• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To MakeupMakeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

A beauty blog blooming with fresh makeup reviews, swatches and beauty tips from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict

  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
    • Advertising & Media
  • Categories
    • Product Reviews
    • Makeup
    • Skincare & Fragrance
    • Style & Fashion
    • Hair
    • Nails
    • Tips & Tutorials
    • Just for Fun
  • Brands
  • Store

Can You Spot the MAC 217?

March 25th, 2008 by Karen 53 Comments

So, it’s official — I’m a MAC brush geek. Last night, watching the season premier episode of The Hills on MTV, my eagle eye peeped a brush that looked exactly like the MAC 217!

the-hills.jpg

There it is, in all its brush glory, at the Teen Vogue shoot in Paris. A makeup artist uses it to prep a group of French debutantes before their big photo session…

mac-cosmetics-217-the-hills.jpg

Maybe I’m wrong, fellow brush geeks, but that sure looks like a MAC 217 to me.

In the scene, the makeup artist grabs color from the back of a hand before applying it to the lucky girl. It’s over in mere seconds, but doesn’t it look like homeboy/homegirl was working a 217?

This episode of The Hills reminded me of Paris. I’ve been there once, back in 2005, and fell in love with the city. It’s everything they say about it — the hundreds of lovely little parks, the attention to detail, the shopping, the art everywhere, the food. I think it’s a very feminine city.

Calgon, take me to Paris!
paris-karen-2.jpg
paris-3.jpg
paris-4.jpg

I’m hoping that someday El Hub takes me to Paris for our long overdue honeymoon (hint, hint, sweetie)…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Can You Spot the MAC 217? / Originally published March 25th, 2008

There are 53 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun, MAC Makeup

Previous Post: MAC Viva Glam Fans: You Know I Like Free…
Next Post: Get Mariah Carey’s Look with MAC Heatherette Beauty Powder

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Glosslizard says

    March 25th, 2008 at 2:36 pm

    Oh, I love Paris too! I was there once for a week and I want to go back!!! I adore all of the sculpture and artistic detailing everywhere in the city! Sign me up! 🙂

    BTW, I wanted to ask you… how does Style Minx compare with Fafi’s Totally It?

    Reply
  2. Eru says

    March 25th, 2008 at 2:58 pm

    It definitely looks like one 217. 😀

    Eru’s last blog post..Bluish EOTD~~

    Reply
  3. Denise says

    March 25th, 2008 at 5:00 pm

    I noticed her dab the color off of her hand too…I didn’t know what the brush was.

    Reply
  4. Laurel says

    March 25th, 2008 at 5:35 pm

    When I was watching last night, I noticed too! I was like “Uhh, yeah, no more denying…I’m for sure a MAC addict.” I’m glad I’m not the only one who noticed 🙂

    Reply
  5. Dao says

    March 25th, 2008 at 6:20 pm

    How can you take such a nice picture of the brush? Did you tivo the show? Yeah, it does look like le MAC deux dix-sept pinceau. My French is as bad as my Spanish (read: it’s really really bad!)

    Reply
  6. kia says

    March 25th, 2008 at 7:32 pm

    the 217 is amazing.. awesome! no other brush like it! it’s a must have!

    kia’s last blog post..Yummy411: On Makeup Mag; Coastal Scents Brushes

    Reply
  7. Karen says

    March 25th, 2008 at 8:17 pm

    Hi Glosslizard,

    I think Paris ties SF in the favorite city category. In my dreams I’d love to live and write there for a few years, and then have and raise my babies there so they’d all have a cool ass French accent when they spoke English (but of course, in that fantasy my French would be able to get me beyond ordering food and asking for directions, ha ha ha).

    Okay, I just pulled out both Totally It and Style Minx. Style Minx is definitely darker, and closer to magenta/red. Totally It is lighter and closer to hot pink. They’re both purty darn bright though!

    Reply
  8. Karen says

    March 25th, 2008 at 8:17 pm

    Hi Eru!

    Yep, I thought so! There was also something in the way it moved too, that totally made me know that it was that brush in particular, ha!

    Reply
  9. Karen says

    March 25th, 2008 at 8:18 pm

    Hi Denise,

    The MAC 217 is legendary! If you don’t have it yet you gotta get it. 🙂

    Reply
  10. Karen says

    March 25th, 2008 at 8:20 pm

    Hi Laurel,

    LOLOL, okay good, I’m glad to know I’m not the only one!

    Did you watch the entire episode? I can’t believe Lauren actually wore that fancy ball dress out to the club, yikes!

    Reply
  11. Karen says

    March 25th, 2008 at 8:22 pm

    Hi Dao,

    I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love my Tivo. Seriously. I can’t live without it. 😉

    Your French can’t be as bad as mine. At least you know the numbers! I can ask for directions and order food. Oh, and I can also apologize profusely for speaking bad French, ha ha ha!

    Reply
  12. Karen says

    March 25th, 2008 at 8:22 pm

    Hi Kia,

    I know, right? I’m actually thinking of getting another one because I love mine so darn much!

    Reply
  13. Ruth says

    March 25th, 2008 at 8:55 pm

    Oh how embarassing because the minute I saw that I was dying to know what brush that was! Do I need to get a life? I loved the episode – especially because of those beautiful gowns (Lauren’s second one was fab fab) and the creepy French guys! haha. Now I can not WAIT to visit Paris. You are obviously cooler than I and already have. 🙂

    Reply
  14. Karen says

    March 25th, 2008 at 10:18 pm

    Hi Ruth,

    Now you know it’s the fab 217! It’s so great for applying color and blending. Oh, and it does double duty with both powder and cream products, WOOT! Get thee one ASAP!

    I agree, Lauren’s second dress was to die for. It killed me though to see her get on that dude’s bike. I mean, chances are it got pretty dirty because it was white and rainy. Bad idea, LC, to ruin both yer dresses. Lisa Love’s gonna school your ass when you get back to LA!

    The French dudes cracked me up. Did you see how one of them was labeled as the tambourine player? LOLOLOLOLOLZ! I want that job. There was also the guy with the unibrow…

    What did you think of Mimi’s performance?

    Reply
  15. tricia says

    March 25th, 2008 at 10:55 pm

    so missed the show last night, but i do love the 217 it’s really great. just got back a while a ago from the heatherette event at the mac store in the beverly center.

    Reply
  16. Mrs. Lynne, MakeupFix.net says

    March 25th, 2008 at 11:04 pm

    Girl, that is sooo a 217! Although the handle does look rather smooth compared to MAC’s cobalt type handles. Could be lighting, angle, aww heck.. it’s a 217 dangit! Hah.

    Paris looks gorgeous and so much fun! I’d love to go one day. Hopefully our Hubbos are on the same wavelength on this Paris trip. Because I needs me a honeymoon period! Lol. Oh, not to mention a formal engagement, a formal wedding, and some blang! 😉 Heh. We did a mini-mini “It’s Official” ceremony. It was perfect for what we wanted, but Hubbo knows that he still owes me my dream wedding. *yippie*

    Mrs. Lynne, MakeupFix.net’s last blog post..FOTD: Heatherette… Here I Come!

    Reply
  17. Susanne says

    March 25th, 2008 at 11:16 pm

    I love MAC brushes! Without them you don’t even need to try creating a good-looking makeup… 😉 You can buy the best makeup, without the right brushes it won’t work.

    Reply
  18. Karen B says

    March 25th, 2008 at 11:33 pm

    Wohooo! It does look pretty similar to me.

    Paris is love. I went with my mum recently and yes it is a very feminine city.

    Reply
  19. msnotty says

    March 26th, 2008 at 2:25 am

    Yep, definitely a MAC 217. 🙂

    msnotty’s last blog post..I Am Now A Monave Convert!

    Reply
  20. Ping. says

    March 26th, 2008 at 5:11 am

    paris had always been my dream place… even though a lot of people say it’s too cliche. hahaha

    Reply
  21. Stacey says

    March 26th, 2008 at 5:22 am

    I adore Paris too! I go every year,living in London i can get the eurostar and it only takes two hours!!

    Reply
  22. Yakini says

    March 26th, 2008 at 6:09 am

    Looks like the Mac 217 to me!!!! Good eye!!!!!

    Reply
  23. Baby Girl says

    March 26th, 2008 at 6:32 am

    I had to laugh at how wrong Whitney pronounced Givnchy, and then driver corrected her with a little ‘tude like, “you work for Teen Vogue you should know”.

    Baby Girl’s last blog post..She Said What?

    Reply
  24. Glosslizard says

    March 26th, 2008 at 6:40 am

    In my dream life, I have a flat in Edinburgh and Paris and can flit over to either city for months at a time! Oh, yes, this year we’re summering in Scotland with the final month in France! And yeah, I’ll take the fluency part of that fantasy too! Although, I did rock the BBC French phrasebook last time! 😉

    Thanks for comparing! I think I may go and find myself a Totally It after all! One thing I really have to say about Fafi… on first glance I wasn’t that enamored with it, but I find myself repeatedly going back to score yet another item! I now have all but two of the paint pots (I just scored Nice Vice last night) and Sugar Trance. Now I’m thinking Hmmmmmm, Totally It IS a really hot color, isn’t it? LOL!

    Reply
  25. Karen says

    March 26th, 2008 at 7:45 am

    Hi Tricia,

    Not to worry, you know reruns will be on MTV 24/7. 🙂

    Don’t you just the 217? What do you use it for?

    Hope you had fun at the Heatherette event!

    Reply
  26. Karen says

    March 26th, 2008 at 7:49 am

    Hi Lynne,

    When the time comes let me know if you need help planning! 🙂 I planned my entire wedding and got my detail freak on. In a parallel universe my alternate me is probably a wedding/event planner, ha ha ha!

    Would you have the wedding in Hawaii, or come back here to the Bay?

    Reply
  27. Karen says

    March 26th, 2008 at 7:52 am

    Hi Susanne,

    Ain’t that the truth. Brushes make all the difference when it comes to application. It took me a long time to let go of those little spongy applicators you get with eyeshadows, believe it or not. But now, I’m a total brush fiend! What are your favorites?

    Reply
  28. BeautyTalk says

    March 26th, 2008 at 7:53 am

    I love that brush! I spotted it too while watching the Hills. I love Paris, I really want to go back.

    BeautyTalk’s last blog post..There’s nothing like a new ‘do

    Reply
  29. Sylvie says

    March 26th, 2008 at 8:30 am

    Oh Karen, Karen, you have to know one thing about Paris. It’s wonderful if you’re a tourist but it’s not that great afterall if you’re actually living here. For one, there’s too much dogpoop everywhere, which means you can’t wear pretty shoes and walk with your head up at the same time.

    Reply
  30. Megan says

    March 26th, 2008 at 8:35 am

    So I’m part French…have family and France and have never gone. It’s totally on my to do list. But my cousin Robert who I have been closest to actually moved to NYC a couple years back. I am not quite fluent, but I can follow conversations when not spoken too quickly and I can get by with some minor conversations. My biggest issue is that I am impatient and it takes too long to think in English, translate to French and speak.

    Reply
  31. Laura says

    March 26th, 2008 at 6:15 pm

    hi karen.

    what month did you visit paris? i want to go there so bad..
    and also does your husband ever read your posts ??

    Reply
  32. Karen says

    March 26th, 2008 at 7:20 pm

    Hi Karen B.!

    Oh yes, I remember you mentioning that you picked up your new Chloe perfume there. Do you speak French?

    Reply
  33. Karen says

    March 26th, 2008 at 7:23 pm

    Hi Ping,

    Paris is the city of beautiful dreams. I wasn’t there long enough the last time, but that’s how I always feel about the places I travel to. I really hope that some day you get the opportunity to go!

    Reply
  34. Karen says

    March 26th, 2008 at 7:25 pm

    Good eye, MsNotty! Are you a MAC brush addict, too?

    Reply
  35. Karen says

    March 26th, 2008 at 8:52 pm

    Hi Stacey,

    When I went a few years ago I took the Eurostar train from London to Paris. I slept the entire time, no joke.
    That’s awesome you go every year. Next time I go (whenever that is) you’ll have to give me the skinny on the best places to shop. 🙂

    Reply
  36. Karen says

    March 26th, 2008 at 8:55 pm

    Thanks Yakini. Who knew someday my obsessive MAC brush knowledge would somehow come in handy while watching reality TV? I sure didn’t! I so rewound the Tivo about 8 times to get confirmation, ha ha ha! Are you a MAC lover too?

    Reply
  37. Karen says

    March 26th, 2008 at 8:57 pm

    Hi Baby Girl,

    LOL, that was pretty funny. I gotta come clean, I just finally learned how to say Givenchy correctly this year, ha ha ha.

    Was it just me, or did Heidi look really different?

    Reply
  38. Karen says

    March 26th, 2008 at 9:03 pm

    Heya Glosslizard,

    I’ve never been to Scotland! I do have family there so someday I hope to visit. I’ve never heard of the BBC French phrasebook but it sounds super handy. I’m sure it would’ve saved my booty when I tried to buy an umbrella in the pouring rain and had NO IDEA how to express it in French, ha ha ha! Good times.

    After reading this comment today I pulled out Totally It and threw it in my purse. I ended up wearing it to work today, yay! How are you liking Nice Vice and Sugar Trance?

    Reply
  39. Karen says

    March 26th, 2008 at 9:05 pm

    Hi BeautyTalk,

    Wow, so many eagle-eyed MAC brush lovers are out there! Who knew? When did you go to Paris and how long were you there for?

    Reply
  40. Karen says

    March 26th, 2008 at 9:06 pm

    Hi Sylvie,

    I’m cool with that. I’ll get a small French dog and just have him join in the poop parade as well so I can get in the spirit!

    Reply
  41. Karen says

    March 26th, 2008 at 9:08 pm

    Hi Megan,

    I’m the same way with Tagalog, the language in the Philippines. Growing up my parents would speak to me in it and have me answer back in English and now I can understand it but only the stuff spoken around the house. Anything that’s too fast or on TV, like the news, I can’t process quickly enough.

    I bet your French accent kicks booty!

    Reply
  42. Karen says

    March 26th, 2008 at 9:10 pm

    Hi Laura,

    I went it May. It was a lil’ overcast and occasionally rainy. If you go during that month be sure to know the word for “umbrella,” LOL, because I sure didn’t, and trying to buy one was kind of stressful!

    Yup, El Hub reads a post or two here are there (so he says). He used to comment, too, back in the day, but I think he got intimidated by all the hot babes on the site! 🙂

    Reply
  43. Baby Girl says

    March 27th, 2008 at 6:15 am

    She did look different. I thought it was the hair. It’s lighter than before. Then I thought maybe it’s the makeup job. But now I’m thinking she could have had more work done.

    Baby Girl’s last blog post..She Said What?

    Reply
  44. Karen says

    March 27th, 2008 at 9:17 am

    Hi Baby Girl,

    Yeah, I noticed a diff in her lips. She still looks cute, just different. I heard her single a few months ago and was like, fo’ reals?

    Reply
  45. Glosslizard says

    March 27th, 2008 at 2:16 pm

    I love Sugar Trance! I’m so glad I caved on it! I haven’t gotten Nice Vice yet (it’s being shipped, so I’m just waiting for it in the mail) but I’m pretty stoked about it! 🙂

    Now I’m trying to decide whether and how badly I need Totally It! I am such an addict!!

    Reply
  46. Karen says

    March 27th, 2008 at 2:20 pm

    Nice Vice is sooo coolness. You will *love* it. Um, Totally It is very pretty, but it’s not a low-maintenance shade. You have to line the lips beforehand and take some time to work with it to get it to look good, but that seems to be the drill for the entire hot/pink magenta gloss family (at least in my case…maybe I’m just extra clumsy).

    Reply
  47. Glosslizard says

    March 27th, 2008 at 4:10 pm

    Yeah, I am really stoked about Nice Vice! Hard to believe that a mere month ago I had zero paint pots (Girl Friendly was my first)!

    Heh. Tell me about it! I went looking for Totally It at a local Macy’s and found that they had ONE Style Minx left! Never one to be able to resist getting the very last of something like that, I nabbed it! Now I’m not entirely sure if I like the uber-brightness, but I also tried a super-light application topped with Sugar Trance and that is gorgeousness!

    Reply
  48. sophie says

    March 27th, 2008 at 7:46 pm

    Bonjour Karen,

    As you know i love Paris too…
    At this time, we are planning our honeymoon there… But i don’t know if we’ll have time enought to visit all we want to.
    I’m really excited to do some shopping there…

    Reply
  49. Karen says

    March 27th, 2008 at 10:39 pm

    Hi Glosslizard,

    ARE YOU SERIOUS? I am so glad you got on the Paint Pot train. All aboard!

    I told you it was BRIGHT. I like it toned down though as a stain during the day. Next time I go out though, it’ on! I will have to try with w/ Sugar Trance to see what magic happens.

    Reply
  50. Karen says

    March 27th, 2008 at 10:40 pm

    Bonjour Sophie,

    How exciting! I hope you get to see everything you want while you’re there! How’s the wedding planning going? Is everything set?

    Reply
  51. Glosslizard says

    March 28th, 2008 at 9:10 am

    I know! Paint pots rule! I now have Perky, Layin’ Low, Girl Friendly, and Rubenesque with Nice Vice on the way! I think I’m also gonna grab Delft because I can’t resist that peacock blue! 🙂

    Reply
  52. Glosslizard says

    March 28th, 2008 at 6:16 pm

    Update: just got Nice Vice! Sooooo fabulous! I love purple! Can’t wait to get down to some serious playing! 😀

    Reply
  53. Susanne says

    March 29th, 2008 at 2:58 am

    Hi Karen,

    my favourite brushes are the 208, 231 and 239 for eyes. For face I use the 187, 188, the 129 and 136.

    Now I am saving money for the 182!! It costs 49 € here (that are unbelievable US $ 77.00 at the moment!!). For a brush…hello?!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

About Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog
Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

SHOP THE STORE


Long Live Lipstick Tee 💄



Blush Is My Crush Tee



Mascara & Kitties Tee



Thank You For Being a Friend Tee



You Hair Me Tee


Recent Posts

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 648

happy saturday tulips

Saturday Surfing, February 27, 2021

honest beauty smudged cat eye side

Smudged Cat Eye | Day 4 With the Honest Beauty Get It Together Eyeshadow Palette

honest beauty get it together classic smokey eye

Classic Smokey Eyes | Day 3 With the Honest Beauty Get It Together Eyeshadow Palette

honest beauty get it together eye palette

Mauve Smokey Eyes | Day 2 With the Honest Beauty Get It Together Eyeshadow Palette

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Featured Posts

Lady Unicorn

Weird Things I Like to Do

brows fill out beforehand

Before You Pluck or Wax Your Brows, You Must Do This

current bare skin status

What’s One Thing That Drastically Changed Your Skin for the Better?

red brown smokey eyes tutorial top pic 2

A Glamorously Grungy Makeup Tutorial: Smoky Reddish Brown Eyes and Vampy Matte Lips [MODERATE SKILL LEVEL]

Copyright © 2020 Makeup and Beauty Blog. Get in touch.