I bought this brush to use it to line my eyes with shadow--especially when I do a smoky eye. It's quite firm, but the bristles are very soft and fluffy. The tip is actually more precise than you would think it would be for a brush that size. I wash it every time I use it with soap and warm water and it's kept it's shape and doesn't shed. All in all, it's a really good brush for the price I paid (29.95CAD) and my only complaint is that the silver MAC lettering is starting to scratch off a bit. I don't think I'll ever need to, but I say that I would hypothetically repurchase in a hypothetical situation that would require me to do so.

Oh I love this pencil brush! I use it to apply shadow over eyeliner to create a shaded line over the liner. It's great because the tip is thin so if you press lightly it creates a thin line, then if you angle the brush or press harder it creates a thicker line. Love the white bristled brushes from MAC - they are dense and give a lot of control.

From my experience if you are looking for basic essential eyeshadow brushes from MAC these are the ones you need:
239 eye shading brush - allover lid color
219 pencil brush - liner (can make thin or thick lines)
272 small angled shader - crease/browbone highlight

This brush is perfect for applying eyeshadow on your lower lash line. It's very precise and fool proof. It's easy to use and does its job. It's also really great for applying shadow to creases.

*Love*... This brush is the perfect crease brush for my almond shaped eyes. I don't have those nice deep set eyes, but this brush allows me to create a good amount of depth to my eyes. I can get color precisely where I want it, those deep dark colors that add dimension, and just buff it out with my clean 224. Can't live without this little brush... great for smudging liner/shadow.

Worth every penny. Wonderful for blending, for precise application on the lower and upper lids, for application in the crease and for correction. I adore everything about this brush.

This is such a versatile brush that I find so useful I can’t remember what doing my eye makeup was like before I had this at my disposal. I use my #219 for creating that perfect smoky eye, for blending at the crease, for applying eye shadow to the lower lash line, for highlighting the brow bone. A must-have for me. A lot of fun to use. Expensive but with some TLC, it should last for a long time. IMO it's worth the price. I definitely recommend it!

I love this brush! I was using the 217 brush on its own for crease definition, but I actually think using the 217 and the 219 together gives a better result. The 219 picks up more colour and is much thinner, so it defines the eye far better, giving a clear and sharp line. I then blend it out with the 217. It means I can get a really precise line in the crease and a nice strong smudge in the outer corner, and then blend it all together to give the perfect definition to my eyes. I didn't use it much when I first bought it, but I wouldn't be without it now. For me it is a must-have!

The 219 is a brush with stiff bristles in a pencil-shape. It is the perfect shape for smudging out eyeliner, or for applying color to the bottom lashline or defining the crease. While it is a great, multi-purpose brush, I wouldn't call in an essential one. You can just as easily use other brushes and get the same effects. However, if you do want to purchase, you won't be disappointed. For $23, it's not cheap, but as with all MAC brushes it will last for years.

This is a really good pencil brush and if you feel like you can do the color-on-lashline thing great with a regular brush, wait until you try this one. It is pretty expensive for a brush that only does one or two thing but it is extremely wonderful, it applies color like no other and is pretty amazing. Give it a try !!

Purchased this with the Earthly Riches ES duo (Antiquitease??)....awesome brush/ES for smoky eyes!! On days when I'm running late and MU has to be minimal, I can use this brush to blend those chunky eye pencil colors (ie Cover Girl EyeSlicks) at the lash base...good to go!