“Brush”ing Up on Makeup Applicators: M.A.C. Brushes vs. The Other Guys

In this economy, it seems that everyone is trying to save a buck where they can, which usually means that makeup brushes don’t rank very high on most women’s list of priorities. It has become a recent trend amongst my fellow beauty mavens to try out M.A.C. brush knock-offs. When it comes to makeup, I have never been traditional in my application (I’ve been known to use eyeshadow as eyeliner for the effect, and everyone always raves!), so on a "recessionista" budget I had to try a few out just in case there were brushes I could save some cash on. Here are my findings:

POWDER

Contenders: M.A.C. 182 Buffer Brush vs. 182 Knock-off

The M.A.C. brush wins hands down. There really isn’t even a comparison to the knock-off and nothing positive to say about the particular one I used, therefore, I won’t even mention the other.

Winner (by a landslide): M.A.C. 182 Buffer Brush

EYES

Contenders: M.A.C. 239 Eye Shading Brush vs. 239 Knock-off

The M.A.C. 239 is supposed to be great for really packing on color. It was very stiff and quite dense, making it a “staple” brush. The 239 knock-off was less dense and had absolutely nothing special about it. It really was like an average brush that could be found at any drugstore; in fact, I’ve found better at the drugstore.

Winner: M.A.C. 239 Brush, a true staple in the brush collection of any makeup maven.

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Contenders: M.A.C. 275 Medium Angled Shading Brush vs. Knock-off

This brush was purchased to use for my eyelid creases. I found that while it’s a great brush, and incredibly soft, it didn’t really work for the purpose I purchased it for because my eyelids are so small. However, I’ve found that this brush works really well for nose contouring! The knock-off was a dud. It was almost twice the size of the authentic so it became useless to me almost as soon as I removed the packaging. It also didn’t even resemble the authentic, which was pretty disappointing.

Winner: M.A.C. 275, because while it didn’t work for my eyes, at least I found another use for it, which is a way better ending to this story!

CONTOURING

Contenders: M.A.C. 168 Large Angled Contour Brush vs. 168 Knock-off

The M.A.C. 168 Large Angled Contour Brush was soft, had smoothly cut bristles and was denser, resulting in it lasting longer. The knock-off was actually softer than the authentic brush, but not as dense and the bristles were choppier looking. This one is actually tough because even when using the same amount of pressure using both, the authentic applies heavier than the knock-off, making it slightly more difficult to control the amount of makeup applied.

Winner: The Other Guys, because I’m a control freak and prefer to start out with lighter application and apply more as necessary.

BLUSH

Contenders: M.A.C. 188 Small Duo Fibre Face Brush vs. Knock-off

The authentic brush was great! It was dense, really soft and required less pressure to achieve the desired effect. It is also pretty small, making it easy to control color and perfect for me because I have a small face. The knock-off was also really good; the density was great and it was soft. However it was larger (which doesn’t really work for me) and required more pressure, which sometimes makes my face itch.

Winner: M.A.C. 188 Small Duo Fibre Face Brush because it took much less work and gave me a better airbrushed effect.

In the end, I’d have to say that you get what you pay for. While I was able to enjoy a few of the knock-offs, as a whole, they didn’t compare in to the M.A.C. brushes in most cases.

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Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I am getting married in a few months on a shoe string budget and I need to find a hairstylist and makeup artist that I can afford. So far I haven't found anyone yet - any suggestions? I'm freaking out!

Signed,

Bride on a Budget

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Dear B.O.A.B.,

A bride in your financial position has to be resourceful. And the best resource for you would be to contact a local cosmetology school. There are pluses and minuses to this suggestion but it must be said that this is a vastly untapped resource of raw talent that could work to your advantage as long as you know what - and who - you are looking for.

You need to find a student in their final year of studies that would be willing to do your hair for whatever your budget can bare and/or in exchange for giving them permission to use your photo in their look book. Just be sure to test their skills by way of a hair trial appointment to make certain that they're up to the task of creating the perfect 'do for your I do's.

You could find a capable makeup artist in the same place as your ingénue hairstylist, but another suggestion would be to sit down with a makeup artist in a beauty department. You may be encouraged to make a purchase even if it is the consultation for the big day so if it comes down to the budget then stick with the student who would more than likely be willing to work with you price-wise. You will still want to have a consultation with them as well as a trial run the same as you would the hairstylist.

For both instances you want to take pictures from multiple angles to use when recreating the look you're going for. And don't be afraid to speak up if the hair or makeup isn't exactly how you imagined. Just because you're on a budget doesn't mean you have to cheat yourself out of what you've envisioned for your day.

If you start looking now you should be able to find someone to do your hair and makeup within your budget and with your exact vision in mind. Though to be honest, no one will be as concerned with your hair and makeup as how you look in your dress, the meal served at the reception and if there's an open bar and dance floor. Those are the elements of a wedding that guests will remember most. So take a deep breath and relax.

No one likes a frizzy, err, frazzled bride-to-be.

Need sartorial advice? Email me: ShoppingSavage@gmail.com

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

My 13-year-old daughter has been pestering me to let her wear makeup to school. In the past I have let her wear a little eyeshadow and lip gloss if it were a special occasion, but never full-on makeup like she's talking. What should I do? I know this isn't exactly "sartorial" but I'm definitely interested in whatever advice you can give me!

Signed,

Makeup Meltdown Mommy

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Dear M.M.M.,

Your question may not be sartorial, but it most certainly warrants a response. Over the years there has been a drastic change in the way young adults dress and act. So many seem so eager to grow up that they miss out on having a childhood.

When I was growing up, kids knew what it meant to be a kid. Countless hours were spent reading for fun, homework was done with paper and pencil, and after a nice hot bath, you went to bed exhausted from playing outside with friends. Play dates meant more than getting together to watch a DVD, video games were not considered exercise, and for long trips the car was filled with home-prepared food, books and family games not fast food wrappers, wi-fi and headphones.

The generation divide has never been so wide, but just because you can't fight nature, doesn't mean you have to nurture her request. Tell her if she wants to wear makeup she needs to earn the privilege. Use improvement in grades or helping out more around the house as the trade-off. And I wouldn't allow her to wear more than two products at a time.

Sooner than later though M.M.M., you're going to have to accept the fact that your "little girl" isn't going to be "little" much longer. Teenagers grow up a lot faster these days, so just take the time to talk to her and be as active as you can be in her life. See to it that she continues on the road to becoming a mature young woman who knows that she can open up to her mom, even if it is via text. You really know you've earned her trust when she accepts your friend request on Facebook.

Need sartorial advice? Email me: ShoppingSavage@gmail.com