Can someone help with this brush?

[tripwirechick]

I bought this brush from Trade Me (New Zealand version of Ebay) from a seller who is not dodgy. I have bought other things from her and they were real, it was just stuff she was selling on from her personal collection. I bought a different brush from her which is real, but when this 190 arrived I noticed that it looked different to the one I already have (which admittedly is an SE brush), but it also the handle smells a bit like paint and I can't find an imprint of country of origin, so if anyone can help it would be much appreciated!
http://s258.photobucket.com/albums/h...t=DSC00135.jpg
http://s258.photobucket.com/albums/h...t=DSC00134.jpg
http://s258.photobucket.com/albums/h...t=DSC00133.jpg
http://s258.photobucket.com/albums/h...t=DSC00132.jpg

 

[ms_bloom]

It looks fake to me - there is only one crimp on the ferrule, and while various #190 brushes look slightly different (i.e., even the ones at the MAC counter) as they are hand-made, I've only ever seen MAC brushes with two crimps. The lack of a country of origin stamp is suspicious, too. Sorry!

 

[Glassdoll]

I can't confirm this, but it may be a fake. The bristles look a little short compared to some other pics i've seen. And the one crimp instead of two made me think it might be a fake too. But i saw on this pic http://img.makeupalley.com/7/4/1/2/593585.jpeg that there's two crimps its just that one is real close to the end. u can check yours against the pic i posted above, cos it looks like yours does too?

Don't worry yet cos i'm no expert in brushes.

 

[juxt123]

it looks short and the one crimp so its probably fake but for the smell i bought my 224 at a counter and my others brushes from a mac store and the counter one smells different like wood..maybe i got a fake one from the counter? lol i dont know

 

[rockin]

If it smells like paint, I'm sure it's fake. I accidentally bought two fake brushes on ebay and both handles smell like paint or laquer.

 

[Lissah]

I'm no expert. My new 190 from freestanding store smells distinctly of paint to me. My brush looks just like that. The only spot im questioning is where the ferrule meets the wood. I don't know if its the picture or what but mine looks slightly different there. Also, mine does not have a Made in Wherever stamp on it.

 

[tripwirechick]

Thanks guys

There is a second crimp, though very faint.. I guess the only way of really knowing is to take it to my counter, but I don't want them to think I'm disloyal, lol.