MAC • 188 Small Duo Fibre Face brush • Makeup Brushes

Where To Buy?

*TOP REVIEWER* chikky on 4/3/2010 11:39:00 PM more reviews by chikky

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Great brush for cream blushes. I just dab it into my MAC, Stila or Bobbi Brown cream blush & then PAT(not blend) it onto my check; it applies flawlessly without bold sharp edges. Great for controling the amount of colour you're trying to apply as you can build the colour up natuarally.


I feel that it blends on it's own & you can even create gradient effects with areas you want deeper than the other without swirling the brush around; therefore you are not swirling you foundation or sunscreen around.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Qu33neY on 3/29/2010 11:20:00 AM more reviews by Qu33neY

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I use this brush for my blushes.
It allows me to pick up small amounts of product so that the application is more neat and precise. I then blending out the blush with the same brush.
So so so soft
Very good brush

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Hevz555 on 3/11/2010 11:03:00 AM more reviews by Hevz555

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I like this brush but I don't love it. I find it way too small for blush application. I only really use this to apply a highlighter to my cheeks, and it does do this beautifully. I wouldn't be sad if I lost it though.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

iLeztmOmmy on 3/10/2010 8:30:00 PM more reviews by iLeztmOmmy

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Tan   Hair: Black, Curly   Eyes: Brown    

i use my 188 to apply my Studio Fix fluid foundation & i love it, it makes my makeup look flawless. i like it better than the MAC 187 because its easier when ur trying to get around your nose & under eyes. u can also use it 2 apply blush/bronzer, its a great brush.

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

nidsters19 on 3/3/2010 4:28:00 PM more reviews by nidsters19

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

The brush works great for cream blush and I do use a lot because of this. I'm not necessarily crazy about the results, but the same as the 187 brush, I think it's because I need to learn some more tips and tricks for it.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* iqaganda on 2/21/2010 10:41:00 AM more reviews by iqaganda

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

This was supposed to be my blush brush. My original plan was to buy MAC 187 but since it was out of stock, I bought MAC 188 instead. When I got home, I tried it on, well, it was too small to be a blush brush for me. Instead, this became a bronzer brush for me. I'm the typical girl that only use one brush for specific kind. For this, I ONLY use my MAC 188 for my bronzers. It's perfect for applying bronzers since you don't really need to put on a lot of bronzer to your face. The end of the bristles are very light, making it easier to control how much bronzer I wanted to put on. Also, since it is smaller than the usual blush brush, it's easier to contour over my t-zone and easier to apply to small areas where I need to put more bronzer.

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

Macupaholic on 2/4/2010 7:06:00 PM more reviews by Macupaholic

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

I much prefer this one to the 188. I think it's size it perfect, and the feel and look it delivers is a great reason to buy it!

It's fantastic for liquid foundations. The way it blend the color into your skin in is incredible! I use it for my liquids and my cremes and the finished product is stunning!

However, the bristles get plucked out when you start using creme products? Je ne sais pas? And yes, I do know how to wash and care for my brush (at that price, you HAVE TO) It's really unfortunate because the brush is great except for that reason!

I do still recommend buying it.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Kath09 on 2/3/2010 9:56:00 AM more reviews by Kath09

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Black    

This brush is great for applying blush but I prefer using it for bronzers as it gives the perfect hollow cheek look without overdoing it. It's so soft and applies the right amount of product. I recently also started using it to apply foundation primers (mousse formula) and it works perfectly, I actually prefer using this than my fingers now. But I'd probably purchase the 187 for that in the future.

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

doris98 on 2/2/2010 4:22:00 AM more reviews by doris98

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily   Hair: Black   Eyes: Hazel    

Love it for concealer and cream blush

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

khelm490 on 1/30/2010 6:06:00 PM more reviews by khelm490

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

Love this brush- its worth the money. You can use it for foundation, highlight, blush- it works great!! I use it for foundation everyday it sheds a little bit but not much and it has excellent application.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

swallydbrat on 1/28/2010 6:45:00 AM more reviews by swallydbrat

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Tan, Cool   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This brush is fantastic. I truly did not believe that a brush could effect the application results of my blush and highlighters, but IT REALLY DOES.

This brush applies blush, bronzers and highlighters so naturally, regardless of the product you are using. It allows the makeup to look as if it was a part of your natural face. It is a great brush that can be used for many purposes.

( It is expensive though - but worth it for the quality and finishing results it gives.)

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* hodgam8 on 1/25/2010 7:10:00 PM more reviews by hodgam8

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Green    

This brush is absolutely worth the price. Its so soft and applies everything like a dream! I've been primarily using it for my highlighters, but its also great for application of foundation because you get such great control because of the small size. This brush is also perfect for creme blushes. Its definitely a must have in any brush collection

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* xxchinadoll on 1/25/2010 2:51:00 PM more reviews by xxchinadoll

Age: 19-24   Skin: Very Oily, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This was one of my first M.A.C. brushes and it's something I would buy over and over again despite the cost. I like this better then the 187 because I find that not only do I have more control with my applications but I use less of my foundation (since the 187 tends to suck up all my foundation!). This brush is a must have!!

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Calicupcake on 1/23/2010 7:11:00 PM more reviews by Calicupcake

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I have 2 one for using with highlighter and the other to use when I put on Studio Sculpt.. I heart this brush it blends well and as long as you keep it clean it should not shed..

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* Kdoll222 on 1/2/2010 7:08:00 PM more reviews by Kdoll222

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Acne-prone, Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

I got this at MAC, and later found it at a CCO for ten dollars cheaper and got another:) This is sooo great for everything on the face, bronzing, foundation, powder, blush, highlighter,and all. I think it provides a flawless, lighthand apllication and is very versatile. For facebrushes all you need is this andmaybe a powder brush for heavier application, but its just so great! Just wash and condition your brushes before you use to ensure they last a long time.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

malinen on 12/18/2009 4:22:00 PM more reviews by malinen

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brown, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Green    

At first I regretted that I bought this brush. I couldn't get my foundation (Mac Studio Sculpt) to look good and it shredded like crazy. After experimenting a bit, all I can say is that I love this. This and the MAC 217 are my two favorite brushes. The MAC 188 is my staple when it comes to applying foundation. At first I had some trouble with cakyness when using this, but since I've started using less foundation on the brush it works amazingly well. I use it in swirling or stippling motions depending on my mood and the foundation. My MAC Studio Sculpt applies the best when stippling, but the MAC Face & Body foundation works just as well when applied in swirling motions. Despite being made for foundations it works amazing when used to apply blushes. I just pick some color up with the brush and then swirl it on my cheeks. It looks SO natural!

A common complain when it comes to this brush is that it's hard to clean. I always use my oil cleanser to clean the brushes I use together with cream or liquid products and it works great. The bristles are WHITE after using it and the brush looks brand new!

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

*TOP REVIEWER* starrysim on 12/12/2009 12:17:00 AM more reviews by starrysim

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

I love my 188. It's so soft, and the perfect size for my small face. I use it for blush and highlighter, and it's especially useful for very pigmented products. It stands up very well to washing, and hasn't shed at all. I think it's worth the price because I don't know of another duo fiber brush that's this size, and I can't really replace it with any other brush I own. I exchanged the 129 to get this one, and I'm so happy I did.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

fromsmithwlove on 12/9/2009 4:33:00 AM more reviews by fromsmithwlove

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I have very mixed feelings about the 188. On the one hand, it's my favorite brush for highlighting. On the other, most of my highlighters are easily applied with my fingers (my favorite is MAC's Luna Cream Colour Base), so a brush isn't really necessary. It is a very well-constructed brush, I've had minimal shedding and it's very good at blending and giving an airbrushed look. Was it worth the money I paid for the uses I have for it? Probably not. Is it a great brush? Definitely. I think if you use powder-based highlighters this is definitely a good buy, otherwise I think the 187 has a lot more bang for your buck.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

pinchopeach on 12/5/2009 1:25:00 AM more reviews by pinchopeach

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Black    

HG brush for my blush!

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* mu5icbtch on 11/29/2009 12:45:00 PM more reviews by mu5icbtch

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Tan, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I really didn't like this brush at first. However, I've grown to really like it and use it all the time! I use it to apply blush mainly, but you can use it for a lot more - foundation, highlight, powder etc...I love using this for blush because it allows me to build up and places the perfect amount of colour on my cheeks. Blends very nicely too, and never sheds!

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No