Beauty Basics: MAC Eye Brushes
Considering investing in brushes for your eyeshadows? Trying to figure out which brushes you need? Look no further — here’s our guide to MAC Eye Brushes! Plus, seasoned MAC Artists weigh in with their must-haves!
MAC Eye Brushes — Our Reviews
- 204 Lash Brush
- 205 Mascara Fan Brush
- 208 Angled Brow Brush
- 209 Eye Liner Brush
- 210 Precise Eye Liner Brush
- 212 Flat Definer Brush
- 213 Fluff Brush
- 214 Short Shader Brush
- 217 Blending Brush
- 219 Pencil Brush
- 222 Tapered Blending Brush
- 224 Tapered Blending Brush
- 225 Large Tapered Blending Brush
- 226 Small Tapered Blending Brush
- 227 Large Fluff Brush
- 228 Mini Shader Brush
- 231 Small Shader Brush
- 239 Eye Shading Brush
- 242 Shader Brush
- 249 Large Shader Brush
- 252 Large Shader Brush
- 263 Small Angle Brush
- 266 Small Angle Brush
- 272 Small Angled Shading Brush
- 275 Medium Angled Shading Brush
Temptalia’s Recommendations
- 5 Basics to Begin With: 217, 219, 226 (if unavailable, 222/224), 231, 239
- 5 More to Add Down the Road: 205, 208, 249, 266, 272
- 5 Great Multi-taskers: 208, 217, 231, 239, 249
- Best for Highlighting: 217, 272
- Best for Blending: 217, 224, 231, 239, 272
- Best for Crease: 219, 222, 224, 226
- Best for Eyeshadow Application: 231, 239, 242
What the PROS Say
MAC Senior Artist Luc Bouchard loves the 222, he says, “I love this brush because I can define and diffuse the crease in a second! I also use it to apply and blend concealer – it allows me to apply a perfectly blended sheer coat.”
MAC Senior Artist Keri Blair must have the 224, because it is “hands down this brush is great for blending, blending and blending… It’s been an extension of my right hand for over 13 years. The tip of the brush picks up the color and all the tapered hairs help to move the product out and across the eye.”
Share your favorites with fellow Temptalia readers, just copy and paste the form below and write-in your own answers…
5 Basics to Begin With:
5 More to Add Down the Road:
5 Great Multi-taskers:
Best for Highlighting:
Best for Blending:
Best for Crease:
Best for Eyeshadow Application:
Stephanie
Sunday, June 28, 2009
This is very helpful, Thank you!
Todd
Sunday, June 28, 2009
5 Basics to Begin With: 239, 217, 224, 210, 219
5 More to Add Down the Road: 242, 252, 208, 227, 213
5 Great Multi-taskers: 217, 224, 219, 239, 242
Best for Highlighting: 217
Best for Blending: 224
Best for Crease: 224
Best for Eyeshadow Application: 239
I decided not to include anything but brushes that aren’t LE. The 226 would have a special place if it weren’t LE.
baybee415
Sunday, June 28, 2009
5 Basics to Begin With: 217, 219, 224, 252, 263
5 More to Add Down the Road: 226, 222, 227, 209
5 Great Multi-taskers: 252, 263, 217, 227, 224, 231
Best for Highlighting: 242, 252, 239, 217, 224, 227
Best for Blending: 224, 217, 227,
Best for Crease: 222, 217, 226, 219
Best for Eyeshadow Application: 252, 242, 239
Christine
Monday, June 29, 2009
Yayy! Thanks for sharing your faves :D
GS
Sunday, June 28, 2009
OMG I was right, I´m more of a newby in makeup and the only three mac brushes I want are 217, 219 and 224 (I have one that´s very similar to the 239) from what I´ve heard they´re great, as soon as I can I´ll buy them.
Sydney
Monday, June 29, 2009
5 Basics to Begin With: 239, 217, 219, 210, 224
5 More to Add Down the Road: 222, 242, 231, 227, 272
5 Great Multi-taskers: 239, 217, 242, 272, 227
Best for Highlighting: 249
Best for Blending: 222, 217
Best for Crease: 272, 219
Best for Eyeshadow Application: 239, 242
Christine
Monday, June 29, 2009
Yay for 239 love :D
Rada
Monday, June 29, 2009
5 Basics to Begin With: 239, 217, 219, 252, 227
5 More to Add Down the Road: 224, 266, 209, 275, 242
5 Great Multi-taskers: 239, 217, 227, 252, 224
Best for Highlighting: 252
Best for Blending: 224, 217, 239
Best for Crease: 217, 226
Best for Eyeshadow Application: 239, 252
Christine
Monday, June 29, 2009
What do you like to use the 252 with, Rada?
Rada
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
I like to use the 252 to highlight the middle of the lid with a shimmery or frosty e/s when need to, but I love it for highlighting the brow bone because it blends out the harsh edges beautifully. As I use my 239 to apply colors on the lid, I just want a clean brush for my browbone and the 252 fits perfectly in that space. =)
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Awesome to hear, Rada! I’ve never used the 252 to highlight before, but I think I’ll give it a try!
Waruta
Monday, June 29, 2009
5 Basics to Begin With: #266, 269, 217, 239, 213
5 More to Add Down the Road: #226, 211, 205, 214, 272
5 Great Multi-taskers: #266, 217, 226 (Only 3 for me)
Best for Highlighting: #217
Best for Blending: #226
Best for Crease: #226
Best for Eyeshadow Application: #242, 249, 252
Christine
Monday, June 29, 2009
More proof that the 226 is amazing ;)
the makeup blogette
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
5 Basics to Begin With: 217, 239, 266, 224, 242
5 More to Add Down the Road: 227, 222, 226, 272, 219
5 Great Multi-taskers: 217, 227 (can’t think of more now)
Best for Highlighting:227
Best for Blending: 224
Best for Crease:226
Best for Eyeshadow Application: 217
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Great choices!! :)
Addy
Friday, July 24, 2009
My fave eye brushes: 239, 219, 209, 226(LE)
Christine
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Great brush picks, Addy!
Lyall
Monday, August 10, 2009
5 Basics to Begin With: 217, 219, 226 or 224, 239, 266
5 More to Add Down the Road: 266, 252, 209, 222, 226 or 224 depending on what one chose/was able to get first :)
5 Great Multi-taskers: 217, 239, 249, 266, 219
Best for Highlighting: 217, 275
Best for Blending: 217, 224, 239
Best for Crease: 219, 222, 224, 226
Best for Eyeshadow Application: 239, 252
I love, love, love the 239, 217 and 226 (there is a pretty decent dupe from NYX, the Contour Dome Brush from they regular brush line with the black handles, for everyone who can’t get a hold of the 226), they are an awesome trio.
I always take at my 5 (6, actually) Basics from above and can get away using just them for a whole long time :)
Christine
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Great choices, Lyall :D