MAC 242 Shader Brush Photos & Review
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 242 Shader Brush
MAC 242 Shader Brush ($23.00) is flat, slightly rounded at the tip, brush made out of firm fibers. This is one of my favorite brushes when using creamy products like paint pots, concealer, etc. I most often use it for paint pots, though I also use the 249, too. Even though I like it best for creamy products, it can be used with powder products like eyeshadow. It is particularly good at packing on color when you want a more intense look or have a finnicky shadow that just won’t go on right. For me, this is a great brush, because I use it regularly with my creamy products!
How do you like to use this brush?
See close-ups…
One of my first MAC brushes. I use it for highlighting my brow. Love this brush.
Aww, the first is always memorable 😀
This is a great brush. It’s one of my first MAC brush purchases. I use the 242 to apply my concealer with and when I want to apply es to my lid using only one es shade.
Oh, nice! I like the 217 for concealer these days. Fluffy for me!
hi guys would u say this brush is better than the 194 or 195??
For shadow, yes. I don’t like the 194 or 195 for shadow, personally!
Christine, is it true all the pigments are going to be discontinued? I’ve heard it from a friend who was told so by a shop assistant at MAC.
I haven’t heard that at all…
MAC does have quality brushes– and they should be for the price they are! The bristles don’t fall out, and if you clean them at least once every two months, they last for at least a year. I tend to use MAC or Bobbi Brown’s make-up brushes and I have yet to be disappointed.
Yes MAC does have quality brushes. But u can clean them as often as needed…I deep clean my brushes at least once a week and spot clean them after each use. And they last a lot longer than one year…I have had some for 3 years and they r still in tip-top shape. They will be around as long as u care for them well… 🙂
I clean mine pretty regularly, too — just depends on how often I use them!
I’ve had mine last for years, and some readers have mentioned theirs lasting 10+ years!
I have had the 242SE for at least 2 years and use it regularly for applying paint pots, paint and concealer. I just got the 242 full size in the FF haul.
Awesome! How do you compare the SE vs. full size, Christy?
This is one of my favorite brushes. I use it to pack powder color on the lid. Could not be without!
Awesome 😀
This is the 1st brush I ever bought at MAC and Ive been having it for at least 4 years. Let me tell you, I LOVE THIS BRUSH! Its still my go to brush til this day when i do my eye makeup. It truely does it all, packs on the colors really good and blends out any harsh edges(although now I use the 222 for that). Id totally recommend the 242 for a person who’s just getting into MAC brushes, you certainly wont be dissapointed =)
Aww! That is so great to hear, Natalia 🙂 I am glad you are putting that brush to good use!
This is the only brush I will use for concealer. I love it! Absolutely no problems with it after so many months of owning it.
I read in the brush manual by MAC that this is made of duo-fibers, natural and synthetic. I thought that was pretty cool!
Oh, wow! I will have to try it for concealer now.
I just bought this brush at the CCO today. Haven’t used it yet, but from all the rave reviews, I know I will put it to good use. Plan on using it tomorrow for a look I’m doing. We’ll see how it turns out. Can’t wait!
Let us know how you like it, Elise!
just ordered this brush along side bare study & rubenesque paint pot for the first time! 🙂
Yayyy!!
Thanks Christine your blog is my guilty pleasure…