i love this brush for blush, highlight, powder, etc. the only down side is that yes, it sheds, especially when i tried it with my MUFE foundation. I am looking for a substitution for this brush

I bought this brush on a recommendation from a MAC sales assistant. I was looking for a good contouring brush and she suggested I go with this one. I tried it for contouring but ended up a little disappointed as it just didn't seem to work for me, I by far prefer the 165 for my cheekbones (it's more tapered than the 109) and the 162 for smaller areas like the sides of the nose (the 162 is firmer and smaller).

I ended up trying the 109 for my foundation after reading a few mentions about it here on MUA, and I really like it for this purpose. I currently use MUFE HD and I apply it to my face using my fingers, then stipple and buff in a circular motion with the 109. It gives an almost streak free finish--some areas I need to work back into again a bit but overall the effect is pretty good. I sometimes use the brush slightly damp for a more sheer, dewy finish, but on most days I prefer a fairly matt, full coverage look and the brush works dry just as well. The bristles are really soft, perhaps not the softest available but still very gentle on the skin. Because I suffer from mild acne I wash my face brushes very regularly. Brushes that I use liquid or cream products with I wash daily, and the 109 is no exception. This seems to keep the bristles soft and minimises shedding. This brush does shed a bit--on most days it loses one or two fibres. It's not too bad compared to some other brushes, though!

I also have another 109 that I use for highlighting, the fibres are soft and dense enough that it's great for buffing MSFs into your cheekbones. This brush is pretty versatile, it's not perfect but I think it makes a pretty solid addition to a brush collection. It has been well worth the price for me as I use it daily.

109 Brush.. ILY.. What a great little brush! Very user friendly. Not stiff at all and so soft. yes there is shedding as with most brushes. I use it to apply setting powder, powder foundation, blush, bronzer and contour powder. I haven't tried liquids or creams with this brush but I think i'm going to have to try that one out.

Love this brush. Great for highlighting! Totally worth the price - all other mac brushes i have have lasted for so long (min 5 years) so am, and always will be, in love with the quality.

I used to love this brush but after buying the EcoTools retractable kabuki, I've noticed how scratchy the 109 bristles are and how much this brush sheds (everytime!). I still use it for a light dusting of finishing powder once in a while but nothing else.

i use this brush for literally EVERYTHING. i can use it for tinted moisturizer, foundation, blush, highlight, and contouring/bronzer. its great! i'm obsessed with this brush! i think i might even buy another just so i can stop mixing everything. my only problem with this, is that it sheds. mine doesnt shed much when i wash it and i only get bristles left on my face when i use this with cream or liquid products.

somehow this brush, the hair comes off, this is disppointing because I do not want black hair all over my face, i am not even using cream products on this brush, I want to collect all the MAC brushes, but now I am having second thoughts. Does anyone have this problem?

I used this brush a ton when I first got it - mostly for contouring...but I don't reach for it often any more. It can be used for many things like foundation, highlight, etc...and I think the quality is great!

I'm going to call this the little brush that could. I'm going to overlook the shedding and just focus on the things it has done. I've used it to apply liquid foundation for a flawless look, to apply blush to the apples of my cheeks, to apply highlighter, finishing powder and to dust off fall out from loose shadows. I'm pretty sure I can use it to take over the world.

this is my all time favourite brush i use it every day for my foundation, it just blends my foundation and gives a flawless look. this is the best brush ive used for foundation. it can also be used to contouring, blush and bronzer.
i have sometimes used it for applying my blush and it blends so effortlessly its just an amazing brush.
i was actually thinking of buying another to use to for my blush as i dont have a good blush brush. although a lot of people have talked about the brush shedding and it occasionally does for me but it doesnt bother me much.
the only down side for me is the price as mac brushes are expensive, but i have heard sigma do a dupe for this brush which i may try