Mac 224 Tapered Blending Brush

I'd had my eyes set on the mac 224 tapered blending brush for a while. I'd heard so many rave reviews that being the eyeshadow blending fanatic that I am, I had to own this brush.

The brush is made of soft black fibres that taper to a dome shape. With the classic Mac hand made black wooden handle & nickel plated brass ferrule.

The 224 works a dream for blending out eyeshadows. With more pressure added to the ferrule the wider the fibres spread giving a wide soft blend. Also with a light hand it can be used for a more precise controlled application. Although for smaller eyes this may not be the best brush as it is quite broad.

If blending has ever been a problem for you the 224 will certainly help you out, it practically does the blending for you. Not only is the 224 amazing for blending eyeshadow, it also works well for the application and blending of concealer.

My one and only down point would have to the fibres shedding. Not even particularly when washing the brush does it lose fibres but just through daily use (I must add it washes & dries beautifully back into shape). I use the 224 brush everyday & roughly around every other use I will lose a few bristles. With that being said I don't notice any loss in density of the brush when the fibres fall out. All but one mac brush I own shed, so this really isn't a surprise to me or many other mac fans. Oh and the price £22.50 is pretty hefty, but I do have to admit it's worth every penny & I would repurchase.

If you don't have or don't want to spend £22.50 on a blending brush, the closest cheaper alternative I have come across is the Crown Brush C433 pro blending fluff brush. The main difference is this brush has white goat hair & is slightly more narrow so it doesn't achieve the exact same effect, but the idea of the brush is similar.

Whats your go to blending brush? 

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Mac 'Snob' Dupe

My fave Mac lipstick 'snob' was on its last legs, about to run out. I went online to repurchase only to find mac lipsticks had raised there lipstick prices AGAIN to £15. Then I remembered seeing that Revlon do a very good dupe called 'pink pout' (Thank you pintrest) for £7.49. Needless to say I opted for the cheaper option deciding to give Revlon 'Pink Pout' a try.

my poor little nub of a 'snob' :(

Mac 'snob' is a light pink lipstick with a cool blue undertone giving a more lilac pink, with a satin finish.
Revlon Pink Pout is again a cool blue toned light pink & satin finish.

In my opinion it's not a spot on dupe in the tube or swatched, as 'snob' has a more mauve lilac tone to it, but when on the lip it is pretty darn close. Mac 'snob' has a creamier texture than Revlon's 'pink pout' but 'pink pout' does have a much easier application.

So the question is would I still purchase 'snob' after trying 'pink pout'? Oh it's a hard one, if money was no object yes I would because this isn't an exact spot on dupe. But I do have to say Pink Pout is a much more day to day wearable shade as it is a lovely neutral baby pink.

Have you tried either of these lipies?

What your fave mac lipstick?

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