I have 2 MAC 187.
Insane right?
But it’s worth the money!
I am just too lazy to go try other dupes after buying CS Silver Duo Fiber Stippling Brush one. It’s not really comparable at all! >_<
Anyway, because I had good experience with MAC 187, I decided that I also want a MAC 188, the same thing as MAC 187, but smaller. It is said to be perfect brush for highlighters, blushers and foundations for those hard to reach areas.
But I don’t want to fork out another RM140 for MAC 188. I have so many other things that I want on my wish list *hint hint, look at the left sidebar*.
So dupes, here I come!
The first item that sparked my interest was the Etude House Dual Fibre Cheek Brush (Glow) that Kathi has bought.
I had asked her opinion about the brush whether would it suit for liquid foundation or not, because I was trying to get a dupe for MAC 187 at that time, but she wasn’t too sure, so I didn’t bothered with it anymore.
But now, since I wanted a dual fibre brush that’s a good dupe of MAC 188, this again has sparked my interest. And honestly, I am glad I got this!
Read on!

I don’t quite like the packaging, as it squishes the brush’s head. >_< Not good. But then, giving a few quick flicks, the brush's head goes back to it's original state. :)

The length of the brush is about 15cm, as you can see. I’m not sure if the brush is bigger or smaller than MAC 188, but I am giving it a quick guess that the size is similar, or slightly bigger than MAC 188.

Please excuse the brush’s colour, it is a little dirty because I have used it with my blusher before I took the picture.
The brush is quite dense, and it is soft. Again, I can’t compare with MAC 188 as I don’t have one. But comparing it with MAC 187, my sister and I find that it as actually as soft as MAC 187, and not scratchy at all! Yeah, I ask my sister to test it for me, since she was free and was at home with me, and she agreed that it’s soft!
The brush’s head diameter is around 2.5cm, which I think is quite okay as a blusher brush
By the way, the brush is made out of 2 materials, goat hair and synthetic hair
I washed the brush prior using it, and it did shed a few strands of hair, which is fine by me. It did not bleed though. And the brush did not smell before washing either, which is nice!
It did shed a few strands when I used it for the first 2 times, and then it stopped shedding. Good! Unlike the CS one which sheds like crazy! I know I sound like I hate my CS brush, but then, well, I think it should have performed better!
This brush picks up colour well, so for pigmented blushes, be light handed as usual, and blend blend blend all the way! It does perform very well in giving you the natural blush kinda glow, if you get what I mean, without overdoing it.
It’s now my everyday blusher brush! Seriously! I think I can sell all my other blusher brushes already, since they are now untouched and barely used like 5 times?
Since this brush is made of a mixed of goat’s hair and synthetic hair, just like MAC 188, I think this would work on any formula like the MAC 188. I haven’t test this with my cream/ liquid blushers, but I think it should be alright.
So the verdict is?
This is a really good dupe of MAC 188, if I may say so. For the price of RM39.90, it’s really good! I am thinking of getting another one just for backup!
Next time, I show you my collection of brushes! Not many, but more than enough to last me a lifetime!
And though I love this brush, I am still kinda lemming the MAC 188. >_< Bad bad me.
And to cap it off, I show you something that’s off topic.

Cute no?
It’s a super cute chocolate mirror! I have 2 actually, in different sizes! I love buying mirrors! Insanity! I show you those next time too!
Hope you have enjoyed the brush review!
Have a good weekend! ^_^
yoyo! i am so tempted to buy EH’s brushes too! so many of them and the price is reasonable. dilemma oh dilemma…
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hi plue, how is the size compared to MAC 187? are they comparable? i really lurve 187 when i first use it but wasn’t sure if i should really splurge on it, so if i can find a dupe, it will be better
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Pretty: I haven test the others, apart from this and their kabuki. their kabuki is kinda scratchy and not as soft, though it’s dense.
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Queenyee: I don’t have my MAC 187 at hand to compare right now, but MAC 187 is bigger based on my memory.
I’m not sure if this brush would be good for liquid foundations, as I have not tried it. But it might just work you know.
If this doesn’t work as a brush for LF, save up for a 187 and use as a dupe for 188 instead!
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wow …that looks great..but girl! DO YOU REALLY need a backup??? lol lol lol I am being a mom again!
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where can I get the etude brush?
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Nikki: Ah, this is a good question. Back up or not? Lemme think it through…
Anonymous: You can get it either in Sunway Pyramid, or 1U, or Times Square. So far these are the 3 locations that I know of.
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The brush looks quite solid ya? Sounds like a great dupe of the 188! but like Nikki said, do you REALLY need a backup? hehehe!
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Jenn: Like I told Nikki, I am considering… thinking through…
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Yes, I am lemming to get a MAC 188 too haha. It is selling at S$61 but I have a S$20 Tang’s voucher. I am still thinking whehter to use the voucher on MAC 188 or Diorsnow SPF 50 lotion that cost S$74! I have a MAC 187 SE but I think it is not as good as MAC 187. I love to used the duo fiber brush for liquid foundation and creme blush and I find my MAC 187 SE is not densed enough and too big for my face. So a MAC 188 will be perfect!
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Dor: I heard about the SE not being as good as the original, as the SE is mass made while the originals are hand made. Or something like that.
MAC188 is good if you don’t have a lot of areas to cover, and it’s good for the smaller/harder to reach areas
If me, I think I’d go for a MAC brush than Dior
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you don’t need back up. seriously. I don’t even need a back up yet. you definitely don’t need a back up! Whack you then you know! :p And your Silk Naturals one leh… coming soon. ish!!
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LOL. I was just thinking la. Just thinking.
don’t whack me la. xmas leh.
YAHOR! I forgot the Silk Naturals also! Ah! No need! No need…
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Ah, thanks for this – I have a Flirt skunk brush that I feel is a little skimpy. Will try to check out Etude House’s dupe
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I haven’t heard of Flirt, first time actually!
I think this is pretty okay, I haven’t tried out alot similar brushes, but this is decent
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Lol, dear might be out of topic slightly but then, where did you buy that cute mirror eh
?
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Cyndi: I bought it at Mini Toons in 1U, around RM5 or RM6. Cheap and cute!
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Personally I feel that it still loses to M.A.C in terms of bristle density. I have the Etude House one, but I didn’t really like it. I touched M.A.C’s and it was much more denser if not softer. But to each their own huh
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Yukaeshi: I suppose for the price I’m paying for this, I am not going too grumble as much as I would with my CS one
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oh gosh. u have re-ignited my lemming! ive been wanting the etude house duo fibre. but kinda canceled it cuz when i tested it at Times Square was rather scratchy. may be cuz its not well maintained and was dirty? who knows.
but now u and kathi gave very good reviews, im now knocking meself for not getting it
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Neaevia: I tested this once way back, I thought it was scratchy. And then after long time, I tested this brush and find it was soft.
I kinda got worried of the difference in both experience, so I asked the SA if I can test the new brush because I want to buy, she did allow me to test, and thank god it’s soft!
i have a feeling it might be becuz the brush was not well maintained and it’s dirty, so yeah, it’s scratchy then.
try and give a good feel of the brush that’s new. i think they will allow you to do that to just feel the brush.
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I don’t know why, but I’ve never had any interest in stipling brushes. I just don’t know what to do with them.
I know, and here I am, blogging about beauty. What a fraud
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Sweetie dear, don’t call yourself a fraud just becuz u have no interest in stippling brushes
i for one who buys MU so much till she lost count are TOO lazy to put on MU, and yet blogging about beauty.
LOL!!!
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ok…my RM50 is saved now
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plue Reply:
May 27th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Yay for u and ur purse!
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Pingback: Beauty Up My Life » Reader’s Request: Etude House Makeup Brushes
I have to agreed, it’s soft…I have the exactly same duo fiber brush from Etude House Malaysia and the color fades like nobody business ! I mean the upper black color part. Initially, I din noticed the color fading until 1 day I used it for my Maybelline AngelFit Liquid Foundation. I noticed the black color had transferred to my skin n i was like Lord BAO! Disgusting! I’ve tried to wash it many many many times but it still fading.. I’m so disappointed with Etude House brushes as this is already 2nd brush from Etude House that gave problem. I have another Duo Fiber brush also from Etude House but I bought it from Korea, it’s totally different! It’s soft, although it fades a bit initially but not so heavy and don’t transfer the black onto my skin…
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plue Reply:
August 26th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Oh dear, I suppose you got a bad batch? I have one Duo Fiber bought in Msia another bought in Korea, so far both are of the same quality and hasn’t given me any problems till now.
I am really sorry to hear that this isn’t working great for you.
May I suggest you try washing with Daiso’s sponge cleanser? I heard that really cleans well
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