Pages

  • About
  • The Edit
  • The Review
  • The Video
  • Contact/PR

Best and Worst: MAC Brushes




The first brushes I ever bought after I started blogging were MAC brushes.  Before that I was much more of a finger painter, convinced that brushes were a way to squeeze money from you and falsely convince you that you were your own makeup artist.  This has turned out to be half-true: I'm still a finger painter at heart, masquerading as an artist.

After a year or two of painstakingly researching, collecting, and Craigslist stalking for all the brushes I wanted, it's gotten to that point where I don't really want more MAC brushes.  In fact, I could do with a few less MAC brushes.  I'm contemplating selling them, but I've always been sketched out at selling anything online...seasoned blog-sale experts, advice greatly needed!

As they say, hindsight is 20/20, so here are a few brushes I would repurchase to this day (some of them I have), and a few that I would have skipped.  I should also mention that these are not my Top 5 favourite brushes ever, these are only my MAC favourites.  I've been playing with the idea of a brush collection or a 10 Brushes I would Repurchase type of dealio (although I guess I've already kind of done that here...), but I'm not sure how that'll pan out. Sound off in the comments!

Speaking of brushes...have you entered my Real Techniques giveaway yet?

17 comments :

  1. great post! you have such a lovely blog!
    now following :)


    http://kittyhannon.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have to agree with you on the 224, it is so scratchy! I still use it, but I'm eventually going to replace it with a softer and rounder brush. The 227 is next on my list, I've been wanting it for so long.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think a good replacement for the 224 is the 225...not sure if they still make it though.

      Delete
  3. Interesting post, it's always interesting to hear someone else's opinion. I have lots of MAC brushes, but my favorite is definitey the 217.

    ReplyDelete
  4. LOL "it sheds like a holy mother." Now I know I have to avoid that one!

    I had 2 217's. I have to say had, because I ended up swapping the newer one out. It's just not the same thing anymore. I find the hair rougher and less bendable. As a result, it just doesn't blend that well anymore! I've been loving the LMdB eyeshadow brush, and I just picked up the crease brush. I hope it'll blend just as well as my old 217!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Also, you don't like 219??? Really? LOL

      I use that one for my inner corners AND lower lash line. I have 2 and I love it ;)

      Delete
    2. Hmm....I've purchased all of my 217s within the past two years, so I don't know if mine are the new ones or not. Have you tried the Hakuhodo version?

      Can't wait to hear your thoughts on the LMdB crease brush! I'm thinking my next incarnation of brushes will include less MAC and more RMK/LMdB/RBR. I've heard they make some amazing brushes!

      The 219 is almost too point for me! I use the ByTerry Dome for inner corner and lower lash line.

      After posting this video, I realize my eye skin may be more sensitive than I thought...

      Delete
  5. I love my 217! Mine doesn't shed at all! I can't live without it-I actually have 3 of them!
    And you hate the MAC 219 too? I use it just like Sunny does and love it too. Any other pencil brushes I've tried get all fluffy and fat but the MAC 219 stays pointy for me.
    I also don't find the 224 scratchy either. Maybe mine is older but I love it too.

    HAHA I've disagreed too much already with you LOL. I will stop. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I adore the 217, I also have three of them! Is it bad that I'm currently eyeing the J5523 from Hakuhodo? It's supposed to be the best 217 dupe!

      I do agree that the 219 stays nice and pointed, but I think it's almost too perfectly a point for me. It's all pokey-like. Have you tried the Dome brush from By Terry? That's my favourite pencil brush.

      I've heard somewhere that the older 224s are much better! I got mine within the last year so that might be why.

      No such thing as too much disagreeing! What other MAC brushes do you like?

      Delete
  6. Fantastic video!!! I only own one MAC brush - the 217. I didn't like it at first, but I'm growing to enjoy it more as I'm trying to learn how to do my eye makeup better! LOL :-) Thanks for posting this...tons of great experience and advice that's super useful!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know, I didn't understand the hype at first either. I thought it was really unwieldy and way too fluffy to do anything. After a while, I learned to appreciate the soft haze of makeup it gives. I think my evolving tastes in makeup also had something to do with it, but I've really come to love the 217.

      Delete
  7. They are more confortable than normal but I still find it hard to walk on them for a long time, they're a bit unstable
    I'm a finger painter too and I haven't yet invested in makeup brushes, I think I can wait a little more (: x

    talkingpickles.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Finger painting rules! It's a little scary once you take the brush plunge...no regrets though!

      Delete
  8. I don't have 224 brush so I'm not sure about that, My fave MAC brushes are MAC 168 for my bronzer and 217 for blending eyeshadow :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great post! I love reading this post. I definitely love MAC brushes! Thanks for sharing this one!

    Makeup Brush Set

    ReplyDelete

Design by | SweetElectric