MAC make up brushes

[Tinklewinkle]

14 year old DD has asked for a set of make up brushes for Christmas.

SiL has always raved about MAC's brushes and as DD hasn't asked for anything particularly expensive I thought I'd treat her to some

I've found this set from Selfridges, with 10% off

Is that pretty much a decent set of brushes? Are MAC as amazing as I keep hearing? Will they perform miracles and stop DD spilling make up all over her carpet? Their single brushes seem almost as expensive as that whole set so is there something here I'm missing

I'm not a big make up wearer so am a bit clueless. Thanks!

[Scarydinosaurs]

Go for MAC if that's what she really loves. I like my Mac brushes...but I do prefer my real techniques ones.

[Tinklewinkle]

Thanks for all the suggestions

I asked her a few subtle questions about the beauty bloggers, etc, etc and I came to the conclusion that it was MAC she really wanted so bought the set I originally linked to, although I got them in John Lewis as they were matching Selfridges 10% discounted price, but without the fiver delivery charge

I'm a bit meh about them, but she'll be chuffed . She just wants what her mates have

Thanks!

[Itsbloodydarkoutside]

Nima brushes are my favourite. I use mine every single day, and wash them at least once a week for the past year and they're still perfect.

[Annarose2014]

I've been lusting after the rose gold Zoeva set for months. All reviews seem to be very favourable.

But tbh for a 14 yr old it'd be Real Techniques all the way. The founder has been on You Tube for years doing make up videos so its likely all her friends would be familiar.

I've tried a lot of Mac brushes over the years but have found the mini ones to be a bit hit and miss as regards shedding. The full size 217 blending brush though is unparalleled and everyone loves the 187. But very hard to justify buying them when RT is so much cheaper.

[FrustratedFrugal]

I really like my MAC brushes and they have lasted well, no moulting, but am thinking of buying a few Zoeva brushes because I use eye shadow every day. The RT stippling brush is good too, and I love a cheap Elf concealer brush. For a teen, I'd give what her friends would appreciate.

[swooosh]

I love my MAC brushes but they are quite old now. I've liked the look of the Zoeva ones (aesthetically!) for a while now, has anyone here tried them?

[DizzyMerry]

I'm a huge fan of MAC brushes. I have used Sigma and Real Techniques after hearing people rave about them but I didn't like them at all. Yes they are expensive but I've had mine a few years now and despite being used daily they're still like new. I only own two of their face brushes though, the 168 and 188. The 188 did initially shed but that stopped after a few washes. I got hooked after my Dsis bought me a couple.

That set looks really good and I may just actually treat my niece to that. I've not used the sets though so can't say what they're like.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

My 13.6yo has Real Techniques (which was what all her friends were using. YY to being influenced by friends)
We got a couple of sets then she added a stippling brush and concealer brush.

I have a mixed rogues gallery of brushes (M&S, Barbara Daly, BodyShop from years ago )
I have one RT , the silicone eyeliner but I really don't like it. Most liner brushes I've seen as very thick, so I bought some good quality fine art brushes.

DD uses the Superdug B cleaner for them. Need to dry flat. She puts hers on the windowsill with the brush hanging over the edge.

[mowglik]

MAC brushes do shed loads - very annoying to have to pick out thick black hairs from a freshly made up face. Bought at different times and places so it wasn't just a bad batch.

I have relegated my MAC brushes to the back of the cupboard since getting a set of real techniques brushes - they don't moult and keep their shape. You could get a few sets e.g face set, eyes set etc from real techniques for price of a 187 MAC brush

Only MAC brushes I really still use is the 227 eyeshadow brush and blusher brush

[Carpaccio]

I don't rate the Mac face brushes - they shed loads.
However, the brushes for eyes and lips are very good.

For face brushes, I like Real Techniques. They do a sponge similar to the BeautyBlender which is also nice (these sponges make foundation look very nice, but the BeautyBlender costs a small fortune and I don't think the quality is good - and they need to be replaced often).

The Mac sets tend to be smaller than the normal brushes - the handles are shorter.

Being 14, will she be likely to take good care of the brushes - washing them often, make sure they don't lose their shape and so on?
If she is careful with them, then it's worth getting the more expensive ones, but if she isn't very careful with them, then cheaper ones will probably be better as they'll need to be replaced at some point.

I have some Mac brushes that I have used more or less daily for the last 10 years and they are still perfectly fine.
Real Techniques brushes (I have face brushes only) have held up well as well, but I wouldn't be massively upset about having to replace them after a few years because they are a bit cheaper than Mac.

I have no experience with Sigma and Zoeva, but they get brilliant reviews online and makeup artists like Lisa Eldridge uses Zoeva and that to me means they must be good.

[MitzyLeFrouf]

If Mac is what will make her squee on Christmas Day I'd go for for the Mac!

It's a bit like wanting a sparkly pair of party shoes and your mum saying some Wellingtons would be more sensible.

[Nabootique]

Does she watch any beauty bloggers? I know Lily Pebbles really likes Zoeva, for example. Might be a good endorsement for a teen!

[Tinklewinkle]

Oops, pressed post too soon

She's not expecting MAC, and I don't think she'd really care either way, but I think deep down she'd prefer the same as all her friends IYSWIM

[Tinklewinkle]

Oh, they are lovely!

I don't know what to do now

She's 14, and MAC is the brand of choice amongst her friends, and at 14 it is all about the brand

But the Real Techniques and the Zoeva ones are fab and much better value/great reviews

[TheCraicDealer]

Look at Zoeva on Beautybay.com. They get really good reviews and I've been impressed with the ones I have. They also have some gorgeous sets with rose gold ferrules or pink handles. Pure beaut and much more reasonably priced than MAC's offerings.

Linky linky

[Tinklewinkle]

Thanks all!

With the MAC ones, is it just the handles that are shorter or are the brush bits mini too? the shorter handles would be more practical in her bag (and leave more room for actual books ever hopeful )

I saw the mineralise ones too, but assumed they were for mineral-type make up (told you I was clueless!). She just uses liquid foundation really

The Real Technique ones look fab though, and much cheaper

[Nabootique]

Zoeva, Sigma, Real Techniques, Morphe are all good, as are Crown Brushes, and they really are cheap, but a makeup artist favourite!

[foolssilver]

I don't rate Mac brushes, I have a gift set I got a few years ago and there is only one I like. The rest shed badly. I wonder if the gift set ones are more shoddy that full price ones.

Would definitely recommend Zoeva or Real Techniques.

[DownstairsMixUp]

I use mac foundation and skin finish but I don't like their brushes. Real techniques are the ones I use (the gold ones) I got a set of them on sale in Boots last year but that purple one that someone just linked looks good for a 14 year old.

[Tinklewinkle]

Crossed loads of posts again

Will have a look at the other brands too

Thank you!

[Onsera3]

Apparently, the sets are a lot cheaper as they are made in China and the quality isn't quite as good. That said, I'm happy with the quality of brush sets I've got which are similar to the one you're looking at.

The handles are quite a bit shorter than the individual full price ones. But personally I find this convenient as they fit better in makeup bags.

I like the brushes in the mineralise set best.

[Tinklewinkle]

Sorry, crossed posts

It doesn't have to be MAC, but SiL has always raved about them and DD has mentioned them quite a bit. I don't think DD really cares, but would be thrilled to open MAC on Christmas Day IYSWIM

I hadn't realised they were mini, I'm using my phone and there's not a whole load of info. Will have a proper look on the PC later

[BumWad]

Have had both Real Techniques and Mac - much prefer Mac and that starter set is good value

[Bluecheese22]

Real techniques are brilliant. Boots have them on offer today but TK Maxx have lots in too

[FatimaLovesBread]

Just checked at the real techniques starter kit is on amazon lightening deals bow and their core collection kits is on at 6pm tonight