MAC 224 Tapered Blending 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 224 Tapered Blending Brush
MAC 224 Tapered Blending Brush ($28.00) is a long, fluffy brush with a dome-shaped tip designed for assisting you with blending out color. It can also be used to deposit color more subtly for those who need softer application. I do like using this as a highlighter, both on the face or on the brow bone. It’s not a brush I reach for often, as I tend to favor other brushes, but for some, this brush outdoes brushes like the 217 and 222. The fluffiness of this brush also makes it good for applying creamier products, like concealer, in hard to reach places (e.g. around the nose). The 224 is one of those brushes that many people swear by, and others will say they prefer another brush (e.g. the 222), so it’s most definitely worth taking a peek at next time you’re at a MAC store. It will certainly help you out with blending if that’s ever been a problem for you!
How to decide between the 222 and 224? Think about what you’re going to use it for. If you’re looking for a brush primarily to help blend or deposit crease colors, you might opt for the 222 since it is narrower and thus allows for more control. If you’re more concerned with blending crease colors, the 224 makes it a cinch!
How do you like to use this brush?
See close-ups…
this was my 1st brush by MAC by as I have a smaller eye space I would prefer to own the 226 but this brush is not bad
Aww!
Good thing the 226 is coming soon!
My MUA was using this to apply Grand Duo blushes to my upper cheek!
Ohh, interesting idea!
i use this to subtly apply a darker crease color i dont get such a strong line and it blends out into highlighted brows perfectly. I think this is so much softer than the 217 blending brush which feels scratchy on my delicate lids
Just as you stated, I reach for the 224 to make blending out the crease a snap. I was never the best at blending but the 224 made me feel like a pro especially when it came to dark colors. Can’t imagine what my eyes were looking like before I had this brush. But as I mentioned in a previous post, I’m due to receive my 222 on Monday so will be anxious to see how the two compare for me.
Also like to use the 224 for dusting highlighter on top of my cheek bones.
LOL! I know, right? I like the 226 as my go-to blending brush, but the 224 isn’t far behind.
I honestly hate this brush and can’t see how people can use it. It’s so prickly and scratches my eyes! My mom had an eye demo at the MAC counter once and her makeup was applied with the 224. Afterward, she complained to me about how much the brush hurt her.
NARS and Japonesque have crease brushes much like the 224 made out of squirrel hair. It’s so much more soft and not scratchy at all!
I agree, Liz, this brush is a disappointment to me as well. It’s too big and has too much “give” for my liking. I much prefer the 217, 222, and 226 brushes for blending.
It seems like some LOVE the 222, some LOVE the 224 – definitely a lot of preference!
Have you tried the 222, Liz?
This was my first MAC brush. It has the old school font too 🙂
I have this in the gold Monogram version, its beautiful, but my eyes are small so its a bit hard to blend out the crease. I use it more for applying highlighter and for a soft crease.
It is good for highlighting, for sure 🙂
I actually prefer using brushes like this for concealer. Maybe that’s just me?
I think a few others use it with concealer, too 🙂
I use the Sonia K. large crease brush..if you know about it..would you say its comparable..I dont wanna go buy this one of I don’t need it!
Thanks! =)
I haven’t tried it, sorry Keri!
I actually like this brush. I find it soft IMO and blends my crease colors like *that*…very little effort required. and I have larger eyes so this is a great sie for me. don’t use it ALL the time but I’m glad to have it when I do use it.
I’m glad this one works for you, Vanessa 😀
I’ve been trying to find a fluffy brush comparable to this one for a cheaper price. Lise Watier has one and so does Smashbox but the prices aren’t much cheaper (and in Smashbox’s case its $35 CND). I settled on a Lancome #17 brush but I have yet to recieve it and try it out (bought two online for $16 CND including shipping). I’ll definately shell out for MAC if I have to though – just reading up on people’s preferances to get a feel for the slight differences between all of them.
Yeah, the 222/224 is a tough thing to understand. It’s SOOO preference.
were can i get mac 224 brush
MAC Cosmetics