Illamasqua Blusher Brush v MAC 109

Illamasqua Blusher Brush #1  v  MAC 109

Another of my recent Illamasqua purchases, I mainly got this one to see if it was as good as the other Illamasqua brushes I have thus far (angled brow and liner brushes, new blush-up brush, three eyeshadow/blending brushes, all brilliant by the way).

It reminded me of something, and sure enough it's like a super-charged MAC 109...

L -> R: MAC 109, Illamasqua Blusher Brush #1

Essentially these are the same shape; a dense domed-shaped brush; the MAC brush is slightly smaller but otherwise these are more or less the same idea.  There's a few differences between these two brushes - the MAC brush is natural fibres, the Illamasqua synthetic.  The MAC brush is a little on the scratchy side, the Illamasqua one is quite soft.  Either can be used for powder, liquid or cream product, although the Illamaqua one does better with liquid products (as it's synthetic).  Either can be used for blusher, contour, highlighter, foundation, powder.  The MAC brush works better as a buffer brush (as it's natural fibres).  The Illamasqua works better for building product up from light coverage than the MAC one, as the bristles have a little more "give" in them (as they're a little longer than the MAC bristles).

L -> R: MAC 109, Illamasqua Blusher Brush #1

If you have one, you likely don't need the other.  Which would I recommend?  Honestly, either-or, take your pick, depending on your own preference with respect to bristles (synthetic v natural).

Look here for more on the MAC 109, or here for more info on the Illamasqua Blusher Brush.  Alternatively, compare with the recently new blush-up brush, reviewed here.