Before purchasing it, the most I'd spent on a brush was the Too Faced Powder Pouf for $35. The majority of my brushes are from Real Techniques or Ecotools and I had no complaints about their quality or performance. I certainly didn't feel like my collection was lacking and I didn't have any particular desire to venture into the world of premium makeup brushes.
But what set the SUQQU Cheek Brush apart was how darn frequently it appeared in my Queen Lisa Eldridge's makeup tutorials (she affectionately dubs it her "kitten paw" brush). Over the course of nearly three years, my position on the grey squirrel hair brush moved from "pffftt, I don't need anything that fancy or expensive", to "oh God, I really want it ... but admit me to a psychiatric ward should I seriously contemplate purchasing it" to "YOLO, I'm at a SUQQU counter in Japan, just take my $160".
Yes, it's soft. The top candidate for the softest brush that's made contact with my skin.
It manages to diffuse very pigmented blushes (like Sleek Rose Gold or Illamasqua Naked Rose) that ordinarily would be a challenge to apply, and sheer them out so they're actually wearable. In that sense, it does serve a useful and unique purpose.
Having said that, I find the softness and floppiness of it, and the fact it gives way when you press it into your skin, makes it harder to control if you want more pinpoint placement or strong colour payoff straight away, without having to build up the pigmentation in layers. The SUQQU gives a softened, well blended look, but I find myself reaching for a more firm, dense brush like the Ecotools by Alicia Silverstone Blush Brush if I want a more pronounced, contoured effect with a blush/bronze hybrid like NARS Luster.
For the price, it's about the same as the degustation menu at a nice restaurant or good tickets to a concert. If you're willing to part with your pennies, the SUQQU Cheek Brush may be a worthwhile investment. It's a well made, luxuriously soft brush that will effortlessly diffuse, soften and blend out your blushes (especially highly pigmented ones), highlighters and bronzers, and give you a subtle, natural flush. Otherwise, if the splurge still seems daunting, I don't feel this is a must-have or absolute game-changer. While undoubtedly nice to have, cheaper brushes will still do the trick.
I yolo way too much in buying beauty products. This brush does sound preeeeetty special, but I definitely don't think I could muster up the courage to purchase, not that my budget allows for it anyways. It seems like something real talented makeup peeps would use - too fancy for ol' makeup pleb me!
ReplyDeleteTasha // shiwashiful.
Totally get you, it's completely not necessary especially if you're quite happy with your existing brushes. For me, it was just pure self-indulgence!
DeleteHow does it compare to the E.L.F. Studio blush brush? I just bought it! Thinner, smaller blush brush placement is a new concept but certainly feels grown-up and on a whole other level to 'sweep blush on cheekbone'- it's more like 'diffuse and carefully sculpt' the powder on the cheek. I think given your idolatry of Queen Lisa, it's warranted and was bound to happen sooner or later- so I'm all for your YOLO Suqqu Counter moment. I absolutely adore your voice in this post- so whimsical and playful!
ReplyDeleteThere aren't that many similarities except the size (both quite small for a blush brush). The e.l.f. is much firmer and flatter. The SUQQU is fluffy and very soft, feels so light on the skin. The e.l.f. also picks up more pigment, the SUQQU seems to soften/diffuse any blush so you have to work on layering it. You have to press relatively hard on the e.l.f. to use it in a blending motion (though it's definitely possible) whereas the SUQQU, you barely need to exert any pressure. I still think the e.l.f. is a pretty good buy considering it's like $8 or something :p
DeleteAwww, shucks. Thanks for the comment about the 'voice'. I'm all over the shop sometimes. I guess a lot of it is about how much genuine enthusiasm I have about what I want to say versus producing content for the sake of blogging regularity.
I feel this way about my Hakuhodo brushes. My most expensive one is about the same as this SUQQU one (about $30 cheaper), but it's still my FAVORITE brush and in my experience, nothing else applies powder quite like that one does. When it comes to these types of things, though, I really think it's subjective. If I could have stopped my past self from even bothering with my cheaper alternatives and just buy this one though, I totally would.
ReplyDeleteI would love to dabble in some Hakuhodo brushes but I have no idea where I could buy them. I'm guessing most online stockists either don't ship to Australia (or do so at extortionate prices) or the ones that do have hiked up prices. I agree that cheaper alternatives are generally a waste of money and space when the superior option is what you really want and is better in every way (except price, lol).
DeleteI prefer my Hakuhodo J110, my face is too big for Suqqu Cheek and J110 is more stroke efficient for my needs. Suqqu makes me feel like I'm sketching, J110 makes me feel like doing beautiful one sweep strokes of perfection.
ReplyDeleteI really like that analogy! I have no idea how to get my hands on Hakuhodo brushes but I just looked up the J110 and I see what you mean. It sounds lovely and I'm glad it suits your purposes/face shape better than the Suqqu :)
DeleteWhile I often dream of these brushes... I'd rather spend that money on other things... however should I ever win the lottery, well then :)
ReplyDeleteHahah, if only, hey? :)
DeleteOh gawd, this brush has been on my lust list since I first saw Lisa Eldridge use it in every single one of her videos. I think I nearly caved when I found a friend was going to Japan earlier in the year - good thing I was half broke at the time. Thank you for the review, I think I'm just going to hold off on it for some time but continue to lust after it every time I see Lisa use it as her rings start clinking. xxX
ReplyDeleteDaphne | subgenre of a dream | bloglovin
Haha, I love that! Rings clinking, absolutely ;)
DeleteI never tried anything from them, specially because I'm not sure about where I can get them here were I live. I'll probably test out the Zoeva's first and later maybe move to this one.
ReplyDeleteBut yes, you caught my attention!
Take care*
It's a Japanese brand that's quite high end. Very pricey stuff but nicely made and quite hard to get a hold of outside of Asia. But yes, Zoeva is much more affordable and I'd love to try some of their brushes too :)
DeleteThis looks and sounds amazing, I totally believe you when you say it's great but worth passing for a cheaper brush that does the same. Currently my favorite blush brush was a brush that I bought on a whim thinking that it would last me for a short while but I've had it for 3 years now and it's still going strong! I love rounded blush brushes...I've no intention of buying any other shape of brush for blush.
ReplyDeleteWhich blush brush is that? That's awesome that something you didn't have particularly high hopes for turned out to be such a staple for you. I don't have too many noticeably round blush brushes ... the only one that comes to mind is the Real Techniques Blush Brush!
Deletehahaha I always do yolo almost every time I buy beauty products as I have more than enough for a lifetime. This brush is so divine, it is like the Birkin of make up brushes, not a must have but it is nice to have :P
ReplyDeleteMy most expensive brush until now is the Louise Young foundation brush which I like but don't love.. I somehow still prefer my Real Technique buffing brush.. I am not sure whether I will ever spend 160$ on a single brush, but I will not say never.. :P
The Real Techniques Buffing Brush can't be beaten! Well, except lately I've been preferring to apply my liquid foundation with the Multi Task brush and now I'm hooked. Haven't used my Buffing Brush in quite a while!
DeleteIt sure sounds dreamy! I have this on the list for our trip to Japan next spring! I really hope I have enough money saved up for such crazy indulgences! lol! :-)
ReplyDeleteTheConscienceFund
Oooh, how exciting! Where in Japan are you planning on going? Makeup shopping there is awesome for the Asian brands. Also, Narita Airport is so good!
DeleteI actually love mine -- I rarely use anything else because it makes every other brush give a comparably cakey finish. It's definitely hard to place blush exactly where you want it to the degree of pigmentation other blushes can, but I do think that's part of the suqqu appeal -- it is the master diffuser!
ReplyDeleteIt definitely does diffuse product superbly and unlike anything else in my brush collection. I read your review before purchasing mine - I think I read every review of the brush in the first 10 Google search result pages, lol :p
DeleteOh my... just looking at your photos is making me drool but reading your review on top of that, the brush sounds so incredible! Definitely a luxurious treat but if you love it enough, why not? I have made some purchases in my life that are most probably not worth the price tag but at the end of the day, it's a treat to myself that I purchased with my own hard earned money and I love them to death! I hope this will be like that for you c:
ReplyDeleteChloé⎪ à la foliee
That's definitely one way to look at it :) I think as I get older, I'm beginning to see the value of saving and buying things that you really want, even if they might be a bit more expensive. I've bought so many cheaper products that were meant to be dupes or lesser versions of the more expensive things I wanted, and most of the time have later purchased the real deal anyway. So really, it's a waste of money to settle for less. I like the idea of investing in higher quality products or at least ones that are beautifully made and luxurious. In the end, I'm probably still spending much less with that approach. And yes, you work hard for the items that you treat yourself to, why not enjoy them? :)
DeleteI can only dream of Suqqu right now. I might love it based on your reasoning for not being overly crazy about it. *___*
ReplyDeleteI think nice make up brushes are a good investment, if I could trust myself to take good care of them I would definitely invest in some Suqqu! xx
ReplyDeleteI heard of Suqqu from Lisa Eldridge too! Have you tried any other brushes from Suqqu?
ReplyDeletexx
lynzical.blogspot.com
Nope I haven't, though I was eyeing the Face Brush. It's like $350 or something so totally out of the question! :p
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