Review MAC 109 brush

Review MAC 109 brush – I have been on a search for my HG foundation brush for a long time.  I’ve had troubles with my foundation looking patchy or streaky on me because I work too slow.  I’m a kind of person that likes to take my time with everything. So I really need a brush that does all the work for me, so I can still take it slow when I apply my makeup.

In my mind, I always know I want the MAC 109 ($38.50 CAD / $32.00 USD), but unfortunately, it is a bit too pricey, so I put off buying it.  Until a month and a half ago, I gave in.  The reason behind this sudden urge to get this brush was that I couldn’t apply my foundation evenly for a couple of times, and it was frustrating.  I actually went to Sephora first, in hopes of getting my hands on BareEscentuals’s handybuki brush, but they were sold out.  So I hop over to my MAC counter and got it.  Here’s my baby:

After I used it the first time, I was amazed.  Where were you my whole life? (all the MAC counters / stores, woman!)

Now let’s take a look at the shape.  I apologize in advance that it looks dirty.  I just used it before I take the picture.

It is a really sturdy and dense brush.  This makes it a perfect brush to blend out products, like liquid foundation or even concealer.

What do I use it for?

Liquid Foundation: Like a lot of people, I use this mainly for liquid foundation application.  If anyone is interested, my current liquid foundation is NARS Sheer Glow.  And this foundation dries a pretty fast, but with the MAC 109, I was able to blend the foundation in on time!  What I do is I take one pump of the foundation on the back of my hand, and I get some product on my brush.  Then I stipple it on one part on my face and i start to blend.  It makes my foundation looks so much more blended and not at all streaky!

But applying liquid foundation is not the only usage for this brush.  It is also great for applying various products:

• Mineral foundation:  Because of the density and the shape of this brush, it acts kind of like a long handle mini kabuki, but smaller than MAC 182.  It does the job just fine, but it does take a little longer than normal size kabuki brush.
• Powder Blush: If you want a more concentrated application of blush, you can swirl this brush on your blush, and apply to the apples of your cheek, and then blend it up to the hairline.
• Contour: I’ve also used this to contour my face with bronzers.  Since this brush is so dense, it really helps you to define your cheek bones (I apply the contour under my cheek bones).
• Cream Blush: The key to this is not using it to pick up the colour, but to use it to blend.  I would apply the cream blush on my cheek with my finger, unblended, then I use the MAC 109 to blend it out.  This can avoid hair shedding to your pot of cream blush, and it’s less shedding on your face too!
• Setting Powder: I don’t use it to apply powder all over my face, this will take way too long and not at all light.  Instead I use it for places that are hard to reach, i.e. sides of your nose and around the eye are.

Now after the fun stuff, let’s talk about the downside of this brush:

• It sheds! Because of its natural bristles, it sheds, especially with liquid and cream products.  I get like at least a hair or two on my face each week.  But my brush is still kind of new.  Hopefully the shedding problem will go away after more times of shampoos
• It stinks! Again, since it’s made out of natural bristles, it has a funky smell.  You will notice it once you wash it, the hair smells more after you wash it, then it goes away as it dries.  I should probably look up tutorials of how to get rid of the smells.
• It scatches! Now I’m exaggertaing, but surprisingly, the MAC 109 not the softest thing to use, especially after you wash it with the MAC brush cleanser.  I guess the cleanser itself doesn’t condition the brush well.  But this can be fixed!  You can simply just use some hair conditioner after you shampoo your brush.  It feels much softer!
• It costs! It’s not the most afforable thing in the world.  It costs me $38.50 CAD + tax, which was worth it, but still.  Not everyone will want to spend 40 something on a brush.  If you have a CCO nearby, you’re in luck, ’cause you might be able to find this brush for a fraction of price there!

The verdict:
To me, it was a great investment, because it can do so much.  The problems I have with the brushes can be fixed, possibly.  So if you have trouble blending your foundation and have been searching for a foundation brush forever, you might wanna consider this.  If you are really considering this, save up a bit and splurge it, I think it’s worth it!  Plus MAC has a pretty good return policy.  And I have returned a MAC 188 before, I think it was shedding too much, factory defect maybe?

Dupes:
Now I don’t own any of these, but based on internet research, here are some possible dupes for the MAC 109.

• Royal Soft Grip 1/2″ SG1400 ($2.99 USD) – only $2.99, what a steal, I might actually try them out!  Gotta check my Michael’s!  It’s available on this website too
• Kabuki on a Stick ($5.95 USD) – this is available on CoastalScents.  Now I’ve heard a lot of good things AND a lot of bad things about it.  I think the problem is inconsistency in the production.  So think about this before you get it.  And don’t buy two at a time, they are probably from the same “batch”
• Sigma SS109 ($14.00 USD) – this is pricier than the others mentioned above.  I’ve heard that it sheds a lot and it doesn’t retain its shape, but I’ve also seen people who like it.  So think twice before you get it.

This is only my opinion on the MAC 109 brush.  Your experience might be different because every brush is different, they’re hand made, but I hope this review was helpful!  If you have any questions, please feel free leave a comment below.

P.S. I’m typing this up at 3:30 in the morning, because I can’t go to sleep, and I have work in exactly 4 and a half hour.  It’s gonna be a lonnnnnngggggg day

Mac 109 Brush Application of Liquid Foundation Review and makeup tutorial.

[myebay]MAC 109[/myebay]

Review: MAC 109 brush

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