Beauty Basics: MAC Eye 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 Eye Brushes.
Focus On: MAC 214 Short Shader Brush
MAC 214 Short Shader Brush ($23.00) is best described as a stubby 239. It has natural bristles, and the brush itself is fairly stiff. If you’ve ever wanted to smoke out your lower lash line for an ultra sultry smoky eye, this is the brush you’ve been missing. The rounded edge can easily smudge color without getting it everywhere. It can also be used to deposit color into the crease or to create an extremely defined/sharp crease. The stiffness of the brush helps to prevent over-blending of the crease when used for that application.
How do you like to use this brush?
See close-ups…
Oh that looks like a fun brush!
It’s a great brush for special tasks!
i love this brush…i saw it on the mac website one day and had to get it…i use it on my lower lid before you get to the crease…it deposits color very well because the bristles are stiff but still soft.
Thanks!
Oh, nice! I wouldn’t have thought to try it that way since it IS so stiff!
I use it for smokey eyes! And since I smoke out my eye makeup frequently, I use this a lot.
Awesome! It is definitely a must if you do smoky eyes often!
Sephora makes a really similar brush. WOuld you happen to know how the MAC one compares to it?
I have the Sephora dupe and I am very happy with it!
Yayy!
I haven’t tried the Sephora one at home, but I do believe I tried it in-store and found MAC’s to be a little stiffer, but softer. I believe NARS also makes one, and I think that one may be as good or better than MAC.
This is a fabulous brush, I use it mostly to apply concealer under my brow(for a natural look when I don’t want to highlight with shadow and the brush allows me to perfectly sculpt the brow and gives the look of a clean, fresh threading).
I will definitely have to try using it as a concealer brush! Thanks for the tip, AYHM!
I have this but I find the bristles a little scratchy, so I only really use it to pack on small areas of intense colour.
I can definitely see that — it can be a bit scratchy if I use it too roughly
If I use it gently, I have no issues!
I didn’t pick this one up as it is so much like my NARS #15, but this style of brush is amazing for smoking out eyeliner like the Kohl Powers or any soft eyeliner and also cutting the crease. Smoking the eyeshadows up or really packing on color. Just a great multi use brush!
Yeah, it is definitely similar to the NARS brush. NARS brushes are fantastic, so no need to have two!
I love this one. I use it every day to deposit color on my lower lash line.
Thanks for the tip!
Same here!
I’ve had the 214 since it came out w/ the bbr collection, but I never use it. I used to use it to apply my highlight color.
Try smudging color into your lower lash line to complete and polish up a look with it! It is so thin and fabulous.
Good idea, Aimee!
How come you stopped using it, Ang?
I noticed this brush is still availabel on the uk site im pondering if its a MUST HAVE?
any comments any1??X
A SUPER MUST HAVE! I USE IT DAILY
packs the color in places that you want…
Oh, wow! Not everyone seems to love this brush, but then here you come with bells on
just got this today im so in love with it
Yayy!
I don’t think it’s OMG MUST HAVE IT OR DIE, but it’s a nice brush to have – particularly if you wear color on your lower lash line or like smudging.
which one is better for smudging lower lash line. this or the 219?
219 is softer, so I like that more.
I had to have this brush when I saw it and my MUA even tried to talk me out it. Should have listened, I hardly ever use this brush. It is too stiff/scratchy to smoke out top lid eyeliner. I find it makes a general mess of it. I love the idea of it and keep trying different techniques with it, trying to make it work but it’s not a must for those building their collections!
Thanks for more suggestions on how to use this brush! I will try to show this guy some love using it for highlighting, packing color and more crease work. I just believe nothing stands up to MAC 219 brush for smudging out lower eyeliner. Instead of using the tip, I was given a tip to tilt it to the side and smudge from there. Two uses in one great brush! Apply with the tip, wiping off any product left and smudge from the side in short strokes.
I think the shape of these bristles makes it easier to smudge certain liners (like creamier ones), IMO! The 219 often seems to get a lot of product caught up in it!
It isn’t ideal for the upper lash line, because it is a more sensitive area – I definitely prefer it on the lower lash line.
I have one like this that I got from a Kirkland brush set that I bought and I LOVE it. I much prefer this to a pencil brush like the 219 to smoke out the lower lash line.
i have the kirkland one…Awesome if your on a budget.
Awesome! I’ve never tried Kirkland brushes, but it’s great that it works so well for you!
I’m really loving this brush series! Very helpful and informative
Thanks, Joss!
love it, i use it when am doing a smokey eye with black eye liner on the bottom i use this brush too blend and then deposit black eye shadow on top of the liner, it don’t smudge it just goes where i want to it go!
Oh yeah! It is amazing for that
Those brush reviews are great! Keep up the good work =D
I’m a little sceptical about this brush. Is it worth to spend around 20 euros on a brush just to smoke out your lower lashline, which can easily be done by the 219?
Thanks, Chiara!
I like it a bit better than the 219 for smudging, just because it’s faster and it doesn’t really BLEND color so much as smudge (who knew there was a difference?). Do I think it’s a must? Nah!
what camera do you use because these close ups are amazing!!
Nikon D90!
I haven’t gotten this one yet, but I got a look at it and I will get it. I want all of my brushes MAC so I have no choice in the matter. But I definitely know this one will be great to use under my lashes. Great brush.
Same, Sass! I like them to match!
I love this brush. I got it a month ago more or less and I can’t live without it. For me it has became a must have.
What do you use it most for, Ambar?
I need to pick up another eye brush…I have a few 239′s and I use them for everything. I/e pigment etc. What do you think would be best for the outer corner of my lid and up to crease. I usually wear a lot of dark e/s and probably need something more dense to really pack in the color??
I like the 239, personally… if not that, then perhaps the 252!
I got this brush during the F&F sale because of your review. I’ve had the chance to use it once so far and I love it. I like using it for dark colours in the crease. Thanks again, Christine!
Yayy! I am so glad you like it, Teresa!
Sephora recently released their new I.T. brushes and it has a brush very similar to this, their smudge brush too. But for like $2 cheaper. Have you tried that one yet? How do you think it compares?
I haven’t, sorry!
I’m looking for a very thin and small brush to put colour (white) between double winged liner… Do you think it would work for me?
I may sound stupid but don’t you think this brush is cute???
It might work, but you could try using a brush like the 208, too… or even the 266!
Sonya Kashuk has a bamboo shader dupe,I love it!