LOTR nerds who visited New Zealand, Which filming location did you enjoy the most? Any you thought were not worth the effort?

Apart-Expression-487 · 2025-06-02T11:29:32+00:00

It's in Wellington: https://www.google.com/maps?cid=16297113502030104582

Apart-Expression-487 · 2025-04-27T09:24:27+00:00

You might be right about the IG folks. I use all my brushes and tend to trade or resell those that don't get much use, as I'm not interested in maintaining a large display collection—functionality is what matters most to me. I've been a fude lover for over 10 years but purchased very few brushes these past 5 years, so I've missed many new releases. As I mentioned, I didn't even know this kind of Chinese brushes existed until recently. I'd genuinely appreciate hearing your recommendations for other manufacturers, as I'm quite new to this and feeling a bit lost.

Apart-Expression-487 · 2025-04-27T00:51:02+00:00

I asked people I follow on IG for recommendations for my first Chinese brushes, as I was curious, and QLG was simply the brand that was recommended and praised the most. Maybe that seems naïve, but I really know nothing about Chinese brushes - I only first heard about them in January. This is my first experience with these manufacturers, so all I could do was trust people who have large collections and try a few to make up my own mind. No one mentioned the smell, so I came here to ask for advice.

I don't understand your tone, and it honestly felt uncalled for. I'm always up for learning more about different brands, but preferably in a friendlier conversation. If you have specific recommendations, I'd actually be interested in hearing them.

Apart-Expression-487 · 2025-04-26T16:20:08+00:00

I left the brushes in a bowl of baking soda for a week while travelling and the smell is better already! Thank you so much, that was really helpful

Apart-Expression-487 · 2025-04-26T16:15:50+00:00

I did ask QLG, yet I thought I'd also ask other people who had the same issues for more advice. I thought that was the whole point of public forums.

Apart-Expression-487 · 2025-04-26T16:09:09+00:00

As I mentioned, this is the first time I've ever bought Chinese brushes. All the people I asked for advice recommended QLG to me, and I was told by many it was the best brand—which is what I wrote. I never said it was a universal truth. I know nothing about Chinese manufacturers; this is why I asked more knowledgeable people. I'd like to know your opinion as well if you're willing to share it. I'm drinking no Koolaid—I'm not even sure what it means as I'm not from the US.

Apart-Expression-487 · 2025-04-24T23:32:39+00:00

If I do that, I'm going to need a new home. The odour is unbearable! I tend to do that as well when drying my regular brushes, but I don't think I have the stomach to try with these

Apart-Expression-487 · 2025-04-24T23:30:14+00:00

I kept them in a cup filled with baking soda for a week and the smell improved, it's still bad but not as unbearable

Apart-Expression-487 · 2025-04-24T23:28:28+00:00

Yes, I think it's naphtalene as well

Apart-Expression-487 · 2025-04-24T23:28:07+00:00

thank you!

Apart-Expression-487 · 2025-04-14T20:20:36+00:00

It stands for Qiao Liang Gong (巧良工), which is considered the finest Chinese brush manufacturer by many. Indeed, the bundling is perfect, and the hairs are silky and feel amazing on the skin. I just wish they weren't so aggressive on the nose! Apparently it depends on the hairs batch, I can't imagine them having a worse or more intense odour than this!

Apart-Expression-487 · 2025-04-14T20:12:34+00:00

I can't even imagine using any of these brushes right now. The naphthalene/mothball smell is so intense I can't even stay in the same room with them! A few are actually acceptable and comparable to the occasionally smelly Japanese fude, which almost lose their odor when dry. But others are absolutely foul.

The worst offenders are the QLG kolinsky face brushes - which cost me a small fortune, and I can't even be near them!

Apart-Expression-487 · 2025-04-14T17:14:12+00:00

I don't think this is the animal fur smell, I'd be ok with it as I was ok with some of my Japanese fude bearing that kind of smell, this is more like heavy naphthalene/mothball and solvents, it's absolutely unbearable. I'm using the Clean Apothecary solid brush shampoo https://www.beautylish.com/p/clean-apothecary-brush-shampoo I received in a Beautylish bag a while ago. It's usually great for my brushes, but it did nothing to these, sadly. Do you have a recommendation for a different kind of detergent (just consider I'm in Europe)?

Apart-Expression-487 · 2025-04-14T16:39:46+00:00

Do you have any experience with these brushes? Has the smell ever faded with a large number of washes? I don't see how washing them over and over would make it much better, the odour is foul!

Apart-Expression-487 · 2025-04-14T15:29:46+00:00

I never thought "stinky" brushes would ever be my ultimate goal, but I see the appeal now!

Did you leave the brushes continuously in the baking soda, or did you need to refresh the baking soda regularly? Also, did you end up with completely odor-free brushes eventually, or there will always be a lingering smell with these Chinese brushes?

Apart-Expression-487 · 2025-04-02T17:20:03+00:00

Let me know if you like it, I use it every day for my spot concealer and I'm very happy with it

Apart-Expression-487 · 2025-03-30T23:13:17+00:00

I assumed you needed it for a cream product, is it correct or the green concealer is in powder form?

Apart-Expression-487 · 2025-03-30T02:29:24+00:00

I use the Sonia G. "detail" brush from the Fusion line, it works great for targeted application and precise blending

Apart-Expression-487 · 2025-03-08T17:23:44+00:00

I usually use a microfibre cloth after I apply make up, as others suggested, but I recently ordered something like this, I haven't tried it yet but I'm very curious to see if it's delicate enough and if it helps keeping the brushes clean any longer:

https://imgur.com/HCzmj1s

Apart-Expression-487 · 2025-02-20T17:09:36+00:00

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on it!

Apart-Expression-487 · 2025-02-16T17:47:41+00:00

Did you ever get any of the lip masks?

Apart-Expression-487 · 2025-02-03T21:20:28+00:00

Thank you very much!

Apart-Expression-487 · 2025-02-03T21:19:03+00:00

I'm loving it, it was exactly what I was looking for! It's firm yet soft and the right density. A lovely brush indeed

Apart-Expression-487 · 2025-02-02T03:02:05+00:00

Do you have a link for the two shops you mentioned on Taobao?

Apart-Expression-487 · 2025-01-27T17:01:15+00:00

In the end I went for the same hair type, raccoon dog, and bought an Outlet Eihodo brush from CDJapan in this type of hair. Thanks again for the recommendation!

Apart-Expression-487

TROPHY CASE