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 182 Buffer Brush
MAC 182 Buffer Brush ($45.00) is large, densely-packed dome-shaped brush with dyed-black goat hair bristles. My photos are of the limited edition release of the 182 brush from MAC’s Couture Collection (I believe these retailed around $54), and I fell absolutely in love with it so much so that I purchased a second one. I actually really love the square handle on it, but the round handle works just as well.
The brush is extremely dense and full, but the most amazing thing about it is how flawless it makes your face look. No matter what powders, liquids, or blushes you use, the 182 is always there to soften your look and eliminate any harsh edges or unevenness. I also LOVE it for applying liquid foundations like Studio Fix Fluid (moreso than the 109 and 187). I do find this is a high quality brush, so I personally believe it is well worth the cost.
This ranks amongst my top five must-have brushes if you’re on a tight budget! However, if this is just too expensive for you, I recommend putting it on your wishlist for birthdays/holidays. Everyone should have at least one buffer brush, though — MAC or another brand!
How do you like to use this brush?
See close-ups…
BINNIE
Saturday, July 4, 2009
I really want this brush but its so pricey x
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Yes, yes it is :/
barbie
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Thats a wicked looking brush. Love it ;)
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
It is AMAZING!
Sass
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Love, love it.
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
YES!
Ria
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Those poor goats :( Guess their lives are only worth 45 bucks. I actually like Coastal Scent’s synthetic buffer; even though it’s cheap wholesale stuff, it feels and works great.
cloudburst
Sunday, July 5, 2009
I believe MAC shaves or clips the hairs off animals to make their brushes, so the goats/badgers/squirrels etc aren’t harmed in the process.
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Yes, that’s what MAC’s policy/claim is! :)
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Actually, if you read (and/or believe) MAC’s policy, the hair is shaved off of goats in a non-cruel way — they aren’t KILLED for brushes.
Nicole15
Saturday, July 4, 2009
This was my first MAC brush I ever owned & I fell in love instantly. I couldn’t believe how soft it was. I justified the price by telling myself that if i took care of it, I would probably have it for like 10 years minimum. With other brushes I was having to buy new ones every year at like $15-$20 a pop cause they just fell apart so for me it was a well worth it purchase. Many people will complain about shedding & i do run into that issue especially after washing it but that’s what happens with man made brushes & it’s not so bad that it prevents me from getting my makeup done. Your look is still flawless when all is said & done. I use this brush for applying my MSF Natural or BE Mineral Foundation.
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
ME TOO, Nicole! My first ever. Total and utter splurge — and AMAZING splurge at that.
isabella
Saturday, July 4, 2009
i use it for my msf natural
its love <3
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Never used it with MSFN, good idea!
Andrea
Saturday, July 4, 2009
I have the regular handle 182 and I love!!! I think though that seeing these pics makes me want the square handle!!!
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
I’m so glad I bought this brush when I did — I think I’d have regretted it otherwise!
victoria
Saturday, July 4, 2009
of all mac’s kabuki, this is my favorite. i had the 182 and 180 but i prefer this one the most, it’s the absolute teddy bear brush. if i was into mac when the couture one was out, i too would’ve bought 2 of them.
Nicole15
Saturday, July 4, 2009
This is the 182! ;)
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
I definitely prefer 182 over all other kabukis!
Ashley
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Like other natural hair brushes, this one irritated the hell out of my skin, as well as possibly broke me out (although I haven’t used it in a while so I’m not sure)
From first use and after washes, every time it would make my face go red. Too bad they wouldn’t let me return it because I had already exchanged the 187 for that one.
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
I’m really sad to hear it didn’t work out for you, Ashley :( Might be allergic to goat hair/natural hair brushes.
lisa
Saturday, July 4, 2009
I love this brush it is my go to brush when i want to achieve a flawless face look!
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Same here, Lisa!
tess
Saturday, July 4, 2009
i actually tried it with my foundation earlier today and i must say… it’s very impressive… i’ve always used this only as a powder brush until i read this… and wow… 8-9 hours later… my foundtion still looks flawless… love it… i am considering getting another one… hopefully soon…
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
It is DEFINITELY worth it :D
shangrila
Monday, July 6, 2009
I have two of them! I use one for my foundation, and one i just keep on my vanity to look pretty! lol. I love that handle. I’d love to get another one for powders, though.
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Haha, that sounds just like me :D
Sue
Monday, July 6, 2009
How do you use them for applying liquid foundation? I’ve always used Taklon-type brushes for that.
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
I first apply dabs of foundation to my cheeks, chin, and forehead. Then, I just spritz my 182 brush with water, and then I buff the foundation in.
Jae
Monday, July 6, 2009
I use the 182 for both foundation and bronzer application. I have the couture version and 2 of the rounded handled ones. Its definitely a fave brush of mine!! One of them is strictly for traveling use and the other two are dedicated to foundation and powders. I don’t like mixing! I think the bulk of my costs went to brushes (but I’ve been building my collection for a VERY long time)!
Catherine @ Salescoop
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
This brush is awesome! I love the design of it! Leave it up to MAC to make a chic makeup brush. This would definitely be a fun addition to my makeup case. I may just have to go pick one up!
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Definitely a must-have, sooo, get it :D
lelila
Thursday, July 9, 2009
I just got my 182 brush, the same one pictured here, and i super duper love it!
good thing is i got it for 37USD from a local reseller here (Philippines), MAC Phils. sells a regular 182 for 52USD.
I’m so happy!
Christine
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Yayyyy! That is awesome :)
Kayra
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
This will be my next b-day gift I guess LOL
Christine
Saturday, July 18, 2009
You will love it, Kayra!
Anna
Monday, July 20, 2009
I’ve been needing a new buffer brush and have been looking at this for so long. Maybe, I’ll add this as an anniversary gift from my bf or just splurge as soon as I hit the mall today. Haha :P.
Christine
Monday, July 20, 2009
Did you get it, Anna?!
cherry
Saturday, March 6, 2010
hey Christina, can u tell me if u remember, whether this couture 182 brush came in the plastic sleeve like the regular one, or was the couture one in a box since its LE?
Christine
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Box!
cherry
Monday, March 8, 2010
Thanks a lot for taking the time to answer Christine.I am ur newest fan!
hedy
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
hi christine,
after looking at your photos of this limited edition 182, i really want one! i saw some for sale on ebay, but i am not sure if they are fake or not. should i get the one that is priced closest to the retail price? or do you recommend not getting them at all from ebay? thanks :)
Christine
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Hi Hedy,
I would look for a seller with a good reputation and lots of feedback. I think with a brush as customized as the 182 (and the fact that it’s several years old, and it wasn’t a really coveted item, e.g. Hello Kitty brushes), you are probably safe from fakes. I don’t know of any other way *to* get it other than eBay, to be honest! I am surprised at how cheap they are on eBay, because I think it retailed for like $48 or $52 (it was maybe $10-12 more than the regular 182).
hedy
Thursday, March 11, 2010
thanks christine for your input! i love your blog! i’ve been reading it before it changed into this mostly white template :D
Christine
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Oh, wow, you have been with us FOREVER :)