Shu Uemura • Powder brush 18R • Makeup Brushes

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*TOP REVIEWER* LadyKolie on 4/22/2013 8:35:00 PM more reviews by LadyKolie

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

First, I feel like I need to make a very obvious statement that descriptive words are very subjective. For example the word "soft", what one person my consider soft another person may actually find not very soft at all.


Now that the obvious is out of the way.


If you are looking for a brush that isn't for buffing in powder, but more like sweeping on powder, this brush provides a beautiful even finish. I think the "spring" in these bristle attribute to that factor. This brush picks up an excellent amount of powder with ease. The level of coverage depends on the level of coverage the powder itself provides. A denser brush will provide more coverage in one layer, but this brush provides even coverage and easily build-able coverage in layers (depending on the powder) While dipping this brush into a full coverage foundation powder, I get an even medium coverage easily. Meaning I can use less powder.


The Red Dye of the brush makes it really stand out, but personally I think it may have damaged the actual goat hairs themselves. drying them out making them more brittle than other brushes I own ( I own hakuhodo white goat hair as a comparison). I received the brush in a swap, and it seemed like the girl before didn't use it much at all, I did not ask how long she had owned it though. Looking back now, I probably should have asked. Goat hair needs to be used. Goat hair Naturally is quite oily. So Goat works incredibly well with oily skin without the brush becoming limp from the oils.


Though I think this brush is wonderful, and does exactly what I want it to do there are two issues for me.


First, being that the brush is dyed (or just dried out from lack of use by the previous owner) no how gentle I am with this brush, no matter how much I use it on my oily skin, no matter what soft cleanser and powerful moisturizer I use, the bristles of this brush are slowing breaking short. Like damaged hair on a person with anorexia (their hair starts to break off from lack of vitamins)


Second issue I have is that I personally have very sensitive skin, and due to that reason I find this brush to be a bit scratchy. If I do not put my powder on slowly and with a super gentle hand, I will very easily make my face hurt or feel rather uncomfortable.


With the Current $52 price tag I would like a brush that the bristles weren't so dry and rough. I am currently looking for a similar brush to replace this one.

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astrael_nyx on 1/1/2012 2:25:00 AM more reviews by astrael_nyx

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

The 18R, overall, is a great powder brush depending on what you want to use it for.

I like it for applying my Guerlain Meteorites illuminating powder for a soft glow targeted to certain areas. I also like it for blending my blush/contour/highlighter together and for softening up (with a bit of powder) too-intense applications of blush.

I've also used it to apply powder to set my liquid foundation/BB cream, but found it applied too thickly for my usual taste as compared to the Shu Uemura 27, which is less dense. However, I like a really light touch with powder, which mightn't be your taste.

Overall, it's a beautifully made brush. It's not super-soft, but it's pretty good.

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erika21 on 9/9/2011 4:49:00 AM more reviews by erika21

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Black    

When I am done applying liquid foundation on my face, I set it with some loose powder with a powder puff. I use this brush to dust any excess loose powder off my face. The SA also told me that this brush will allow your powder to have a more natural finish.

I love this brush as it is really soft. I use Shu Uemura's brush cleaner to clean it every week and it feels even softer after each wash. I've had this brush for close to 2 years and it has shed very little hair so far. In fact, it looks almost brand new. For the first few washes with the brush cleaner, the red dye seems to come off a little, but that doesn't bother me too much.

Shu Uemura brushes are expensive. This brush is clearly not an exception but I feel that its wonderfully soft bristles make it worth it. I do not scrimp on makeup applicators as I firmly believe that the "applicators are just as important as the makeup itself". If it sounds familiar, it's because it is quoted by Bobbi Brown herself. I do not mind paying a higher price for high quality brushes. Further, good quality brushes can last a long time if well taken care of (that is until you decide that you want to have a new brush ).

To be completely practical, for those of you who are on a budget, this is a luxury product that is not an absolute must if you are just using it to "dust off loose powder and get a more natural finish". If you are using it to directly apply loose/compact powder to get a very natural look, this would be a great product. If you prefer better coverage, a kabuki brush would work better as its bristles are more densely packed, thereby allowing it to offer better coverage with a very even application.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Juliasyji on 5/6/2010 11:25:00 PM more reviews by Juliasyji

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I got this at holt renfrew for like 60 dollars or something ridiculous. I jusy really liked the red lol.
It's a good brush for mineral makeup and all over face powder. It's made with goat hair and picked up powder very well. hence making it perfect for mineral makeup and all over face powder.
It's not as soft as other brushes I own (90% of my brushes are MAC) but still this is awesome for mineral makeup and powder application. It just picks up and clings onto a pretty hefty amount of makeup so you feel like ur getting a decent and even coverage.
It shed a little when I first got it, but stopped shedding after a wash.
Anyways, not AMAZING for the price- it could be softer. When I am buffing really fast in a hurry, it hurts my face a little.

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Ritual on 2/21/2010 2:59:00 PM more reviews by Ritual

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Other    

This is a very soft brush, of course you can get softer brushes like Trish Mcevoy or Hakuhodo, but I'm happy with it, I love the hair color, I use it for very pigmented blushes.

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*TOP REVIEWER* oneofmylies99 on 12/17/2009 9:39:00 PM more reviews by oneofmylies99

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Tan   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I have the brush with black bristles. I'm pretty disappointed with it. It's not as soft/silky as I'd like. I wouldn't consider it scratchy but the individual bristles are fairly broad and thick. The bristles are long and fluffy and distributes powder the way you'd expect a powder brush to. Because of that, I gave it 3 lipsticks but I wouldn't buy this again if I could go back in time. Nothing exceptional about it and not worth the $48 but nothing absolutely horrible about it either.

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NikkiM225 on 12/12/2009 10:41:00 AM more reviews by NikkiM225

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Dark, Cool   Hair: Black, Relaxed, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

I absolutely love this brush! I got it about a month ago directly from Shu Uemura's website for $48. Yes, it's kinda expensive for a brush. However, the quality of the brush & it's performance blew me away. It's super soft on your skin and always picks up the right amount of powder. It puts on my powder like a professional. I expect that it will last me a very long time, but when it's time I will definitely buy another. It's the best brush I've ever used and I consider it an investment.

As for shedding, my brush has shed a couple of hairs, but it's been very minimal. Definitely not enough to make me return it.

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cutepoms on 10/22/2009 2:29:00 PM more reviews by cutepoms

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This is brush works great. I have to admit that the price is rather expensive. But keep in mind, you get for what you paid for. Shu Uemura's makeup brushes are high in quality. Their brushes are all individually handcrafted. You may buy other brushes for a cheaper price, but they are in no way comparable to SU brushes.

The brush might be costly. But it will last you for years and years. So in the long run, it is better for the price. Very important note: ALWAYS buy your makeup brush from a cosmetic counter. Only items purchased at the cosmetic counter are considered the real authentic ones. Don't go cheap and purchase brushes from other places.

In overall, SU are the best. You won't be disappointed.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Hedd on 6/13/2009 2:54:00 PM more reviews by Hedd

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Tan, Neutral   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I purchased this as well because of the MUA reviews. It was soft at first and then got scratchy after a few washes-now it sits alone in a clean storage bag. I like my badger and trucco powder brushes over this more expensive powder brush.

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StormyApple on 5/7/2009 11:35:00 PM more reviews by StormyApple

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

When I got sick of MAC brushes (sorry MAC!) becoz their brushes, powder brushes are NOT SOFT at all.... I decided to try the highly raved Shu Uemura 18R powder brush.

I got it in red, very cute, and initially, it really does feel quite soft. No shedding problem, applies powder really well. But the more I use it, somehow, I feel it's not exactly THAT soft. Not as soft as many people raved about. Even the Chantecaille face brush is much much softer. Now that I'm using billybBEAUTY Paint Brushes, everytime I come back to this I just get really pissed, becoz it hurts my skin! Ouch.

For that price, I would expect a lot more.

Sorry, Shu Uemura.... I love your products but this just isn't that great. And it's not cheap either! About the same price as billybBEAUTY brush (but that's including shipping), and I would rather have his Paint Brushes.

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*TOP REVIEWER* cyclops68 on 1/30/2009 1:00:00 PM more reviews by cyclops68

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

After 7 months of being abused by my MAC 150, I decided to stand up to it, be my own person, and replace it with a Shu Uemura brush, famed for its durability and its exceptional quality. And so, I got the Shu Uemura 18R which could serve as both a powder and a blush brush. I was still, however, hesitant about making such a large financial commitment to a brush that could turn out to be a disappointment (like the MAC 150. Yes, I am bearing a grudge against it). My worries were quelled when the manager of the Shu Uemura counter guaranteed its excellent quality.

When I first used it, I was so surprised by the softness of its goat bristles that I actually said aloud "oh I love you!" Considering that I live alone, that says a lot. The brush shed one or two hairs initially but that wasn't the biggest problem. The problem was that the ferrule was loose, and thinking that it was a screw-on, I turned the handle and it came apart. Needless to say, I went back to the counter two days later and got a replacement without even the slightest protest from the manager. He was in fact dumbfounded for brush defects are a rare anomaly at Shu Uemura's.

If a brush was to the lottery as my bad luck was to striking the lottery, I would be a gazillionaire. Despite 10 months of prudent usage (no buffing, light strokes, drying flat or upside down), the ferrule of my second brush eventually came loose and apart. Signs of its demise were abundant - loose handle and the brush head shedding much more than it should (now I don't expect a brush not to shed at all, I still accept the occasional bristle or two) - but I had chosen to ignore them until the inevitable . It was a long shot but I decided to contact their Japanese headquarters, drawing their attention to the manufacturing defect and asking for an exchange. They were indeed as shocked as can be that I was unfortunate enough to encounter the same problem twice in a row and asked me to contact Shu Uemura France for a prompt exchange (I purchased it in Paris). I then took my brush to their boutique and explained the situation to the manager. Without even a second's hesitation, he got me a brand new brush, checked it for any possible defects and handed it to me with an apology. A problem like that, he said, should only present itself after years, even decades (well, I exaggerate) of use.

Now, my brand new 18R brush that has obediently not shed (yet, and hopefully never will) is quietly vying for my attention with the small but mighty MAC 181 (do read my review if you'd like to find out more). Both are made of goat hair and both are remarkably soft. The 181 is denser and is made for buffing so it's like comparing a pear and an apple. It tears me up inside that I don't have two heads so I can use them both at the same time.

In short, the quality of the brush? Exceptional. There is nothing more enticing in a brush than a sheer and even powder application with a couple of light sweeps softly across the face. The price of the brush? Totally worth it, seeing that I got 3 for the price of 1. The packaging quality? Très très chic. Would I buy this product again? Definitely... unless of course it falls apart again then I'm just going to exchange it. But no, really, if nothing unexpected happens to my 18R in the next 10 years, I WILL gladly purchase it again and again at the full retail price until my dying day. Well, maybe not my dying day, I haven't really decided if I want to be one of those old ladies who wear makeup into their 90s. But anyway, I have faith and I have confidence in the quality of the Shu Uemura 18R brush and I would recommend it to anyone, just anyone who never wants to be disappointed by a makeup brush again. It was the 18R unbroke my heart and taught me to love again and if your 18R doesn't do that for you, oh well, just take it back to the store.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Milena on 1/4/2009 5:57:00 PM more reviews by Milena

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Tan   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I bought this specifically for use with powder foundations and it's fabulous. You can also use it for blushes and highlighters, but it's the best brush I've ever used with powder foundations. Shu brushes are wonderful- soft, no shedding, and beautiful to look at. I own the red one.

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*TOP REVIEWER* atsugari on 12/15/2008 3:45:00 PM more reviews by atsugari

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I got this brush at the Shu Uemura F&F sale for 20% off. I would never pay full price for this brush. I speak for myself on this having not owned a ton of brushes before. This is the best brush I've ever used they are absolutely correct when they say your makeup is as good as your brushes.

I bought this brush to replace my Bare Esenctuals Kabuki brush. I've always felt that my makeup wasn't looking great and the kabuki brush was very scratchy and sheds like crazy. When the SA used this on my skin it was soft and doesn't shed and my makeup application looks flawless.

My only peeve is that it's kinda small compared to my Kabuki because it's more of a brush for blush/bronzer/highlighter than a face powder brush. I went ahead and got the red version why buy normal for the same price as something that looks different. Every time I look at the brush I want to use it because it's so pretty and soft.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Andee on 12/12/2008 2:38:00 AM more reviews by Andee

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Dry, Fair, Warm   Hair: Red, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I have had this brush for at least ten years and it has never shed. I only rated it a 4 because it is not as soft as other powder brushes. I said I would not buy it again because it may last forever. In my quest to find a softer powder brush, I have tried ones by MAC, Chantecaille and LM and have had to return them all because they shed profusely even with very gentle washing. Now, I don't even look for a softer one. I am sticking with this.

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*TOP REVIEWER* proximitythe53rd on 7/3/2008 12:22:00 PM more reviews by proximitythe53rd

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

[2012 update: I still love this brush, though I've found others I love more.] Original review continues:
Simply put, this is a completely excellent brush.



I mainly use this Shu Uemura brush for light application of powder foundation, pressed-powder blush, and sometimes for pressed-powder luminizers or highlighters. One thing that I love about the red hairs in this brush is that they make it very easy to see exactly how much product you've picked up.
[2012 Update: I now mainly use this with Guerlain Meteorites, which it's perfect for, or very lightly with a loose powder for setting foundation, as a finishing brush, or for flicking away excess powder.]



The red goat hairs are soft but not extremely so, and the brush is constructed to be sort of fluffy - the hairs are not as tightly packed as in my bronzer brush (Sephora Professional Platinum Bronzer Brush), and it's not as fluffy as my powder brush (Laura Mercier Face Powder Brush). This brush is a very light, happy medium. As a powder brush, the Shu Uemura 18R is smaller than most, as a blush brush, it's large. It picks up product well, and distributes it evenly with a soft touch. The individual bristles are a bit stronger/more substantial than in a fluffy powder brush, which means it picks up powders better, and can actually be used for things like powder foundation (though this is not a mineral foundation or "buffer" brush). The more substantial bristles mean that it's not quite as soft and gentle as a big fluffy powder brush; but it's not designed for that purpose, so you shouldn't expect it to feel that way!
[2012 update: to those getting accustomed to luxuries like blue squirrel hair, this brush may feel 'scratchy'. I now think of this as a brush to use with a very light touch, not one for blending products into the skin. I guess what I'm saying is I still love the brush, but now its purpose, for me at least, is more tailored than general.]
If I was going to use only one of my 3 large brushes, this is the one I would pick. I love the red color, and the control this Shu brush offers. The handle is well made, and sturdy.



This is definitely a luxury product - you can get brushes that will do almost as well for much less, but if you really want an excellent brush that will last a lifetime, that looks and feels great, this is a really lovely choice.

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rosewitch on 5/27/2008 4:48:00 PM more reviews by rosewitch

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Olive, Warm   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

i loveeee shu uemura brushes...they are THE BEST...this brush is really great...it just like gliding on my skin and it feel sooo nice...

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sdewitte on 5/1/2008 1:31:00 PM more reviews by sdewitte

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

I was hesitant to buy this brush given the price - but now I wish I'd bought it years ago. It is absolutely perfect for applying powder, and it is such high quality. I have it in red, and I love the glamour of that color. For the reviewer below who isn't sure if she has a real Shu Uemura brush, mine has the word "goat" written below the "18R", and all the lettering is in a very light grey, rather than silver, as I've seen with a fake Shu Uemura brush.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Nekura on 3/7/2008 3:56:00 PM more reviews by Nekura

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Other   Eyes: Brown    

Normally I'd think a bit before spending $45 on a brush but I have a deep love for Shu Uemura products to not think twice about it.


I've seen this brush used a lot and it seems to be a very multi-purpose face brush. It's a medium size in my opinion... for a face brush so you can opt using this as a face powder brush or a good blending brush for blushers too. It has a nice heavy handle, with soft bristles, fluffy but not floppy so you have a really good control. Due to the density it's great for layering. I bought this because an MA suggested this brush compared to the average optic fibre brushes because of how this is made... Granted they were right. I know from a glance the 18R brushes doesn't seem to special but it's a very high quality and beautiful tool. $45 might seem a bit pricey but most pricier cosmetic brands with reputable brushes will be at least this price. It's actually a steal considering it's from Shu Uemura and if you think about the standard pricing for Shu brushes.


I have the 18R red version.

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*TOP REVIEWER* audmac on 11/27/2007 9:01:00 AM more reviews by audmac

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight   Eyes: Hazel    

I absolutely love this brush which I was able to swap for. It works great for dusting on my final layer of powder- mineral veil. The quality of the brush is excellent- no shedding and well made. The brush is very large so its best for all over use. I got the one with the red brush so it looks pretty cool. My 9yr old is always eyeing it so I have to hide it from her. LOL. The only downside to it would be the price, but hopefully it will last me a long time and be worth it if I do end up purchasing another one.

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*TOP REVIEWER* icypeeches on 8/31/2007 9:32:00 PM more reviews by icypeeches

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I absolutely love this brush. I own about 15 shu brushes and this is one of my favorites. Applies powder like a dream. Soft as silk.

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