Beauty Basics: MAC Face Brushes
Beauty Basics is a series covering basic products and tools that help to make applying your makeup easier. To view the entire series to date, be sure to visit the beauty basics, or you can view posts within the series about MAC Face Brushes.
Focus On: MAC 129 Powder/Blush Brush
MAC 129 Powder/Blush Brush ($34.00) is a is a rounded, dome-shaped brush with a more rounded dome than other brushes. Of MAC’s various face brushes, I do find that the 129 does have a tendency to be scratchier than others, but it is definitely something that gets better with time. After a few washes, the brush is as soft as most MAC brushes, and it feels fluffier than when you first purchase it. It sheds occasionally, but not enough to make me hesitate on purchasing it again. I personally find this is better as a blush or bronzer brush than a powder brush, because it isn’t fluffy enough for my liking when it comes to applying loose or pressed powder all over. MAC does make a short handled version of the 129 (this is a brush of the same quality and caliber as the long handled 129–just to distinguish it from special edition 129 brushes), but I personally prefer longer handles.
How do you like to use this brush?
See close-ups…
binnie
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
i love this brush i like to use this brush for all over loose powder/ for blush and for highlight! the only thing i hate about this brush is that it sheds too! so it starting to annoy me! :( N im starting touse the URBAN DECAY brushes which are the same i think? x
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
It’s definitely a multi-tasker, yeah? It sucks that yours has been shedding a lot, though!
I’ve only used Urban Decay’s Big Buddha brush, which felt SUPER soft.
Sass
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
I heard this is a pretty good brush, but I’ll stick to my 109 and 187. It’s not on my brush wants list at the moment.
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
It’s a good brush, but I’m actually beginning to prefer the 116 over it! :O
Roxanne
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
I literally JUST bought this brush! Love it so far. Mine isn’t scratchy though, nor is it as round as on the pic above…
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Glad it’s not scratchy, though! Mine has been washed many times, so there might be a bit more “fluff” to the edges making it appear more rounded.
Marianitamc
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
I got the short handle recently and I use it to apply my mineralized skin finish natural as setting powder all over I think is very good at it! A lil scratchy I know but I’m happy to know it gets better with time
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Nice! It definitely does get better with time :) You can also deep condition your brushes from time to time, too.
ChristineDior
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
I love this brush I have I think 3 :)
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Oh, wow!!
Catherine @ Salescoop
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
I love this brush– in fact, I’m on my second one! It does a great job highlighting my cheek bones and putting the powder exactly where I want it on my face without my makeup looking streaky. MAC has great make up brushes
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
It’s a great brush, isn’t it? I love MAC brushes!
Nic15
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
I’ve only had my 129 for 2 weeks & so far I really like it. Love how it disburses my blush so softly & allows me to build color without it looking streaky. Fortunately, I don’t find mine to be scratchy.
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Yay! I am glad you are liking yours, and it’s great that it’s not scratchy!
Christy
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
I have this in the gold version from the Monogram collection. It is soft and wonderful to use. I also have a few SE versions of it, varying quite a bit in quality from really good, to not so nice.
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Oh, that’s a pretty brush ;) I have a special edition one from Stylistics myself!
Jacquelyn
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
I’ve heard that the 129 brush is the best brush to apply blush with. I need to get this brush since I’m investing on MAC brushes.
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
I like the 129, but the 116 is good for blush, too.
carriespooner
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
This is not my favorite brush from Mac. It might be my least favorite but I have the 129 SE. I think it’s of terrible quality and it is scratchy.
I know the 129 FS is much nicer but I don’t care for it for blush.
I’ve been known to use my 187 for matte blushes. I might use a 168 but my favorite blush brush is Mally’s. It’s very dense.
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Oh, wow, least favorite!! 129 is WAY better full-sized, though. Definitely way better.
Naomi
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
I love this brush, it’s so soft. I use this for both blush and powder. Sometimes I even use it for contouring.
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
I think I might try using this one for powder!