MAC • 181 small buffer brush • Makeup Brushes
(55 reviews)
| Average Rating. | 4.5 |
| Would buy this product again. | 76% |
| Package Quality | 3.8 |
| Price | 3.8 |
| Ingredients | |
doris98 on 12/25/2012 10:24:00 PM more reviews by doris98
Age: 44-55 Skin: Oily Hair: Black Eyes: Hazel
I got this in a kit from Nordstrom (with an MSF and blush, I think) some time ago so I can't remember exactly, so the price was great. I use it for many things: buffing out too-strong contours, MSFs, blush, even mineral powder, and I love it. It's so dense that colors are diffused and look very natural. I would definitely search this out again if I ever lose it. I've had it for years and it has stood up well to multiple washings.
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*TOP REVIEWER* marsqurine on 1/20/2012 12:18:00 AM more reviews by marsqurine
Age: 19-24 Skin: Very Oily Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown
I love this small buffer brush! It retailed for SGD$64 when it was being sold locally. This is my favourite makeup brush from MAC. I was looking for a kabuki brush but something smaller than MAC 182 as I realized that I have small loose powder containers which this MAC 181 fits perfectly! Due to the small size, it gives the user better control of the brush and it is able to reach any small areas and corners of the face. I had washed this and it does not shed at all, and I put it in a kabuki brush guard to reshape it, and it looks like new :) However it dries quite slowly due to the density of the bristles, and it needs about 1 day to completely dry. I recommend washing it regularly as after prolonged usage its hard to get the brush completely clean. I don't know why but even using MAC Brush Cleanser doesn't get the bristles completely clean. Maybe I should try Michelle Phan's method of using Antibacterial Soap and Olive Oil? MAC 181 is often compared to MAC 182 and the latter is said to be softer and most people prefer that, but I guess that I am in the minority. This brush was released 3 years ago in the MAC Sonic Chic Collection in 2008. I will be very happy if its part of the permanent collection as I bring this brush out for touch ups everyday and I will not be able to repurchase even if I lose it. I will recommend this to everybody who likes small kabuki brushes and I will definately repurchase this (but sadly I can't)!
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jod84 on 7/17/2011 2:49:00 PM more reviews by jod84
Age: 25-29 Skin: Combination, Fair Hair: Blond, Wavy, Coarse Eyes: Blue
i got this brush about 3 years and have washed it like a 100 times since and it still sheads i gave up on useing this
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MissShellDawn on 7/19/2010 6:44:00 AM more reviews by MissShellDawn
Age: 18 & Under Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium Eyes: Blue
This brush is such a cutie! It's super soft and blends blushes and bronzers very well! I got this in the MAC Magic, Mirth & Mischief Collection: Mineralize Pinkzapoppin'! Face Kit! I use this to apply, shade and blend blushes and bronzers. I love the dome shaped hairs, it helps so much! The regular brush is $45, I think. But if anything ever happened to mine, I would repurchase!
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lfnjmakeup on 7/7/2010 6:57:00 AM more reviews by lfnjmakeup
Age: 44-55 Skin: Other Hair: Other Eyes: Other
Just got one for a very good deal at the CCO. It's the perfect size for mineral foundation, bronzer or contour. I found mine to be very well made in that it hasn't shed one fiber. Excellent buffing qualities also. Not sure what it's made of but it does really do a great job of buffing so that there's a nice glow that emanates from the mineral formula. This is a lot better quality than the 181SEs from the mineralize kits.
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*TOP REVIEWER* Fibergash6 on 6/16/2010 3:15:00 PM more reviews by Fibergash6
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Medium, Cool Hair: Red, Wavy Eyes: Green
Great for travel, super cute and sturdy, but the hairs are not that soft. A few washes with conditioner should help though. Great for on the go touchups.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
mimifrenzy on 5/16/2010 7:05:00 PM more reviews by mimifrenzy
Age: 19-24 Skin: Acne-prone, Olive, Neutral Hair: Black, Curly, Medium Eyes: Brown
Funny story: I hate doing laundry. I pretty much do the bare minimum. I don't check pockets, flip things inside out, or every zip and latch things. I just separate whites and colors. So i was washing my clothes, and when i went to get them from the dryer i saw my little 181 sitting on top of everything. I couldn't stop laughing. It's a bit scratchy now but still completely in tact.
So i guess this brush is very durable but not a necessity.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* chickatthegym on 5/12/2010 2:31:00 PM more reviews by chickatthegym
Age: 25-29 Skin: Normal, Tan, Neutral Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine Eyes: Blue
My HG brush for mineral foundation and studio fix powder:) I LOVE IT! This is the best if you use any kind of powder that you need to buff into skin. It's super soft, and the size is just right to get around the eyes and nose. Worth every penny! I got it in a set with a bag and some other stuff so the price wasn't bad at all. I have a back up and want to get another back up to the back up:) Only problem is that I wish I would have kept the plastic container it came in for travel.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hemiller9181 on 5/7/2010 10:31:00 PM more reviews by Hemiller9181
Age: 25-29 Skin: Combination, Olive, Warm Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium Eyes: Brown
This brush is great! I use it to buff in all my foundations. I mix all my foundations with whatever moisturizer I like at the moment along NARS primer. I just put a dab of all 3 on the back of my hand and swirl it together using the 181 and buff into into my face. I get a flawless finish every time. I also use it to buff in NARS powder foundation or Chanel's. If I am not in the mood for liquid. It does shed, but I was told by a MA that it will stop over time with more washing. But it is so dense and really works product into your skin, some kabuki brushes are too soft and don't buff it in, or too harsh and hurt my skin! I've washed it a few times and it has popped right back into shape! I save the plastic tube it came in to store the brush so the packaging sucks.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* jenja536 on 5/7/2010 7:41:00 PM more reviews by jenja536
Age: 30-35 Skin: Normal, Tan, Warm Hair: Black, Straight, Fine Eyes: Brown
I use this on a daily basis to apply powder on my face to set either my liquid foundation or just a face powder. I am able to apply light to heavy coverage with this brush depending on how many times I swirl this brush into the powder. It does a great job of buffing the powder into my skin to provide the type of coverage I want. Great brush.
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*TOP REVIEWER* nadeen4ever on 5/2/2010 6:15:00 AM more reviews by nadeen4ever
Age: 30-35 Skin: Combination, Tan Hair: Black, Medium Eyes: Brown
TO ME ... this is hands down THE BEST BLUSH BRUSH EVER ..... i use it to apply my studio fix powder and it works great too. it sheds a tiny bit but still much better than the 109 anyway ...luv it
edit 11 -2012 : the best to apply mac mineralize skinfinish natural .. picks the right amount of powder and apply it flawlessly
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hermommy09 on 3/16/2010 2:38:00 AM more reviews by hermommy09
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Fair Hair: Brunette Eyes: Hazel
I got the 181se in a mineralization kit, and i was really excited. but the hairs are soo prickly when using my BM foundation. it kind of hurts to buff in my makeup. i still use it though, but i need to find a way to make it softer.
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*TOP REVIEWER* Roxxy6341 on 3/12/2010 9:45:00 PM more reviews by Roxxy6341
Age: 19-24 Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Neutral Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium Eyes: Green
Oh boy do I love this. Unless you own one you know what i'm talking about.
I got this in the Red Garnet (I believe thats the name) bag gift thing, and I was really excited it was in there. I was considering buying the big one (45 bucks plus tax? No thank you, lol)
Anyway, this brush is amazing and has perfected my makeup application. I will continue to use, buy, and repeat for the rest of my life.
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*TOP REVIEWER* starrysim on 3/12/2010 9:16:00 PM more reviews by starrysim
Age: 25-29 Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Cool Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium Eyes: Brown
I got the 181SE in the holiday mineralize kit. I'm pleasantly surprised that they would put such a high quality little brush in a kit. It's very dense and sooo soft, and the small size is perfect for my small features.
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erichong93 on 1/18/2010 4:08:00 PM more reviews by erichong93
Age: 18 & Under Skin: Oily Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown
I don't personally have the MAC 182, but I think I would like the 181 better anyways, because the size is just perfect for my face! The hairs are so soft, and I haven't had one problem with shedding or anything!
It picks up the right amount of colour, but I would love to see it on a longer handle (if it's possible)
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GUMBYY on 1/17/2010 7:39:00 PM more reviews by GUMBYY
Age: 19-24 Skin: Normal, Medium, Warm Hair: Black, Straight, Fine Eyes: Brown
i got 2 of em as part of the holiday sets at first i was thinkin ok since its part of a set maybe the quality isnt or as great as sumthn of reg size (182? i think) but works just fine
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aguadora on 12/3/2009 10:33:00 AM more reviews by aguadora
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Tan Hair: Black Eyes: Brown
UPDATE: Just discovered that this brush is fantastic for applying and spreading out pearl cream a.k.a. the tackiest substance known to woman! When I want a thicker layer at night I use my EDM flat-topped brush, but when I don't want to look like a ghost, and want to use pearl cream under my makeup during the daytime (esp. during winter) I use this. Yay! I *really* think I'm going to get another one now.
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I hesitated several times about getting this because I already have the 109 and 182, but I'm very glad I did: the 181 is the perfect in-between size! I bought this to use as a back-up, but it's now become my favorite brush for light application of pressed powder! My 182 stays safely on my dresser at home, but my 181 is with me all the time for touch ups. Every time I use it it makes me happy, because it's just so goshdarn cute. It's soft and dense, I feel like I'm smooshing my face with velvet. Trying to control myself from purchasing another one (for blush).
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*TOP REVIEWER* lauralikes on 11/9/2009 2:25:00 PM more reviews by lauralikes
Age: 18 & Under Skin: Other, Warm Hair: Other Eyes: Other
cute and small little brush. very good for moving around with you. very soft but still enough to really buff in the product for a natural powder makeup look. love it for my MSFs (especially the highlighters to avoid a glittery or chunky look)
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*TOP REVIEWER* Sayoko on 10/25/2009 7:30:00 PM more reviews by Sayoko
Age: 30-35 Skin: Normal, Dark, Neutral Hair: Black, Relaxed, Coarse Eyes: Brown
I carry this around every day with my daily make bag, and I use it for travel as well. I can use this brush to apply my studio fix , and mineral makeup foundation I love the size of the brush , but I don't like that it's not as soft as the 182..I got this at the CCO for a great price! and I would re-purchase again if I needed to.
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*TOP REVIEWER* jennerss on 10/18/2009 10:02:00 PM more reviews by jennerss
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool Hair: Black, Straight, Medium Eyes: Black
Love this little kabuki brush. I use it with the MSF duo medium/shimmer. It blends out the color very well. Distributes it evenly across my face. I don't have a hard time blending things out with this brush.