MAC Making Pretty Brush Set (136 and 282 Brushes) Review and Photos
MAC Making Pretty Brush Set
Do You Remember the MAC 136?
MAC Making Pretty Brush Set ($100.00) contains one face brush and one eyeshadow brush. Both brush handles are covered in faux shagreen with rose gold-tinted metal.
136 is a face brush that can be used for “sculpting, blending, and highlighting.” The 136 has been discontinued for some time now, but the last price I remember it being was $62. It was the most expensive brush at the time (I think it may still be, other than any couture-handled brush). I also remember it being one of the softest brushes I had ever laid across my skin. It still is one incredibly soft brush. It’s domed but flat; it’s like the 150 was flattened (and conditioned about 500 times). The 134 is the most comparable brush in MAC’s existing range, though it is fluffier and larger overall. I like the 136 for light powder application, blending, and dusting finishing powders on.
282 is an “all over eye shader brush for building and blending intense color.” I know that the SE version of this is included in past brush kits MAC has released, but I don’t know if it was ever released as a full-sized, standalone brush. It’s a wide, squat dome-shaped eye brush. It seemed well-cut and soft when I played around with it on my eyes and face. It’s bigger than the 214, smaller than the 227 and 235. Since I couldn’t find this as a full-sized, standalone brush, I’m only able to estimate the value, which I’d put at $30. The brush head is on the larger side, so it would work better on those with a lot of lid space, or anyone who tends to apply a single wash of color. I have the 214, 227, and 235 but rarely use them. You might consider using the 282 for detailed work on the face, like contouring the nose.
All in all, that means that the brushes together are worth $92 (though if the 136 was available now, it would be pricier than $62, given the rate of MAC’s price increases), plus there’s a case to carry both brushes in. I think the case is a little flimsy, and it didn’t stay open well, yet the magnet on the bow (that keeps it closed) was very weak, so for the most part, the case was half-closed.Who knew that the brush set would be the most normally-priced of the collection?
See more photos!
MAC Making Pretty Brush Set
MAC Making Pretty Brush Set
MAC Making Pretty Brush Set
MAC Making Pretty Brush Set
MAC Making Pretty Brush Set
MAC Making Pretty Brush Set
MAC Making Pretty Brush Set
MAC 136 Brush
MAC 136 Brush
MAC 136 Brush
MAC 136 Brush
MAC 136 Brush
MAC 282 Brush
MAC 282 Brush
MAC 282 Brush
MAC 282 Brush
*passes out from the price*
Hey Christine – so these aren’t SE unless the normal MAC brush sets? I’m not sure about the handle either it looks a bit added on to me.
These are full-sized brushes, so as far as I know, they’re manufactured like full-sized brushes. I know in the past that the “couture” brushes have continued to be made in a similar fashion to the full-sized. If I pick at the faux shagreen, it looks like white wood underneath with metal end-cap and the metal ferrule.
I understand that this is the couture collection, but I don’t think the quality of this particular packaging is that nice or worth the price hike.
Not really a price hike with the value of the two brushes in this particular instance! The 136 retailed for $62 when I can last remember it being for sale (which was 3-4 years ago), and eye brushes around this size would be ~$30 (I don’t think the 282 was ever sold separately), so the two brushes would be $92 alone. The 136 is a very pricey brush, period, and it’s always been that way, unfortunately! 🙁
I can’t believe the 136 is so much! At that price I would rather buy from another brand
Yikes! $100 for two stubby brushes and an equally stubby roll? I’ll pass. :s
This looks like it’s in the style of the Hakuhodo finishing brushes – what do you think?
I don’t have Hakuhodo brushes, sorry!
If you ever do buy some, I would love to see reviews – I’ve heard great things!
100 dollars for two brushes? Puh-leeze.
this was my thinking!
The faux shagreen “sleeves” sewn around the brushes and lipsticks look so cheap. This is Mac’s idea of “Couture”???
Are the brushes shorter than the regular ones?
No, they’re full-sized brushes. Both handles are over 5″. The face brush handle is as long as the majority of my other MAC face brushes. The eye brush handle is about an inch or so shorter than the 227.
Hi Christine,
do you think the handles will get dirty easily and will it be difficult to wash these brushes?
Since it’s not real shagreen but faux, it should be all right. It should stand up to regular use, but if you were say a makeup artist, then it might show wear a lot faster.
Christine, do you know where it is made, the origin? Also, can I buy them at the stores yet. When? Thanks.
All three products were made in China, assembled in Canada. MAC seems to have moved some of their brush making to China for even full-sized brushes (in the past, it was only the brush sets), but I’ve noticed a lot of the newer brush types have been manufactured in China. The quality of both brushes seemed on par to the full-sized brushes – no funny smells, dye bleeding, or shedding after washing (twice). MAC freestanding stores will have this on 12/13!
For something so expensive… the handle of it looks very cheap.
I just purchased a brush from Sedona Lace and I love it! The price was $9.94 which included shipping. You can get a whole set of brushes for the cost of these two. I’m telling you MAC will put out anything and people will buy it!
It’s good to know that after years of releasing brush sets with brushes of much lower quality than the ones sold individually, MAC is finally offering a set with quality brushes. I wish the case was nicer!
I have an oooooooold Sephora brush hat seems very similar to the 282, and it was touted as a multipurpose eye brush. Too bad they don’t seem to make it anymore… I’d love to recommend it as a dupe. This release seems to be bringing back lots of old favorites in a grand way, but I think I’ll have to pass on the brush set, lovely as it looks.
I own something similar from a brand called Masami Shouko. It works really well for the price in my opinion (which is around $3).
one mac brush in australia would cost me around 70 dollars… i’m definitely NOT looking forward to seeing the $200 price tag on this in Australia as the majority of the prices are generally just doubled.
so unfair considering our dollar is worth more than yours 🙁
Argh! SO true…. These havent been released in Australia yet but I can only imagine the price! I havent bought MAC in a long while because of how much more expensive they are 🙁 🙁 🙁
I can’t imagine paying that much for two brushes. The case is just fluff in my opinon, since there is nowhere to put makeup.
i agree.
Very pretty brush set but at this price (GEEZ!!!) they will probably end up at my local CCO then they will be mying for sure…
I like the rose gold ferrule, but the pink leathery handle looks cheap.
Do you know what kind of hair is it Christine?
No idea 🙁
I don’t mind paying for high quality brushes or cute packaging 🙂 but at this price and with one of them being only an eye brush, I might as well go buy Trish McEvoy brushes which are high quality and similar price tag.
I can’t believe, for this price point, they are using faux stingray (real stingray leather is a bit iridescent and incredibly durable). It’s ugly and… 2 brushes? I think I’d rather go for the Tom Ford brushes.
I love the idea of this set!! but it’s sadly not in my price range. I hope maybe it ends up at my local CCO. I like that they are full size, but i will have to look at them in person when it is released.
I really like the case, but don’t really need the brushes. And at this price range, the case should at least be of better quality, really. :/
I have an eye brush just like that one (maybe just a teeny bit wider) that I got from Bed Head Cosmetics and I love it. I think it was 12 dollars and I’ve had it for about 5 years. No brush I’ve ever bought at MAC has remained useful to me for as long.