Builder Pro

I've had this brush for a while now and unfortunately, I do not really like it. I wanted to use it to "packing on pigment" (taken from the product description) but it takes forever and I never get the intensity I want, not with hard-pressed drier eyeshadows or softer creamier ones. There isn't a tapered tip as another reviewer pointed out and added a photo to the review. Pros about the brush: soft bristles, beautiful handle and overall well made (just not a "builder").

So, if you want a brush that really packs on the pigment with a similar shape to the real Builder Pro (so without a tip, it's a rounded shape in my case): - Hakuhodo B 5507 (horse hair so not as soft as SG, very slightly wider ferrule, more bristles so denser, picks up color beautifully and applies it just as well) - Hakuhodo B 004G (goat, overall a bit bigger but thinner in thickness so less bristles, picks up more than the Builder Pro but not as much as the B 5507, very close to the softness of the SG) - Hakuhodo J 242 (goat & synthetic, slightly smaller overall than the SG, thinner in thickness due to less bruistles, better at picking up color than the SG but not as much as the B 5507, not as soft as the SG but not rough by any means) - Hakuhodo S 149 Bk (horse, lot smaller than the SG and also thinner, lovely for very precise application) (I didn't realise that I love Hakuhodo shader brushes as much :) )

The slightly tapered shape of the Builder Pro makes it super easy to pack the shadow to the inner portion of the lid. It also applies shadow beautifully all over the lid as well, but I prefer the slightly firmer Builder Three for that purpose. I know it sounds a bit extra to use two different brushes just to apply your lid shade but as brush fanatic, I’m okay with that! Shape wise, this brush is actually more versatile than the Builder Three, which is more squared off. The tapered shape allows you to use it to pack on and deepen the outer corners as well. I see that the bristles are slightly graduated in length along the taper and that is to allow you to pick up more product with the ends of the bristles.

As you can see in the photos, the width of the brush is similar to that of the Builder Pro but the bristles are slightly longer. The dyed Saikoho goat hairs are ultra soft on the lid and will never tug or feel scratchy. The flat shape of the brush allows you to use one side to pack on one shade and the other side for another. It is a really useful brush and especially so if you prefer a slightly tapered shader brush. Since I’m comparing this to the Builder Three, it is worth noting that there will be a difference in the shape of the handle. The Builder Pro has the tapered handles like all the other pro brushes while the Builder Three has the traditional thicker handle that does taper a bit towards the end of the ferrule but goes straight down after that.

This brush is a hero, let's just say this. I recently bought a Pat Mcgrath Palette (Mothership V) and there is one Shade (Gilty Pleasure) that I could not use at all. No brush of mine picked it up, not even my finger, it was just a little fine shimmer with almost no color to it. It had developed hard pan because I had tried with a wet brush a few times, so it was practically useless. The Builder Pro worked through it in no time and made this shade look opaque and beautiful. It works wonderfully with the other glitter shades in the palette too, which I could use only with fingers before. In conclusion, it's amazing! I highly recommend getting this.

I have most of the brushes in Chikuhodo's GSN line, so I didn't think I would get much use out of this brush. Boy, was I wrong! The bristles are shorter and denser in Sonia's brush, which equates to a more precise application of shimmers on the lid. It seems to hold product better than my Chikuhodo, which means I am getting more efficient and saving time on my routine. Truly lovely (and, yes, I have the Pro Eye set).

I purchased my first set of Sonia G (the Pro Eye Set) back in late January/February 2019. I really liked the idea of the Pro Builder being tapered. It isn't. You can see the photo of my brush from that set on the left. I purchased the individual Pro Builder that just arrived 30 minutes ago. (Pictured on the right, still in the package.) Yet again, it's just as round as the first one. Where is the taper at the tip of the brush?! There is none. That was the only thing that made this brush different. Not worth it.

I was hesitant to get this brush because in the pictures it looks very similar to the Worker Pro, just a bit shorter. But I have them both and I can say they are completely different. From the side the Builder Pro comes to a very nice tapered point, whereas the Worker Pro splays out and is fluffy. The Worker Pro is definitely a blending brush whereas the builder is perfect for packing on shadow. I love the size of this brush, I have small eyelids and it's perfect for packing shadow precisely on the outer corner of my lid without getting it into my crease, a problem I have with my other flat packing-type brushes. It's also the prefect shape for applying eyeshadow to the lower lash line. I'm very glad I added this brush to my collection. Every brush so far in the Pro line has been nothing like anything I own so far, and I find them all to be essential now for applying my eye makeup. They've quickly replaced all my other brushes.

This brush picks up and places color so much better than any lid brush I own. I have tried dozens Mac, Sigma, WG, Tom Ford. This brush is different. I dont know what it is, maybe the taper. Just get it if you need a brush to apply your lid colors. It applies mattes, shimmers. Cream to powder, everything amazingly!

This brush has got to be the best brush out there for placing product on the lid and putting it exactly where you want it to go. Many shimmer products I would have to use my little finger to get it right on the middle of the lid, but not any more. Want to place product on the outer corner, this is the brush, want to create a perfect line across the crease without the shadow skipping, again, this is the brush. I love all the brushes in the pro set but this to me is the stand out and I will be purchasing more singles. I take my hat off to Sonia g. Stellar job.

It's an ok brush. The craftsmanship is nice.

I bought it to complete the pro eye set I had been gradually buying up piece by piece.

I much prefer the builder 3 over this one.

If you're looking for a tapered packer the Smith brushes have an arrowhead lay down packing brush.

I'd try those until.the restock of builder 3 which btw is also not tapered but it does pack on product really well.

This pro brush is too thin and flimsy for my taste. It's the brush I reach for the least and honestly I would return it if I wasn't such a completionist. I don't find anything to be too particularly magical or unique about how it supposedly digs in and applies "hardpanned" product either.

Builder 3 otoh does the trick

However good luck actually scoring one during a restock bc Beautylish will not place household purchasing limits on hoarders ...er "customers" during an anticipated restock 😒😒

So I have several Sonja G eye brushes & wasn’t sure if I needed this one - I am so glad I got it! What a versatile little brush! It can be used for packing pigment on lid, detailing the outerV when creating an eye look - or detailing the inner corner as well because the precision taper on it is so beautiful! It picks up and distributes shadows beautifully! Love it!!!!