Thread: MAC special edition brushes - thumbs up or down?

I saw that MAC in addition to free shipping has special edition brush collections on sale (and some Bhuzzers will laugh as hard as I did at "Adoring Carmine" ...), for a temptingly low price. I am wondering - how are the "SE" brushes different from the regular ones? Shorter handle and different color I actually consider a plus, but what about the size of the brush itself?

It's been my personal experience that when MAC issues a special edition of their brushes (almost always shorter and/or different colored depending on the theme) the actual brushes themselves are fine. They work just as well and appear to be the same size as normal-handled ones. But I can't speak for this particular set............

Ah, thanks! With that knowledge, I placed my order for two sets, and with the cupon that Samira posted, I should have 'em in time to get all prettied up for Christmas eve, unless I get the silly giggles every time I used them ;-)

MAC brushes are great. The SE brushes are slightly less quality than the regular, but you can't go wrong with them. I use the SE brushes as my "to go" brushes - in my purse makeup bag or when I travel. Hope you enjoy them!

I like them better because the regular brushes long handles drive me nuts. I have 2 of the sets and think they are some of the best brushes I own.

i'm so cheap and go thru brushes quickly (they harbor bacteria ya know) so i end up buying the cheap sets from longs or walgreens

If you go to the retailmenot website, you can subscribe to have coupons emailed to you from various retailers. MAC and Smashbox included cosmeticwise.

They also have electronics, clothing, food, etc. Just search for what you want and subscribe. I did it, and I'm hooked. I've gotten all kinds of Bath & Body Works discounts!

Originally Posted by jesennia

i'm so cheap and go thru brushes quickly (they harbor bacteria ya know) so i end up buying the cheap sets from longs or walgreens

What, you don't wash 'em? Or do you throw 'em in the crock pot?

Hey, do you all know that you can get a MAC discount as a dancer? You have to show some proof and pay $30 for the Performer Card, to get 30% off. So, it's really only worth it if you buy at least $100 a year on MAC, which I do.

Originally Posted by Azhia

What, you don't wash 'em? Or do you throw 'em in the crock pot?

Heh heh heh...for a moment there I actually wondered if there was a quick and easy way to clean my makeup brushes in the crockpot...then I remembered...

So now I'll ask the obvious (THREAD HIJACK!!! :zillevil: ) -- how do YOU clean your makeup brushes, Azhia?? Or is that covered in my DVD? (which I hope to receive any day now?)

Originally Posted by maiaraqs

Heh heh heh...for a moment there I actually wondered if there was a quick and easy way to clean my makeup brushes in the crockpot...then I remembered...

So now I'll ask the obvious (THREAD HIJACK!!! :zillevil: ) -- how do YOU clean your makeup brushes, Azhia?? Or is that covered in my DVD? (which I hope to receive any day now?)

..l;,
It is covered, your DVD is coming (shipping is suh-LOW from Canada unfortunately), and I'll tell you how I clean mine...

After each application I spray Cinema Secrets brush cleaner on a paper towel and wipe the brush across it (in the same manner that I used it to catch all ways that it picked up & applied color) until no more pigment appears.

Then I wash them after the gig with mild soap and warm water upside down, squeeze excess water, and allow to dry on the edge of the counter. Once dry you can choose to do a final spritz of 90% isopropyl alcohol for the best sanitation or with toner to condition the hairs.

Great...

You're supposed to CLEAN them?

I bought MAC brushes years ago, and have never cleaned them per se - just "worked out" the color when I needed to switch.

Another "major male moment" brought to you by...

Originally Posted by zorba

Great...

You're supposed to CLEAN them?

I bought MAC brushes years ago, and have never cleaned them per se - just "worked out" the color when I needed to switch.

Another "major male moment" brought to you by...

I don't think it's just a male thing, Z, don't worry. ..l;,

Amateur method: warm water, bit of mild soap - rinse, then swoosh out in the palm of hand, rinse - pat dry with towel, dry flat. If I use waterproof products (like Mac's Liquidlast), I remove that with makeup remover first, before washing. And, I like to think that drying them well in a bright spot before putting them away is a good way to have less nasties around.

Brushes are so expensive, it seems like a smart move to keep them in tip-top shape.

Originally Posted by steffib

I saw that MAC in addition to free shipping has special edition brush collections on sale (and some Bhuzzers will laugh as hard as I did at "Adoring Carmine" ...), for a temptingly low price. I am wondering - how are the "SE" brushes different from the regular ones? Shorter handle and different color I actually consider a plus, but what about the size of the brush itself?

I think I need a set of "Adoring Carmine" even if they're trash! Does he know about this yet?

.... on second thought, do we *want* him to know?

MAC has a pretty decent brush cleaner available as well - sucks the makeup right out of the brushes and they dry really well and soft.
I have a couple of SE brushes (from their "antique"-themed line about a year ago)...they're fine. Mostly I think they are just like the regular brushes but with a different handle. Personally, I kind of like the longer handles - I seem to get better results, especially with one of the shadow blender-brushes, if I hold it further out on the handle.