i went out on a search for the MAC 239 brush dupe today, the Loew Cornell 3/8 Maxine's Mop brush. It's surprisingly basically the same brush! For a fraction of the price. The 239 is $24.50 at MAC, and the Loew Cornell alternative is $3.49 where i am at. it's the same white bristles, and are made out of goat hair (PETA lovers beware). don't worry though, the goats get to live on to make more brushes with their wonderful hairs :) i've yet to try them out but will be uploading a few pics in a bit when i try them out. the handles on them are a lot longer than most makeup brushes so for those of you who prefer short handles you may want to invest in the MAC version if you think it'll bother you that much.
here's the new vase i bought to stick all my brushes in :) my fatter handled brushes are currently sitting upright in my butterbeer mug i got from universal studios in florida, ha. i'm unique like that.