Monday, September 12, 2011

Review: MAC 217 Brush

So today I wanted to talk about the MAC 217 brush.

Gotta love that MAC logo

Let me start by just saying if you do not own this brush GO AND GET IT NOW! Seriously, this brush makes eyeshadow looks a breeze to master! 

Now I know that MAC brushes are pretty expensive. Here in Oz this brush retails for $37AUD. But I will tell you now you won't regret purchasing this brush (Although I would recommend you buy it from ACW, I got mine for $22USD when I was placing an order with them).

In all it's shining glory.

This brush is everything you want in an eyeshadow brush. It's soft, dense and has the perfect shape for both applying and blending out colours. I think the key to this brushes magic is that it is pinched at the base, which gives it that extra bit of density giving you more control but it widens to a fluffy top which is perfect for blending. 

Front View
Side View

Now I know that people say this is the one MAC brush you have to get and I didn't really buy into all that much I mean how can it be so different from all the others but it is! I haven't really seen another brush that is a good dupe for the 217. 

View from up top, you can see the density of this brush.

I own a lot of Sigma brushes and have heard that the supposed dupe from them is the E35 but as you can see in this photo, the shapes are completely different. It isn't pinched at the base and is more of a rounded shape. It is also quite a bit taller than the 217. Not much of a dupe at all. 

MAC on the left, Sigma on the right.

The only downside about the 217 is that it's white and we all know what that means....it is very hard to keep white! It stains, like any white brush and while you can get it quite clean it's never going to be that bright white like it is when you first buy it. 

Another great thing about this brush is that it doesn't shed. I have had it for quite a while now and it has gone through quite a few washes without shedding a hair. The Sigma brush on the other hand has shed a couple of hairs. Ever try getting a white brush hair out of your eye?? It's no fun trust me haha

If I haven't convinced you to buy this brush then I hope someone else can, trust me you need it. Even if you don't think you do. 

The MAC 217 brush is available at MAC stores or online at the MAC site. But if you don't want to pay the hefty aussie price tag I suggest getting it from All Cosmetics Wholesale. Here's the link to it. 


Do you own this brush? Do you think it's a must-have like me?

Hannah xox



16 comments:

Ebony said...

Thanks for doing this review! I only own one MAC brush {212} which the MUA convinced me was a must-have, and honestly, I hardly use it. I would have been *much* better purchasing the 217, especially as I see SO many people talking about it. Am definitely putting it on my "immediate wish list". Thanks! Xx

Hannah said...

Thanks :) I was a bit hesitant to do it at first because so many people rave about it and I'm just adding to the list but had to put my opinion out there because I think it is such a great brush. Hope you are doing alright xoxo

emmabovary said...

Thanks for a review on this, so often I want details like this about brushes so I can justify trying them out! I will add this to my wish list :)

Hannah said...

Yay glad you liked it Emma :) You must get it, it really is a great brush

mari :) said...

I just recently purchased the 217 and its hard to understand how i ever lived without it! I have a few of Sigmas brushes and thought thats all i needed but boy was i wrong!

By the way i just started my blog and would really appreciate it if you checked it out! thanks!

maritzaa91.blogspot.com

Hannah said...

Hi Mari,

I thought the same about my sigma brushes but the 217 has made me think again. It's so awesome. Checked out your blog and subscribed :) You are very talented at eye makeup! Definitely want to see more eye looks!!

mari :) said...

It is awesome!!

Thank you for following! I appreciate it! <3

maritzaa91.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I loooove this brush. It is my favorite eye brush ever, and it really does make eyeshadow application a breeze!

Gaby Fauchon said...

I'm not sure if MAC brushes are worth it, I mean, I'm happy with Sigma and drugstores brushes and I'm no makeup artist. Great review!

Hannah said...

@Mari No worries :)

@Nancy Doesn't it just! My makeup has improved dramatically since buying it.

@GABY They are a lot of money but I think they are worth the investment, especially the 217 as I have yet to find a cheaper dupe. I don't think I would buy their foundation brushes or anything though because I am beyond happy with the Sigma ones.

Kim said...

I've always wanted to buy mac brushes =D but it's kinda pricey>.<

Hannah said...

They are definitely an investment i think. I got mine online at ACW for $21USD so it wasn't too bad with the aussie exchange rate being so good atm.

Ella.WhyImBroke said...

I keep hearing people talking about this brush so I think it's time I put an ACW order in!

What do you use to clean your brushes?

Hannah said...

Hi Ella :) You won't regret it I promise!!

If I am deep cleaning my brushes (which I don't do as often as I should but who does really?? haha) I use the Johnson Baby Shampoo which I find works well at cleaning them and isn't too harsh on the bristles.

If I am just spot cleaning I used to use the Manicare Artiste Brush Cleaner which retails for $14.95AUD for 100mL and the ingredients are just isocol alcohol and fragrance. So now I just buy the isocol alcohol from the chemist, it's less than $10 for 345mL so it works out a lot cheaper.

Ella.WhyImBroke said...

Thanks Hannah! I'm so lazy with cleaning eye shadow brushes...I just wait until theres way to much colour on them to be useful and then I just use some normal skin cleanser- I haven't had any problems in the past doing this but I also don't have any MAC brushes yet haha so I think I'll try what you suggested!

Hannah said...

No worries Ella xo