Sigma SS275 Medium Angled Shading Brush

This is probably the only brush that I feel is inadequate compared to its MAC counterpart. However, this is a review of the SS275, not a comparison with the MAC 275. All other brushes aside, this is a decent brush. It would be outstanding, but the build quality is less than satisfactory. Given the choice between the Sigma or the MAC, I would definitely take the MAC. Is this brush worth buying the Sigma Brush Set? Definitely not. Is it worth using when the rest of your brushes are dirty? Eh....

HANDLE

The handle is probably the best thing about this brush. It has the classic Sigma design, great thickness and the matte black finish, silver logo in the middle. It sits nice in the hand and gives surprisingly good control no matter what part of the brush you are holding. It feels very sturdy and has a great length, much easier to work with than a travel sized brush.

BRISTLES

My issues with this brush are with the bristles, but more with the build quality concerning the bristles. The bristles themselves are extremely soft and pick up product very, very well. They feel like a dream on the eyes, and are fairly flexible, allowing good blending in the crease.

BUILD QUALITY

This is where I hate this brush. I used to have the MAC 275, but unfortunately, mine broke after an unfortunate purse crushing incident. When I got my Sigma Brush Set, I was really excited since the MAC 275 was one of my favorite brushes. After trying the Sigma version, I was less than pleased. While the ferule is very well attached and looks really nice and professional, the density of this brush is horrible! When you move all the bristles to one side, you can see into the ferule! With a denser brush, all of the bristles should pop right back into place- this was not the case with the SS275. I also found that when I was really blending into the crease, sometimes the metal of the ferule would start scratching my eye because all of the bristles were elsewhere. If they had just added some more hair, this brush would be just as good as the MAC 275. MY other issue with this brush is the way the bristles are cut. This is supposed to be an angled shadow brush, but when holding it against the MAC 275, it is cut very jaggedly, looking unprofessional and amateurish. It is also more of a vertical angle versus a horizontal angle. I know that when the owner of Sigma was designing her brushes, she wanted to take her favorite MAC brushes and recreate them the way she wanted them to be. If her vision was a brush cut at a steeper angle, she succeeded. However, I much preferred the cut of the MAC 275. Again, not comparing it and picking a winner, but the quality is just not comparable.

APPLICATION

I have found that the SS275 applies much like the MAC 275, so I do not see a difference. The shape of this brush makes it great for getting into the crease and defining while still subtly blending it. It fits right into the crease absolutely wonderfully, but because of the cut, I find it does not glide super easily as the long bristles get caught and move slowly.

FINAL OPINIONS

When I use this brush, it really makes me miss my MAC 275. However, I do prefer blending brushes or pencil brushes in the crease. When I do need/want an angled brush, I have a few other alternatives that I ultimately like better. I love the handle, the bristles are super soft, and it applies regularly, but the irritation on my eyes from the metal is not worth it. Do I recommend this brush? Save your money and buy the MAC 275 if you want an angled shadow brush.