I received this as a gift from Suzykirei! It's a thin, retractable type that's neither too hard nor too soft, and the color is soft and fluffy, so I think it's easy to use (*´-`) The color is 02 Brown, which goes well with ash-toned hair. I've only just started using it, so I don't know how quickly it will wear out, so I can't say how cost-effective it is... Also, there are cheaper versions available at drugstores, and you can choose the color... so I'm giving it 4 stars. The packaging is simple and sophisticated, so I recommend it for those who are particular about that!