MAC • 109 Small Contour Brush • Makeup Brushes

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Astrida5 on 5/11/2013 3:35:00 AM more reviews by Astrida5

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I bought this brush 2 months a go and I have used it ever since. It doesn't shed which I thought it Did after reading all the reviews on makeupalley. I use it for applying blush, bronzer (contouring) and liquid foundations. Overall a great brush that you can use for different applications. There is one thing that I don't like about this brush: it isn't soft at all!! So -1 lippie for that.

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Alexandra123Y on 4/18/2013 4:34:00 AM more reviews by Alexandra123Y

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I have had this brush for quite some time now, and yet I couldn't fall in love. I see a lot of good review and yet I don't feel the same about the product.
I mostly use it for contouring as it is comparatively small and works well even in smaller parts of your face. Yet I find that 138 does a better job for me since it is softer and has even a more pointed tip.

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*TOP REVIEWER* lygophilia on 4/11/2013 1:20:00 PM more reviews by lygophilia

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Red   Eyes: Green    

Love this brush so much that I now own two, one for contouring and one for high lighting. The bristles are packed firm, but are still soft and non-scratchy. Deposits colour and blends it out beautifully without streaks or blotchiness. This brush washes well, retains it shape, and I've only had a few hairs shed on the initial wash.

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jacquie649 on 4/2/2013 3:46:00 PM more reviews by jacquie649

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

This is one of my favorite MAC face brushes. I love it because it's multi purpose. You can use it for liquid and powder foundation, contouring, blush, and highlighting. The only downside to it is the fact that it sometimes sheds when used with liquid foundation. But it's so minimal that it doesn't bother me much. If you were to get only one MAC face brush, I would recommend this one or the MAC 187.

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Mayita23 on 3/9/2013 4:20:00 AM more reviews by Mayita23

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

Good brush for contouring and getting right in the hollows of your cheeks and fr blush. Did use it for a bit to apply my studio fix powder and it gave a nice full coverage finish but I quickly grew over it.
One star off because this brush is not soft at all! It will be soft when you just wash it but after one use, forget it! Another star taken off because I have BETTER brushes to compare it to that are less than half the price of this. It was my first MAC brush but overall not very impressed, again mostly with it lack of softness. And yes this brush will bleed a yucky mucky black something with every wash.

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uglybeautiful on 2/9/2013 11:06:00 AM more reviews by uglybeautiful

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

The 109 is a bit of a controversial brush and for good reason: yes, it bleeds like no other and it will continue to do so no matter how many times you wash it; and yes, it does shed, you will see the odd hair here and there from time to time but hey, it surely has more pros than cons for me.
Why somebody would use it for liquid or cream foundation is something that escapes me. I remember when it was first launched almost ten years ago when ‘all’ we had was MakeupAlley, Livejournal and Specktra. A few well known people started using it for liquid foundation, pictures looked good, and word spread out but to me it made no sense. It doesn’t have synthetic hair, bleeds like crazy (in the beginning) and has far too small a head to work comfortably so, in principle, if you intend using it as a foundation brush, you are aiming for disaster.
I use it for everything else, though. It is my favourite powder blush brush. As it is quite small, it allows me to apply colour exactly where I want it; it fits my cheek beautifully. It is dense and resilient enough that I can go heavy handed if not careful but it also allows me to blend properly if I went too far. Again, as it is somewhat small, I use it for my powder highlighters and works like a dream. Great for contour, as it is actually was it is meant for. On lazy days (most of them) I do a light wash of a quite finely milled skin-tone eyeshadow all over my lids and my 109 is what I use to apply it with. I may as well do my powder with it if I do not want to reach for another brush; I just mind the pressure and how much product I use so as not to look cakey. Whenever I travel, this is only face brush I take with me and it is more than enough.
I have had my 109 for many years now and wouldn’t hesitate to repurchase if it ever broke or fell apart, which I don’t think will be the case. To me, it is completely worth the money for the use I get out of it. Finally, a piece of advice: you will notice bleeding when you wash it, and once the brush dries, you may find it still leaves traces of black dye. Just grab a tissue, swirl the brush around to get rid of the black residue and problem solved!

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EmiriamdD on 2/6/2013 1:43:00 PM more reviews by EmiriamdD

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I've had my MAC 109 brush languishing among its brushy brethren for eons--poor neglected thing. I think I bought it back around the time dinosaurs ruled the earth but had no clear idea what to do with it. Maybe a friend brainwashed me into buying it. Anyway...I recently unearthed it after purchasing, on a whim (and also it was BOGO on Cover Girl at CVS), CG Classic Color blush 540, Rose Silk. Love the blush (another review on that) but the MAC 109 turns out to be just perfect for blush! Who knew? I've been using brushes--high- and low-end--that are simply too big for my cheeks. The 109 lets you work in small circular motions, applying more color as needed. Love the finished look. My blush has tended to end up either over- or underdone but no longer. Thank you, MAC 109!

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*TOP REVIEWER* Annushka on 1/5/2013 3:27:00 AM more reviews by Annushka

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Tan   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I would buy this product again if this one broke, i wouldnt buy 2 (some brushes i have 2 of because theyre that good).
i bought this on ebay for $35 (i think) when everyone was saying good things about it. and it is a great brush.
i have only used it for contouring and blush and because it is so dense it does put alot of colour on your face if you dont tap excess powder off. It is small enough to fit into my cheek hole and applies bronzer on my forehead so precisely. it doesnt look blotchy and ill placed like how my other brushes were applying contour.
i like how it feels on my face, it is soft. it is natural hair which is why colour picks up so well on the bristles.
i plan to use it for foundation next though i know alot of people have shedding problems. i havent had any shedding problems yet as ive only used it with powders. i heard it shouldnt be used with creams or liquids and thats why it starts shedding.

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ingryd810 on 9/27/2012 5:01:00 AM more reviews by ingryd810

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

This brush does NOT stop bleeding! I own it for several mounth now, I wash and wash it again and it never stops bleeding! I use it for powder products only and it does not shead used this way but I would really like to try it for foundation sometimes, I am just too scared: what if my face turns black from it's bleeding colour?!
NOT recomended...

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bebokaur on 8/13/2012 11:54:00 AM more reviews by bebokaur

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

why do people use this brush for foundation, i think it's stupid really,sigma does really good foundation brushes which they sell in sets and seperate too. id say this is for contouring face or applying blush. people who are complaining about this shedding, then simply stop using this as foundation brush,.. gentle washing and reshaping with hand whilst wet is best , then applying a brush guard to maintain your brush shape, then your shape will stay in perfect condition. 109 is a really good brush, you just need to look after your brushes.. i mean i use basic baby shampoo, i don't even use any specail brush cleaner, and the brush looks good. also too keep the writing on brush i just put it back in packet wrap it came in. that way mac brushes will never get looking old and tierd.

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flrnc on 8/11/2012 6:06:00 AM more reviews by flrnc

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

my favorite brush at the moment. i use it for liquid foundation, i know you aren't supposed to but i have no problem with shedding. i find if you spread the foundation onto your face and just buff it in with the brush rather than applying it from your hand or whatever it doesn't really shed :) i want another one for contouring, but they are 90 bucks in NZ

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*TOP REVIEWER* angekronaus on 7/27/2012 5:04:00 AM more reviews by angekronaus

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Medium   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Im neither here nor there on this brush...i could take it or leave it!
i do like the size and I do like the results, its just not an essential in my opinion.
I use mostly for contouring however i have used it for applying light powder foundation too although nothing compares to the 187 when it comes to foundation.
Great brush just not recommended as a first buy-cant-do-without-kinda-brush!

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helwa88 on 7/19/2012 5:37:00 AM more reviews by helwa88

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium Brown   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

This brush is meant for powder and contouring. But I use this for liquid foundation. It gives my foundation such a nice finish. I've also used this brush to apply powder brush and it left my cheeks looking gorgeous.

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sophia0408 on 7/6/2012 9:14:00 AM more reviews by sophia0408

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this brush and regret it! I used this brush a few times and I was hoping this brush was a keeper. NO, I thought wrong. I would have expected alot more and not a brush that sheds everytime you use it. Not impressive what so ever and if I can take this brush back, I WILL!

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xoPrincessBxo on 5/25/2012 9:45:00 PM more reviews by xoPrincessBxo

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

when I first bought this brush, I almost instantly regretted it. I didn't look at the price before I paid for it (I tend to do that sometimes) so when I looked at my receipt I thought to myself, this brush better be awesome. And OMG it is!! It is the perfect size for contouring bronzer, and I've also used it for applying blush and highlighters. It has now become one of my go-to brushes and I am so glad I purchased it.

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emiliagorgeous on 5/24/2012 2:14:00 AM more reviews by emiliagorgeous

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I bought this brush, to compare applying contour power with 168 brush which I had all ready purchased. Honestly as others have stated I think that this brush is too dense for contouring, especially if you are using a dark contouring color, the color always comes uneven for me. I do like this brush for applying brush, but again you have to careful to not apply too much. I also tried using this brush to stipple foundation but it sheds a lot and and unless you use a lot of fix and mist of something like that, of the foundation gums the brush up. The finish of my foundation is beautiful, but I want to try the 187 188 or 130 brush, because I don't think the foundation will make the brush gummed up and won't shed. Over all I think the quality of this brush could be better, and it's not really an essential brush to purchase, although i may re purchase later if I don't like any of mac other foundation brushes just maybe my next 109 brush won't shed as much.

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Noddywoddydoodaa on 5/16/2012 10:08:00 AM more reviews by Noddywoddydoodaa

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

This brush is nice in theory. A smallish dense brush which can be used for powder or cream products and has even been rec'd for liquid foundation. However, it sheds so much that its actually not worth it.

It's fine for powder products, it does the job. Good for contouring but I love and prefer my mac 165 brush for that. But seeing as I think it can only be used for powder products, I could have got another brush for a lot cheaper! So in that sense, it's not really worth having.

For liquid and cream products it's completely useless unless you enjoy picking a thousand tiny hairs off your face after application! I used it a couple of times for foundation and while I kind of liked the finish, the shedding made it totally not worth it and I'd recommend a number of other brushes which do not shed and give a similar finish such as the sigma round top kabuki brush. I've used it with the Chanel bronze universelle and it made the product in the pot look so hideous! So many tiny hairs. It looked so dirty that I had to wipe a thick layer of the product to get rid of the unsightly hairs.

So in conclusion, is it a nice brush? Yes it's ok but there are cheaper alternatives (sigma for example) Do I reach for it often? No, because it sheds so much that it's not worth it. Will I repurchase? No! Do I recommend it? No, try illamasquas highlighter brush instead! Same thing but cheaper and more importantly, it doesn't shed at all!!

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*TOP REVIEWER* bubblegumpoo on 5/16/2012 9:43:00 AM more reviews by bubblegumpoo

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

I don't really understand the hype over this brush with liquid foundation. It does a decent job, but nothing that extraordinary. Plus, it sheds too much when used for that purpose.
I think this brush shines brightest when used with bronzers. It's the perfect size for getting into the hollows of your cheeks, and I also just really like the way it just applies bronzers in general. Picks up the perfect amount of product and does an amazing job of distributing the product on your face without getting blotchy. My favorite Mac face brush!

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MitchieCatalano on 4/24/2012 5:49:00 PM more reviews by MitchieCatalano

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Dry, Tan, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

You need to have this in your kit! why? Because you can do EVERYTHING with it! Foundation, powder. bronzer, contour, blush, and highlight :O I really love this brush, however, it could be a little softer MAC

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BXsenorita on 4/12/2012 7:35:00 PM more reviews by BXsenorita

Age: 19-24   Skin: Other, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I bought this brush a week ago and I absolutely love it! I use MAC Studio Fix powder foundation with it and my face looks so flawless! I did have shedding occur in the beginning but it wasn't too bad I just wiped it off and it's recently stopped shedding completely for me. I don't use this brush with liquid or cream foundations since I'm sure which makes it shed even more. The price was a little more then I would love to spend on a brush but it was actually worth it. I'm sure I'll buy another one since this also picks up product better than any of my other brushes and it makes my studio fix last a lot longer so I don't have to buy a new one as quickly :]

LOVE IT!

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