Hello lovely ladies,
I’m super pumped to introduce a new brand on IMBB. It always excites me when I get in a new brand on IMBB and share something new, something different. It’s like – opening a window to a new world! The brand that we will talk about today is “Sonia G.” It launched fairly recently and is exclusive to Beautylish (an e-retailer based out of US – ships worldwide). Before I get into the product, I obviously have to introduce the namesake to you – Sonia G.
“Since starting her blog, Sweet Makeup Temptations, in 2012, Sonia G. has cultivated a passion for well-crafted makeup brushes. After building a personal collection of over 2,000 brushes, she set out to create her own line of tools. With an eye for exquisite craftsmanship, efficiency, and performance, Sonia designs brushes to bring joy to the experience of applying makeup—from the shape of the handles, to the feel of the bristles on the skin, to the flawless, perfectly blended results in the mirror.” Sonia is based out of Switzerland. From my own interactions with Sonia, I find her to be a super sweet person who is always open to answering questions that a person may have regarding brushes – and not just from her own line. She has created a niche for herself and her products by developing and nurturing a community of like minded Fude (Japanese brushes) lovers.
Product Description:
Highlight and sculpt your features with a handmade fan brush that’s designed for precision. Light up your features with Sculpt Three, a silky fan brush with short bristles that releases a soft wash of highlighter over the skin. Unlike other fan brushes on the market, Sculpt Three picks up a generous amount of product and lays it down with control. The thin shape is also perfect for precise contouring and bronzing. This brush was designed for highlighter, but it’s also a secret weapon against patchy, harsh bronzer and blush. It picks up a generous amount of product and works with control.” — Sonia G.
How To Use:
Pick up product with the sides of the bristles and gently tap off any excess. Apply starting where you want stronger placement, and then swipe to diffuse as desired. Other Details
Hair type: Saikoho goat. For use with powder products.
Price:
USD 32
My Experience with Sonia G. Sculpt Three Brush:
Packaging: Like most brushes, Sonia’s brushes also come packaged in a transparent sheath without much fanfare. Except for the fan brushes, which have a protective funnel cover to ensure that the brush does not splay or lose shape in transit.
The brush that I am reviewing today was probably my most favourite brush from this line – till it got de-throned by a newer acquisition (which I will review for you soon).
Hair Type: Goat hair but Saikoho goat hair – which is one of the softest, most delicate goat hair and come from the chest/neck of the goat. This makes the brush feel super soft on the skin and yet it has got the tenacity (because it’s goat hair).
Hair Color: Dyed Hair. This ensures that apart from being aesthetically appealing, the brush picks up product more efficiently.
To be used with: For use with powder products. This may be because the brush hair are dyed and may bleed if used with cream/liquid products.
Purpose: Mainly highlighting.
The main purpose of the brush is to highlight and it does a damn good job of it. Fan brushes seem extremely popular currently for highlighting. While I used to enjoy my average-sized Wayne Goss Fan Brush, I used to find it a bit challenging at times. The brush while being soft and fluffy, would diffuse the product well, but I would face a bit of challenge with it picking up the product, especially if it was one of the gelee-textured highlighters like the Dior Air Luminizer or MAC Whisper of Gilt. Also, it gave more aired application, rather than a more focused one. In comes the Sonia G Sculpt Three – since the brush head is smaller in size, both in length and width, it allows much more control on how the product is picked up by the brush, how it is laid down on the skin and blended out. The super soft – yet tenacious – goat hair bristles blended the powder product to perfection without the hair splaying all over the place, without moving your foundation or feeling harsh on the skin.
Application: I use it for highlighting the top of my cheek bones, the arch of my brows, cupid’s bow and even the bridge of my nose. No, I do not highlight my nose because that would just be counter-productive for me!
Could you use it for other things? Yes. It could be used for blending in your contour/blush – especially if the edges of either of these are too sharp because the size of the brush allows you to really choose what specific area you want to work on. You could even cut your cheek with it – if you are into the whole drag thing of cutting the lower part of your cheek with powder.
Pros of Sonia G. Sculpt Three Brush:
- Well made, balanced brush.
- Natural Saikoho hair.
- Extremely effective for its identified job.
- Did not shed on washing.
- Quite a workhorse.
- Gives a precise and controlled application thanks to its small brush head.
- Extremely soft bristles.
- Long handled.
- Effective packaging.
Cons of Sonia G. Sculpt Three Brush:
- Nothing at all.
IMBB Rating:
5/5
The Sonia G brushes are a visual treat. The rich, gradient, lacquer finish of the handles is pure joy to look at and hold. The softness of the hair makes the whole makeup application process more enjoyable.
Having said that, do note 3 things:
The cost of the brushes is determined by the quality of hair – as well as the quality of the brush handles. Potentially, you could get the same brush in a different handle and it would be a lot cheaper (depending on what material and finish is used to create the handle). Hakuhodo has various lines in their brand wherein the brush head may be similar but the material of the handle changes and it can make the price difference vary to even more than double the cost of the cheaper brush. Without detracting an ounce from the quality of the Sculpt Three – do make a note, that you are paying for quality/beauty of the brush handles – which may/may not be important to you.
While you note point one, do also note that the brushes in Sonia G’s line have been designed by her and executed by Japanese artisans. So, in effect, you may not really find exact equivalent of these brushes in another brand. I am pointing out this because of the whole Wayne Goss thing. For reference, it is rumoured, though not confirmed, that Wayne Goss brushes are made by Hakuhodi. Hence, there are brushes in his line which draw parity to brushes in the Hakahudo line. This means, you could possibly get a cheaper (yet equally effective) Hakuhodo brush of the same design (brush quality and shape) for cheaper than the Wayne Goss brush, but this will not be the case for Sonia’s brushes because these shapes are created by her – or it may be a much more difficult endeavour to find the dupes.
What I find unique in Sonia’s brushes is also that she is herself a makeup lover – not a brush manufacturer or a makeup artist. So, you may find her take on things similar to yours – rather than the ones from a Make Up Artist line. The brushes are designed be her, I assume, keeping self application in mind, using currently available products. This may not be the case for the ones available from another makeup artist’s line or a brush manufacturer. I will delve into this aspect in detail when I cover some other brushes – where the impact of these aspects is much higher.
Do I Recommend Sonia G. Sculpt Three Brush?
Absolutely!
Charlotte Tilbury Powder and Sculpt Brush, Eye Smudger Brush
Real Techniques Sculpting Brush
Wet n Wild Fan Brush
MAC 184 Duo Fibre Fan Brush
Zoeva 129 Luxe Fan Brush
Coastal Scents Classic Fan Brush
