I love love love this brush. I have the original and the SE from the holiday collection. i normally use the smaller one for concealer just because its fits so nicely under my eyes.
i think this is the one foundation brush that will apply any foundation perfectly if you blend it in well. its so simple unlike the 187 or 109 ( dont get me wrong i love the 109 too)
also, i found that the 190 applied my gel foundation the best

if this is too expensive for a foundation brush, i suggest opting for the sigma foundation brush instead

i use this for applying face cream and face masques... i love it for this use... but that is not what mac intended it for...i really really dislike using flat brushes for foundation application i personally find them streaky and the proct remains on the top of the skin.

The 190 is a basic foundation brush. Honestly, if you are going to opt for a brush like this, you can find a cheaper alternative like the sigma 190. Since buying my MAC 190 6 yeras ago, I no longer use this for foundation, but I do use this to apply primer. With that being said, the brush can be used to apply cream foundation like MAC's studio tech. I find when I use this to apply liquid foundation, it takes a bit too much time, and the results aren't as flattering compared to using a 180, 187, or a 188 brushes for that airbrushed look. I had this brush for a while but I would probably purchase the sigma 190 if I had to purchase again.

This was my 1st MAC brush and if it wasn't for this brush I would not have given studio tech a 2nd chance. This brush is really awesome when it comes to applying creme type of foundations/products. However it sucks with liquid foundations and leaves too many streaks. I love how soft and firm the bristles are. It doesn't shed and is made of synthetic fibres.

My first MAC acquisition. As part of my face arsenal the 190 holds its place. Even though I own the 187 & 182 I like to use this brush for putting on my sunblock as I like to put things really close to my eyes. A good basic brush that has a variety of uses. continued >>

While this isn't a horrible brush, it simply isn't worth the price in my opinion. I don't use mine much because the application takes a little more time than when I use my 187(LOVE). I regret buying this, and I think you could easily get away with using a cheaper dupe.

I like this brush a lot, the quality is great, I've had the brush for probably 7 or 8 years and it's in perfect condition. I do find that it can leave liquid foundation streaky but I very rarely use liquid foundation. I like this brush for applying studio fix powder and for touching up concealer when a smaller concealer brush may have left the concealer streaky. It's a great value for its versatility and how long it has lasted.

The 190 is a basic foundation brush. Honestly, if you are going to opt for a brush like this, you can find a cheaper alternative or save your money, pay a little bit extra, and invest in the 187. The 190 is fantastic in it's own way, but it's not practical for girls who need a good amount of time getting ready, like me. It takes some time achieving the natural, smooth, all-over finish with this brush. Nevertheless, I still really like this brush. The bristles are so soft! It does not shed like mad like my 187 does. I currently use the MUFE HD foundation and I find that using the 190 leaves a more cakey-finish than when I use the 187 as well. Moreover, I also notice that I have to use more product compared to the 187. So if you're unsure about buying the 190 or 187, I say choose the 187 :)

this was my first mac brush i bought iwth my very first mac foundation. it worked well, but only because i did not know any better. It left me looking a little streaky at times. I have since moved on to other brushes, like sonia kashuks flat top and the mac kabuki brush. both give me a nice air brushed looked compared to the oily look the 190 gave me. BUT, there is an upside. it works wonderfully for applying my oil control lotion. so it wasnt a complete waste.

Love this brush. I do not use it for foundation any more after purchasing my 187 a year ago but it still has alot of good uses. First off I've had it for easily 5-6 years and it looks brand new and hasnt shed 1 hair. I mainly use it for concealer and primer and it works great for both of those.Oh yea I also use it to pat foundation on to my cheeks (i have quite a bit of redness there and I dont like using my concealer there) and yet it again it also works great for that. The main reason I do not use it for foundation is that it takes too long compared to the amount of time it takes me to apply my foundation using my 187