MAC • #231 Small Shader Brush • Makeup Brushes
(61 reviews)
| Average Rating. | 4.8 |
| Would buy this product again. | 95% |
| Package Quality | 4.3 |
| Price | 3.4 |
| Ingredients | |
nomadjan on 3/6/2013 3:14:00 PM more reviews by nomadjan
Age: 44-55 Skin: Normal, Fair, Warm Hair: Grey, Wavy, Coarse Eyes: Green
I was never able to apply gel eyeliner until I purchased the 231 brush. Amazing. Really. Now I can enjoy the staying power of gel eyeliner - a big deal if you have super oily eyelids like me. Along with the brush I bought a MAC Fluidline gel eyeliner and I'm 100% satisfied.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* lygophilia on 1/27/2013 3:32:00 AM more reviews by lygophilia
Age: 36-43 Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral Hair: Red Eyes: Green
This is a great multipurpose and versatile brush that gets quite a bit of use and love from me. Works wonders for precise concealer application, gel eye liner, brow powder, high lighting in the inner corners of the eyes, and detailed shadow application. Great quality brush that never sheds, washes easily, and maintains its shape.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hasu on 10/9/2012 4:39:00 PM more reviews by Hasu
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium Hair: Brunette Eyes: Brown
Okay. So I went along trying Gel eyeliners a few years ago and bought the MAC angled eyeliner brush the #266 I believe and I tried using it and I could not have applied it using that brush to save my life!
So I watch Fafinettex3's video on YOUTUBE saying she loves the MAC #231 brush to apply gel eyeliners and I went to MAC and picked it up.
I applied the eyeliner using this brush and OMG the lines were PERFECT. I LOVE THIS BRUSH FOR GEL EYELINER.
All I wanna say is if you seriously need a gel eyeliner brush and all the other brushes you tried were crappy YOU NEED THIS. GO GET IT NOW!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
leeyao on 12/23/2011 2:53:00 AM more reviews by leeyao
Age: 30-35 Skin: Normal, Tan, Warm Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium Eyes: Brown
The 231 is the best brush I've found for tightlining & regular lining with a gel liner. I originally doubted that it could do a better job than my 266, but despite having what seems like an unlikely shape for the task, the 231 gets the job done more easily than any other brush I've tried. Give it a try!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* jjay7381 on 11/28/2011 5:24:00 PM more reviews by jjay7381
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm Hair: Brunette, Medium Eyes: Brown
This brush looks like a really cool brush when you first see it, but having had it for a while now I'm finally ready to admit that it's a huge let down. The only reason I'm giving this a 3 instead of a 2 is because it's extremely well made and it's not completely useless. I recommend getting a 228 brush instead of this one, especially if you're planning to use it as a lip brush. Leave this brush to the YouTube gurus because it's really not as easy to use as they make it look.
PROS:
- GREAT QUALITY. It's extremely well-made. The synthetic fibres are nice and stiff. Unlike the 228 brush, the handle is big enough so that you don't have to worry about snapping it in half if you throw it in your makeup bag or drop it on a hard floor. It's also must sturdier in your hand than the 228 brush, which gives you great control over it. It dries VERY quickly, which is really nice because if you're using this for cream eyeliner you'll be washing it a bunch.
- MULTI-USE: Some people use this for a few different things, but I mostly find that it's only really useful for 3 different things: Applying cream eyeliner, smudging eyeliner on the upper lash line and applying lipstick. If you're going for a really thin eyeliner line on your upper lash line, this brush makes it pretty easy
CONS:
- EXPENSIVE: Yes, it's nowhere near as expensive as most MAC brushes, but $18 for this TEENY TINY brush is still hard to swallow, especially if you already have good brushes that do the same thing. Also, this brush isn't super easy to get. It's only available at MAC stores or online, which I always find really annoying.
- OTHER BRUSHES DO A BETTER JOB:
Eyeliner: Lots of less expensive brands make great eyeliner brushes now and they're much easier to get your hands on. I like to have a few different eyeliner brushes because I use cream eyeliner and I don't feel like washing a brush every day.
Lips: This really is NOT an amazing lip brush. No matter how smooth my lips are, this brush kind of skids across my lips rather than glides. Get a 228 brush instead. It is small and stiff enough to still be precise and it glides well.
Smudging: Same with lips. It doesn't blend as well as you'd think and really tugs on my eyelid no matter how creamy the products I'm using are. That tugging can get painful after a while.
STAINS: It's impossible to get stains out of this brush when I use bright lipsticks, even if I use a really good cleanser. I've washed mine 3 times since the last time I used it and it still has lingering traces of red on it. The 228 brush is really easy to clean and also dries very quickly.
***EASY TIP*** If you decide to pick up this brush (or any other MAC brush), take some clear nail polish and swipe it over the silver MAC # lettering a few times. Redo this every year and it will prevent the number from rubbing off and keep your brush looking like new. Lots of people already know to do this, but I constantly see tons of people with brushes that have labels nearly rubbed off so it's worth mentioning.
8 out of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* anisha12 on 9/8/2011 3:35:00 AM more reviews by anisha12
Age: 25-29 Skin: Combination, Olive, Warm Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium Eyes: Black
A nice multi-purpose brush from MAC, i use it mainly for eyeshadow, foundation and concealer application...i luv the softness and durability of this. It applies concealer very well over acne scars (i have acne-prone skin so its a must-have for me!) And i've seen no fall out till now...very easy to clean. I wud crib only about how expensive it is!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
sfbond on 3/30/2011 1:34:00 PM more reviews by sfbond
Age: 36-43 Skin: Oily, Dark, Warm Hair: Brown, Relaxed, Coarse Eyes: Brown
I happened to pick up MAC Studio Finish Concealer and the SA told me I needed the 231 brush. Works flawlessly with my concealer. Easy to control and I can pinpoint exactly where I want to place the concealer with little to no fuss, especially around my eyes. I have very specific areas I like to conceal and this does it perfectly. I'm now realizing that this is actually sold as an eye makeup brush. I'm a gel liner gal and I may give it a try with this brush. Either way I have my HG concealer brush if all else fails. Ladies this is the brush to get!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
jenikins25 on 3/19/2011 4:07:00 PM more reviews by jenikins25
Age: 25-29 Skin: Dry, Fair Hair: Blond Eyes: Blue
This brush is highly overlooked, and has so many uses. It's the most versitile brush in my collection. It can used for the following:
Eyeliner - makes a thin line and can smuge out prodcut beautifully
Cutting the crease - it can make precise lines, such as defining the outer V.
Lip - you can use it to line and fill in lip color
CONCEALER - this is my favorite use. It makes a great concealer brush for covering acne blemishes!
All in all, a great multi-use brush.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
riceboxes on 3/2/2011 5:06:00 PM more reviews by riceboxes
Age: 19-24 Skin: Acne-prone, Medium Hair: Black Eyes: Brown
This is my favorite MAC brush, hands down!
It's probably the most multi functional brush from MAC, as well.
I mainly use it to apply gel liner.
And if you're a gel liner fan, get this brush because you're missing out!!
It applies the liner like a DREAM. Much, much better than the angled brush or the thin, pointy eyeliner brush.
It can also be used for the inner corners, under the brows, filling the eyebrows, dragging shadow to the lash line, setting liner with power, etc etc
I also heard it can be used as a lip brush, I haven't tried it for that purpose however.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* Doubleshot70 on 2/11/2011 7:50:00 AM more reviews by Doubleshot70
Age: 36-43 Skin: Very Dry, Fair-Medium Hair: Brown Eyes: Hazel
The mentioned brush is similar in size to the Laura Mercier smudge brush.I mainly brought this brush for pigments and that is what I use it for.I use mainly the Shu Uemura brushes however they do not have a brush for pigments.The Mac 231 applies the pigments precisely where you want the colour,it blends and fuses and you can move the brush in either direction.I do not use this brush for any thing else though,I am weary of hygiene/cross infection.For Laura Mercier users who are reading this review you will find that the LM smudge brush will work efficiently for eye product application/blending,fantastically well.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
wawapanda on 2/4/2011 1:11:00 AM more reviews by wawapanda
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium Hair: Black Eyes: Brown
I originally got this from my friend to pair with my studio finish concealer. I tried it once for my gel eyeliner, and I got hooked. Right size, right shape, right softness and so easy to use for different types of liners. Can't imagine anything better!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* Phanatical28 on 11/27/2010 12:23:00 PM more reviews by Phanatical28
Age: 19-24 Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Warm Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium Eyes: Green
I use the 231 for my Studio Finish concealer and it works great. It picks up and applies just enough product without it being cakey or overdone. It's easy to clean, and holds up great to washings, just like all of my other MAC brushes. Overall it's a great purchase, and I'd consider purchasing multiples for detailing shadow, etc.
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*TOP REVIEWER* riyeu on 3/6/2010 6:52:00 PM more reviews by riyeu
Age: 25-29 Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown
I'm not a fan of Mac brushes. I prefer Laura Mercier brushes as they are consistently of good quality. This Mac brush actually surprised me as the quality is somewhat amazing. The design is great. Exactly what I was looking for. I used this to apply paint pot bare study in the inner corner of my eyes and my brow bone. This brush allows me to precisely put the product where I want and then blend for a natural look. LOVE THIS!
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*TOP REVIEWER* chikky on 3/3/2010 8:53:00 PM more reviews by chikky
Age: 25-29 Skin: Acne-prone, Medium, Warm Hair: Brunette Eyes: Brown
I have nearly all of the MAC brushes for eyes & I can say that this is the most versitile brush. It lines my eyes & I also use it for my brows.The tip are the white bristles aswell so it's soft on your skin & doesn't pull.
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*TOP REVIEWER* starrysim on 2/12/2010 8:23:00 PM more reviews by starrysim
Age: 25-29 Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Cool Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium Eyes: Brown
I have to echo most of the reviews below and say that this is an amazingly versatile brush. I use it mostly for lining my lower lashline with shadow, and highlighting the inner corners of my eyes. I used to use the 219 for this, but now I much prefer the 231. I haven't tried it with cream liners because I love the Lise Watier brush I use for that, but I can imagine that the 231 would work really well because it's super thin and the perfect balance of stiffness and softness. This also works well for detailed shadow work, and for concealer. I'm pretty sure everyone could find a use for this brush. A word of caution though - it really is tiny. I bought it sight unseen, and I was expecting something just a bit bigger.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Macupaholic on 2/4/2010 7:18:00 PM more reviews by Macupaholic
Age: 25-29 Skin: Combination, Medium, Cool Hair: Brunette, Curly, Coarse Eyes: Brown
I bought this brush for my eyes and I HATED it! It's too small and awkward. I mainly used it for the innereye and maybe if it were lucky, under my bottem lashes.
However, being brave like I am, I tried it when applying studio fix concealer to a scar I have. I LOVE IT and that's that.
The controll and precision is amazing. You can build up, or pat just a bit of the product on! You waste nothing. It's so simple it should be illegal!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* Bambie_Blonde on 1/10/2010 10:53:00 PM more reviews by Bambie_Blonde
Age: 19-24 Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Neutral Hair: Blond, Straight Eyes: Green
This is by far one of the worst brushes I have ever tried. I was so excited to get this brush, I admit it was an impulse buy- but hey, some of those tend to work out well. When I first received it I put it right into my brush roll, I kept it there for a few days since I had a cold and wasn't putting any makeup on. A few days later, I took it out- the 3 had already smudged making it look like a 2 which was surprising. I then began using it, I only used it twice and knew it was just not going to work. Firstly for lining my upper lashline it was just awful- it poked my eye and didn't apply color evenly. I then tried it on my lower lashline, again it hurt my skin and applied the color horribly. For crease cutting, this brush was just a joke. I was not at all impressed with this brush in the least. I am swapping it away, and hoping that if I ever to buy another MAC brush again- it does what it claims to do, I have POSH brushes that cost me $4 for a travel set that worked better then this.
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*TOP REVIEWER* aksaiyo on 12/6/2009 6:46:00 AM more reviews by aksaiyo
Age: 18 & Under Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm Hair: Black Eyes: Brown
This is a seriously underhyped brush. More people should use this and rave about it. I was recommended this by a lovely MUAer when I was just getting into make up and eyeliner with a gel liner.
........
Product:
It is called the small shader brush by MAC. It is a stiff, flat tipped, paddle shaped brush made from synthetic fibers. It is really not for just shadows, it is very multipurpose and is one of my HG brushes.
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Uses:
1. Eyelining:
I use this mostly for lining my eyes. Its flat tip ends up very thing, so you can easily draw a thin line with this brush. It has a rounded head, so I'm thinking it is better than normal flat square headed lining brushes because you don't have to deal with the corners as much. This makes it THE BEST for lining the upper waterline (which is what I *always* do) and nice for tightlinging (I'm not sure if it is the best at it). Also, it is definitely not hard to create a winged look with this because you can easily make the thin tip you need on your wing.
2. Lips: Some youtube gurus hail this as the ultimate brush for lips, even better than normal lip brushes. It's dense bristles and fine tip makes it easy to create a precise line on your lips. However, it may not be the best for packing on color because it is dense so it may be a little hard to work with when layering lip products on thickly.
3. Blending creams, gels, paint pots and greasepaints:
Because it is a dense brush, it is also good a blending out thicker, sticker cream substances. It works fine to smudge or spread out my liners, especially greasepaints, although its denseness and small head makes it hard to perfectly and smoothly blend out everything.
4. Shadow/Pigments/Solar Bits:
It can definitely be use to pack color on the eyes because of it's dense head. Which also makes it great for putting light shadows, creams, or liners on the tear duct. Used flat, it can also apply shadow to the lower lid. Its dense and strong brush can easily smoosh the balls of pigments in Solar Bits and pack them on with minimal fallout.
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Price:
It costs $17.50US, so it is not an expensive brush at all. Since it is so multipurpose, one can even consider getting multiples of this. It's value is definitely good!
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Packaging:
It comes in that flimsy plastic bag every MAC crush comes in. I really wish this brush had a hard pencil cap like cover so it can be more portable. MAC, if you are reading this, how about a retractable one? I would totally fall head over heels for it!
......
Conclusion:
This is one of my HG brushes, I cannot think of living a day of applying eye makeup without it. It is indispensable. I wish it was more portable, so I took a lippy off for that. Other than that, absolutely no complaints! Everyone should have one in their stash!
13 out of 15 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* bloodyroses on 11/17/2009 12:53:00 AM more reviews by bloodyroses
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm Hair: Black, Straight, Medium Eyes: Brown
Probably one of MAC's most overlooked brushes. I love it for powder and cream eyeshadow--packs on colour really well. It has a very small bundle of synthetic fibres and is very flat and has a great tip--great for precision.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* Hothead on 11/16/2009 9:57:00 AM more reviews by Hothead
Age: 44-55 Skin: Normal, Fair, Warm Hair: Red, Straight, Medium Eyes: Hazel
I have heard this brush is expensive for the size.
Like good perfumes, you do not judge a brush quality for it's size or cost, but for it's function. Does it transform you? Does it make you feel like you can leap over buildings? .. lol.
This little one is perfect for using that paint pot and winging out eyeshadow,for the tear duct application of highliter, for applying the lower lid liner, for applying concealer in hard to reach areas or even for applying lipstick. It is a multi tasker brush.. the hairs are tapered and actually have a stippling action when used properly.
love my 131 and already own two!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No