THE KALI DIFFERENCE

What Makes a Brush Truly Luxury?

Why Sokoho? Walk into any beauty store and you will find dozens of brushes all labeled “natural goat hair.” But not all goat hair is the same. The fiber used determines everything — how soft the brush feels, how it picks up product, how it performs on your skin, and how long it lasts.

At Kali Los Angeles, we do not simply use “goat hair.” We use a specific premium grade called Sokoho (粗光峰) — a named fiber recognized by professional brush makers worldwide, including the renowned artisans of Kumano, Japan.

THE GOAT HAIR QUALITY SCALE

Where Sokoho sits among the world’s finest brush fibers

ULTRA PREMIUM

Saibikoho (細微光峰)

The rarest selection — handpicked by expert artisans. Softer than squirrel hair. Found only in brushes costing $150–$300+. Used by the most exclusive Japanese brush houses.

LUXURY

Saikoho (細光峰)

From the neck and chest of white mountain goats. Comparable to squirrel hair in softness. Used in $60–$150 luxury brushes.

★ PREMIUM PERFORMANCE

KALI LOS ANGELES

Sokoho (粗光峰)

The professional’s choice. Long, thin, soft fibers with perfect powder pickup. The same grade trusted by Japan’s legendary Kumano brushmakers. Used in Kali LK 103, LK 105, and LK 107.

MID TIER

Saichoho (細長鋒)

Longer hair from the back of the goat. Slightly coarser than Sokoho. Good for fuller brush shapes.

STANDARD

Ototsuho

Shoulder area hair. Thicker and more durable. Less soft than Sokoho. Found in mid-range brushes.

ENTRY LEVEL

Regular Goat

Back and belly hair. Most brushes simply labeled “goat hair” or “natural hair” use this grade.

“Most brushes simply labeled ‘goat hair’ use Ototsuho or below. Kali Los Angeles specifically sources Sokoho, a named premium grade used by the world’s finest brushmakers.”

THE FIBER

Why Sokoho Performs Like No Other

Long thin fibers — distribute product in an even, soft veil

Clear fiber tips — the mark of quality in natural brush hair

Natural scales on the shaft — grip and release powder perfectly

Zero overloading — picks up exactly the right amount every time

Ultra-soft on skin — massage-like comfort during application

Durable — with proper care, lasts years without losing shape

LK_103_

TRUSTED BY THE WORLD’S FINEST

The Sokoho Standard

Sokoho is not just a Kali Los Angeles choice, it is the fiber selected by Chikuhodo and Koyudo, two of Japan’s most celebrated brush houses based in Kumano, Hiroshima. Both companies have been perfecting the art of brush making for generations using traditional techniques passed down since the Edo period. When the world’s finest brush artisans choose Sokoho for their performance lines, the quality speaks for itself.

Kumano, Hiroshima · Since 1952

Chikuhodo

One of Kumano’s most revered brush houses. Chikuhodo describes Sokoho as “particularly fine and soft hair from the chest of a mountain goat — more expensive than normal goat hair, with an excellent skin feel.”

Kumano, Hiroshima · Traditional Craft

Koyudo

A legendary Kumano brush maker using traditional calligraphy techniques passed down for over 200 years. Koyudo calls Sokoho “one of the highest-class goat hairs” and uses it across their finest performance brush collection.

200+

Years of tradition

80%

of Japan’s brushes from Kumano

70+

Handmade steps per brush

“The same Sokoho fiber trusted by Japan’s finest brush makers — now in every Kali Los Angeles natural hair brush.”

The Natural Hair Collection

Three Sokoho brushes. One flawless routine.

LK 103 – Powder Round Brush to Pinterest (opens in a new window)
LK 105 – Cheek Angled Brush to Pinterest (opens in a new window)
LK 107 – Highlight Round Brush to Pinterest (opens in a new window)
The Natural Hair Collection to Pinterest (opens in a new window)

Sokoho vs Standard Goat Hair

Sokoho
Grade
Premium Performance (3rd in hierarchy)
Fiber origin
Neck and chest area
Fiber length
Long — for even distribution
Fiber tip
Clear and fine — mark of quality
Softness
Ultra-soft — comparable to luxury grades
Product pickup
Perfect — not too much, not too little
Ideal for
Powder · Blush · Highlight · Bronzer
Durability
Years with proper care
Used by
Professional makeup artists worldwide · Japan’s Kumano brushmakers
Standard Goat
Grade
Entry Level (5th–6th in hierarchy)
Fiber origin
Back and belly area
Fiber length
Short to medium
Fiber tip
Blunt — less refined
Softness
Moderate — can feel scratchy
Product pickup
Inconsistent — can overload
Ideal for
Basic powder application only
Durability
Average
Used by
Mass market brush brands
Kali Los Angeles Natural Hair Makeup Brush Set — 3 Piece Sokoho Goat Hair Collectio

OUR COMMITMENT

Responsibly Sourced. Cruelty-Free.

Kali Los Angeles is committed to responsible and ethical sourcing of all natural materials. The Sokoho goat hair used in our brushes is obtained without harm to the animals — similar to how wool is gathered from sheep.

For customers who prefer zero animal involvement, our LK 101 Foundation Brush uses premium BASF synthetic vegan fiber — completely cruelty-free.

Responsibly sourced Sokoho goat hair

No animal harm in our process

BASF synthetic option available

Caring for Your Sokoho Brushes

01.

Wet bristles pointing downward — never let water into the ferrule

02.

Apply gentle brush cleanser or baby shampoo to bristles

03.

Swirl gently on palm in circular motions

04.

Rinse thoroughly until water runs completely clear

05.

Reshape bristles carefully while still damp

06.

Lay flat to dry — never upright or hanging

“With proper care, your Sokoho brushes will soften further with use and last for years. Natural hair develops a quality called ‘seasoning’ — the more you use them, the better they perform.”

Read the full brush cleaning guide →

Learn More

BRUSH GUIDE

Natural vs Synthetic Makeup Brushes

Which fiber is right for each product in your routine?

BRUSH CARE

How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes

The right way — step by step guide to extend brush life.

THE COLLECTION

Shop All Kali Los Angeles Brushes

Natural Sokoho goat hair and premium synthetic vegan fiber.