MAC 209 Eye Liner 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 209 Eye Liner Brush
MAC 209 Eye Liner Brush ($17.50) is a thin, pointed brush made out of synthetic fibers. You can use it to apply both liquid and cream/gel liners, though I find it works better with creamier products than traditional liquid liners. (I prefer the 210 for those!) For those looking to create liner that isn’t too thin, this is an option for you. It’s not the thinnest/smallest lining brush MAC makes, but it will still give you a decent amount of precision to apply your liquid/cream liners. I do find myself often reaching for the 210 over this particular brush, just because I prefer to start thin and work my way up in thickness. It’s a matter of preference in whether you prefer tight, precise lines or slightly thicker, more noticeable liner. I do also like to use this brush to apply shadow to the lower lash line when I am looking for a more precise line. (If precision is not a desire, then I opt for the 219.)
How do you like to use this brush?
See close-ups…
I regretted buying this as it doesn’t give me the precise thin line either. But last week, a Shu artist suggested to wet the brush before dipping into a gel/cream liner, which helps bristles to gather into a tight ‘pen’ like point. Now I love this brush!
Thanks for sharing this tip, Natalie! Hopefully this will help others, too!
I’m not a fan of this one. I like the 266 or 267 (the latter was LE I guess, as I no longer see it on the site) for applying Fluidline or liquid liner. I do not have a steady hand at all and with the 266/267, I get a clean, perfect line every time. Not so with the 209.
I like the 208 the most for fluidline, though I do find this one is a bit better for liquid liner. The 266 is just too thick for me 🙁
When I was deciding between the 209 and 210, the MAC MUA told me the 210 was a better choice for the same reasons as you Christine!
Aww! 😀
It also works well to apply dark lipsticks! : D
Thanks for the tip on that! I wouldn’t have thought to try that!
I have this and the 210 and I opt for the 210 for thinner lines, but I might just try wetting the 209 before applying eyeliner with it 🙂 It’s not a HORRIBLE brush, it’s just probably made for thicker lines.. you know?
Yep! I tend to stick with the 208 and 210 for lining the upper lashline, as everything else can be a bit big.
Trying to decide to buy 209 or 210. Looking forward to ur review of the 210
great tip re wetting the brush b4 use xx
Same, I prefer the 210 for a tight precise line. I got the 209SE in a set, but I find its almost too thick of a line for my eyes. The 209 is a little bit easier to control though than the 210.
Definitely opt for 208 or 210 for precision.
Christine, did you see that Mac is relaunching the Volcanic ash thing that you like? It’s coming out in the fall. I know had to you tell you asap!!
Yep!! 🙂 Thanks!
I love the 209, it allows me to create a very thin line imo. I haven’t tried the 210. I always use the 209 for my gel liners, but now I want to try 210.
Ohh, and maybe check out the 208, too!
i use this to smoke out the line of my upper lash line… it works for me..just dip it in carbon.. then trace over the line i did with a gel liner…i use this brush a lot..
Awesome, Kristine! Great way to use this brush 🙂
if you wet the brush and press lightly, imo you can get just as fine a line with the 209 as the 210.
i like the 209 because it holds its shape better, the bristles on the 210 are slightly too long i think.
Thanks for the tip, Alison 🙂
i love this series so much 🙂
i only have one MAC brush,i guess the 216….
but i am looking forward to expand my colection,so its so informative to read about these brushes 🙂
and the photos ae amazing,they make me want to buy all of them :-DDDD
Thanks, Zsofi!
I don’t have the 216, but you make me want it!
Natalie TY so much for that tip I tried it and now I really LOVE my 209 I have so much more control now.
Wow Diana, Thank YOU so much 🙂 I am glad it helped!!
I think this brush would be great for those who have Monolids especially Hooded Monolids.
It takes a thicker line for eyeliner to show up on monolidders so we wouldn’t mind the thickness!
I just bought the 210 on advice of the Mac sales person…