Makeup Brushes -MAC - 134 Large Powder Brush
ilurvemakeup 2/12/2009 1:05:00 PM
I think this is one of the most expensive brushes MAC carries as far as face brushes go. I almost got suckered in buying the Coastal Scents "dupe", but I am so glad I didn't cave in and saved my money instead :) *I'm so sick of the wasted money I used on dupes - just had to let that out lol* I was debating between this brush and the 150 that I just decided to go for both (saving little bit at a time pays off at the end!). Although I don't need both, I love having both handy since I use a lot of loose/pressed powders (face/blush/bronzing etc). The brush is slightly too big for me to contour with (I use my 109 for that instead which is awesome!), but for a quick-in-a-hurry all over face application this is the best! The brush did shed a couple of times, but after a couple of washes it's good to go :)
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -MAC - #150 Large Powder Brush
ilurvemakeup 2/12/2009 12:54:00 PM
Wow I can't believe this brush has gotten such a poor review because I absolutely love it! Maybe I just got lucky, but my brush doesn't shed as much as others have. Granted it did shed, but not enough to where I was growing a bristle stash on my face. The brush feels heavenly and the perfect size for an all over face powder setting application. I love it even more for blending out my blush when I sometimes get heavy handed with it. The only thing I dislike is how long the handle is, shessssh! I always find myself poking my mirror with it, grrr lol. Overall my new favorite powder brush (next to the 134).
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Concealers -MAC - Studio Finish Concealer
ilurvemakeup 2/12/2009 12:43:00 PM
I purchased two of this concealer - one in NW for my horrible dark under eye circles and one NC for blemishes and redness. While the coverage is fantastic it does tend to get dry and look cakey if too much is applied. What I do is: for under eyes I dab my brush with some of Smashbox's Photo OP under eye brightener and mix it with the concealer; for blemishes/redness I spray some fix+ on a clean paper towel and swipe my brush on it a couple of times then mix the somewhat damp brush on the concealer. This has helped me a lot in preventing that dry/cakey looking finish to it. For a heavier coverage tho (normally just on my under eyes) I use my warm ring finger with some moisturizer already rubbed on my hands - I get a nice heavier coverage this way (from those nights when I barely get sleep) without the cakiness. I find that it settles into fine lines, but most concealers do - this settles less than most for me when I top it off with some loose/pressed powder using a fluffy eye shadow brush. This works best on my under eye area than the new Studio Sculpt Concealer.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -MAC - #219 Pencil Brush
ilurvemakeup 2/12/2009 12:28:00 PM
When I first got this brush I absolutely loved it, but being an obsessive and compulsive brush shopper I ended up neglecting it for quiet awhile. I used it a lot for my under eye shadows, but noticed it packed on so much color that I'm stuck trying to blend out the harshness. I prefer using my Target brand StudioTools smudger brush for my under eyes now. I do however like this brush for packing on color on my outer V for smokey looks and for putting more color and definition into my crease line. I do like it, but the love for it faded...
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Makeup Brushes -MAC - #242 Shader Brush
ilurvemakeup 2/12/2009 12:19:00 PM
This brush was suggested to me by a mua to use to apply my Studio Finish Concealer. I used it for that sole purpose for awhile until I noticed that the bristles started becoming very prickly to apply concealer with on my delicate under eyes. I gave it a few washes and cleaned it daily with my MAC brush cleanser, but the prickly feeling would not go away. I exchanged the brush right away. The second brush acted the same way so I knew it must be the concealer causing the bristles to feel prickly even after being conditioned with the cleanser. I stopped using it for concealer and it sat in my collection for a good few months. I was about to sell this brush, but an accidental reach made me have a change of heart about it. I was originally reaching for one of my craft store brushes to apply my loose shadows with and since I was in such a rush I didn't even notice I was using the 242 lol It glided so well during my foiling application that it's now my HG for loose eyeshadows! While my craft store ones are great this is better cuz of the size and fits perfectly on my lids :) Took off 1 lippie since it failed at applying my concealer. I hate some of the muas in my local MAC stores... I waste so much gas going back and forth returning stuff because of their poor suggestions and lack of info (the mua told me this brush was for concealers only - *sigh*)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -MAC - 222 Tapered Blending Brush [DISCONTINUED]
ilurvemakeup 2/12/2009 12:08:00 PM
After 2 disappointing returns of the 224 (which I have a review of as well), I went ahead and got the 222 brush. I absolutely love this brush! The bristles are just as long as the 224 except the 222 is a lot less fluffy and more compact. I can do a really nice defined color on my deep crease which I tend to have a problem with the 217.
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Makeup Brushes -MAC - 188 Small Duo Fibre Face brush
ilurvemakeup 2/12/2009 11:56:00 AM
I really wish I got this brush instead of the 187, it works so much better on my small face lol Unlike the 187 which can leave me streaky spots on my hard to reach small areas, the 188 is PERFECT for stippling on my liquid/gel/cream foundations. I avoided this brush for so long because of the Silk Naturals Fiber Optic which a lot of beauty bloggers claimed as a dupe. After owning and using both the 188 and the Silk Naturals I'm sorry but the 188 is a lot better! The synthetic white hairs of the 188 is stiffer and gives more control when buffing while the Silk Naturals brush white bristles are a lot softer (think of the difference between the 187 and the Coastal Scents skunk brush - NOT at all the same). I've wasted so much money on "dupes" and I wish I didn't! This brush not only works great with liquid foundations it works amazing with concealers! I normally use my 217 to give my concealer a less heavier look and while that works just as well the 188 gives it a way better finish. The 188 has so many uses just like the 187, but again the size is what makes it better than the 187 for me :)
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -MAC - 224 Tapered Blending (Windshield Wiper) Brush
ilurvemakeup 2/9/2009 4:12:00 PM
I've purchased this brush two different times and each time I had to return them. The hype and tutorials I see with gurus using this always makes me want to buy it. I'm Asian with particularly large eyes and nope not a monolid. Thinking this would work wonders on my eye shape it just doesn't, at all! It is way too flimsy when it comes to blending out colors and the bristles ALWAYS fluff out making a huge mess on my lids! After returning it for the second time and the mua bugging the crap out of me to give it another shot (and trying to annoy me on how to use as if I haven't already tried) I went with the 222 despite her disagreement. The 222 is sooo much better at blending and it doesn't make a huge mess of my crease and lid colors! I prefer the blending brushes from Sonia Kashuk (from Target) than 224!
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Makeup Brushes -MAC - 182 Buffer Brush
ilurvemakeup 2/8/2009 11:48:00 PM
I used to be a huge kabuki addict, but then I really got into flat tops. I use mineral foundation during the summer since I'm oilier during that season. For lighter loose powder application I like big fluffy kabukis :) I was debating which one to get; MAC 182 or Studio Gear's kabuki. I ended up making the wrong decision and went with Studio Gear first - UGH! Do NOT get the Studio Gear, it sheds like crazy even when I'm not using it! The 182 did shed during it's first wash and bled brown foundation like residue. This didn't stir or gross me out at all, I've had many shedding/bleeding experiences with many of my kabuki brushes. BUT the 182 stopped shedding/bleeding after it's first wash :) The brush is sooooo soft and dense, I can't believe I went for years without it! I can put on a light coverage with my powders or build it up as well. After I do my whole makeup before putting this brush away I always brush it a few times on my cheeks because it is sooo heavenly soft! Way softer than my Everyday Minerals kabuki and Too Faced retractable kabuki :) My HG kabuki! Edit: I meant Studio Gear not Smashbox (the line that Ulta sells).
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Primer/ Corrector -Smashbox - Photo Finish Primer
ilurvemakeup 2/8/2009 11:02:00 AM
I got this primer from one of Smashbox's kits and after months of testing it out on my skin I still have so much product left! The one I have is the travel size tube. Before this product I was using the Monistat Chafing Gel which is said to be a dupe of the Smashbox primer - WRONG! The Monistat broke me out with so many blackheads I lost count trying to extract them off my face! The Monistat gives a more matte thick feeling and the Smashbox has a more healthy moisturizing feel to it and it didn't clog my pores! I even compared this to the Sana Clear Pore Putty (which is an absolutely crappy product!) and it does not compare at all - it flakes!!! The Smashbox primer has helped a lot on my dry, flaky winter skin - love it! My foundation glides on a lot easier and smoother making it look flawless every time. It works even better and more matte when applied over Aloe Vera Gel as a moisturizer! Try it out :D This is my HG primer, no more shopping for cheap dupes and Asian brand primers :) I'm planning on getting the light formula as I've been told it's great for summer when I'm an oil slick hehe
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -MAC - 109 Small Contour Brush
ilurvemakeup 2/8/2009 10:48:00 AM
I'm absolutely inlove with this brush!!! It has so many uses that I am aching for another one... no two more!!! I have so much love for my 188 and after hearing all the raves on Youtube about the 109 being used with liquid foundations, I got curious. It definitely competes with the 188, but in the end I love both! So you can go either or :) The only thing I noticed is that the 109 tends to use more liquid foundations than the 188 since it picks up a lot of product/color (blush or highlight) It's not prickly at all! The size makes it easy to blend on small areas of the face, but does take a bit longer since the brush is small. It sheds a couple of hair when I use it with liquid makeup, but not when I use it for powder. It bled on my second wash then it stopped :) This brush is also great for contouring, highlighting AND mineral loose foundation :D Absolutely amazing brush minus the minor shedding with liquid - which is why I took off 1 lippie :(
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -MAC - #187 Duo Fiber Face Brush (Stippling, Skunk Brush)
ilurvemakeup 2/8/2009 10:38:00 AM
I got this brush due to the massive hyped reviews it got. Although the brush does give an airbrush look I find it hard to use on small areas of my face when applying face products. It leaves streaky lines on my nose which annoys me no matter how much I try to buff with it so I end up using a smaller brush (either my 109, 188 or Silk Naturals small fiber optic, which is not at all comparable to the 188 like I thought!). I use this brush when I'm short on time and want to just get a soft and more natural layer of foundation to even out my uneven skin tone. I love it for creme blushes! It works with powder, but I find buffing powder with it alone tends to irritate my pores and make them appear bigger. For powder blushes it's better for that soft natural flushed look :) I prefer the 188 over this brush though... I'd return it if I could, but I have no idea where my receipt went :(
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Makeup Brushes -MAC - # 239 Eye Shader Brush
ilurvemakeup 2/8/2009 10:29:00 AM
I love this brush along with the 217, both are a MUST HAVE if you are just starting out with MAC brushes. This is great for packing on color and the tip I find is great for applying color on my lower eyes. The white bristles on this brush and the 217 is my favorite part because I can easily tell which color was on which side when I'm doing multiple colors on my eyes.
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Makeup Brushes -MAC - #231 Small Shader Brush
ilurvemakeup 2/8/2009 12:31:00 AM
Goodbye angled brushes! Hello new HG gel liner brush! Thanks to Aubrey of Youtube (fafinettex3) I decided to give this brush a go due to her adorable reviews :) I am so so happy with this brush! I have so many angled/slanted liner brushes that I use a different one depending on how thin/thick I want my gel liner - ugh! BUT this brush does it all and it makes winging so much easier! I also love it for applying a pop of color on my tear ducts.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -MAC - Studio Sculpt [DISCONTINUED]
ilurvemakeup 2/8/2009 12:21:00 AM
When I first tried this concealer under my eyes I was having the worse time blending it. It was so smooth I felt that I was going back and forth with my ring finger then my concealer brush. I have really dark under eye circles so I got this just for that sole purpose. It did sink into my fine lines under my eyes as I applied the rest of my face :( I almost returned both NW and NC of this, but I decided to give it another shot. Although this did not work well for my under eye like Studio Finish Concealer does it worked so WELL on my other problem areas - redness on cheeks and crevices around my nose! It even worked on hiding my acne scar without making it look and feel cakey like Studio Finish sometimes does. I apply this on my problem area (except under eyes) and then the Studio Sculpt Foundation (another GREAT new product!) and together it makes my skin look absolutely flawless! I;m glad to report that this did not sink into my other fine line around my mouth. It does get 1 lippie off since it did not work that well for my under eye circles :( STILL a great product though :)
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No