There’s been a lot of mystery surrounding the new MAC Masterclass Brushes. Heck, even Tabs didn’t know what to make of them the first time he laid eyes on the funky black handles (which kind of look like toothbrushes).
I was curious, too, so yesterday I went to the source — the MAC Pro Store in San Francisco — and got some great tips from MAC Senior Artist Victor Cembellin.
If you like makeup and you’re not already following Victor online, get on that! He’s really nice, and he posts lots of fun and interesting behind-the-scenes MAC tweets and pics on his Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Anywho, Victor walked me through the different ways you can use the new Oval No. 6, Oval No. 3 and Linear 1 MAC Masterclass Brushes.
So far there are just three brushes in the new line, but as you can probably tell by the numbered names…it’s a safe bet we’ll see more. Hopefully, because I think they’re great.
The video has a lot more detail, but in a nutshell…
- One big difference — I mean, other than their unusual appearance — between these new brushes and traditional makeup brushes is how they’re used. They’re designed for less tapping and stippling, and more gliding, skimming, pushing and pulling across the skin. Think of your brush as a figure skater gliding along your skin.
- Each of the brushes can be used in different ways, and you can even use them to go from cream products to powders.
- The largest brush in the three-piece collection, Oval 6 ($42), can be used to apply foundation, tinted moisturizer, face powder, blush, highlighter and contour colors (probably among other things).
- Oval 3 ($32), the medium-sized one, works great for applying concealer to the under-eye area, eye cream all over the eyes and eyeshadows in the contour.
- The smallest brush, Liner 1 ($25), can be used for blending out eyeliner pencils (for a smudgy look) and applying eyeshadow, especially along the lash lines. In a pinch, you could even use it to fill in your brows.
- But what if you’re new to makeup? Can beginners use these brushes? Absolutely! Victor thinks so, too, and he talks about that in the video.
There’s way more tips and product recommendations from Victor in the vid, and here all links to all of the products mentioned.
Here are prices and links…
- MAC Oval 6 Brush ($42)
- MAC Oval 3 Brush ($32)
- MAC Linear 1 Brush ($25)
- MAC Prep + Prime Skin Refined Zone ($21)
- MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Deep ($30)
- Blushbaby Blush ($21)
- Style Blush ($21)
- Prep + Prime BB Beauty Balm Compact SPF 30 ($30)
- Bamboo Eye Shadow ($15)
- Blooz Eye Kohl ($16)
- Parfait Amour Eye Shadow ($15)
Oh! And if you want to learn more about the Masterclass Brushes and get really good hands-on help, you can always book an appointment at your local MAC store. One of their makeup artists will walk you through the process.
If you’re ever out here in the Bay Area, I highly recommend stopping by the MAC Pro Store on Union Street in San Francisco. According to Victor, it’s the only Pro Store covering eight states! You can call them at (415) 771-6113 to book an appointment. The makeup artists there are incredibly knowledgeable. Plus, you have the entire MAC Pro line right there at your fingertips to play with (SO FUN!).
I hope you enjoyed this video about toothbrushes. Thank you for watching! 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. In case you were interested, here’s some info on what I’m wearing in the video…
- Peter Som for Anthropologie Cheshire Dress, available now at anthropologie.com
- Cardigan is from Banana Republic’s summer collection, here’s something similar from bananarepublic.com
- Pam Hiran Bib Necklace from Anthropolgie (no longer available); this has a similar vibe and would work, too, which is available now at anthropologie.com
- Fergie Fallen Boots (no longer available)
- Glasses are the 429’s by Paul Smith
- Nail polish is Tom Ford Shameless
MAC Senior Artist Victor Cembellin’s Twitter:
https://twitter.com/MAC_Victor_C
Victor’s Instagram:
http://instagram.com/victorcembellin
Victor’s Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/victor.cembellinmakeup
Victor’s website:
http://www.victorcembellin.com/
MAC Store Locator:
http://www.maccosmetics.com/locator/index.tmpl
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO!! Now mama is going to get these brushes.
LOL, Aurora! I hope you love them. 🙂
Aw, Karen, you are so fun. Thanks for posting the video! Also, if you told me you were 23, I would not doubt you for a second.
Hi Ellen,
You’re welcome. 🙂 I hope you found this helpful! And thanks for the compliment…23 was a long time ago, LOL! You’re too sweet.
Super Video!Everything in this post was so informative 🙂 Thanks Karen! 🙂
Looks nearly identical to Jung Saem Mool’s MULE brushes. I think these are cheaper than MULE’s brushes though…
Hi Minsooky,
I’ve never heard of those; I’ll have to check them out!
Alright I know what I’m getting myself for early Christmas this week. I’m so excited about these brushes! 🙂
Happy early Christmas!
Amazing! Not only do I now need all of these brushes but I also want to be BFFs with the both of you! Haha! And, if possible, you’re even more beautiful in the video than in pictures.
You’re so sweet, Catherine. I’ll pass this comment onto Victor; I’m sure he’ll be so flattered! Thank you for watching and let me know if you have any other questions about the brushes.
What a fun video Karen. So many useful tips although I have to admit that at first these brushes look really scary, especially the smallest one. Which of these brushes do you think is the most useful?
Hi Agata,
Thank you! I thought they looked a little intimidating a first too, but once you start gliding them on your skin they’re very intuitive. I’ve just started incorporating them into my daily routine and so far I really love the large shape, Oval No. 6 for buffing in powder. I also like Linear No. 1 because I put shadow on my lower lash line almost every day, and this makes it REALLY easy.
Which one were you considering?
By the way, I hope you are feeling better. 🙂
I really like that Oval 6 for buffing in powder, too bad all of the brushes are sold out online.
Thanks for this amazing video.. I am falling in love with these masterclass brushes.. cant wait to grab these beauties..
U look pretty dear.. and I like the way u acted as a model for him.. 😉
Thank you!
I’ve wondered about these since the pictures first came out. Thank you so much for such an informative post! These look awesome.
Hi Natalie,
You’re very welcome! I’m glad that you found this post helpful, and I hope that you’ll be able to check out the brushes in person soon. Do you live near a MAC store or counter?
I love your blog — makeup reviews — so informative and educational. I love makeup — my favorite feature in the magazine — I always spend most of my time looking at cosmetics and body products! This is my new online magazine — love, love, love it! And I also love the fact that you’re a Filipino like me #proudtobePinoy! gosh! – I checked out your first blog — I love that Barbie/Mac cosmetics —- 🙂 definitely one of the best beauty blogs in the world right now 😀
Hi Jane,
Glad to hear you are liking the site! I bet we could wear a lot of similar shades since we are both Filipino. If you need any MAC recs let me know…
These seem really cool
Super cool!
These are so cool Karen! I want to play with them!
I love seeing you in video format – when I’m reading the blog I always imagine you having a voice like mine (since I’m reading to myself…), so it’s nice to get a more complete view of who you are!
Hey Chelsea!
You would have so much fun with these. Do you live near a MAC counter? Maybe book an appointment so you can have a lesson!
Happy early Thanksgiving to you and your family…what are you guys doing? Will Jiji and Quincy be dressing up for the occasion?
There’s a MAC counter at the Macy’s I used to work at – I have some mall errands to run, maybe I’ll check it out. I actually own very very little MAC (one blush, and two lipsticks), so I’ll have to see if I’m missing out on anything exciting. I need more makeup right now about as much as I need another hole in my head, but I just got a job offer I’m going to accept (yay, I’m graduating in 4 weeks!), so maybe I’ll find something I can’t live without.
My parents are coming down to spend Thanksgiving with us! No costumes for the furbabies (they wouldn’t even wear bow-ties for the wedding, so uncooperative). What are you guys planning on doing for the holiday?
Oh my gosh, congrats on the job! Is it the one that you were really hoping for?
Our T-day is gonna be low key. Just chillin’ at the house with Tabs, which is fine with me. I’m really tired and all I want to do is have the most low-stress, low-key day possible. I think we’re going to end up ordering take out and doing a Walking Dead marathon.
It is the job I was really hoping for! Much closer in terms of distance than other jobs I was looking at (one had a commute of over an hour, and the pay was nowhere near worth it), and a company I’ve wanted to work with for a long time. Couldn’t be better!
We had IHOP takeout for Thanksgiving one year, it was really nice. We’re doing the whole big dinner this year, but luckily the husband is a much better cook than me.
Thank you for the video Karen!! The brushes look so interesting but confusing to use lol. Huge help!!
Thanks for the video! I think I would put the large oval especially to good use. I’ll have to ask about these next time I’m out shopping.
Very fun video, you have very pretty cheekbones. Those brushes are not for me though, no buffing with dry skin!
Seems super cool!
Karen – this video turned out so GREAT… I had so much fun walking you through these little gems! And I’m loving all of your readers conversation revolving around the tools! We’ll have to do it again sometime soon… Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family… And try not to eat too much… That’s what leftovers are for- LOL! (Ps. Would love to be BFFs with Catherine- hee hee)
Wow! I thought the whole thing gimmicky, but after seeing your vid, I actually want me a ew of those – and I don’t even like MAC!
I need all of these brushes in my kit!!! I know it going to take a bit of work on adjusting to the brush shape and all but it will be fun. They look so different…Its like taking bath with makeup products…LOL
Great video, thanks for sharing! And that store is fantastic!!
wow! Karen! Your Video is so awesome! Thank you!
xoxo
Hi Karen, thank you for this amazing video! I really love your blog and you have such a great personality. Xx from The Netherlands!
Great informative video! I like these brushes, I might check them out!
Thanks for the post! I noticed that there is a new MAC store going in at my favorite local mall. I’ll have to take a look at these brushes. Innovative shape!
Wow i wish i could visit a mac pro store too in this lifetime. Hehe i used to be a mac artist here in the philippines and i got the chance to meet victor at our training. Hope we could meet if u visit PI again. Love those brushes! Would be getting them when they get here in january
Thank you so much for this post and video, Karen! My initial reaction upon first seeing them was similar to Tabs’ but now I think these look like wonderful tools! The large brush especially! This video was so fun – I don’t know who’s cuter, you or Victor! 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving! ❤
I think these brushes were first seen from Jung Seam Mool MULE collection. Being the design as such a different unique design, I wonder of these brushes were patented by any of these companies.
Also, I’m wondering if these brushes would be the future of makeup brushes. Imagine our great grand kids applying their makeup using these brushes and talking about how odd that historically, people used straight brushes to apply their makeup!
Food for thought! =D
M.May
OMG! I love the prep & prime! I’ve been using that stuff for years as a base for my olive oil face. I would go in and ask for it and a lot of the in store MUAs would look at me like I was crazy when I told them I used it as a mattyfier. That stuff absolutely works wonders, and a little tube would last me about four months cause it takes so little. Thanks for reminding me that I need to get a new one just as soon as I run out of this Korean stuff I’ve been using.
Em…so not really feeling those brushes. Is it just me? They seem too weird, and like I would have to put in much more work to get face done. My face already takes a half hour, the idea is to cut down on time. Or maybe I’m just stubborn and don’t like change. That’s always a definite possibility,
I Went to the mac store near me just to check the brushes!! I loved the big one!! Thanks for the review!!! And the vid!!!
Hi Sabrina,
Glad you like it! What have you used it with so far? I love it for applying blushes.