Hmm… Just five quarters left!
That should be enough for this last load of MAC Wash and Dry collection products. We have two brushes, a makeup bag, four bronzers and some bits for brows.
Beginning with the brushes and bag…
MAC Wash and Dry Collection: Brushes and Bag
THE BRUSHES
- How many are there in the release? There are two brushes in the collection — the 125 Split Fibre Dense Face Brush ($38.50) and 126 Split Fibre Large Face Brush ($46)
- Uh…what’s a Split Fibre Brush? Good question. The brush heads are like two sides of a coin and have natural fibers on one side, and synthetic fibers on the other, so it’s designed to work with both cream (the synthetic fibers) and powder products (the natural fibers).
They’re surprisingly handy. Mostly, I’ve been using these for applying products and blending them out, and I’ll apply whatever I’m working with — bronzer or blush, for instance — with one side of one of the brushes, and then I’ll flip the brush over and blend out the edges with the other side. It’s akin to having two different brushes in one.
Both sides feel soft, with the synthetic bristles being slightly stiffer, which makes them ideal for picking up lots of product (like with the Studio Sculpt Bronzing Powders).
- How well do they work overall? I think the 126 Split Fibre Large Face Brush ($46) is probably the better value. I like the size of the brush head. It’s big, so it covers a lot of surface area and is good for quickly erasing and diffusing edges. I’ve used it with bronzer, powder and blush, and it works well for them all. It’s a true multitasking tool — yes, on the expensive side, as it’s almost $50 (!), but it’s well-made and versatile.
As for the 125 Split Fibre Dense Face Brush ($38.50), it’s an adequate contouring brush, and it looks cool…but unless you plan to contour every day, you may not get as much use out of it as the Face Brush.
It definitely looks cool, though, for whatever that’s worth.
THE WASH AND DRY MAKEUP BAG
- Do I need this bag in my life? Well…if you like the way it looks. On the plus side, it’s spacious. I can fit three face compacts, three lipsticks, three glosses, three liners (apparently three is the magic number), a tube of MAC Brow Set and a Veluxe Pearl Trio into it and still have extra room for cat treats. 🙂
Sadly, on the negative side, the shiny exterior attracts fingerprints like a solid gold doorknob.
MAC Wash and Dry Collection: Bronzers
- How many are there in the collection? There are four — two Bronzing Powders ($27.50 each) and two Studio Sculpt Defining Bronzing Powders ($35.50 each).
- Are they drool-worthy? Possibly. The two Bronzing Powders (Refined Golden and Matte Bronze) are, in fact, re-promotes from the permanent collection, and if you aren’t enthralled by the limited edition MAC Wash and Dry packaging, you can get them now (and for $2.50 less).
These are MAC’s standard bronzers for general bronzing. I think they’re fine, but I don’t really use MAC’s bronzers very often. I prefer Guerlain’s Terracotta 4 Seasons Bronzing Powders for my everyday bronzing needs, but if you’re a MAC enthusiast, these get the job done. I feel like this particular line of MAC bronzers looks a little obvious on my skin, though, so it’s not one of my faves in the line.
The collection’s two Studio Sculpt Defining Bronzing Powders are not re-promotes (as far as I’m aware), but they’re super sheer — noticeably sheerer than the regular MAC Bronzing Powder line. Of course, that’s kind of the point, as the gel-like powdery formula is designed to give extremely light coverage. Very no-makeup makeup.
I recommend using a brush with stiff bristles to apply these. In my experience they do a better job with this formula.
MAC Wash and Dry Collection: Brow products
- How many brow products are in the release? Shown here are the collection’s five Pro Longwear Waterproof Brow Sets and one Clear Brow Set ($17 each). Not shown are the five Fluidline Brow Gelcremes ($16 each) and four Eye Brows pencils ($16 each).
- Are these drop-everything awesome brow products that I should immediately get in my life? Well, if we’re referring to the Brow Sets, I’d say probably not. These are pretty self-explanatory, but basically you run the included brush through your brows to tint, fill in and set your brows in place. Personally, I’d head over to Bobbi Brown, and grab one of her Natural Brown Shapers instead.
Honestly, I think Bobbi’s are better. They’re easier to use and look that much more natural.
For more MAC Wash and Dry collection swatches, pics and reviews…
- The MAC Wash and Dry Collection Brushes, Makeup Bag, Bronzers and Pro Longwear Waterproof Brow Sets
- The MAC Wash and Dry Collection Technakohl Liners: This Time Around, Practice Made a Perfect Blue
- Lustrous Lips Are a Lipglass Away With the MAC Wash and Dry Collection
- The MAC Wash and Dry Collection Lipsticks: Helping Lips Look Lovely While Cleaning Up Their Act
- MAC Wash and Dry Collection High-Light Powder in Freshen Up: Before and After
- The MAC Wash and Dry Collection Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow Trios Promise to Make Laundry Days and Lids Lovelier
The MAC Wash and Dry collection arrives May 14 to the MAC website, and then a week later at MAC counters and stores May 21.
Ding!
Ah, looks like my laundry’s finished. Just in time for lunch. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Fancie says
Delicates looks like a nice bronzer but if it’s “super sheer” I probably won’t have the patience to fuss with it. So that’s an easy skip. I like the look of that contour brush though! I may need that one!
Karen says
Do you contour every day, Fancie?
sarahc says
I don’t use bronzer ever, only blush, but if I do are the Studio Sculpt Defining Bronzer Powders because they are so sheer are a good beginners bronzer to start?
Karen says
I’d head to the drugstore first! That way you can try a bronzer first without having to commit to too much $. Rimmel makes a great one, and it’s only $4 for a huge pan.
80sChicwithglasses says
I really hate that they made the brushes split fibre. I guess that’s good for my pocket since I won’t be investing in them, lol. As beautiful as the collection is I’m passing on it. I was cleaning out my collection and ran across a blush from last year that I busted my hump to get and only used a couple of times. It still has a good portion of the embossed design on it 🙁
Karen says
Oh, really? That’s what I love about them. LOL
Kiss & Make-up says
The brushes look really beautiful, there’s no denying that! I have to show some restraint though. Can and will not buy, I said can and will not buy!
Karen says
The face brush is very useful, too! I love it when products are both beautiful and functional.
Have a good day!
astou says
I’ll pass on the brushes (for now) because i ordered the Real Techniques ones.
I’m still waiting again though, internationnal can be long.
But the bronzers, i don’t know much about them in general : i have to check in store.
Have a nice day…
Camilla says
Thank you so much for this post and your amazing blog in general Karen!
I always get the Mac emails/texts too late and by the time I even know there is a new collection, it’s all gone. Every time. It’s heart breaking. Until this one, thanks to you!!
Since you told me ahead of time the release date, I was able to get online in time to get every piece! I didn’t miss a single one and I can’t tell you how happy it makes me. Thank you ☺️
You’re a doll, please don’t ever stop
sarina says
Hi Karen
I have a few things from this range, some might say more than I should but I say never enough 😉 what brush would you recommend using with the studio sculpt powder? I’m very pale and the light golden colour of these is perfect when I want a lighter look than my trust Bobbi Brown golden glow. I just can’t seem to work well with the brushes I currently own … spending excuse number 595 ! Have you ever done an essentials brushes post if not I would love to see one.
Aline says
I love the face brush. The products really are not only beautiful but are also very functional .. 🙂