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MAC 159 Duo Fibre Blush Brush Review & Photos

MAC 159 Duo Fibre Blush Brush
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
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

50 Comments

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Eileen Avatar

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.

Brigitte Avatar

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

xamyx Avatar

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…

Leslee Avatar

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…

Mariella Avatar

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.

xamyx Avatar

@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.

Melinda Avatar

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.

cloudburst Avatar

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!

fabiola Avatar

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.

Mariella Avatar

$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!)

Mariella Avatar

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.

Pooja Avatar

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*

Rigor_Mortis Avatar

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…

Chantal Avatar

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.

Chantal Avatar

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? 😉

Aida Avatar

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.

tzwiggy Avatar

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.

Janette Avatar

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.

MakeupTray Avatar

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

Sarel Avatar

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!

Alisha Avatar

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!

Malia Avatar

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.

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