27Aug 2011

MAC 226 Brush: How does it compare to 217 & 224?

By Sandra D + 0 Beauty, LUXURY/HIGH END, MAKEUP, review Beauty, Beauty Tools, brushes, eye shadow, MAC Permalink 0

I recently picked up the limited edition MAC #226 Tapered Brush and already many of you are asking how it differs from MAC’s 217 and 224? Below is a photo of all 3 brushes lined up alongside each other and descriptions of each.

#217 Blending (aka the crease brush from the permanent line)

The 217 is one of the most popular eye brushes that MAC carries. I managed to get along without it for years but when I discovered it, I realized that it made applying my shadows 100% easier. It has very dense natural bristles that are super soft. I’ve even used this brush to apply cream based products like paintpots and concealer, although I now prefer other brushes for that purpose. The shape of this brush makes it easy to blend out crease colours (giving it it’s nickname).

#224 Tapered Blending (permanent line)
The 224 is a long fluffy brush shaped like a dome and designed to blend out shadow application. I also use this to highlight my brow bone and inner corner. Reviews suggest that some swear by the 222 (it’s narrower sister brush) while others prefer the 224. It really does boil down to preferences, but you definitely don’t need both of them.

#226 Small Tapered Blending (limited edition)

To my knowledge, the 226 was promoted with the Brunette, Blond, Redhead Collection, then again with Colour Craft and most recently with the Mac Me Over Collection, which is out in stores now. It is not available through the permanent line, so if you are interested, you will need to snatch this one up NOW!!!!

The 226 is much smaller than the 224, but much more tapered than the 217. Although I originally thought it was a hybrid between the two brushes (217/224), it really isn’t. The 226 really does have versatility and uniqueness of it’s own. It’s dome-shaped bristles apply colour to the crease perfectly but also allow for precise blending making it my go-to brush of preference!! I have had this for such a short amount of time but have already used it every day since I purchased it. I LOVE it!