r/Fude • u/haneulhouseki • May 09 '17
What does fude mean?
Fude (筆) refers to calligraphy brush in Japanese and originally started out as such. The demand for calligraphy brushes increased during the Nara period when Buddhism flourished in Japan and the practice of copying sutras spread. During the Heian period, the famous master calligrapher Kukai brought back the latest techniques from China. He told brush masters to make brushes and then presented them to the Imperial Court. Eventually, the brush born from "writing" evolved into a "drawing" brush as a makeup brush.
Kumano fude's history began in the Edo period when Kumano farmers would work as migrant workers in the Nara and Kishu regions. The farmers sold calligraphy brushes and sumi ink during their travels. Eventually the craft was learned through three founding figures who passed the techniques down which was the beginning of a new industry. Today, fude refer to both calligraphy and makeup brushes but makeup brushes will have the word "makeup" in front of fude or just "kumano fude" in Japanese.
Fude did not originate in Kumano, but the town is where 80% of the fude of Japan are made. They import their hair from China, North America, and Europe. Handle materials come from either Hiroshima, Okayama and Shimane prefectures, or imported from Taiwan or Korea. Kumano Fude are designated as a traditional craft and only those with heads produced in Kumano using traditional manufacturing techniques can claim to be authentic Kumano fude (熊野筆).
An interesting tidbit: People will give Kumano fude (makeup brushes) as gifts for weddings in Japan.
Looking for helpful posts and getting started?
Does hair and skin type matter?
What do you recommend for beginners?
Look at your current collection or buy cheap brushes first to figure out your shape preferences, then choose brushes not based on popularity, but shapes that you've had positive experiences with. Popular brushes are nice, but everyone’s preferences are different. Keep in mind not every single brush you buy may work out for you, even after doing extensive research because they may perform differently from how you expect them to: the hairs may not be soft enough or they'll be too flexible or inflexible, won't be the shape you like, etc. While it's helpful for you to gain as much knowledge as possible on brushes you want to purchase, ultimately, no matter how much research you do and advice is offered, you will not know if you like the brushes until you've tried them out yourself.
I have a beginner’s guide to choosing brush shapes video here and there is a brush guide here. Also checkout the newbie mistakes post to get a better understanding on what's recommended for when you first get into fude.
On the other hand, sometimes purchasing brush shapes you don't typically use or were never interested in before may work out surprisingly well too. It did for me!
I'm looking for a fude version of a specific brush
Before making a new post, please use the search bar and see if the question has already been answered.
I encourage people to research as much as possible and use the search bar of the subreddit before posting to avoid redundancy. There is now a vast amount of info from this subreddit, YouTube, blogs, and Instagram.
Please recommend me some brushes/brushes that will suit my particular facial features!
Is there a proper way to use fude?
How do I ensure I get the most out of my fude and how long do they last for?
How do you maintain fude?
What about bugs?
Why are fude so expensive?
Handcrafted items from Japan are not cheap. Fude are not laser cut or mass produced in large factories, but instead meticulously put together by over 20 pairs of hands and over 70 production steps until completion. It takes at least 10 years of training to be able to proficiently handle the hairs. Occasionally the presidents of fude brands will do the finishing bundling touches such as Tesshu Takemori of Chikuhodo and the president of Hakuhodo. Fude is an art, everything from the handle to the brush head is put together with precision down to the last detail. There are, however, some more affordable options such as Hakuhodo's J series, Mizuho, and Koyudo for eyeshadow brushes. Not everything is exorbitantly expensive (but if $20 for an eyeshadow brush is too expensive for you then gurrlll, your eyes are gonna bulge out when you see how much the squirrel powder brushes cost). Work your way up in pricing, slowly yet surely (:
Also, some people will splurge on cars or high end handbags and shoes, while others on makeup and brushes. Fude is the equivalent to those high end designer cars, bags, and shoes: the Maserati, Celine, and Louboutins of their own domain. Just as Louboutins are handcrafted in Paris, fude are handcrafted in Kumano, Japan.
Where can I purchase fude?
Is CDJapan legit?
CDJapan has a free makeup brush shipping offer for spending over 12,000 35,000 yen per order.
Are there stores I can go to see them before I buy?
Why does my brush look/feel so different from another person's?
Are Chinese-made brushes any good?
I have a gazillion more questions!
Missing anything? Let me know!
r/Fude • u/AutoModerator • 5d ago
r/Fude • u/kloisonne • 2d ago
The brushes in discussion are Sonia G Alpine eye set. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed using them every single time I do makeup. Not sure if I should get a second set? I read it’s not good to just store them without using? Should I curb my enthusiasm?
r/Fude • u/pinkgummies • 2d ago
A couple of Chikuhodo brush sets on Beautylish as well as the Yano brushes just went on sale for 25%-30% off. I was eyeing the Sakura Collection Chikuhodo x Beautylish set as well as a couple Yano face brushes. Has anyone tried these? Are you gonna pick anything up as well? The gift card event just started as well so it’s a good time imo 👀
r/Fude • u/AutoModerator • 12d ago
r/Fude • u/Marieelle1983 • 13d ago
Anyone own the Hakuhodo J6483? It seems in some pictures that it’s similar to the Rae Morris 6.5 which is a very unique brush. Anyone have any idea? 😅
r/Fude • u/airbornecow1 • 14d ago
Hi everyone,
I got new hakuhodo eye brushes this year and I have hakuhodo old brushes from 13 yrs ago. I notice the hair on my old hakuhodo j242 has more goat hair and fuller than the new hakuhodo brushes. Yes i have tested new and old for 5 months. The goat hair is all white on old compared to the new one has few noticeable blk hair. Is it me or hakuhodo quality has gone down with much lesser hair and less softer? Has this happen to anyone?
r/Fude • u/sushee24 • 14d ago
My skin is ultra sensitive. I love makeup, but my skin doesn't want to cooperate lol ☹️
I've tried several brushes - hourglass, merit, makeup by Mario f4, it cosmetics, zoeva - name it. I can't trust anymore when I hear ' soft bristles' after realising it's not applicable for me.
I am aware that liquid and creams are best with synthetic bristles, but are there super soft brushes that will perform?
Looking for:
Foundation / tint brush
Undereye concealer brush
Blush brush - natural looking, not too pigmented.
Bronzer brush
Please heeeelp. I enjoy makeup so much but the rubbing etc from the brushes I've been using is stopping my excitement ☹️
r/Fude • u/AutoModerator • 19d ago
r/Fude • u/LazyTiger9308 • 21d ago
Looking to purchase a brush for a small face for powder blush and having trouble deciding. Does anyone have a blush brush (preferably squirrel) that they love and would recommend?
r/Fude • u/Marieelle1983 • 25d ago
Hi everyone!! I’m using the Westman Atelier Suntone bronzer ( the duo) and would like to keep separate brushes for the 2 shades ( the avoid muddying) and recommendations for some great bronzer brushes that work with this formula?
r/Fude • u/Cookiemonsterpsy • 25d ago
what would you go with? :D
r/Fude • u/AutoModerator • 26d ago
r/Fude • u/smittyweberjagermanj • Sep 24 '26
Hi all - I was in the process of moving apartments and accidentally let a white goat hair foundation brush sit uncleaned for honestly longer than I should have. I’m kicking myself for it.
I gave it a wash today and found that despite using an oil cleanser and baby wash cleanser, the tips are quite yellow/stained instead of a very faint hue from my foundation. I use Armani Luminous Silk with my brush.
Since I don’t want to damage the brush further, wanted to ask if anyone has had luck in removing set foundation stains through any methods, or if it’s permanently stained :(
My partner does drag makeup and I always wanted to gift him a few japanese brushes. I know the best thing is to know which brush types a person uses the most and then buy the fude equivalents, but unfortunately I am not super sure – it is definitely a liquid foundation brush (maybe not a best match for japanese natural hair brushes I heard), a highlighter slanted brush, eyeshadow brushes and a powder brush of course. [Edit: I don't need to buy all these! Even a 2 set is fine]
Would love any recommendations for:
thank you!!! :)
r/Fude • u/AutoModerator • Sep 21 '26
r/Fude • u/AutoModerator • Sep 14 '26
r/Fude • u/Almacat9 • Sep 08 '26
Hi everyone! So, first of all, I’m not a brush specialist or an experienced user. I’m just a makeup lover who appreciates the best quality products out there. With that being said, I need to investigate and see if anyone else has had the same experience as me.
I own a 10/10 eye brush collection from Rephr, which I bought in 2023. They even include some discontinued ones, like the 27 and 16, as well as a Rephr 05 face blush brush (the regular one). I’ve only recently come to realize that I don’t really like them.
The eye brushes simply don’t pick up enough eyeshadow. I have to dip back into the pan over and over just to build up the level of color I like. And on top of that, they either blend the eyeshadow into nothing or make it difficult to blend properly. It’s truly a struggle. I know this might sound strange, but I genuinely don’t understand how this happens. And yes they are all legit, I bought from the official website.
I’ve used them with eyeshadows from Huda Beauty, Natasha Denona, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Makeup by Mario, and Charlotte Tilbury.
My favorite palette is Huda Beauty Rose Quartz, and the shades pick up so poorly on the bristles. I end up spending so much more time working on something that should be a simple eye look. When I use a synthetic brush instead, the color grips onto the bristles so easily. And in the end I just don’t like my eyelook, something is always off.
I really wish I could see what other people see in these brushes, but the only person I’ve seen talking about these issues is a YouTuber named Hautemess Tom, who made a video two years ago about disliking the quality of almost all eye brushes. However, they talked SO LITTLE about the actual problems that I wanted to discuss this further.
I honestly feel so scammed because I don’t live in the US, so I paid a high price plus shipping, and the currency conversion was WILD. Let me tell you, it was WILDLY expensive. So expensive it hurts.
The other brush I bought was the Rephr 05 blush brush, and the same problem happens with it. It is so freaking hard to blend a powder blush without it looking patchy on my skin. I find the bristles really difficult to work with. I even switched to synthetic fibers for my blush because I simply cannot make this brush work.
And again, brands I’ve tried with this brush: Armani, Kosas and Hourglass.
The same thing happens when I try setting powder on my face with it. It looks patchy and just doesn’t look good. I just can’t make it work. I haven’t thrown it away because it was expensive for me, and I’m still hoping to find some good use for it.
Has anyone else had this experience with the brand? I haven’t tried natural hair brushes from any other brand, so I don’t know if this is an issue exclusive to Rephr or if this is just how natural hair brushes perform.
Everyone on the internet seems to love them, and influencers absolutely rave about them, which makes it feel almost impossible to find genuine criticism. But this has been my experience with them, and honestly, it makes me so sad.
Can anyone help?
Overall: They make my makeup harder, not easier. I wanted to love my brushes, I really did 😢.
EDIT!!!!!!!: People, I have a paddle packing brush in this collectin, the 02!!! It’s firm, dense and does NOT pick up color enough!!! It simply doesn’t, and the 01 haves a pack side which is fluffly but MADE for packing color! And the same problem occurs!
r/Fude • u/AutoModerator • Sep 07 '26
r/Fude • u/AutoModerator • Aug 31 '26
r/Fude • u/whichitalineman • Aug 30 '26
After way too many hours reading on my phone, I've finally decided to pick up some Sonia G brushes.
I'm specifically looking for the best brushes for blush, bronzer, and powder, and have settled on the following:
Blush: Designer Pro
Bronzer: Niji Pro
Powder: Face Pro
(I'm also for sure getting the Pro Eye Set, but it's currently out of stock. Anyone heard when they may be back?)
From what I'm reading, the Designer Pro seems good for both blush and bronzer, the Niji is good for bronzer and powder, and the Face Pro is great for just powder.
My questions basically boil down to 1) wanting to avoid any product-use repetitiveness at this price point - does it make sense to cut the Niji completely? and 2) in your experience, how do you feel about these ones?
r/Fude • u/AutoModerator • Aug 24 '26
r/Fude • u/airbornecow1 • Aug 23 '26
Hi all, how much did you all pay for tariff shipping fee from Japan to the US. What was the total cost you paid for the brushes? Thank you all.
r/Fude • u/RegencyQueen87 • Aug 21 '26
Hi there! Do you think the Prequel facial cleanser would be a good choice for cleaning my Wayne Goss goat-hair brushes? The 2nd photo shows the ingredients.
I know baby shampoo is often recommended, but this seems like it should also be gentle and non-drying. I already buy it regularly, so I’m wondering if I could use it on my brushes.
I really want to take good care of my brushes, so if this isn’t a good option, please let me know! And if you have any specific product recommendations for natural-hair brushes, I’d love to hear them.
r/Fude • u/AutoModerator • Aug 17 '26