Mizuho Brush is one of the leading manufacturers of Japanese make-up and cleansing brushes. Successor to a former calligraphy business, Mizuho Brush Co., Ltd. was founded in 1970 and became specialist in the crafting of cosmetic brushes.
Continuing traditional craftsmanship and implementing quality control throughout the entire production process, Mizuho Brush ensures that every single brush is of the best quality. They combine traditional techniques and craftsmanship with modern, innovative designs and have been widely recognized by professional make-up artists all over the world. They define their brushes as a symbol for women’s ageless beauty.
In 2008 they created the Mizuho Brush brand, also known as the MB-series, with which they won the GOOD DESIGN AWARD in 2011 based on their comfortable, well-designed wooden handle that fits in your hand and the perfectly controlled hairs that are sorted by hand so that they all point the same way and do not irritate, but embrace your skin. Their brand name means ‘fresh ears of rice’ which represent Japanese ears of rice – the most vital part of the rice crop, just like the hair tip is the most important part of Kumano make-up brushes. With this philosophy, Mizuho has been developing since 1970!
It takes approximately 10 years for a maker to master the skills of proficiently handling the animal hairs!
Using different types of animal hair, based on the intended usage of the brush, they create softness and performance unachievable by mass-produced synthetic hair. The hair, being the most essential part of the brush, is carefully selected and combined. Included types of hair are pony, sable, squirrel, weasel, goat and PBT synthetic hair. Each hair type has specific features and is used or combined with other hair types accordingly.
For example, Pony and goat hair are often used for powder retaining brushes, firm water badger hair almost exclusively for eyebrow brushes, and squirrel hair is the utmost gentle on the skin. Their shapes are designed to create a perfect finish. It takes approximately 10 years for a maker to master the skills of proficiently handling the animal hairs!
The KP series features a sliding design that will cover and protect the top of the brush during transport and when not in use.
The handle has a smooth, stylish pink color that will remind you of Japan at every use.
The production can be divided into five steps. The traditional processes are very time-consuming, but are the only way to ensure the best quality possible.
Selecting the best type(s) of hair for the intended use of each brush. The shape and softness is very important. You would need a soft, round shape for a face or cheek brush, whereas a flat pencil-like brush may be desired for the eyes.
A process Mizuho especially takes pride in is the removal of inferior hairs. A task that can only be performed by experienced and skilled workers; as their observation and touch is the only security that decides on the quality of each brush. Any hair that is loose, pointing a slightly different way, feels different or is any other than perfect, will be combed out with a small hansashi tool. Doing this by hand requires a lot of time, but is the only way to create a perfect condition. The tips of most mass-produced brushes are trimmed into shape, resulting in skin-irritation or an uncomfortable feel due to the cross-section of the (cut) hairs.
Once only the perfect hairs remain, the hairs are inserted tip-first in a koma. These wooden holders allow the hairs to be shaped into the desired brush tip shape. Even these tools are still hand-made as each brush type requires a different type of koma.
Now that the brushes have their shape, they are inserted into a fastener to make sure they keep their form. Glue is used to make it all solid. And finally, the brush is washed thoroughly.
Once dried, the brushes are attached to their handle, which is often made of Japanese wood or brass. The brush is now completed and will again be going through extended check-ups and inspections.
This extensive manufacturing process results in top-quality brushes, that are said to slide over your face like rose petals, removing oil and easily dividing powder. The Mizuho brushes have gradually become more popular internationally and are widely appreciated by celebrities and professional makeup artists.