The "Mizuho" brand name means ‘fresh ears of rice’ which represents 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!
Kumano Brushes
Kumano is a Japanese city close to Hiroshima where about 80% of the total calligraphy and make-up brushes in Japan are crafted. In 2004 ‘Kumano Brush’ became an official trade name for Kumano’s brushes and it got recognized as traditional art industry that has become famous all over the world. The production of a single brush can easily take 70 different steps, depending on the intended usage. Connoisseurs will sometimes make requests to a maker if they want to use a brush for something specific.
The labor-intensive and high quality craftsmanship results in the brushes' worldwide recognition.
Main Mizuho Brush Collections
Make-up Brushes
MB series: Created in 2008, the MB-series won the GOOD DESIGN AWARD based on their comfortable, well-designed wooden handle that fits in your hand, and the perfectly controlled hairs, which have been sorted by hand and do not irritate, but embrace your skin.
KP series: Portable make-up brushes, make with a sliding design that will cover- and protect the top of the brush during transport and when not in use.
PM series: The PM series has a beautiful handle with a smooth, stylish pink color that will remind you of Japanese Sakura cherry blossoms with every use.
MISUMI series: Compact make-up brushes to be used "anywhere, any time". A beautiful collection designed for travel, with smaller, but effective brushes and protective cases.
UBU series: Ethical make-up brush collection with the message "First touch, First experience". Going back to basic with high quality wooden brushes.
OWN series: A brush to fit YOU. The collection works with almost anyone and any makeup—no matter what the condition of your skin is that day or where you’re headed.
Body Brushes
SUVÉ series: "Brushing・Skin・Care" - a series to revive and soothe your skin with select silky hair. The collection includes face, body and hand brushes and introduce a new style of skin care.
JIVA series: A product line that combines groundbreaking ideas with sophisticated artisan techniques. Exquisite quality meets luxurious feel in a brush that enriches your daily routine with both excitement and nourishing calm.
It takes approximately 10 years for a maker
to master the skills of proficiently
handling the animal hairs!
How The Brushes Are Made
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.
Step 1:
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.
Step 2:
Mizuho's specialty: removing inferior hairs. A time consuming task that can only be performed by the observation and task of experienced-, skilled craftsmen, making all the difference with mass-produced brushes. Any hair that is loose or pointing a slightly different way, is removed to ensure a perfect feel on your skin.
Step 3:
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.
Step 4:
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.
Step 5:
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.
Fun Fact: Brush Hair Types
Mizuho brushes are made with a combination of different types of animal- or synthethic hairs, depending on the brush' intended use. Each hair type is carefully considered and combined to create a softness and performance un-achievable by mass-produced synthetic hair. Hair types traditionally used are pony, sable, squirrel, weasel, goat and PBT synthetic hair. Each hair type has specific features. 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.
The 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.
