Make Up For Ever #208 Small Precision Shader Brush ($22.00) is described as a “small paddle brush ideal for shading.” It’s a small, dome-shaped flat brush. I noticed the edge was visibly uneven at a glance, not just in some crazy magnified macro photo. It’s thin, flat, and very springy. There’s a lot of give and flex to the bristles. It was so-so for applying powder eyeshadow, but I felt like it wasn’t picking up enough product, though it worked well for applying cream eyeshadow to the inner third of the lid as it fit well into that area. The brush head is 5mm in length, 7mm in width, and 2mm in thickness. It has a pinched, metal ferrule and a total brush length of just over 6.25 inches or 16 centimeters.

MAC 228 ($20) is a bit fluffier, and to that end, I think a better all-around brush in comparison as it can apply powder and cream equally well and still get into the nooks and crannies. Hakuhodo G5513 ($16) has a straighter edge across the top (not as dome-shaped) but is similar in shape and use. Tom Ford Eyeliner & Definer ($50) is firmer.

Make Up For Ever #220 Small Shader Brush ($22.00) is described as a “small paddle brush.” It’s a small, flat, thin, dome-shaped brush–and yes, it is like a bigger version of the #208 mentioned above. It’s both wider and taller, though the #220 is actually even thinner. The bristles felt much finer and compacted together, which gave it a firmer, flatter shape overall. It had some flexibility but not too much. The firmness made it good for laying down creams, but for powders, it seemed a bit too stiff/flat and didn’t deposit color (from a powder eyeshadow) well. The brush head 7mm in length, 9mm in width, and 1.5mm in thickness. It had a pinched, metal ferrule and a total brush length of just over 6.25 inches or 16 centimeters.

I couldn’t think of anything similar that I’ve tried, as the size is larger than the ones I have that are at least similarly shaped (but they’re all smaller and mentioned in comparison to the #208). What I did notice with this brush was it always felt oily–no matter how many times I washed it or with what (from dishwashing soap to alcohol-based cleansers). It just has a slick, oily feel and as a result, it can be manipulated into whatever shape you want and then slowly releases back to its original shape. This oddity, which is not the first I’ve experienced with the brand’s new brushes (not all are like this but more than one) is quite curious.

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Make Up For Ever #208 Small Precision Shader Brush

Make Up For Ever #208 Small Precision Shader Brush

Make Up For Ever #208 Small Precision Shader Brush

Make Up For Ever #208 Small Precision Shader Brush

Make Up For Ever #208 Small Precision Shader Brush

Make Up For Ever #208 Small Precision Shader Brush

Make Up For Ever #220 Small Shader Brush

Make Up For Ever #220 Small Shader Brush

Make Up For Ever #220 Small Shader Brush

Make Up For Ever #220 Small Shader Brush

Make Up For Ever #220 Small Shader Brush