if you are able.
The handle picks up shimmer from my hands (picked up from powders!) so easily though. Clean with an oily makeup remover (such as the NARS one).
Yachiyo
This little one is for defining and highlighting. I like it for blush. The head is small (only 4cm long) and is denser than (and not quite as soft as) the Blush Brush, giving it a heavier and more controlled application. Due to it's small size, you will probably have to use another brush to blend the blush. It could also be used for bronzer, highlighter, and dark corrections. The thin handle, wound with wisteria, certainly gives it a unique character. Hold it close to the head, where the metal ferrule would usually be. You
will feel like an artisan using the artisan brushes!
#7 Flat Concealer
The flat, domed nylon head (about 1.5cm) is great for applying concealer under the eyes, over larger areas (ie. not for small spots) and for contouring with liquid or cream corrective products (eg. down the sides of the nose).
Firm enough to spread the product, but still soft enough for delicate areas, such as under the eyes, eyelids, etc.
Also comes in handy for cream eyeshadows.
Botan
This furry creature is the large, densely packed, and delightfully soft Botan, which means "peony" in Japanese. It's made from super black goat hair. Use with or without translucent powder to buff everything into a natural-looking finish. Even the handle feels luxurious!
After washing, I recommend placing it upside down on a cotton pad with a face washer or towel underneath so the water doesn't seep into the base. Check on it every now and then and replace the wet cotton pad with a dry one.
This is what I mean in case you have a different word for it:
#11 Retractable Lip
This has a small, flat nylon head in a domed shape typical of small concealer brushes (the kind used for spots). The synthetic fibres are a lot easier to clean lipsticks and sticky glosses from than natural haired brushes. The head may be small, but it covers the lips surprisingly quickly. The hairs are very firm, allowing a very precise and controlled application. I appreciate its retractable design as it can be transported safely in a handbag or beauty case and it won't leave sticky residue in your brush roll either.
