mac brushes must haves....?

May 19, 2011

Chineen M.

so....i wanna know what mac brushes you guys can't live without...the ones that u have to have where ever you go....

May 19, 2011

Kaycee P.

I'm a huge MAC brush lover.
My top face brushes: 187, 109, 129, & 134.
My top eye brushes: 266, 208, 224, & 217 :)
But if I would have to pick only one brush that I cannot live without, it would be my 266 angled brush - it's perfect for brows! The brushes I listed above are the basic essential MAC brushes, I hope that helps! 

May 19, 2011

Jane A.

I agree with Kaycee... Brush 266!!! That brush I go to for everyday! I have a handful of brushes, MAC, E.L.F., Sephora, and Sonia Kushuk... mostly MAC. Lately, I've been picking up other brushes for my face versus the MAC foundation, stipple, powder brush I have. But I alway use my angled brush (MAC #266) for my brows. My brows are so thin and sparse, I have to always have my brows made. 

May 19, 2011

Chineen M.

Thanx ladies, both responses helped alot!

May 19, 2011

Shelly T.

At the moment, I have only one MAC brush -- a 217. It's fab for blending eyeshadows. I intend to get a few more MAC brushes as time goes on.

May 19, 2011

Chineen M.

thanks shelly! how about brushes specifically for the crease?

May 19, 2011

Jo J.

As my crease brush, I use MAC #219. For blending, I also use the MAC #217, like Shelly mentioned above. For my lids, I use MAC # 239 to pat on the color all over my eyelids. Hope this helps!

May 19, 2011

Iris G.

#217 for sure

May 20, 2011

Soma S.

217 and 224 for blending

219 for detailed crease work and smudging lines

DEFINITELY 239 for a shader brush to pack on color

263 for an angled eyeliner brush, much more friendlier on your eyes than the 266, and better for a thin line

138 tapered face brush - it's a multi-tasker, and one of the most expensive... BUT it's worth every darned penny. Very comparable to my Hakuhodo version at a fraction of the cost. it gives you the best blush and contour application EVER - easily in a few strokes. It's also one of the softest MAC face brushes out there. Don't bother getting the 129 for blush, 109 or 168 for contour - they're garbage compared to this and EXTREMELY scratchy. =)

If you have bigger eyes and some extra cash, throw in the 227 while you're at it. Great for quick highlighting for larger lid spaces or blending in the crease in a rush.

I have an ENTIRE break-down of why for each of these on my old blog: http://belle-melange.blogspot.com/2011/02/first-lesson-eyeshadow-brushes-mac-must.html

...but I'll also repost if you don't feel like excess clicking.

May 20, 2011

Soma S.

First Lesson: EYESHADOW BRUSHES - MAC must-haves/starter kit VS Sigma brush kit

When I first started using makeup, I was too afraid to ask for help. Too intimidated by the tools to pick one up and try for myself to see if I were capable of blending colors so beautifully. It wasn't until I took a few art classes that had me do a few paint projects that got me comfortable enough to decide it was time I used those on myself to see what the results for... but where does one start?

"Brushes being sold from every corner of the world, bombarding you with fancy handles and shiny ferrules! This one is so cheap! But THAT ONE is the 'Bently' of brushes if it costs that much!!! Will I be able to replicate a nice eye look if I spend more? What's the difference in hairs/brand/price?"

I ended up with a collection over 50 brushes before I figured out which ones were the essentials. I was already using them, but it didn't hit me until a few months later to almost a year - that I was only reaching for certain brushes when doing my daily makeup:

1.) Blending brush
2.) Short shader brush [to pack on color]
3.) Pencil brush [for smudging to detail crease work]
4.) Angled eyeliner brush [optional if you use gel liners]

Now why buy these from MAC as singles when you can buy a big ol' brush kit from Sigma?

Those 4 are all you need, and buying brush sets, you only use 50% of the brushes in the kit if you're lucky. There's always better out there, and you can always personalize your brushes to the way you like it if you collect them one-by-one.

More bang for your buck might look better going w/ the Sigma kit, but why do that and buy lesser quality brushes you won't bother using? I personally like my MAC brushes because they deliver exactly what they promise to do.

Here are my suggestions for each of the 4 above:

1.) Blending brush:

MAC 217 - better if you have smaller eyes, like more dense color application. Can function as a short shader brush to pack on color by using belly of the brush, but a hassle when using multiple colors and trying to avoid muddying the colors together when blending. [Best to use seperate brushes for different colors anyways.]

MAC 224 - better for bigger eyes, but does not pack on color. [Does not matter if you purchase a short shader brush.] Blends out to a light wash of color easily VS. a 217 which may require a little bit more elbow grease when getting ready. Better if you're more inclined to neutral shades because it is able to blend to a light wash of color, but also blends bright vivid colors into each other well if you have a lot of lid space - and does the job faster than a 217.

2.) Short shader brush [to pack on color]

MAC 239 - does exactly what it promises. Can be flipped on it's side to do some blending and crease work to substitute for 217's blending abilities. Great for getting brow highlight colors close the the edge of your natural brown for a crisp and clean line if you don't want to look like you have stray brow hairs all scraggly and whatnot. I completely suggest you get this w/ whatever else you decide you want to use.


3.) Pencil brush [for smudging to detail crease work]

MAC 219 - exactly what it sounds like: a pencil smudgey brush. Great for setting gel liners w/ e/s on top for long lasting power, under the water line to smoke out your dramatic looks, and for detailed crease work. Not an absolute must have - can be duped easily. Best cheap alternative for accessibility is Essence of Beauty brushes from CVS. MAC's version does blend much better and faster - which makes for more gentle application - making it why I prefer this over my EOB brushes.


4.) Angled eyeliner brush [optional if you use gel liners]

If you don't use gel liners, omit this from your starter collection. However, I am a dailer user of gel liners, and if you've never tried them before, you completely should. There are two kinds - both angled in different ways...

The angled brush is where the the hairs are cut at a diagonal so it's easy to follow your lash line. A bit of a pain to navigate your lower lash line with, but for those that have problems with gauging thick and thin line weights, this is the better option for you.

The BENT angled liner brush has a bent brush handle and a thin round brush head. Some say this one is easier to manipulate than the angled one, but I find it the other way around. Your general preferrence is subjective. I have the MAC 263 and the Ecotools angled liner brush. I use the 263 for my eyelining needs and the Ecotools one for my brow lining needs with brown/charcoal e/s. I also own the Sonia Kashuk bent angled liner brush, and it seemed a little awkward to me. The bent angled liner brush also only limits you to just lining your eyes VS being multi-purpose and being able to double as a brown liner.


Just remember: I have a brush for every function I want it to serve. those are my absolute reccommendations for a starter, but I must remind you I have back-ups/multiples of the same brush for different colors, or different areas of my face. I'd rather spend a little bit more and make sure the brushes I purchased serve their function VS. sitting there and looking pretty... I do own brushes that sit there and look pretty though... haha. Some are pretty enough to where it was worth wasting the $, but the others - ugh... I don't even want to go into how much I've spent on brushes already.

Now I am not dogging on Sigma - I have been dying to try their F-series face brushes, but that will have to wait until my next paycheck. I'm just saying, don't buy a full brush kit if you feel this is all you need and just starting out. People with usually large collections have a variety because they're too lazy to clean them frequently or they just can't get enough... like me. *grin* BUT you CAN buy sigma brushes with the same function as the ones I listed above as singles as well. That way, you'll know what you want when looking into buying brushes. You don't need a whole set. But if bang for your buck means more for your $, go for it!

Also, the MAC travel sets are great intros, BUT they are machine cut VS. the full-sized ones being HAND-CUT. Once you feel the difference, you'll realize softness ranks like this from highest to lowest:

1.) virgin hair [softest]
2.) hand cut
3.) machine cut [scratchier]

Don't half-ass when going high-end. Go hard or go home... because you're WORTH IT. =)

I hope you the best of luck, and hope this helps. I also apologize first hand for unofficially leading you down the path of being a brush junkie. =P

May 20, 2011

Jessenia I.

My favorite blending brush is the 222. It blends out colors perfectly. I also love the 266 and 219.

-Jessenia
http://jesseniaisabel.blogspot.com

May 20, 2011

Chineen M.

@ soma s. in regards to blending, which brush is better the 217 or the 224 and do they do the same thing......

May 20, 2011

Chineen M.

Thanks Jessenia!

May 20, 2011

Chineen M.

@ Soma OMG i just read ur blog post, very informative! THANKS A BUNCH!

May 20, 2011

Mary P.

My favorite/ must have brush is the 224 for blending! I love love love it! As far as the difference between that and the 217.. I only use the 217 to blend eyeshadow when i need to create a more dramatic look. The 224's a little softer, the hairs are different, and is made to blend without depositing too much color versus the 217 deposits more color because it is more dense of a brush . So the 224 definitely gives you a softer blend (it doesn't pick up as much color as the 217 does each time you dip it into shadow).
Like Kaycee and Jane, I also love the #266 (and 263)! I use it for eyeliner though, and use the 208 (smaller and stiffer for my brows).
Okay, last one, I promise... if you guys like the 187.. and have tried the smaller version 188 for foundation... you HAVE to get their newer #130 for foundation! It's a shorter version of the 188 (shorter bristles) so it buffs out the foundation really flawlessly and gets into all the cracks & crevices lol. It's almost like they cut off most of the white tips of the 188 so that it doesn't swirl around on your face; it just buffs the foundation out. Besides the 224, this is my new fave to use on myself and on others =). 

May 20, 2011

Chineen M.

im getting some great opinions and info from the comments... thanks a bunch guys!

May 21, 2011

Angie R.

I love my MAC brushes a little too much... than again the weren't exactly cheap. Anywho, I can't live without my 239, 217, 224, 187.. I'll be getting the 130 soon so I'll just add that to my list now. :)

May 21, 2011

Soma S.

To everyone suggesting the 187 - I STRONGLY suggest you guys try Sigma's F80 - I was a complete brush snob until their synthetic face kit blew me away. I haven't tried their eye brush kits, but their signature synthetic face kit is way better than my 187, 130, 109... Sonia Kashuk flat top multi-purpose brush, and even better than my Sephora #55 airbrush. For a buffing/stippling brush, the F80 reigns supreme, and it's a fraction of the price! If you get the kit, you get 3 FANTASTIC brushes for the price of 1 - and they're all great brushes I ACTUALLY use VS. using just a few brushes out of a set I purchase because the others are lackluster.

Glad the blog post was able to help... Sorry for the lengthy read though - I get a little carried away w/ my tools.  =P

May 21, 2011

Angie R.

I've been wanting to try Sigma, but I doubt I will. I'm going to IMATS next month so I might take a look at their brushes there.

May 21, 2011

Soma S.

OH btw... to answer your question: "217 or 224?" - I know it's just adding more expenses to building your starter collection, but I STRONGLY believe you should have BOTH.

My reason? If you're using multiple colors, you don't want to muddy up your work by continuously dipping your brush into a variety of colors and then using it to blend. You always need a nice and new brush to blend things out to a soft faded gradient, and the 224 is what I primarily use for that. 217 lays down a more dense color application, but also can blend out to a gradient, but it has a higher color saturation than a 224. Both blend, but both function differently by applying different amounts of color. =)

Depending on how heavy your hand is w/ application and how much time you have to get ready, you will then find out which one you prefer, but it is always nice to have both for different details depending on what kind of look you are trying to create.

May 21, 2011

Angie R.

Soma, is there a different between the 224 and 222?

May 21, 2011

Soma S.

The 222 is slightly smaller than the 224, and the 222 is made w/ white goat hairs, which are softer than the black squirrel hairs the 224 is made of. Better for anyone w/ smaller eyes, or are interested in more detailed crease work. The white goat hairs are nice and soft, but I personally dislike when they are stained w/ my brighter colored eye shadows.

Once again, do you prefer a softer brush? Are you going to be bothered by stained brush hairs that need thorough cleansing to make white again? Are your lids large or small? Those are the questions you want to take into consideration when selecting between the 224 and 222.  =)

May 21, 2011

Angie R.

I own the 224, but it irritates my skin a little bit. I'm allergic to a certain type of animal hair. I can't use the black mac brushes or the bare escentuals brushes. the stain doesn't bother my as much as I thought it would. Right now I use the 224 for concealer, but I need something for the crease since it makes me eyes itchy and watery.

May 21, 2011

Soma S.

I'm so sorry you're allergic to certain animal hairs! That def. limits you to what your selection is... and I've found my FAVORITE eye brushes are all animal hair ones. I would definitely suggest Essense of Beauty for synthetic blending brushes... they have a smaller dupe of MAC's 227 that blends pretty well, but it may be hard to navigate with for people w/ smaller creases. It's really soft, and one of the more densely packed synthetic brushes I've come across w/ a good brush head shape. It's not too stiff like my Sonia Kashuk synthetic crease brush, and Ecotools has yet to make a decent blending brush.

May 21, 2011

Angie R.

I keep meaning to try out Essense of Beauty brushes.