Are you happy with your purchase? Do you feel that the quality is the same as the stand-alone brushes?

I'm thinking of purchasing the "wave of a wand" set:

http://www.maccosmetics.ca/templates...T_ID=PROD15351

I'm mainly interested in the 129 in a travel size, as I love my full-size version. When I went to the MAC store though, I felt the travel-size brush on display, and it didn't feel as "full" as the regular sized brush.

Also - do they offer the same brush sets every year? Or do they change the selection included? I don't think I'd use 2 of the brushes in this set...

I see that they also sell the 129 with a shorter handle, by itself - maybe I'll just get that one instead - does anyone own it?
http://www.maccosmetics.ca/templates...CT_ID=PROD1536
The 129 Blush/Brush with a shorter handle. Includes a travel pouch to keep your brush clean.

I don't have the holiday brush sets, but I did get the Hello Kitty face brush set and was extremely disappointed. The quality was not the same as the full size. I ended up returning it.

I've heard from other threads and forums that the brush sets are machine made since they're mass produced. The full-sized brushes are handmade, making them better in quality. When I was a MAC newbie all I bought were the brush sets since they seemed like such a good deal. IMO the brushes in the sets have improved GREATLY over the years. (My first 129se is pokey and 224se is so sparse and scratchy compared to the newer ones). Since the only quality I was familiar with were with those in the sets, it never really bothered me since I had nothing to compare them to. Now that I'm starting to buy full-sized brushes, I can tell the difference. They are softer, sometimes fuller, and sturdier. I bought a set from the Graphic Gardens collection because I needed a 190. Less than two months later the brush head is becoming detached from the ferule (sp?). It looks as though it wasn't glued on securely.

On the other hand, I use the 226se, 224se from a different set than my crappy first, and the concealer brush (I forget which number) on a daily basis. I also keep a 129se in my makeup bag for travel. I guess it's pretty much hit or miss with me.

Sorry, this probably didn't help you much. :(

I have the Wave of a Wand brush set and am happy with it - The powder brush is not as fluffy, you are right, but I bought mine to carry in my purse, and it works great. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the 212 for filling my brows, and I do like the fluffy shadow brush (cant remember the number, sorry) so all in all I felt like this set was a good buy for me. I probably wont buy another set though as I have all the brushes I need and will just need to replace my brushes as needed now.

I have the holiday face brushes from last year. It seems like the heads are the same and they just stuck them on short red handles. Idk if that's true or not...

I bought two of the sets and am very happy with them. In all fairness I don't own any full size MAC brushes, but have some Chanel, Giorgio Armani, Clinique in full size, so I think I know what a good brush feels like! (I hope!)

I wish you well,

Bridget

i think they aren't as soft as the full size brushes. i don't own any (i do own full size MAC and chanel brushes...a few shu too), but i have played with them at my CCO and i didn't feel they were worth buying. also, the shorter handle will cause you to apply makeup a bit heavier.

I am a freak about the full-size MAC brushes, I them to death!! I only have a few travel ones (I got the Buff and Line set this year) and they are good -- better than most travel brushes, IMO -- but on the whole not quite as awesome as the full-sized ones, with a few exceptions. For example, I have some travel-sized MAC brushes from a few years back that I use just as much as my regular MAC brushes -- and the very small 209 (eyeliner) brushes that I got in my Chocolate and Naughty Noir eye kits this year have turned out to be wonderful.

I have both full-sized brushes and SE brushes. Yes, the SE brushes' quality is not up to par compared to full-sized brushes' quality, but I would not expect them to be. My 187 retails for $42, and I picked up a set of five SE brushes from their brush bags set for $49.50 with a SE 187 included. These SE brushes are fantastic for traveling, but if you are looking to use your brushes everyday, I would definitely recommend saving up for the full-sized versions. I picked up a brush bag a month ago so I could store them at work for afternoon touch-ups.

I have the set of eye brushes from last year. I don't think they are quite as nice as the regular brushes, but I use them all the time. I especially love the 275 brush from that set. They do change what brushes are offered in the sets. However, there a couple of brushes that they seem to offer every year (such as the 187).

Thanks for all the input!

I do like the quality of my MAC full size brushes - especially my 129. I don't think I'll be buying the holiday set - as the quality doesn't seem to be the same.

I am curious about the 129 they are selling with the shorter handle - on the website it says that it is handmade and comes with its own bag. I think it costs the same as a regular 129 - but it would work better for me for travel....I'll have to see if they have one in store the next time I go out! Does anyone own this - I wonder what its bag looks like!

It actually would work out better for me, as I don't really need travel-sizes of any other brushes - just the blush one.

I bought a brush set cuz I wanted the 187 but wouldn't pay that much for the full-size. Was pretty happy with the 187SE even though it isn't that dense(I use it for blush now---just planning to get a Sigma set for the full-sized stippling brush) not impressed at all with the 168SE...it's rough and the feeling makes me not want to blend out my contour, have since managed to buy a 165 on a trip abroad...totally worth it!!!

the 275SE I hardly use, it seems to work better as a contour brush for the nose than an eyeshadow brush.

The brush sets, especially the ones released for this holiday season, are super cute. But like everyone said, do not be deceived. They are cheaper versions of the full sized brushes. That's why the price point is where it's at. You're pretty much getting what you pay for. I got a set last year for Christmas and also bought the Hello Kitty set and was pretty disappointed. I probably should have returned them. The quality does make a difference in makeup application too.

I have all 3 sets from last year and a full size MAC brush collection as well. And in my opinion the sets are not anywhere close to the quality of my full sized brushes. Most of my full size one I've had for years and other than the shadow brush I stepped on and broke in half they all look as good as the day I got them. With the sets, I've only had them for a year and only use them for either travel or quick touchups and already can tell that they are close to the end of their life. Bristles falling out, brush heads becoming detached from their bases, etc.

Granted I didn't expect them to be the same perfection as my full size ones when I got the sets, however I did expect them to hold up much better than they have considering they are MAC.

So in conclusion, the Holiday brush sets are a miss for me.

Originally Posted by Ellapretty

Thanks for all the input! I am curious about the 129 they are selling with the shorter handle - on the website it says that it is handmade and comes with its own bag. I think it costs the same as a regular 129 - but it would work better for me for travel....I'll have to see if they have one in store the next time I go out! Does anyone own this - I wonder what its bag looks like!

I checked out the 129 with the short handle at the MAC store - it is such a cute size - and it is handmade like all the full size brushes - so I definitely think that it will be my next purchase from MAc...the bag that it comes in is just a clear plastic sleeve - but I guess that is practical, as it won't take up too much space.