Dior Backstage Eyeshadow Shader Brush

I wanted an eyeshadow brush, so I bought this one. It's much harder and more resilient than the Kumano brushes I own. It's flat, so first apply the color horizontally, then blend it vertically to create a natural gradation. Using it with dark colors can be too strong, so I think it's best for gradations of medium-sized colors. The length and thinness of the brush are just right, and it doesn't require excessive pressure. Eyeshadow brushes are surprisingly soft and apply the color softly all over, but they can be difficult to create gradations. I like this one because it makes it easy to create gradations. I haven't washed it many times so far, so I don't know how long it will last, but I expect it to last quite a while. I'll probably buy it again if it wears out.

I saw a staff member using it during touch-ups, so I bought it along with the eyeshadow. It applied beautifully at the store, but when I tried to use it myself after getting home, I couldn't quite get the hang of it... I'd like to practice using it for a long time.

Apologies for the poor quality of the photos. From left to right: Tom Ford (natural bristles), MAC 217S, Dior, and Hakuhodo J6090. My Tom Ford is starting to wear out, so I'm looking for a brush. I bought the MAC first. The second photo is a side shot, and the thickness of the brush and bristles is completely different. Dior is compact overall, thin, and even the bristles are thin, which clearly gives it the advantage of being able to be used thinly when held horizontally. However, because the bristles are short and stiff, they're not as good at quickly blending the shade across the eye socket as Tom Ford is. It's more of a stamping brush. I think the synthetic bristles also play a role. If Hakuhodo or Bisyoudo had a natural bristled brush with this shape and size, it would be perfect. However, it pairs well with lighter shades like Lunasol. Tom Ford, Guerlain, and Addiction use intensely pigmented eyeshadows, so a fluffy brush is easier to use. Tom Ford eyeshadow works best with Tom Ford brushes. Apparently they've switched to synthetic bristles. I'll check them out in the store, but I still feel like synthetic bristles are easier to use, especially for eyelid brushes. MAC brushes are designed for applying a thick layer of eyeshadow and then blending it with another brush, and I think they're more suited to people with a Los Angeles bitch-esque style of makeup. I'm getting rid of this one. It's difficult for me to use. I think the synthetic bristles are a factor. I'll try to find some more natural bristles that I like. Finally, there's Hakuhodo. It looks like a blending brush, but the bristles are tapered, so it only applies a thin layer. I wanted to introduce it because it's so easy to use. It's a very useful brush for gently applying intensely pigmented products to a Japanese audience.

The shade brush is on the far left in the photo. I was particularly attracted to the long handle, which makes it easy to hold. Also, because it has a matte finish, I think it will be relatively easy to get dirty. The blending brush is round, but this one is flat. I like how easy it is to use to apply the main color.

I splurged on this because I wanted a flat eyeshadow brush. I use the tip to apply eyeshadow around the eyes and then use the larger side to blend it out. I personally find the included tips and brushes too small to apply eyeshadow properly, so a long eyeshadow brush that I can hold firmly is a nice touch.