7 MAC Eye Brushes You Need In Your Arsenal
204 Lash Brush ($11.00) is perfect for grooming brows, grabbing mascara, and combing out lashes. It’s sturdier than disposal wands to boot!
208 Angled Brow Brush ($19.50) is my go-to brush for all my eyelining needs. It doesn’t matter that it’s labeled as a “brow brush,” because it’s excellent for thin, precise lining. It’s angled and stiff enough to use for upper lash lining and tightlining. Everyone raves about the 266, but I prefer this over the 266 when lining my upper lash line! (If you have the 263, it should be just about as good–though it’s $20).
219 Pencil Brush ($23.00) is a must-have if like to smudge your eyeshadow or wear eyeshadow as liner. It applies and deposits color easily on the lower lash line, but it can also smudge or smoke out liner (with or without shadow) in just a few seconds.
224 Tapered Blending Brush ($28.00) makes crease-work a breeze. Blend out harsh lines with a soft, wispy motion with this fluffy, blending brush. Add ultra-rich, pigmented shadows in smoother, subtler layers–and never worry about going too heavy. (By the by, the limited edition 226 is even better, but the 224 will do if you can’t get your hands on the 226.) I find the 226/224 works better for me than the 217 (too fluffy).
239 Eye Shader Brush ($24.50) should be the first eye brush you purchase. It is beyond phenomenal, and if you really want to, this is one brush that can do it all. It is up to the challenge of replacing every single other eye brush you own. Soft to the touch with a nice density of bristles, it’s has enough fluff to easily pick up eyeshadow color, but enough density to pack on the color on the lid. The size is ideal for applying eyeshadow from the lid to the crease to the lower lash line. In fact, you may want to think about owning multiple 239s. (I have five–yes, five!)
249 Large Shader Brush ($27.00) is the best brush for applying creamy products to your eyes. I am always using this whenever I’m applying paints, paint pots, fluidlines, etc. as a base. It’s flat, firm, and holds its shape while still picking up plenty of product. What I love is it picks up product, and it doesn’t all get stuck in the bristles.
266 Small Angle Brush ($19.50) is an oft-raved about brush, usually when speaking about fluidline and lining, but it is also excellent for filling in brows. It’s thicker than both the 208 and 263 (my choices for lining), but if you’re going for thicker liner, this will definitely be a must-have. Talk about making cat-eyes easier!
* Please note that these are my picks for essential brushes based on my experience, brushes not included may be valuable, but they are not brushes I find myself using often enough to call them essential.
What eye brushes would you deem as your essential set?
styrch
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Great idea for a post!
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Thanks, Styrch!
K
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Isn’t the 217 brush missing? lol That brush is just so magical!
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
I don’t like it :(
dieu
Sunday, March 8, 2009
I can’t believe u didn’t mention the 217..that brush is amazing if u have that u don’t need the 224 IMO
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
I don’t like the 217 personally :/
Macaddict
Sunday, March 8, 2009
MY HG for eyes that I MUST & DO use every day are:
- #239 (I own 3 of them and use them all daily and wish I could have 6 more! It’s so versatile a brush that really I use it for all kinds of e/s coverage, such as blending, lining, stifling, smoking…)
- #266 (also use for filling eyebrows and lining. It’s wunderful!)
- #219 (as well, but mostly to open up the inner corner with white or highlighting colors)
- #272 (it’s good for both powders & creams. I use for cream shadows and for powder underneath my brows to accentuate my eyebrow shape, as well as to apply a creamy primer such as Too Faced or paint pots).
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Gotta have the 239 :D I’ll have to check out the 272!
victoria
Sunday, March 8, 2009
i’m one of the odd ones that can get the 239 to work for me that’s why i remember thinking you must be really good at blending for not using the 217 much. i love brushes, they are so important and once i tried the full size, i never turned back.
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Yeah, I really only need to use the 239 :D I did so many of my looks with JUST that look!
liz
Sunday, March 8, 2009
love this post!
any plans on posting essentials for other brushes, or has that post already been done?
ie cheek, foundation, etc.
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Thanks, Liz :D
Yes, I’ll be posting a face brush post next!
Whitnee
Sunday, March 8, 2009
The 208 is $19.50.
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Thanks, I fixed it!
samaya
Sunday, March 8, 2009
239, 222, 219, 217, 242, 231,208
these days i am liking the 226 (new brush frm BBR)
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
I love the 226 :)
lina
Sunday, March 8, 2009
i love the 217!!
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Wish it worked well for me!
Rachael
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Thanx for this. I also love the 217 and the 226!
S.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
C. Im still getting up the nerve to use my MAC brushes which I have invested a lot LOL 266 is the only one Im missing from this set. I ve also started experimenting with my other brushes. I am so loving the 134 BEST powered brush in my opinion but I ve only gotten some samples at MAC but I am so in love with this brush, so soft.
S.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
samples of MAC Powder
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Aww! Use them, they will be OK! I swear it :)
Monica
Sunday, March 8, 2009
I think I’m the only one who doesn’t own/want the 217…its too big for my eyespace. I’m in love with the 226 though…fits perfectly in my crease and is awesome for blending. I bought that not even knowing it was new with BBR…just thought it was convient, lol.
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
I like the 226 a lot more too, Monica!
Balqis
Sunday, March 8, 2009
I use 213,214,223,226 …..LOVE THE 214 & 226!!!! AWESOME!!!the hype about it is truuuuuu
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
I love the 226! The 214 doesn’t do much for me — it’s not as soft as I’d like (the bristles themselves).
Shanel
Sunday, March 8, 2009
my must’haves are…
217 -great for blending!
239 -great for packing color on lid.
224 -also great for smoked out looks/blending.
231- great getting that defined/packed color in the crease.
219 -great for under waterline/smoked out liner/crease.
266-great for fluidliner and powder for brows.
:)
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Great list, Shanel!
Todd
Sunday, March 8, 2009
239, 217, 226, 219, 266 — All I really need. It is literally a perfect set of brushes.
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Very nice set, Todd!
Todd
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The 226 is seriously the best blending brush I have ever used. I can blend in a focused area or I can diffuse an entire crease full of color. Can’t live without it!
Christine
Thursday, March 19, 2009
They really need to make the 226 perm!!
Grace
Sunday, March 8, 2009
That’s interesting….I find my 224 is WAY too fluffy for me. Like it is humongous compared to my 217, which is why I have 3 of the 217s!! I love them!
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
How funny!
Liya
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Love this post … But I have to add the #217 & #222
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Do you find you use both of them often enough to merit purchasing them on say a limited budget?
Joanna
Monday, March 9, 2009
I would definitely add the 217 to the must-have list :) I have 2 that I use everyday, for applying concealer and also for eyeshadow.
My other must-haves are the 239, 181 for blushes and MSFs, and 188 for liquid foundation.
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Interesting! Why do you like using the 217 to apply concealer?
chrissy
Monday, March 9, 2009
thank you so much for this post!
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Happy to write it, Chrissy!
sophia
Monday, March 9, 2009
Mine would be the 217 (I have 2 of them), and the 227.
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
What do you use the 217s for, Sophia?
Arika BH
Monday, March 9, 2009
No matter what, I need the 266 brush for my brows, and 210 for my dramatic winged liner! 239. 224. 217. 222. 227.
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Love the 266 for brows, too :D
Nicole
Monday, March 9, 2009
As someone who is just venturing into the world of eye makeup with both feet I absolutely love the information that you provide on here. Thanks
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Happy to help you out, Nicole!
bCreative
Monday, March 9, 2009
Ok you’ve sold me on getting the 239 and 219
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
LOL! Yay glad you’ll be adding them to your collection!
Saira
Monday, March 9, 2009
I love posts like these! I think my must-haves are:
239 – amazing for packing on colour easily and evenly. I love the fact that the colour goes on really dense with this brush and makes it really easy to apply. I’d agree with others that the 239 is also a great all-rounder which you can use for packing on colour, crease, highlight, inner corner.
219 – I got this a wee while ago and love this brush. It’s great for putting precise colour in the outer v, defining the crease, inner corners, lining the lower eyelashes.
272 – I got this very recently and think it is one of my must-have brushes now. It’s quite similar to the 239 but it’s angled and a great all-rounder. It’s great for packing on colour and defining the crease smoothly and evenly – I think it’s especially good if you have smaller eyelids. You can also use it for highlighting, inner corners, blending, pretty much anything.
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
I think I just might have to get the 272 now!
Linda
Monday, March 9, 2009
My fav eye brushes are:
252 – perfect for great applications
205 – my mascara brush for hot lashes
219 – another crease fav! :D
222 – my choice for the crease
242 – perfect for Paints and Paint Pots
263 – sooo much better than the 266 which has scratchy fibres
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
I never use my 252, LOL!
Heather
Monday, March 9, 2009
Actually the 213 fluff brush is my favorite.
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
I don’t think I have that!
DaniMae
Monday, March 9, 2009
On daily basis, I use: 239, 217 (2), 219, and 208.
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Nice! :)
margot
Monday, March 9, 2009
every day use :
239 (I have three 239, and thinking of getting another XD)
219
214 (I love it to smudge liner)
226 (my 217 has never been used since 226 has appeared in my life)
208 for liner too, I find it … nicer XD
there you go
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
I just bought two more 239s, LOL!
Yaya
Monday, March 9, 2009
I only have a couple (non-brand name) brushes that I got in sets because I cannot bring myself to buy something from an animal source, like the MAC brushes. I haven’t researched it enough to know how the animals are treated throughout this process.
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
MAC makes some great synthetic haired brushes, too! (I don’t know off hand which are synthetic, which are goat hair, etc.)
Rachel
Monday, March 9, 2009
Where’s the 242? It’s perfect for bathing the eyelids with dark or bright eye shadow, cos the colour goes on soft!
Rachel
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Oops I meant, the 224… which has already been mentioned by Christine in the article… please ignore me. *sheepish*
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
LOL!
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
I never use the 242 to be honest!
Mikki
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Still don’t have a MAC eye brush yet, I guess I start off with the 239 someday.
Christine
Monday, March 23, 2009
The 239 is fab, you’ll love it!
Emm
Thursday, March 26, 2009
I have the 239 and I don’t like it. But I do have the Loew-Cornell(craftstore) Maxine’s Mop 3/8 which I heard is a good 239 dupe and I like it better as well as it’s much cheaper. $9 I think.. so
Christine
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Really? How come you don’t like it? I find the Loew Cornell one isn’t soft enough.
Bettina
Monday, May 18, 2009
I guess I will have to grab some brushes on my next run to MAC or the enxt time I have that much money on hand. I really need good brushes. BTW this post also made me laugh because it sounds like you are all speaking in code..226 this..217 that….239 239 we need a 239 over here. LOL Just thought I’d share that. :)
Christine
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Definitely gotta get brushes! LOL, I know, it’s like a secret society!
Ci
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Haha yup, I so agree with you.Its like we memorised the numbers by hand!=D
ice
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
my must-haves are 239, 224 and 219…I checked out 217 but I guess it’s just too big for my eyes…i love all of them! i rarely line my eyes coz it’s just a big headache for me so I didnt bother getting the liner brush…lining them most of the time ruins my masterpiece:((…but I do have 2 MUFE liner brushes which I use when I’m in the mood to practice my eyelining skills:)
I use 239 to put e/s on the lid, 219 to put shadows on my lower lashline, and to deepen the color on my crease(I have Asian eyes, the size of 219 is perfect for my small crease) and the 224 to blend the colors esp on the crease…
Christine
Monday, June 29, 2009
It’s too bad that the 217 is too large for your eyes, but I’m glad the 224 works for ya!
forevercailen
Friday, August 14, 2009
omg i love the 222! ITS AWESOME for smaller eyes i recommend the 239! of course and i wouldnt choose the 217 only if you have bigger eyes and have lots of lid space!
my must haves:
239
222
224 ( blender brush )
219
eeee! they are so amazinng!
Christine
Monday, August 17, 2009
Good picks!!
seattle
Friday, August 28, 2009
what an amazing blog you’ve got here! i feel like a kid in a candy store. i am filled with ooohs and ahhhs. i am a newbie to the smokey eye look. love the look but i can’t afford to buy all the brushes right now. if i were to get just one to start out with for now, which would you recommend for the smokey eye? i have all sonia kashuk brushes and they work ok for me.
Christine
Friday, September 4, 2009
Aww, thank you so much! I hope you continue to enjoy the blog :)
I’d recommend the 239!
Scarie
Sunday, September 27, 2009
I love the 217 so so so much. I use it every single day I apply make up. I use it for eyeshadow application, blending etc. I bought the 226 and I”m so happy with it. I really want a 208. I bought a 239 and I find it awful( I bought it on ebay and half thinking it’s fake but need to go to MAC and check that out). the seller had a god rep though….. I have a fantastic angle liner by an Irish brand, fuschia ( http://www.fuschia.ie) I don’t like Fuschia ’s makeup but their brushes are so so good , only slightly cheaper than MAC though
Christine
Monday, September 28, 2009
Awesome! So glad you’re enjoying your 217!
Kelsey Mac
Monday, October 5, 2009
um i would say the 209 brush is an essential, it is the best for gel liner and i believe everyone should have one! But, the list u have going is ideal, so great job:)
Christine
Monday, October 5, 2009
The 209 is good, too!
krizia
Saturday, December 5, 2009
hey… I just got the 224 into a MAC set… the only difference between this and the original is the handle size right? There’s no difference in the brush itself?
Christine
Monday, December 7, 2009
The brushes in the sets are machine-made, and the brushes you’d buy alone are handmade. The quality is less in a brush from a set than one alone, but they’re not terrible — there are just differences to them in terms of quality. The brush head is the same size and shape otherwise!