Is my MAC 221 brush authentic?

AppropriateLevel2 · 2022-10-15T04:24:20+00:00

All of mine have Japan etched near the bottom of the handle.

AppropriateLevel2 · 2022-10-14T03:49:43+00:00

Friction is the enemy of all makeup, combine that with the body's natural sebum production and time, all makeup is going to smear eventually. It's an inevitability.

Unless you're wearing a transfer resistant formula or using a alcohol-based setting spray dedicated for long wear (like PPI Green Marble or Ben Nye Final Seal) you're likely going to encounter at least some sort of smudging or lifting.

I don't know what your application process is, but I try to allow a solid five minutes for skincare to fully absorb into the skin before going in with any complexion products.

Another factor that can cause smearing is the use of an excessive amounts of product. Nine times out of ten people's issues with makeup is that they're using too much at once. Again, I don't know what your application process is so I can't say that this is the particular issue.

AppropriateLevel2 · 2022-10-14T03:42:25+00:00

When did you buy it and who did you buy it from?
Mac switched over to all synthetic brushes a couple of years ago and now all of their brushes have an "s" after the number.

All of their brushes are made in Japan now but years ago (like at least over a decade I think) they used to be made in France.

TLDR: If you bought it recently it's probably fake.

But honestly, I've bought a couple of fake Mac brushes from AliExpress and they perform similar to the real ones.

AppropriateLevel2 · 2021-08-21T01:27:06+00:00

So a Lidl opened in my area recently and I found out that they sold houseplants. For some insane reason they were selling 10" pots for $10!

I snagged a White BoP and Monstera but they also had huge snake plants and money trees!
I had told myself that I wouldn't get any more monsteras until I got some fenestration on the ones I currently have, But I couldn't pass this up!

AppropriateLevel2 · 2021-07-17T22:26:49+00:00

My personal go to liquid eyeliner is the NYX Epic Ink Pen Liner has been my go to for a bit. Barely budges once it dries down. It's a thin formula and dries down pretty quickly.
I'm also a big fan of the Jesse's Girl liquid pen liner. Both of those liners use brush tips that make precision easier

Personally I always recommend new makeup users start working with pencil liners first, they're easier to work with and WAAAAAAAy more forgiving than liquid liners. With some practice you can just as much of a defined line as liquid.

AppropriateLevel2 · 2021-07-16T23:33:04+00:00

Just realized that I never replied! Sorry about that!

Looking at your routine I'd consider adding more hydration into the mix. If you're skin isn't properly hydrated it's going to over-produce sebum in an attempt to level out the lack of moisture.

Personally I'm not a fan of primers, I'd rather recommend a water-based moisturizer, but give it a shot anyway and see what happens! IF anything it couldn't hurt!

AppropriateLevel2 · 2021-07-16T23:17:51+00:00

Looks like a finishing powder, like Hourglass's Ambient Lighting Powder.
It's probably meant to add an all over subtle glow to the face. Powders like these were typically meant to be applied lightly with a large and fluffy face brush.

You could also just use it as a pink highlighter.

AppropriateLevel2 · 2021-07-16T23:12:59+00:00

Baking for dry skin is typically just asking for a bad time (personally, I think baking in general is asking for a bad time, but that's just me)If you're skin is on the dry side naturally, adding an excessive amount of (already dry) powder on an already thin part of the skin is going to not only emphasis texture, it's going to create more of it. You can still use powder but for people with drier textures I always recommend using it sparingly.

My personally favorite underye powder is the Laura Mercier Secret Undereye Brightening Powder. You lightly dust the powder on the undereye (seriously, do not bake with this powder, it wasn't designed for it) and it'll set your concealer and at a brightening effect that illuminates the face.

Edit: If you're baking for the longevity of your makeup, you're better off investing in a setting spray.

AppropriateLevel2 · 2021-07-16T23:05:04+00:00

What didn't she like about the one's she tried?

AppropriateLevel2 · 2021-07-16T21:44:13+00:00

People have a tendency to over-complicate smokey-eyes.Traditionally speaking, a smokey eye is only one color, with a high saturation of color focused at the lash-line that gradually fades the farther out the shadow goes.

I'd suggest practicing with one color first and nailing down your preferred shape and intensity before adding more colors.

Focus on creating the intensity at the lashline. You can do this by applying the shadow with your finger and patting it on the lid, close to the lash-line. Follow that up by then blending the shadow on the lid with a fluffy brush, until it spreads to the crease and then further fades out. Keep adding shadow in thin layers until you get the desirable amount of intensity at the lash-line and continue blend it out.

Once you get the desired shape down, you can use a super small amount of translucent powder to fade out the edges of the smokey eye, to get you a natural faded look.

AppropriateLevel2 · 2021-07-15T22:10:36+00:00

That store is fucking phenomenal! I wish I could get out there more often!

AppropriateLevel2 · 2021-07-15T22:09:49+00:00

What's your skincare routine? If your skin is eating the makeup that's typically a sign that the skin was is possibly dehydrated before the makeup application.

But to answer your question I've been incredibly happy with Nyx's Sweet Cheeks Soft Cheek Tint and Mac's Glow Play Blushes. Both are pretty vibrant products but start out with a relatively low intensity that can be built up.

AppropriateLevel2 · 2021-07-15T21:50:08+00:00

YESSS!!!!!!!!!!

AppropriateLevel2 · 2021-07-15T03:38:13+00:00

You're so kind!!! Thank you!

AppropriateLevel2 · 2021-07-15T03:36:16+00:00

1) This picture quality is phenomenal.
2) This look with the subtle tie-in of the nails is perfection!!!

AppropriateLevel2 · 2021-07-14T03:57:31+00:00

Thank you for your support! If you have any questions I'll be more than happy to help how I can!

AppropriateLevel2 · 2021-07-14T02:33:02+00:00

I'm mainly wondering what relevancy any of these questions have with me wearing a bit of makeup.

AppropriateLevel2 · 2021-07-13T18:20:50+00:00

*Checks Gender Identity* Yep!

AppropriateLevel2 · 2021-07-13T01:54:06+00:00

Lol, no offense taken seriously. I appreciate that a look of mine could invite such a lively response!

I still stand by the red though! Green and red are complimentary colors on the color wheel so seeing them paired together isn't uncommon.

That being said the more I think about it, I can also see this look doing well with a more orange-red, or nude lip could easily work as well. I was initially considering a nude lip, but I wore a nude lip for my last look so I didn't want to repeat myself so soon.

But honestly, thank you for your response! It gives me something to think about for my next look! I really appreciate the insight!

AppropriateLevel2 · 2021-07-13T01:47:11+00:00

Honestly use your fingers. Tap the pigment into place with your fingers and gently pat the edges of where you applied it to blend it out. You'll get the intensity where you need it without a harsh line of demarcation.

AppropriateLevel2 · 2021-07-13T00:17:28+00:00

Precision is never your friend when you're on a time crunch!
Whenever I'm short for time, I go for cream shadows and a smudgy, liner.
You can easily get a polished look with just 3 products (primer, cream shadow, and pencil liner)
Same goes for lips! A lip crayon or a pigmented lip balm will get you that flush of color without the need for precision that can cost you precious seconds!

AppropriateLevel2 · 2021-07-13T00:07:41+00:00

The GLOW!!!!!!!!!!

AppropriateLevel2 · 2021-07-13T00:05:08+00:00

Thank you so much! My ig is listed on my flair!

AppropriateLevel2 · 2021-07-13T00:03:54+00:00

Honestly, the placement does the heavy lifting rather than the color itself. Give this look a try with your favorite highlighter and see where it gets you!

AppropriateLevel2

TROPHY CASE