I've been toting around the MAC 217 for years and it's really starting to show its age. Chalk it up to getting wedged inside my makeup bag, as well as repeated use with very few baths between application.

Around my makeup mirror I don't practice what I preach.

Then fate stepped in a few weeks ago right around the same time I was considering buying a 217 back-up; Rebecca of Illamasqua introduced me to the Blending Brush.

Side by side comparison: MAC's 217 (bottom) and Illamasqua's Blending Brush (top)

It was love at first touch.

I heard, "now I'm going to blend out wah wa wha wha wha." In that moment Rebecca sounded like Charlie Brown's elementary school teacher.

The bristles are so silky soft to the point where it feels like each bristle (synthetic and cruelty-free) is skating across the eyelid. The blending brush also enjoys a good windshield wiper motion, patting, tapping and general all over sweeping.

In addition to its smooth moves, those aforementioned synthetic bristles refuse to absorb product. The 217 can be a real b*%@h to clean thanks to the creamy white goat hair bristles -- my OCD goes into overdrive whenever they get stained from product.

MAC 217 don't be offended when you're relegated to the back of the drawer from time to time.

Brushes are always an investment, ultimately choose what feels right (and works) on you.

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Illamasqua's Blending Brush: