DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE MAC 165 AND THE SIGMA MAKEUP SS165
Difference in Price: $24.69. You'll spend 73% more on the MAC version.
Difference in Weight: 0.3 grams.
Difference in brush length: approx. 1/2".
Difference in Brush Diameter: MAC handle is smaller than Sigma handle.
Difference in Brush Heads: None in terms of size. Differences between bristle softness and stiffness are noted in the detailed descriptions below.
Difference in construction: MAC brush head is glued and clamped onto the handle. Sigma brush head is only glued onto the handle.
MAC 165 TAPERED CHEEK AND HIGHLIGHTER BRUSH
Cost: $34. Availability: Limited Edition (MAC releases this brush a few times a year but does not stock it in the permanent collection). Origin: Japan. Intended Use: Blush application, contouring, highlighting. Brush Length: approx. 7 1/2". Brush Weight: 15.6 grams. Shed Factor: No bristles shed. Dye Bleeding Factor: No dye bled. Softness (Scale of 1-10): 9. Pros: Extremely soft, very comfortable to brush across the face. Quality is very high; ferrule is attached very securely. Cons: Availability, price. Final Impression: This is a fantastic brush I would recommend investing in when it is next available. I don't think all MAC brushes are worth the price, but this one is an exception. It is very uniquely shaped, of very high quality, and performs in a way that most other cheek brushes don't. It is a one of a kind.
SIGMA MAKEUP SS 165 TAPERED HIGHLIGHTER BRUSH
Cost: $9.31 (When purchased in the $149 kit, and the price is divided equally among 16 products). Availability: Online at sigmamakeup.com, but only in the $149 kit (not individually). Origin: China. Intended Use: Blush application, contouring, highlighting. Brush Length: approx 7". Brush Weight: 15.3 grams. Shed Factor: No bristles shed. Dye Bleeding Factor: No dye bled. Softness (Scale of 1-10): 8 Pros: Inexpensive. Bristles are stiff enough to contour really nicely. Pretty soft. Cons: Bristles are not quite as baby-fine as the ones in the MAC 165, and they are a bit more "frizzy". The brush doesn't hold its shape as well after washing, and the tapering is a little bit asymetrical. The brush head is simply glued onto the handle. Final Impression: This is a good brush that works best for contouring and highlighting. In most situations I don't think it would be great for blush application, but you can definitely make it work if you must. This brush is one I am pleased to own.
So... Which brush do I prefer???
The MAC 165. It is a higher quality brush. It is softer. The construction is superior. I still like the Sigma SS165, but I feel that the price differences between the two is not enough to make a significant difference in my decision.
Cost: $34. Availability: Limited Edition (MAC releases this brush a few times a year but does not stock it in the permanent collection). Origin: Japan. Intended Use: Blush application, contouring, highlighting. Brush Length: approx. 7 1/2". Brush Weight: 15.6 grams. Shed Factor: No bristles shed. Dye Bleeding Factor: No dye bled. Softness (Scale of 1-10): 9. Pros: Extremely soft, very comfortable to brush across the face. Quality is very high; ferrule is attached very securely. Cons: Availability, price. Final Impression: This is a fantastic brush I would recommend investing in when it is next available. I don't think all MAC brushes are worth the price, but this one is an exception. It is very uniquely shaped, of very high quality, and performs in a way that most other cheek brushes don't. It is a one of a kind.
SIGMA MAKEUP SS 165 TAPERED HIGHLIGHTER BRUSH
Cost: $9.31 (When purchased in the $149 kit, and the price is divided equally among 16 products). Availability: Online at sigmamakeup.com, but only in the $149 kit (not individually). Origin: China. Intended Use: Blush application, contouring, highlighting. Brush Length: approx 7". Brush Weight: 15.3 grams. Shed Factor: No bristles shed. Dye Bleeding Factor: No dye bled. Softness (Scale of 1-10): 8 Pros: Inexpensive. Bristles are stiff enough to contour really nicely. Pretty soft. Cons: Bristles are not quite as baby-fine as the ones in the MAC 165, and they are a bit more "frizzy". The brush doesn't hold its shape as well after washing, and the tapering is a little bit asymetrical. The brush head is simply glued onto the handle. Final Impression: This is a good brush that works best for contouring and highlighting. In most situations I don't think it would be great for blush application, but you can definitely make it work if you must. This brush is one I am pleased to own.
So... Which brush do I prefer???
The MAC 165. It is a higher quality brush. It is softer. The construction is superior. I still like the Sigma SS165, but I feel that the price differences between the two is not enough to make a significant difference in my decision.
I love Sigma brushes since they are more available and cheaper than the MAC ones!
ReplyDeletenice review. You can actually buy the SS165, along with most of their other brushes separately on allcosmeticswhole.com, I am planning on picking up this one and possibly the ss138 as well.
ReplyDeleteHi Justine. That's true! Sigma also started selling individual brushes effective today.
ReplyDeleteanyone who wanna sell their 165 brush pls pm me arhadialn@hotmail
ReplyDeleteanyone who wanna sell their brush pls pm me arhadialn@hotmail
ReplyDeleteOh! I would like to buy mac 165 too
ReplyDeletenataly.keller@gmail.com
Thank u)