No. 1: MAC 109 Small Contour Brush, $32, 15 Best MAC Cosmetic Products -- and the 4 Worst

Makeup

15 Best MAC Cosmetic Products -- and the 4 Worst

Your shopping guide to this cult-fave makeup brand

March 31, 2009 | by Kristen Oldham Giordani | 35 COMMENTS

No. 1: MAC 109 Small Contour Brush, $32

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 10.0*
What you said: "As a former MAC artist I can tell you that if you ask any other MAC makeup artist what one of their favorite brushes is they will name this one. The 109 brush is by far my favorite brush to use for foundation! Either pump the foundation onto the back of your hand (like a palette) or directly onto your face, and use the brush in circular motions to buff it into the skin. Flawless coverage! If you want it to be more sheer, just spray the brush with a product like their fix plus to get a more tinted moisturizer type of finish." -- sarahbear76, TotalBeauty.com member

Agree? Disagree? Write your review here.

*At time of publication

20 of 20

products mentioned

MAC Green Gel Cleanser

5.8

MAC Prep + Prime Eye

4.4

MAC Pro LongLash Mascara

4.3

CoverGirl LashExact Mascara

8.0

MAC Matte

4.0

MAC Eye Shadow

9.3

MAC 21 Lash

9.4

MAC Blot Film

9.6

MAC 187 Duo Fibre Brush

9.2

MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush

9.8

MAC 266 Small Angle Brush

9.6

MAC Fluidline

9.3

MAC Eye Pencil

9.1

MAC Mattene Lipstick

9.6

MAC Glitter

9.8

MAC 208 Angled Brow Brush

9.5

MAC 224 Tapered Blending Brush

9.7

MAC 2 Lash

9.6

MAC Microfine Refinisher

8.5

MAC 217 Blending Brush

9.6

MAC 109 Small Contour Brush

9.6

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Do love the good ones--haven't tried the ones with lower ratings, happily.

by GigiSD Monday, May 6, 2013 at 07:41PM Report as inappropriate

Loved this round up of MAC products. I agree with several of the best and luckily have not purchased any of the worst.

by HeathRene Friday, March 1, 2013 at 03:19PM Report as inappropriate

Not bad but this was mostly a MAC brush roundup just a few things added like false lashes and eyeshadow. I agree these are great and highly recommend but to make this a better guide there should of been more. MAC Pro foundation. This is probably the best foundation out there, it's a absolute dream. Studiotech and face and body could also of been added. Dazzleglass gloss is also among the best out there even though I usually use NYX instead and I could not live without my MAC fix+. Good guide but shallow.

by Alana_Danes Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 07:17AM Report as inappropriate

i like some mac products but there are some brushes out there that are almost as good but cost much less.

by .flawless. Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 12:37PM Report as inappropriate

I love MAC

by LittleBunny Monday, January 21, 2013 at 11:04AM Report as inappropriate

Prefer to use paint pots as eyeshadow primer.

by Maclover36 Friday, January 11, 2013 at 07:54PM Report as inappropriate

It was ok, could've been better. Nothing special about this cleanser.

by Maclover36 Friday, January 11, 2013 at 07:47PM Report as inappropriate

Nice

by EricaF123 Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 08:54AM Report as inappropriate

couldn't agree more. This is why I joined this site.

by BlackFleur145 Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at 08:09PM Report as inappropriate

very helpful

by denise_pierce Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 05:37PM Report as inappropriate

Their foundations have horrible ingredients for your skin, I wouldn't buy any of it. However, I find every other one of their products wonderful

by michellefuentes Sunday, August 19, 2012 at 09:08PM Report as inappropriate

MAC cosmetics eyeshadows are the best ever!

by mommydocious Sunday, April 29, 2012 at 11:18AM Report as inappropriate

Shadows and lipsticks are their best items!!

by lisiana_de_bem_justino Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 08:44PM Report as inappropriate

I only buy eye shadow & brushes from MAC. Their face products break me out, the lip gloss is tacky & their eye liners smudge too much.

by DTalksAll Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 02:51PM Report as inappropriate

I love that so many items on the good list are brushes. I know exactly where I'm going next time I need to replace a brush--the MAC store on Newbury St.!

by tallredamanda Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at 09:05AM Report as inappropriate

Contour brushes are some of my favorites too. :)

by volta Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 09:16PM Report as inappropriate

I've been wanting to try some MAC products for a long time, so this is a great guide. :)

by Brandi27 Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 01:12PM Report as inappropriate

I never did understand why are a lot of girls and women so crazed about MAC? It is an average brand at its best. Some products are worth mentioning but the general impression is that it is way overrated. Here in Europe we are not crazy about MAC.

by selma Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 12:59AM Report as inappropriate

Truth! I totally agree with the bad review on the mac greeng gel cleanser. I tried it and it made face a bit more even and less oily but it caused brakeouts on my cheeks and my nose. The smell is kinda weird and the price is a bit to high. I wasn't happy with the product. I loove mac products but the mascara's... too pricey and not so amazing. You will get clumps and you can't apply many layers. The only positive thing, it stays for long and it doesn't smudge under your eyes.

by linche0starligh Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 06:23AM Report as inappropriate

i really want some mac brushes! i also loooveee their eyeshadows!

by kitten94 Sunday, January 1, 2012 at 08:12PM Report as inappropriate

when it comes to brushes MAC has the best one! ive been using almost all of their brushes.. and the bristles are totally intact..

by Mssaralee18 Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 06:41AM Report as inappropriate

I've always wanted to try MAC

by Bon_Bon Monday, August 15, 2011 at 03:19PM Report as inappropriate

I've been meaning to try out MAC products. This was a great guide!

by MissXu Friday, June 17, 2011 at 10:17AM Report as inappropriate

I have to agree I am not to thrilled with the mascara.

by tiffany_gallehugh Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 06:44PM Report as inappropriate

I don't know about the Mac eye shadow primer but I love the bare minerials primer, some people say it breaks them out but it never has made me personally

by lizzie2013 Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 06:03PM Report as inappropriate

I don't like mac mascara. I tried quit a few, and they usually end up collecting dust. I tried quit a few of their products. Personally I think Mac is a tad bit over rated.

by shell1375 Sunday, May 22, 2011 at 11:36AM Report as inappropriate

I love MAC. I dont' have any of their brushes tho. My favorite item is the Studio Fix Powder foundation with the concealer to match. Their eyeshadows are awesome, and I want to try the liquid foundation as well. At first I thought their products were a little pricey, but I now realize they are well worth it and last FOREVER. :)

by msbrown822 Monday, May 16, 2011 at 10:50AM Report as inappropriate

I loooove MAC Fluidlines! And the shadows are great too. MAC makes so many great products. Their lipglasses are my favorite gloss, but aren't listed in this gallery.

by LipglossandSpandex Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 10:19PM Report as inappropriate

MAC Brushes are awesome! Invest if you can! I also love their lipsticks =)

by makeupbyjanalyn Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 11:43AM Report as inappropriate

MAC is my lover!!! Plus its a Canadian company so you gotta support that!

by CliniqueLover Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 04:49PM Report as inappropriate

MAC brushes and pigments are really worth the money, but i have found great dupes for them. also, MAC mascaras are not worth the money because i have used better drugstore ones.

by kenya Monday, December 27, 2010 at 11:32AM Report as inappropriate

This has a decent mix of brushes and cosmetics. MAC is really known for two things though: eye shadow & BRUSHES! I am SO in love with the 187! Once you use that baby you can never go back.

by pynkNymphette Thursday, December 16, 2010 at 06:45PM Report as inappropriate

I love MAC cosmetics! I use their Studio Fix Foundation & Powder (it conceals acne/dark spots), Blush, Eyeshadows, Lip Glass, and my favorite product of theirs is the Eye Liner. I have never found an eye liner just as good or better than MAC's. Some people consider MAC a little pricey but you get what you pay for and their cosmetics are worth the buck (or bucks *LOL*)!

by miss_tijera Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 03:04PM Report as inappropriate

i wanted to read about their cosmetics, not their brushes!!

by marin Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 08:31PM Report as inappropriate

Thank you so much for the info. I am tired of buying cosmetic products getting them home and not liking them. Never mind the cost.

by Sohoaccessories Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 03:53PM Report as inappropriate

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