MAC • #165 Contouring Brush [DISCONTINUED] • Makeup Brushes

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jay4jazz on 7/14/2011 6:35:00 PM more reviews by jay4jazz

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Olive, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This brush, is so soft, so much softer than my other MAC goats hair brushes. I like the shape, and while I don't think it is a necessary brush, I think it can perform lots of handy trucks, such as applying blush, contour, highlighter on the cheeks, it can also apply powder under the eyes and around the nose and mouth, sometimes I also use it to do a quick blending of eyeshadows. Hopefully MAC repromotes or makes this permanent, it is a fabulous brush!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

jennnifer1911 on 11/16/2010 12:56:00 PM more reviews by jennnifer1911

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I love most MAC brushes and this is no exception. The only reason I gave this a 4 instead of a 5 is because I feel that there is probably a dupe out there which could probably do the same job....with that said I still love this brush.

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*TOP REVIEWER* meganmomoney on 7/19/2010 2:18:00 AM more reviews by meganmomoney

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Hazel    

I love this brush! My favorite use for it is highlighting my cheekbones, but I also like to use it for setting my under eye concealer with powder. I would recommend using a brush guard with this brush to help it keep its shape and stay nice and tapered because otherwise it can have a tendency to fluff out a bit. Other than that I think it's a very versatile brush. You can also use it for contouring and blush.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

MiniHorsey on 7/18/2010 4:35:00 PM more reviews by MiniHorsey

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I love this brush. It's the perfect size for strategically applying highlighters, blushes, contouring powders. Hasn't shed at all so far, and it's incredibly soft. I'm glad I bought several of these, they are great for almost everything!

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*TOP REVIEWER* starrysim on 6/12/2010 11:41:00 PM more reviews by starrysim

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I'm not sure that this is an essential brush in my rather large brush collection, but OH MY GOD it's so soft! It's definitely one of my softest brushes. I compared it side by side with a brand new 109, and the 109 is downright scratchy compared to this one. I also remember finding the 129 way too scratchy as well (I'm talking about all full size brushes here). This brush works well for contouring and highlighting, but it's too small for blush even for someone with small features like me. I also find the handle way too long - every single time I use it, I poke the mirror with the end. Did I mention how soooooft it is?

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

mimifrenzy on 5/16/2010 7:49:00 PM more reviews by mimifrenzy

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Olive, Neutral   Hair: Black, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This brush is nice to have around but not a complete necessity. I only use it as a highlighter. I like the small size and the dome shape. I got it from my CCO for no more than $20. I don't think i would of purchased it at full price.

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*TOP REVIEWER* blondejunkie on 4/15/2010 1:06:00 PM more reviews by blondejunkie

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

If this was not LE I would have a few. This is the perfect shape to highlight the "C" area around the eye to the temple and on the cheek bone. It's the perfection. It has more control than a blush brush and puts the right amount of product down. I have never had an application that is too heavy using this. I also like it to darken some of the blushes on the apples of my cheeks as well. I can not emphasize how much easier it is to control this brush than a regular domed blush brush or a contoured blush brush.

If you are just learning to highlight this is a great brush to hunt down. As I said, I love it with my MSFs and other shimmery highlighters. I do not own NARS Albatross, but I can imagine that this brush would lay it down beautifully!

The brush itself is nice and soft with natural hair bristles. Just be sure when you wash it to wrap the bristles somewhat snug in a paper towel and lay flat to air dry. This will keep the brush from splaying and help it keep it's shape.

I can never remember the brush numbers, so I put a little clear nail polish over the number so I can recall it. As typical of many MAC brushes, the lettering does wear off.

7 out of 8 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* MsAzNqTpRiNcEsS on 4/13/2010 3:14:00 AM more reviews by MsAzNqTpRiNcEsS

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Green    

i have been lusting after this brush for the longest time & was mad coz it was LE!!! i visited my local cco but they didnt have it so i called my local mac & to my surprise, the SA told me they had ONE LEFT!! of course i had to snatch it up!!! i am a contouring freak coz im not too fond of my uber round face & it gives me precise contouring!!! waaaay better than my 168 & 169 brushes!!!!!! pricey but worth it!!!!

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carmenci99 on 3/26/2010 12:13:00 AM more reviews by carmenci99

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

Okay, I have had really bad luck with MAC brushes, but this one is simply AMAZING: the shape, the softness of the bristles, the size, I simply love this brush so much I used to own 3 of them (I've downsized to two :))! I use it on a daily basis to apply ANY blush, from the least pigmented to the most insanely pigmented ones (like R&R's). Mind you, I'm really fair (NW5-NW10) and with this brush I can make pretty much any blush work on me, even the crazy pigmented ones that terrify me at first sight :). I also use it with loose highlighters, pressed powders, it works great with almost everything. I haven't tried to apply liquid foundation yet because I wear it rarely, but maybe I'll give it a try next time. Also, I don't think I've ever seen it shed, maybe a hair or two occasionally in a wash.
All in all, it's a pretty amazing brush; I'm not happy with the price, I think it's too much, but if I couldn't find a cheaper alternative, I would repurchase.

5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* simera2371 on 3/22/2010 1:07:00 AM more reviews by simera2371

Age: 25-29   Skin: Very Dry, Medium   Hair: Black, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

This is the softest mac brush ever. I missed out on this brush the first time it came out in a collection, but when it was re promoted again i went and bought it the first day. It is the best highlighting brush out there, and great for contouring.

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plushbear84 on 3/17/2010 2:39:00 AM more reviews by plushbear84

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Bought the 165 from a CCO and had it since October last year. I use it every time I put on makeup, for highlighting, contouring, blush, powder...this brush is perfect.
I don't believe mine has ever shedded yet. Highly recommended.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* DitaVee on 3/12/2010 12:56:00 AM more reviews by DitaVee

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I didn't realise how much I needed this brush until I bought it! Brilliant contouring brush, and the perfect shape to add highlighter under the eye and up to the temple. I even use this to apply my base eye colour when I'm in a hurry - the shape lends itself to this perfectly.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

makeupjunkie2010 on 3/9/2010 1:17:00 PM more reviews by makeupjunkie2010

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Olive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Other    

beautiful, soft, cleans great, and applies fantastically

x

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*TOP REVIEWER* briii on 3/7/2010 8:28:00 PM more reviews by briii

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

this one of my favorite brushes in my collection. i havent found a better contouring brush yet. and its sooo soft! i hate it when makeup brushes are really stiff. this one is perfect! i use it everyday and cant live without it

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MacAtFirstSight on 2/1/2010 12:32:00 AM more reviews by MacAtFirstSight

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I love this brush. What I love most about it is that it's a very versatile brush that can do many different things.

You can use it for foundation [cream or liquid]
You can use it for blush, contour, highlight
and this brush doesn't shed like 109.
and it's also the softest brush, similar to 138 [which is by far the softest mac brush i have tried]

i use this brush mainly for blush, and it's perfect because it can deposit the right amount of color on the spot that i want, and blend.
i used to have both 116 and 129 and was not satisfied with either of them. 165 is the best i've used for blush, and i rec anyone interested to go out and get it. :D

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*TOP REVIEWER* StarsnRocketsES on 1/8/2010 3:59:00 PM more reviews by StarsnRocketsES

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Medium Brown   Hair: Brown, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I missed this brush in the Blonde Brunette and Redhead collection; however, I'm glad I was able to pick it up on the second release before it sold out again. The 165 is actually the 109 in a tapered brush form. I absolutely love it. It applies my MAC Face and Body foundation so well that I look airbrushed. I've also used it to apply my favorite blushes, and I must say that yes it does pick up just the right amount of product for blush application. So if the blush is very pigmented use a light hand. This is my multi-use go to brush that I use daily. Yes, this one brush does my whole face (foundation, blot pwd., blush).

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

lilymuimui on 1/7/2010 8:36:00 PM more reviews by lilymuimui

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Black    

Thank you 165! Because of you, no one will ever call me Bozo the Clown again! So I like blush (fine, that's an understatement, I LOVEEEE blush, probably even more than how much I love my boyfriend), and I tend to go a little overboard with it, you know, just a little. If you ever saw me on the street, I'm that girl with brighter blush than lipstick...
Anyhoo, this brush picks up the perfect amount of blush, and places it righttttt on top of my cheek bones and gives my cheeks a nice, natural, soft pop of color. No more blush splotches the size of Mars on my cheeks! And sweeping the brush across my face feels like being touched by an angel, yeup, it's that soft!

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lboogy on 12/17/2009 4:03:00 AM more reviews by lboogy

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

For about a week I was on a massive search for this brush. I went to every MAC counter within a 10 mile radius. I even called the pro store in the city. This brush was nowhere to be found because it was a limited edition brush. I was about to continue my search online when I called the MAC counter at Bloomies. They had one left and held it for me. When I picked up the brush I immediately fell in love with it. It's perfect tapered shape is great for applying blush and applying highlight under the eyes. One of my new favs

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jlinh2u on 12/16/2009 4:09:00 PM more reviews by jlinh2u

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

It's a LE brush, but if you can get a hold it -- do it! Awesome brush for contouring. I have a round face and bronzer is essential. I found that the 168 didn't have a precise application like this brush. It's effortless. Picks up the color and deposits it perfectly. Defintely worth money.

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pinktini007 on 12/6/2009 6:31:00 AM more reviews by pinktini007

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Red, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I recently discovered this brush and I must say that I really, really like it. Especially for applying pot rouge or any other cream blush. It just goes on perfectly.

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