May 9, 2010

Sigma SS165 vs. MAC 165 Brush





DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE MAC 165 AND THE SIGMA MAKEUP SS165
D
ifference 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.

6 comments:

  1. I love Sigma brushes since they are more available and cheaper than the MAC ones!

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  2. nice 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.

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  3. Hi Justine. That's true! Sigma also started selling individual brushes effective today.

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  4. anyone who wanna sell their 165 brush pls pm me arhadialn@hotmail

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  5. anyone who wanna sell their brush pls pm me arhadialn@hotmail

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  6. Oh! I would like to buy mac 165 too
    nataly.keller@gmail.com
    Thank u)

    ReplyDelete