Brush Week: The MAC 217 Blending Brush
If you love watching YouTube makeup gurus, then you already know how popular and ubiquitous the MAC 217 Blending Brush is. It's been on my wish list since I saw Lisa Eldridge use it with cream eyeshadows - it looked so easy to use, and the results were stunning! I finally got my own MAC 217 a month or so ago since I got to visit Duty Free with my family.
It retails for about P1,300 locally if I remember rightly while it's 26 USD in Duty Free. The price difference is only minor so just buy it from the MAC counters. I thought it'd be considerably cheaper at DF but nah, the wait wasn't really worth it for a savings out about P170.
Anyway, on to the brush! I had mixed feelings about it the first few times I used it. It didn't wow me, I mean, my eyeshadows looked the same as when I used a cheaper brush. As you know I have been using the Suesh Pointed Blending Brush and it works super well - why bother with the MAC 217?
The MAC 217 has long bristles that taper to a rounded edge
It took me a while to notice it, but there is a marked difference, not just to the naked eye! My eyeshadows looked absolutely beautiful when photographed. They are so seamless and well-blended, a sort of fineness that I haven't yet achieved with any other brush.
See? The MAC 217 fits my lids and eye socket perfectly. It's not too small nor is it large either. It can apply lid wash, crease color, brow bone color, as well as highlighter on high points of the face. It can also apply setting powder on areas with concealer. Aside from powder, the MAC 217 works with cream eyeshadows beautifully. It prevents that "crepey" look on the lids that is caused by too-thick layers of cream shadow.
I love the weight of the brush, the metal ferrule and wooden handle. I am not so sold on the hair though. It's soft and pliable, but it has a tendency to splay out after washing. Always keep a brush guard on hand after washing the MC 217 to make sure that it doesn't get out of shape.
The white hair shows product build-up easily, but it's no trouble to clean with just dishwashing liquid or a brush cleaning fluid.
Overall, the MAC 217 Blending Brush is an excellent addition to any makeup lover's collection. It applies both cream and powder makeup beautifully, and is said to keep its quality for years. I highly recommend it to anyone if budget allows, but if you're not yet ready to spend P1,000+ on a brush, the Suesh Pointed Blending Brush is a nice alternative. It's not the same thing but it pretty much works the same way:)
Do you have the MAC 217? Was it worth the investment?
