The case that comes with the MAC 5 Shape & Perfect Brushes kit is in one way like a Mini Cooper — small on the outside, but surprisingly roomy on the inside (Beep! Beep!).
For kicks today I tried to see just how much stuff I could squeeze into it. In addition to the five miniature makeup brushes it comes with, I managed to also find room inside for two full-size MAC pressed powder compacts, three full-size tubes of Cremesheen Glass and three eyeshadow singles.
Hot damn, that’s a lot! My inner makeup hobo approves. 🙂
Frankly, I wish MAC sold the bag separately (it’s zippered and made of some kind of canvas/fabric), because the five travel brushes it comes with really aren’t all that…
I should say right off the bat that I’m not a big fan of MAC’s travel brushes. The ones I’ve tried haven’t performed as well as the brushes in their permanent line, but I tried to keep an open mind today while testing the five in this set — the 168SE Angled Contour Brush, 187SE Duo Fibre Brush, 212SE Flat Definer Brush, 219SE Pencil Brush and 275SE Medium Angled Shading Brush.
So did keeping an open mind pay off? Well, it certainly did with the 275 Medium Angled Shading Brush, which feels surprisingly soft, and applies and blends shadows with aplomb, but, unfortunately, I don’t think any of the other brushes shine. As a matter of fact, the 212SE’s bristles feel scratchy and stiff, and the 187SE Duo Fibre Brush sheds about 10 times more than Tabs. After using it to apply my foundation this morning, I had to pluck about 18 of its bristles from my face. Not cool.
Long story short, I think I’ll pass on the brushes, but I’m in mad 
with the bag. Seriously, the kit might be worth it just for that.
PRICE: As a MAC travel exclusive, price varies by location
AVAILABILITY: At select domestic and international airports and duty free stores
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B-
For more on the MAC Packed to Go travel exclusives, check out…
- Ready, Set, Jet! The MAC Packed To Go Travel Exclusives for Spring 2011
- A Travel Exclusive: MAC Packed These 3 Cremesheens To Go
- According to the Girl Next Door, MAC Put This Look in a Box
- MAC Packed to Go: 6 Cool Smoky Eye Shadows
- MAC Packed to Go: Girl Next Door Look in a Box
Free lipsticks from Lancome and a bright yellow polish!
Lancome’s got a really great deal running online right now. Spend $35 on Lancome-usa.com and enter code XOXO to get three full-size lipsticks of your choice, free. The offer’s valid today and tomorrow (2/16) until 11:59am EST. UPDATE, 8:05pm: Thanks to reader Stephanie for letting me know the Lancome lipsticks are colors are actually pre-set. The offer includes: Color Design Lipstick in Backstage Beauty, Fashion Icon and Natural Beauty.
In other news, what do ya think about this new nail color from the Lippman Collection? It’s called Yellow Brick Road ($16) and launches April 15 online.
FUN FACT: Lady Gaga wore the color when she performed at the Grammys. 🙂 PAPARAZZI!
LOL! Sorry, I feel kinda goofy today, or maybe I’m just hungry… What’s for dinner tonight?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Deborah Lippmann polishes are my love. <3
I like quite a few of the se eye brushes for the short handles. I wear glasses which I am blind as a bat without, and when I do my eye makeup I have to take them off. Basically this leads to me getting right up in the mirror's business. Needless to say long handle brushes hit against the glass and irritate the tar out of me.
If you’re ever in Hawaii you’ll have to visit her Nail studio!
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/beauty-tips/the-lippmann-collection-nail-studio-a-manicure-and-pedicure-in-paradise/
I’ll have to get down there for a mani/pedi. We’ll be here at Schofield Barracks (Oahu) for the next 2 and half years at least and I always like to visit that mall. Thanks for the link to your previous article.
You’re welcome! 🙂
How are you liking Oahu?
It’s lovely. 🙂 My children are in their mid to late teens though and miss the mainland very much. I told them to relax and enjoy these three years! Our fav spot on the island is North shore and eating at Haleiwa Joes 🙂
It’s very different and I can see how they could be having a bit of culture shock. My husband grew up on Oahu and when he moved to the mainland he experienced the same thing.
I love, LOVE the North Shore, too (so much so that I got married there!). Do you ever get shave ice when you’re up there? I’m all about Matsumoto’s! 🙂
Yes we get a shaved ice but the line is always so long! Sometimes we go to the other place for shaved ice that’s just down the street (same side of street). We’ve eaten in a couple restaurants down there but my kids prefer the bus’es with kalbi or shrimp plates LOL. At least they do like that 🙂
LOOOOVE the graphic print on the brush case!
Yes! It’s too cute, right?
I’m so excited to visit a duty free store. I’m studying abroad in England this summer and I’m definitely stopping by! 🙂
If you find one that sells Packed to Go let me know!
i like the bag too, hehe!! kind of bummed that the brushes arent that great. 🙁
Yeah, me too.
What a fun idea trying to fit as much sa possible into a make up bag 🙂
And this nail polish color is to die for!!!
xx Olga
Try it sometime… you’ll be surprised what you can fit into your makeup bags!
I love the bag, it’s very pretty! Too bad the brushes aren’t that good..
Me too!
Thanks for the review karen! i loved the cute bag (was totally surprised it could hold SO MUCH though!! who wouldve guessed?!) but sucks how the brushes arent very good.. 🙁 at least i know now and can save my money for something better 🙂 thanks!
Sure thing, Agnes!
it’s sad the quality of the brushes aren’t so good, they’re so cute and small. I can imagine how awesome it would be to take them traveling. it’ll save so much space.
Yeah, they’re lightweight too, which is nice. They work in a pinch, but I probably wouldn’t use them as everyday brushes, you know?
what a cute bag! it matches well with your phone too 🙂
wow, that polish is REALLY yellow!
LOL… really yellow. Like traffic light yellow!
Your makeup bag looks like a neck roll! 🙂 I wonder why MAC can’t have the same quality in their travel brushes as they have in their full sized. It just seems odd. I’m really glad that you’ve pointed it out though because I would have been disappointed if I’d accidentally bought the travel versions.
I’m not someone who wears yellow well but the Lippmann color definitely makes a statement. I know China Glaze has a Wizard of Ohh Ahz collection, but I’m guessing this is Elton John inspired (like Tiny Dancer). I know… I’m sure everyone but me got that right away. 🙂
I don’t know why, either. 🙁 BTW, do you have the MAC 217? If you don’t then you need one in your life, stat!
i would like the bag only, pleaseeeeeee …. it reminds me of a fendi print!
the SE brushes – not too hot about. theyre just the eensiest bit scratchier than a full sized one. the only SE brush i love is a 168SE that came out with some collection in the past (blue green letters on the handle, if that helps any) because its soft and dense and perfect for light contouring. 🙂
I don’t mind the 168 that comes with this set, either. You’re right, it’s softer and denser than I’d expect from an SE brush!
weird how some brushes are good in an SE set and some just suck! i have a 217 from a holiday collection (red handled) and its so scratchy. i keep it because its handy to throw in a make up bag on days when i bring eyeshadow w/ me.
I find the SE 217s very stressful. The bristles splay after, like, one washing. Have you ever tried the 219SE? Sooooo scratchy!
what i do to the 217SE is i gently wrap it in tissue after i wash it to kinda keep the bristles together. it helps a bit!
luckily i dont own a 219SE … i use that brush a lot to place color in my crease so a scratchy one would get me upset. 🙂
Too bad about the brushes, but the bag is cute!
I love cute makeup bags and I’ve found that places like Marshalls and TJ Maxx sometimes have a good selection and the price is usually good too!
Good call on hitting up Marshalls! They also have a pretty decent discount perfume section too.
I totally agree, the bag looks awesome but I would rather buy one brush at a time as I need/want it.
I know! The bag is too cute, right?
Karen – How much is that MAC brush set?
I love the bag! I am in need of a good travel makeup bag.. lol
HAHAHAHA a brush that sheds more than Tabs. Amusing, but not particularly useful — and certainly not as cute! Oh man, shedding time is coming up soon. Aisha has a white undercoat under her tabby markings. I think I need a new lint roller (or five).
Hey hun… Great blog… Love your posts each and everytime… I know this is off the topic but umm… Where did you get your iphone case? Its super cute…