MAC 150 and Sigma SS150 - Product Comparison

This is a comparison of the Sigma SS150 Powder Brush and the MAC 150 Large Powder Brush. These are just my personal thoughts and which one I would pick, but others may have different opinions. Overall, I really love both of these brushes and the quality is outstanding! This is basically a review/comparison of all the little nitpicky issues I have with these. In the end, either one is an excellent choice.

HANDLE

The handles are pretty similar, but there are some noticeable differences. For one, the logo- obviously; the SS150 boasts the Sigma logo while the MAC 150 has the MAC logo. The MAC 150's handle is probably about 1/8 to 1/4 inch taller than the Sigma. This may not seem like much, but upon juxtaposing them, there is a noticeable difference. The Sigma handle is wider, making it very sturdy in the hand. Again, it doesn't seem like there would be much of a difference, but in holding it, you can tell. As far as which is better? It really depends how you like to hold your brush. The Sigma one feels very good in the hand, but between the fingers, the MAC one fits more naturally. Personally, I'm going to have to pick Sigma for the handle.

BRISTLES

This is where the brushes differ greatly. The Sigma bristles are wider rather than taller like the MAC and they have a very different feeling. The MAC bristles feel smoother, cooler, more slippery in a way, while the Sigma bristles are softer and denser. On my face, they feel the same as on the hand. The MAC 150 is smoother while the SS150 is softer. As far as shine goes, the brushes both have the shiny black bristles we know and love. Being a huge fan of anything soft, Sigma has to win this category, too.

BUILD QUALITY

These brushes are both built great, but each one has a specific issue. The MAC 150 still shed after having this brush for more than a year. This is not a huge issue, but the Sigma does not shed. On the flipside, the Sigma tends to have hairs that stray away on the sides, making it look ugly and hard to put in a brush roll safely. Even after using a brush guard-thing, it still has strays on the sides. The bristles are both great in their own ways, but I like the MAC better in the way it is tapered. The MAC has more rounded edges, looking more like a cotton ball and the Sigma has more of a fan shape. Either shape is good, but my personal preference, the rounded one. While the MAC is rounder in shape from the front, the Sigma is perfectly rounded from the top while the MAC can get sort of flat and squished since it is not as dense. Because of the strays and tapering, I think MAC 150 wins this category.

APPLICATION

This is the place where the brushes are almost identical. They both apply powder products fabulously, flawlessly, and every other good word that could be used here. I find that the MAC one is better for light coverage since it is less dense (sometimes the Sigma picks up too much product). They both glide on the face amazingly and get the job done. In this category, it has to be a tie.

WINNER?

So, the Sigma has the upper-hand in handle and bristles, but build quality is very important and stray hairs really get on my nerves! The MAC, to me, is better made, but that is really just a matter of opinion. However, they both apply so well and they make everything look great! I am not going to pick by which one won more categories, but by which one I find myself reaching for most. At this time, that is definitely the SS150. Sorry, MAC! I love you, but I am a sucker for soft.