Slowly becoming my favorite MAC brush..
The #217 blending brush has taken me a little time to get used to and enjoy. When I first got it, I used a heavier hand with it and only used it for blending eye shadows that had already been applied. What resulted was a "muddy" look with all my different colors, not the beautifully blended wash of colors that I was expecting.Now, I use a lighter hand and also use the brush to actually do some of applying as well as blending of crease colors, transition colors and brow highlight. I think in the past I over-relied on the #239, but I am quickly seeing what this #217 is capable of -- it can do almost everything that the #239 can, plus some. I use it to apply a softer wash of color in my crease or brow bone and that takes care of half of the blending right there.For smaller, detailed blending, especially on smaller lids, use a light hand and focus the color on the very end of the brush. The more you dig in, the messier it will be. That is because the brush is more densely packed than a lot of blending brushes. Using a light hand with this brush is key.It took me several months to the hang of this brush, but it is quickly becoming my favorite brush and I will be ordering a second one my collection very soon. Based on the looks that I like to do, this isthe brush I reach for the most. If I had to choose just ONE of my MAC brushed to do an entire look, I would choose this one. Best part is, you can wipe your brush off and use it for different colors all in the same look. Clean it often to keep it in top shape. Less