Beauty Product Reviews

A nice soft packing brush, with excellent pick up power but lacking precision.

This is a great brush for picking up and packing shadow on the lid. I know that this is the smallest of the builders, but I honestly can't imagine using a larger lay-down eye brush on my hooded lids and limited lid-space. It is very soft, much softer than the original MAC 239 and the newer 239S.

It isn't a perfect dupe for the 239, but it's a nice packing brush in its own right. It's a little shorter than the 239 and a little bit wider in its shape. I also feel that it doesn't taper as much as the 239, so it's a little denser and less precise if you are using the tip of the brush (for example, to smoke out a lower lash line.)

I included a photo comparing the packing brushes I own. From the bottom, the Chikuhodo GSN 9 (the softest option, longer and thinner than the 239, applies shadow in a softer finish due to the squirrel hair), Buillder Three (best pick-up of pigment, applies it evenly, but does lack some precision compared to the 239), 239 and 239S (both of which feel rough compared to the GSN-9 and Builder Three), the Rephr #2 (which is quite firm and paddle-like compared to any of these. Despite being undyed goat, it almost feels synthetic and would probably work great with creams), and the Sigma E55 (which is the best synthetic option imo).

In my opinion, this is not the brush to get if you're looking for a multi-tasker or if you like soft washes of color on the lid. (I would look into the Worker Pro or Worker Three for that instead.) It is the brush to get if you want maximum pigment deposit on the lid, and you don't mind using another brush for detail work or a soft blend.