MAC 159 Duo Fibre Blush Brush Review & Photos
MAC 159 Duo Fibre Blush Brush
MAC 159 Duo Fibre Blush Brush ($35.00) is a new brush with a blend of natural and synthetic bristles that launched alongside MAC’s Tropical Taboo collection, which featured many Mineralize Blushes/Skinfinishes. It will be added to the permanent range as well. It has a tapered, dome-shaped edge, with the white bristles coming out just a bit further than the black ones, so the edge has a softer, fluffier feel and less density compared to the rest of the brush, which was dense and firm (but not too firm). At its widest point, it’s just under an inch wide and about an inch tall. It’s somewhat similar in size to the 109 brush, but this is flatter and not as circular (and of course, the shapes are different), but they have a similar height and width, just not a similar depth or circumference.
I’ve been using it for about a week now, and it’s definitely one of the better and more versatile brushes that MAC has put out recently (a lot of them have felt more like uni-taskers!). It works well with any face product that is incredibly pigmented or too glittery, as it seems to apply product very softly and evenly, while allowing for easy blending because of the fluffiness of the bristles at the edge. The brush also felt very soft, and I didn’t have any issues with it shedding unnecessarily (there were two or three after the first wash, none on the subsequent four washes) or the dye bleeding. For reference, this brush was made in China as many of the recent duo fibre brushes have been.
See more photos!
MAC 159 Duo Fibre Blush Brush
MAC 159 Duo Fibre Blush Brush
MAC 159 Duo Fibre Blush Brush
MAC 159 Duo Fibre Blush Brush
MAC 159 Duo Fibre Blush Brush
In general I am not a fan of MAC brushes. I find them to be mediocre at best. This brush; however, really is quite innovative in design and is of pretty good quality. I’ve been playing with it this week and using it to apply highlighters and my more heavily pigmented blushers. It does a lovely job of applying a soft wash of color and smoothing out the edges. It has also worked well with Chanel’s new cream blusher which, on my fair skin, can be terribly intense if applied too heavily. All considered, the #159 is priced right and deserves a place in everyone’s brush collection.
Happy to hear you’re loving your 159!
This definitely looks like a great brush! I can see how it would be good for different uses. I particularly like that when I’m traveling.
I rarely get excited when it comes to brushes since I already have a lot, but I’ll definitely pick this one up when my local counter launches the collection. 🙂
It’s been quite a while that I’ve been so excited over a Mac brush. Itchy palms be still!
Thank you for this review. Do you think this would work with the MAC extra dimension highlighters? I have been looking for a brush for the extra dimension highlighters but dont know which to use
I think it would!
Functionally, it doesn’t seem all that different from the 187 brush, does it? (I use that for just about everything).
It’s more tapered and flatter, so it is more precise in application.
thanks!
For those on a tighter budget, or just won’t buy from MAC for whatever reason(s), Real Techniques has a similar brush in the duo-fiber set, which goes for about $20 USD. The RT brush is a bit pointier, but serves the same purpose, and is amazing for contouring. The set also includes an eye brush, and a face/blush brush.
I may still check this one out, though. I have a brush obsession, especially duo-fibers. I bought my first one less than a year ago, and I have about 20 in several shapes & sizes…
Christine, have you tried the Real Techniques Limited Edition duo fiber brushes? I have them and I’m wondering if one of them would work just as well as the 159, or if I should spend the $35 on this one. I tried it in store and LOVED it. I just don’t love the price tag…
Hi Leslee,
I have not! Sorry!
I’d love to try the duo fibre brushes (though many of their regular line brushes seem to be duo fibre also) but they’re not in Canada (we can get RT but only a limited number and only the sets, at Walmart). I’m hoping the duo fibre set is still available when I go over the border in the fall.
@Mariella Perhaps you can try Amazon, or something? Also, I read a review on Makeup Alley, and one reviewer mentioned picking up a set at iherb.com. HTH
I just bought a set a few weeks ago, and plan to buy a second, since I’ve been reaching for these every day since I bought them.
Thanks for the tip Leslee.
I will pick up the new MAC brush and Real Techniques.
Leslee, I have the LE duo fiber brushes. While I don’t have 159, I can just tell from the pictures above that the MAC brush is denser than the RT duo fiber brushes. I’m thinking that you are wanting to compare the above brush to the RT duo contour. I can tell you that it’s not that great for blush as it’s a little smaller than the 159. I mostly use the RT duo fiber face brush from the set. All three brushes do provide a light application.
Christine – in your opinion how does it compare to the 131? (which was the LE duo fiber for blushes/MSF’s released a few years ago I think)
Thanks!
I find this one to be denser/stiffer in a way – not in a bad way – but better and less floppy? kind of.
I like this brush but i don’t have a mac girl at the store try this on my cheeks it was very fluffy
Thank you Christine is nice to know it is going to be permanent, I got rio, adored, simmer blush and heroine lip liner, and want to go back and get lust and the brush, but now I know I don’t have to hurry, because spring and summer collections from mac are always my favorites and a little harsh on my wallet.
Yay! 🙂 I love when they make things permanent, too!
I wonder how this would work for liquid foundation… (I’m very much on a complexion-product kick hahaha)
Is this brush similar to Sigma f15 brush? Thanks for all the great reviews and swatches!:-)
I don’t have any Sigma brushes! 🙁
$42 flippin’ bucks in Canada! At that price, while it might be good, I’ll opt for lower priced brushes, especially since Real Techniques has arrived on the scene (though they don’t have a brush quite like this) and put my shekels into buying another 217 (can always use another 217!)
hey! Where in Canada can you buy Real Technique brushes?
oops nevermind.. just read that you can get them from walmart 🙂
So far as I know, you can only get the brush sets which is a shame because they have a few brushes that are sold individually that are amazing and don’t come in those sets. But the ones in the sets are also such good quality and for such a reasonable price.
Ahh..that sucks! I just found out today that London Drugs carries them as well. I will have to check it out and see if they sell the brushes separately *fingers crossed*
I am so disapointed their brushes are made in China.
Agreed. Especially if you consider they’re probably underpaying the workers and still charging the same amount of money for their brushes. But hey, unfortunately just because something is expensive, it doesn’t mean the people who make them are better paid or work in better conditions than the ones who make cheaper stuff. In fact, high end clothing brands use underpaid workers from developing and poor countries all the time…
Anyone know how it compares to the MAC 131? I bought it a few years ago, when it was released along with a Mineralize blush/powder collection. Just wondering if it is significantly different in shape or feel.
I should have mentioned that I’m a big fan of that brush. I’ve slowly moved on to other brands for brushes, but I do like the MAC duo fibre ones. I use the 130, 131 and 187 every single day! I also own the 188, and own many of the duo fibre brushes in the SH lengths as well. Can you tell I’m a fan? 😉
I find this one to be denser/stiffer in a way – not in a bad way – but better and less floppy? kind of.
Thanks — I really appreciate the reply! Sounds like it’s worth a trip to check it out in person.
I bought mine in Spain and the first surprise was the price. It is not the cheapest brush in the world but it has a more reasonable price compared to other brushes they have released in the last two years. The second surprise was to find it is really good. I tend to avoid glitter blushes but this works fine with them, so now I have a way to use them.
If you like this kind of duo fiber brush, you might also consider Hakuhodo G544 ($33) and G545 ($24). They both have longer bristles and are more similar to the MAC 131, but the quality is excellent and they are great for sheer application of blush and highlight.
Agreed! 🙂 but i must input that the G545 is much more smaller and moe of like the shape of a foundation paddle brush its not as dense and more flat, but nevertheless a great brush as all hakuhodos. I am def a fan of them.
Would love to buy these brushes but they dont sell them in the UK 🙁
I’m normally not a fan of duo fibre brushes but this one is great. It doesn’t shed like the others seem to (a few hairs the first time I cleaned it…none since) and it applies product like a dream! Definitely recommend adding one of these to your collection!
Christine, do you like this brush better for highlighting than the MAC 165? If I have the 165, do I need this?
If it’s a really frosty highlighter, it is nicer than the 165 because you can apply subtle color more readily, but for regular highlighters that don’t need as much finessing, then I prefer the 165 (because I love the tapered tip)!
I like this brush, regaudless of my disaproval of it being made in China. Went into the Mac Pro Store in
S.Coast Plaza and there were two left. The sales person said if you want it you better buy it as after the two are sold that is it. I told him that it is going to be permanent, thanks to the info of your site. He disagreed with me. Finally another sales lady had to look it up and said yes, will be premanent. He still argued with us.
Thanks to the info on here. It really is useful
No problem! I double-checked and asked MAC corporate when they first came out because people were getting mixed info like you were given – yes/no! Usually if corporate says yes, then it’s true, lol!
This brush is beautiful for applying concealer to highlight and for lighter foundations as well (Face & Body, Mineralize Moisture foundation, Beauty Balms, NARS tinted moisturizer, etc). And it’s awesome for regular blushes and also perfect to contour cheeks! lol I LOVE this brush. I love it for everything BUT mineralize (too messy for me!). Just offering some other application suggestions to everyone! Thanks for the review, Christine!
Thanks so much for this review Christine! I was looking last week for your review when I saw the bush. THe MA was geting frustrated with me because I was looking for your review before confirming the purchase. I ended up buying it two days ago because I wanted to make sure it was a worthwhile purchase. Thanks again for being the Makeup and Beauty Authority I can trust and really hope to see you make an apparence on youtube land again!
Always happy to help, Alisha! I hope you love the new brush!
I LOVE this brush for mineralize products. Picks up the product effortlessly, easy to use and blend products. Well worth the money!
I just bought this (late but hey they just released this line last week here no kidding!) I like it a lot, and I use a 187 type almost every day… I prefer this one.