I much prefer the 239 for application, even though it's a little wide in the crease, I find this one a little grainy with it's application. I've had mine for years, didn't like it, tried using it for concealer, which didn't work either. So it just sits in my brush jar.

This brush is an absolutely must have for me. It is as multi-purpose as it gets for an eye brush. The 242 is great for cream eyeshadows and bases, laying on color all over the lid and putting shadow in the lower lash line and diffusing it . I love love love this brush because one brush literally does three things, helping to limit the number of brushes in my collection and making them easier to find. A close alternative would be the 239, which is made of goat hair, slightly fluffier and white in color. I prefer the 242 to the 239, although the latter is much more popular. I think the 242 does just as good a job at laying down color as the 239, better at cream eye bases and putting down color on the lower lash line. The 242 is thinner and has a soft feel when used in the lower lash line so it doesn't drag the skin at all. Sonia Kashuk's small eyeshadow brush is the closest dupe I've found to the Mac 242 and I've compared the two in application. The 242 handles cream base products much much better as well as putting color in the lower lash line.

Great brush to apply eye shadow. I tried it today at MAC store but it was too expensive to purchase, over $30. I will try to find a cheaper option.

Good for packing on the color. I like this brush a lot, actually. Even if it's very one tone.
It has a lot of area, so it's perfect for applying color to big areas of the eye.
All over the lid, for example.

I am in love with this brush! I have had it for a few years and it still works as great today as it did the day that I got it. Not one hair has fell out, which is amazing for as often as I clean it. This brush is ideal for packing color onto the lid and works well for applying highlight under the brow as well.

I bought this brush while I was at MAC last week because well, I'm kind of addicted. I got this as kind of an impulse buy and I'm so glad I did. I know you really can't go wrong with any MAC brushes, but some are far better than others. I wonder now how I got along without it when I am putting eyeshadow on my lids or using one of my paint pots, this brush is an absolute dream. I'm not sure what I could say that hasn't already been said but I wanted to let it be known how much I love this brush. i also feel like i coukd have it for quite a long time without it fraying or falling apart, its very well made. I will repurchase soon.

I've owned my 242 brush for 12 years and it hasn't fallen apart or shedded. I use this to apply my powder eyeshadows, packs them on great.
I heard many people use this for concealer or liquid products. I guess it's synthetic?
However I love it for an eyeshadow brush. Definitely recommend this product.

i use this as a concealer brush. i love it for that. it does that well, so much control and blend well.

My hg brush I use it everyday !I can use this in multiple ways , pack on eyeshadow to lid area , apply my paintpots apply liner to waterline , allot of diff ways ! Very impressed w this brush ;)

Love this brush. It's super multi-function. I like it for cream products, like concealor, paint pots, etc. I also love it for powder products to lay the color down. It seems to really push the product into the skin. Love this brush, have already re-purchased.

I LOVE THIS BRUSH! I have had mine for 7 yrs and it looks like new. I use this to apply shadow in my crease and lid before smudging it. It deposits alot of product exactly where you want it. I actually bought second one so I wouldn't have to doube dip between my crease and lid colour. Bristles are firm and I was it with liquid face soap once a week or after using dark colours.

This brush is a MUST HAVE. I don't like putting my fingers into makeup, whatever it is, so when I use a primer for my eyes, I use this brush to pick up some primer, and then I dab it onto my eyelids. Then I would use my fingers to make sure it's evenly put. But never, never, never put your fingers into your makeup- even for swatches. USE a BRUSH. That's what they're there for! I can't stress it enough.
But back to this brush. It's great because it picks up a lot of product and really smooths it out. I highly recommend getting this brush.

Great quality and multi-purpose brush. Preforms well to apply eye primers, blend out paint pots, crease shadows, and NYX jumbo pencils. Really does a great job of packing on and blending out shadows too. Washes well, retains it's shape, and I have never had any shedding concerns. Great investment piece!

I find that I'm reaching for this brush much more often than the 239 brush. Actually, I can't remember the last time I used my 239 brush to pack the eyeshadow on.
I think if you have "small lid space" which is common for Asian eyes, this is the perfect brush for you. Not only does it layer on the eyeshadows nicely, it does it with so much precision, so it's definitely forgiving.

Great for packing on eyeshadow. I think it's better than the MAC 239 for that purpose, but they are both great brushes. Can't live without this brush!

Another winning brush from MAC! This is perfect for applying eyeshadow in a precise way, and it is also great for blending cream products! I use the brush everyday, along with its big sister the 252!

This brush has replaced my 239. This brush places color better than the 239 on the lids. The color payoff is much better. I've now been using this brush for dry eyeshadows, paint pots, pigments and smoothing out NYX jumbo pencils. I haven't touched the 239 in weeks.

I use this to apply my paint pots and it works absolutely fantastic. I love it. Works so well with creamy shadows and it blends them in pretty much effortlessly.

In just a very short time, this 242 brush has become indispensable. I had been using the 239 brush and, while it is a good brush, I like the 242 even better because it's more precise, gives much less shadow fall-out and just generally does the job in less time. It's also a wonderful multi-purpose brush since it can be used with cream concealers, gel liners, as well as powders and shadows. It's perfect for blending and softening eyeliner. I was a little concerned it might be too prickly, especially for use around the eyes since a few people mentioned that the white goat hair brushes are much softer. Although the 242 shader brush is more firm than the 239, I've found the 242 to be exceptionally soft and not prickly at all. If I'd tried the 242 brush first, I would not have purchased the 239. In my opinion, it's just an all around better brush.

I like this brush better than the 239. I bought the 239 first and compared it to this cheap Ebay brush I got. they packed color on the same...good but not true to pan. I returned it and ended up getting this brush. It does a much better job of laying on the color the same way it looks in the pan.