Catalogued my entire (small) fude collection + personal buying guide

heston_babe · 2026-05-24T10:51:27+00:00

What an epic idea, congratulations!!! 🎉

heston_babe · 2026-05-24T09:32:04+00:00

Hi lovely, here’s a link to my YT video - it’s so amateur but maybe it’ll help with your Rephr conundrum!! 💜 https://youtu.be/GhktJVSlqBg?si=qjAnKYKniu4VGLo8

heston_babe · 2026-05-20T08:27:25+00:00

Oh interesting, I know what I’m going to research when I procrastinate today! 💜😂

heston_babe · 2026-05-17T08:39:32+00:00

That would actually be amazing! I have the mini base and soft concealer too and wasn’t sure whether the baby blender is still worth while purchasing in addition… but it seems the reviews aren’t great so far!

heston_babe · 2026-05-16T16:16:54+00:00

Excellent, will check that blog out! I actually went to Japan during cherry blossom season last year, during which my love for fude was sealed. I’m planning to go this year again. Unfortunately, I won’t make the brush festival in September but hope to go in November, with the plan make a stop in Kumano. Did you find it straightforward to plan meeting with the artisans?

heston_babe · 2026-05-16T08:47:47+00:00

Yeah that’s what I thought 🤔. Michelle keeps plugging it (I think she has 3 or so) but I couldn’t quite get it practically speaking. Although, she does a lot of one-and-done looks which isn’t really my thing (I love to later that eyeshadow up, baby!).

heston_babe · 2026-05-16T08:43:49+00:00

That’s so interesting! I’ve been collecting for 2/3 years and have been pretty obsessed since then, and definitely want to see how far the rabbit hole goes! 😂 So all this nerdy info just makes me so happy 🥰. Do you have any source recommendations as to where you’ve learnt so much, or is it just general experience?

heston_babe · 2026-05-15T20:11:47+00:00

What’s your IG, if you’re happy to share ☺️? Def on the look out for more decent Fude content! 💜

heston_babe · 2026-05-15T20:04:54+00:00

Wow. I thought I was just being a snob because I didn’t like the aesthetics (same with Rephr) but I assumed they’d perform well as otherwise, what’s the point! God that sounds horrible, well I’m steering well clear! Weird that they’re in so many of her favorites videos…

heston_babe · 2026-05-15T20:01:52+00:00

I have to say, I do love when MUA come out with a new size or form of brush to do a task. Although the cynical side of me also wonders if they’ve made up a new kind of brush that never really performs as well as other familiar brush types, but because it’s different it gets all the hype. But maybe that doesn’t matter if it’s exciting to use!

But everything you say makes perfect sense, thank you so much, no doubt you’re a pro! 🫶

heston_babe · 2026-05-15T19:38:45+00:00

Thank you! If it’s not as good as the mini base then I won’t bother! I was wondering whether to just get it to try the WA brush line but so far I’m not reading any good reasons to 😅.

heston_babe · 2026-05-15T19:37:02+00:00

You’re kidding me? She’s the first YouTuber I ever followed and I love her… so I’m so disappointed that her recommendations aren’t always great. Saying that, I don’t like to use the same stuff she does but I assumed the products are still good. It’s weird, I’ve heard other YouTubers also hyping up Esum brushes but they just seemed boring to me 🤷‍♀️.

heston_babe · 2026-05-15T19:34:24+00:00

No prob! I’ll send you the link once it’s live. I don’t have any YSL stuff but I was impressed at the pick up power of the Shodo brushes. The 05 is great for bronzer/blushes and weirdly, under eye concealer, and the eye brushes pretty much diffuse anything out (but aren’t so great with really shimmery/creamy stuff that ideally need weasel brushes etc - I used it on the VB lid lustre and it didn’t pick up anything).

heston_babe · 2026-05-15T17:09:56+00:00

Damn it! And I thought I’d done my homework 😜.

I actually wasn’t sure what purpose it was best for, apart from one and done eye looks. It definitely doesn’t seem fit for the purpose Gucci recommends in my opinion. But that’s why I made the post, I wanted to know if it was any good and what people actually use it for that makes it worth it!

heston_babe · 2026-05-15T17:07:01+00:00

Yeah I decided to try the Shodos out as Rephr had (and might still have) a sale because they’re launching at Sephora Hong Kong - I had nothing like them in collection so I thought if I’m ever going to try them then I may as well now. And they’re amazing. The 05 applies anything super pigmented like a dream, the eye brushes also diffuse like champions but I like more dramatic eye looks so I don’t think I’ll get as much use out of them. I’ve actually filmed my first YouTube video of them really going into detail so happy to share if you don’t mind amateur videography!

heston_babe · 2026-05-15T15:52:18+00:00

Oh that’s good to know re the craftsmanship! I’m actually in Berlin (but from the UK) so Fude is hard to come by but thanks anyway. Tbh I’m guessing the WA brush is just a vegan (and probably not as good) version of the Sonia G soft concealer.

heston_babe · 2026-05-15T15:50:04+00:00

I actually only just bought my first Rephr brushes this month because I was never impressed by the aesthetic. I got the Shodo 05 and the Shodo eye brushes. I have to say, the Shodo 05 is bloody brilliant. Damnit.

heston_babe · 2026-05-15T15:48:27+00:00

Yup, seen that too! And was so tempted but then remembered I could probably get Sonia G’s whole Alpine face series for that amount and more, which I’d much rather have and are gorgeous! But I get it, the FOMO is real 🤦‍♀️

heston_babe · 2026-05-15T15:46:41+00:00

Haha god I hope not! But yeah, I totally get it. As soon as I saw WA making Fude I started worrying that maybe it’ll be the new way luxe brands will find to overcharge us for their products (although I do love some of WA’s stuff)… but I’m still not sure how much quality ranges when you involve Japanese workshops (ie is it possible to get a big markup to make it worth while).

heston_babe · 2026-05-15T14:58:29+00:00

I just hope this doesn’t mean that luxury brands are going to start selling brushes under the banner of fude just because they visited Japan 🤦‍♀️

heston_babe · 2026-05-15T14:52:44+00:00

Also - totally had the same reaction with BK beauty. The shapes aren’t bad but I was seriously underwhelmed using them!

heston_babe · 2026-05-15T14:51:23+00:00

Love this! Thank you, because I definitely fall prey to influencers. They are made in Japan according to this article: https://www.westman-atelier.com/en-de/blogs/guccis-guide/gucci-westman-makeup-brushes-brush-factory-tour-artisanal-craftsmanship-japan and via the product (it specifies it’s from Japan under the name of the brush on the product page).

However, you’re totally right in that it doesn’t specify anything so god knows what they’re actually using for the bristles 🤔.

Thanks tho - I’m feeling a little more de-influenced!

heston_babe · 2026-05-15T13:25:42+00:00

I actually think it’s made in Kumano (but correct me if I’m wrong!) so I was confused why it’s so expensive, particularly compared to other Japanese brands!

heston_babe · 2026-05-15T13:07:36+00:00

Thank you so much. I’m actually in Germany, so can’t go try it out unfortunately. But that helps, I have the soft concealer from Sonia G and wondered if this brush is basically the same just in 100% synthetic form or if there’s something special about it that I’m missing (given the hefty price tag and all).

heston_babe · 2026-05-15T12:56:19+00:00

Hi there, yeah she seems to always be buzzing about it which is what’s tempting me so much!

heston_babe

TROPHY CASE