Hey beauty junkies! Today I’m diving deep into one of my long-time favorite makeup brushes – the MAC 263 Synthetic Small Angle Brush. As a professional makeup artist and self-proclaimed beauty addict, I’ve tried countless angled eyeliner and brow brushes over the years. But the MAC 263 has earned a permanent place in my brush collection for its precision, versatility, and overall performance.
In this comprehensive review, I’ll share my honest thoughts on the brush quality, application techniques, comparisons to other popular angled brushes, and whether it’s truly worth the hype and price tag. So grab your favorite beverage, get cozy, and let’s geek out about makeup brushes together!
First Impressions & Packaging The MAC 263 brush comes simply packaged in a clear plastic sleeve. The brush design is classic MAC – sleek black handle, silver ferrule, and the iconic MAC logo printed in white. It has a nice balanced weight in the hand without feeling too heavy or flimsy.
At first glance, the brush head looks very thin, precise and densely packed with firm synthetic bristles. The fibers come together in a perfectly angled point, ideal for drawing sharp lines or filling in brows hair by hair. Just from the appearance, you can tell this brush means business when it comes to precision!
Brush Specs & Details Here are the key details on the MAC 263 Synthetic Small Angle Brush:
- Brush head length: 0.6 cm
- Total brush length: 16.5 cm
- Bristle material: Synthetic fibers
- Recommended use: gel/cream/liquid eyeliner, brows, detailed concealer work
- Price: $21.00 USD / $27.00 CAD
One aspect I really appreciate is MAC’s choice to use synthetic bristles for this brush. As a professional, hygiene is extremely important to me and synthetic fibers are easier to clean thoroughly and sanitize between clients compared to natural hair. Synthetic also tends to work better for cream and liquid formulas, grabbing the product nicely without absorbing too much. The 263 is the perfect size for drawing precise eyeliner and getting into the inner corners and lash line without jabbing yourself in the eye.
Application & Performance Time to put this baby to the test! I tried the MAC 263 with a few of my go-to liners and brow products in different formulas:
- MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack (gel)
- Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel in 77 (gel)
- Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper (liquid)
- Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in Dark Brown (cream)
- MAC Shape + Shade Brow Tint in Taupe (liquid)
The 263 worked like an absolute dream with all the products I tried. The firm, tapered bristles allowed me to pick up the perfect amount of product, and create thin, crisp lines without any skipping, dragging or struggling to get an opaque line. I was especially impressed with how easily it glided across the skin and deposited a sharp, inky line with the liquid and gel liners.
For eyebrows, the MAC 263 gave me the precise control needed to create hair-like strokes, fill in gaps, and carve out an impeccable shape. It handled the creamier brow pomades without any issues. The thin, tapered edge fit nicely into the tail of the brows and inner corners to add definition. Even with sparser or lighter colored brows, I was able to achieve a soft, natural look by applying light pressure and using the tip of the brush.
The only tiny downside I noticed was the brush can feel a bit scratchy at certain angles if you have very sensitive skin. And with liquid formulas especially, the thin brush head does require regular cleaning to maintain the point and prevent product buildup. But overall, the smooth application, control and crisp results are more than worth any extra maintenance.
Comparison to Other Angled Brushes Over the years I’ve tried quite a few angled eyeliner/brow brushes at different price points. Here’s how I feel the MAC 263 stacks up to some other popular options on the market:
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Angled Cut Brush #15: Very similar shape and performance to the MAC 263. Both have thin, firm synthetic bristles and provide sharp, precise application. However, the Anastasia brush is about $2 cheaper.
- Sigma E65 Small Angle: Another solid option in the same shape and size as the 263. Can create nice precise lines, but I find the bristles a bit softer and more flexible. So it’s a little trickier to get an opaque line in one pass.
- ELF Angled Eyeliner Brush: A very affordable option, but the quality difference shows. The bristles are much softer, flimsy and tend to splay out while applying. Takes more work to achieve an opaque, precise line.
- Real Techniques Silicone Liner Brush: This one has a unique silicone tip instead of bristles. While it does make a sharp line, I find it too stiff and awkward to maneuver around the curves of the eye. Not as versatile as a traditional angled brush.
Overall, I believe the MAC 263 is worth investing in if you struggle with eyeliner or just want that extra bit of precision and control. The quality and performance definitely stand up to some of the other high-end options out there.
Upkeep & Maintenance As I touched on earlier, regular cleaning is key to keeping your MAC 263 in tip top shape and performing at its best. I recommend wiping the brush on a microfiber cloth or cotton pad between uses to remove excess product. Then, deep clean the brush about once a week with a gentle brush cleanser. I love using the Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner or baby shampoo.
To maintain the angled shape, be sure to swish and swirl the brush very gently while cleaning with the bristles pointing downward. Then, gently reshape the brush head and allow it to dry flat on a paper towel. Never let your brushes dry tip-side up while soaking wet, as this can loosen the glue and damage the brush. With proper cleaning and storage, this brush will last you ages!
Final Thoughts So is the MAC 263 Small Angle Brush truly a must-have? I have to say, yes! I think every makeup lover, from beauty beginners to seasoned pros, can benefit from this brush in their collection. It makes creating flawless liner, sharp inner corners, and sculpted brows so quick and easy. The firm, precise synthetic bristles and thin angled shape give you the utmost control, even if you don’t have the steadiest hand.
While $21 is definitely a lot for one brush, I believe the MAC 263 is worth saving up for or asking for as a gift. The quality and longevity are top notch as with all MAC brushes. Even with daily use, I’ve had mine for over 2 years now and it still performs like new.
If crisp liner and snatched brows are your thing, definitely check out the MAC 263! I also highly recommend it for perfecting detail work like carving out the brow bone with concealer, drawing sharp lip lines, touching up cat eyes, and getting into those teeny inner corners. It’s such a versatile little brush once you have it in your collection.
Whew, that was a lot of brush talk! I hope this in-depth review helped you decide if the MAC 263 is right for you and your makeup needs. I truly believe a high-quality angled brush is one of the best investments you can make in your tool kit – it will serve you well for years to come.
If you have any other questions about the brush or how to use it, drop them in the comments below! I’m always happy to help troubleshoot or share more of my tips and tricks. And let me know what other holy grail brushes you can’t live without!
Thanks for reading, my loves. Until next time, happy blending!
Xoxo, Your Trusty Beauty Guru
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