- All M.A.C. makeup brushes are numbered with a three-digit, brush-specific number. They're commonly referred to by their number only. For example, the 204 is a mascara brush. The brushes are not usually sold in kits, but during the holidays and at Nordstrom, you can occasionally purchase brush kits. M.A.C. does offer a brush roll to organize your brushes.
- All M.A.C. makeup brushes have "M.A.C." and a number printed on the handle. There are numerous websites selling knock off makeup brushes under the M.A.C. name, including many eBay sellers. Some of them are genuine M.A.C. brushes, but they are not authorized by M.A.C. to sell the products and so M.A.C. does not have the ability to assert quality control. The best way to correctly identify authentic M.A.C. products is to buy them from a M.A.C. counter in a store like Nordstrom or to buy directly from the M.A.C. website.
- M.A.C. makes professional quality makeup brushes. They're hand made with top notch materials. Their acrylic bristles are as absorbent as sponges and are much less likely to be a breeding ground for bacteria. When washed regularly with M.A.C. Brush Cleanser, the brushes can last a decade. They're well made, so they will not shed bristles on your skin or in your makeup. They also have more bristles per brush than many drugstore brushes. All of this results in a smoother, easier makeup application.
- M.A.C. and Estee Lauder, the parent company of M.A.C., do not test their makeup on animals. The makeup is not vegan, though. Some M.A.C. makeup brushes do, however, include animal hair. Face brushes 187 and 188 use some goat hair. Other models of brushes listed on M.A.C.'s website state whether they're made from natural or synthetic fibers or a mix.
- The handles of almost all M.A.C. makeup brush handles are composed of three types of wood: birch, linden (a basswood) and ramin (a hardwood). The ferrules are composted of nickel-plated brass. The exception is brush 224, the monogrammed special edition brush, which features a tiny chain on the end and a monogrammed M.A.C. charm. The entire brush handle, chain and charm feature a gold finish.
- Goodbyes is a section of the M.A.C. website where you can find discontinued or otherwise unavailable favorite M.A.C. products until they run out. The old, double-digit brushes have all been retired and are unavailable now. If you do find a favorite three digit brush, keep the Goodbyes section in mind when it is retired from the M.A.C. line.
