You know, I bought the Coastal Scents Duo Fiber Stippling Brush quite a while back. Looking at the reviews, it seems pretty good. Well, yeah, for the price, it’s a pretty good dupe of MAC 187.
I love it for how soft it is. I love it because it doesn’t scratch my face. I love the way it gives my skin the coverage minus the streaks. I love how fast I can work my BB cream and foundations with this amazing brush. I love the way… full stop.
The happiness ends there.
I hate the amount of hair it sheds on my hair. I hate it for not being dense enough. I hate its super long handle which knocks on the mirror each time I move closer. I hate it because I now spend extra time to pick the hair that shed out from my face.
Picture comparisons!
Coastal Scents on top, MAC on the the bottom
If you look closely, MAC is denser than Coastal Scents. Bristles or hair on MAC is shorter, while Coastal Scents is longer. I find it the shorter it is, the easier it is to buff. Longer ones just feel, flimsy? It’s a bit more difficult to control too IMO.
I have used both brushes, and honestly, MAC 187 wins just a slightly little over CS.
Here’s why:
- MAC don’t shed, CS does
- MAC don’t bleed, CS does
- MAC is shorter & I don’t knock into the mirror, but CS does.
- I have better control over MAC, because it’s denser and the bristles are firm and not as flimsy as CS.
- MAC is more travel friendly than CS *CS’s handle is just too long!*
Honestly, MAC wins mainly because it doesn’t shed nor bleeds. I don’t want the extra time to pick out the hairs that was shed on face. The other reasons are really minor to me, as for the price CS gives, I don’t want to complain.
Both MAC and CS performance in giving me the airbrush look is quite identical, only that CS requires more work because it is not as dense as MAC and I find it a bit flimsy, hence a little more difficult to control. Maybe I’m a just a beginner, so maybe it’s just me. Both brushes are soft and does not scratch the face.
If you can afford it and don’t want to waste time in picking hairs out from the face, go for MAC. Saves you the hassle.
If you are on a budget and don’t mind the shedding issue, get CS. It really works!
CS Silver Duo Fiber Stippling Brush is a really lovely brush actually. I just wish it didn’t shed, is a little more denser, and please, shorten the handle! If they do so, I would happily re-purchase this brush from CS for backup or for other uses!
And for your information, I am using this brush for my blushers.
Hope this quick review helped those who are thinking of which brush to get!
yay I’m glad you finally used your MAC187, it is pretty! I find that MAC does shed but only a hair or 2! And I got irritated only with few hairs, I can’t imagine how irritated I’ll get with CS stippling brush, thanks for the review
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I just tried using the 187 to apply the Maybelline Angelfit foundation the other day and i’m in LOVE!! My foundation never looked better!! My only gripe about using this to apply foundation is that you have to wash it right after if not it looks kinda disgusting! haha!
I’m definitely getting a full sized one because my SE one is bleeding like crazy! Yuck!!
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Hey Nikki, MAC haven’t shed on me yet. So still ok, even if it does, most likely only a hair or 2.
Alot of girls out there are like me before, can we get a good dupe of MAC187? I am afraid yes we can, but only problem is it sheds!
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J, yeah! That’s why I have a backup! LOL!!!!
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there are reviews on youtube that compare the ulta highlighter brush and mac 187. reading all the various reviews, i think ulta is the best mac 187 dupe!
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Great comparison. I’d compare them about the same as well.
J: My 187SE bleeds like crazy as well. lol!
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Hi Anonymous,
thanks for the info. so far haven’t seen the ulta brush yet, but will check it out!
thanks for dropping by!
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Hey connie, how’s the movie?
hehe~ i think most ppl would compare it like me
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Hey, plue. Yeah, you are reviewing MAC 187 vs CS stippling. Personally, I think sometimes paying a higher price would give us something of great quality. Just not always. ha
But I’m a cheapo, so I won’t be shelling any $40 plus for a brush any time soon. Seriously for the price being, CS shoulda shortened its brush handle. Why? because that way less wood = less cost during production! Thanks for the great review!!
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ohh? i thought it is only for liquid products! didn’t know it can be used for powder blushers
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Hi Vivian!
For the price and long lastingness of the MAC brush, i think shelling out some money is worth it. I don’t want a brush that is cheap, works a few times and then dump it.
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Chian Li, you can use them for that
Especially for super pigmented blushers… Or can use it for highlighting purpose, cuz it goes on really sheer 
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do you wash the brush after you used it everytime? as in say today u used it for peach blusher, then tomorrow you would used it for a pink blusher..if you don’t wash there might be some leftover from previous colour..but if u have to wash it everytime after application, wouldn’t it be very tideous?
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Hello Jane, I don’t wash it everytime I use it
I just gently wipe the brush on tissue to get rid of the extra colours 
I never have problems with colour mixing around even though I don’t clean it with tissue~
I only wash it after I use liquid stuff on it
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great review thanks!!
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hello yummy411, thanks for the compliment!
And do drop by some other time soon!
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