Putting on makeup with a sponge

[hipslikecinderella]

Foundation is apparently supposed to be applied with a sponge or foundation brush.
Mua was aghast that anyone would use their fingers, as it would spread germs over your face.
Doesn't everyone use fingers for foundation and sun cream etc? If you have washed hands I cant see why foundation is special (except that it takes up way more with a sponge because 3/4 of it soaks in....)?

I don't bother with a sponge as completely agree with you! What a waste!

I don't see it as a germ problem. I have some cheap Benefit foundation I throw on with fingers - but I have just washed my hands anyway!

When it comes to my more expensive foundations, I do use the recommended brush as it seems to go further and I end up with a better finish (no streaks, patches) so that's the reason for me.

Most foundation looks a lot better if put on with s sponge. Yes you waste some, but it depends what n what your goal is, looking your best or saving your money,
You are totally right about the hand washing, itgetsyour hands clean enough to put on your face of course. Some people don’t get humans relationship to germs, ie we wouldn’t exist without them.
Only surgery needs to be sterile. Our skin and gastrointestinal tract have a symbiotic relationship with germs.
Normal hygiene is adequate.

If you use one of the new, more expensive sponges like a beauty blender then only a small amount will soak into the sponge. I use a sponge but will apply with my fingers some days. I apply too much if I use a brush and it ends up streaky.

Also - it's more likely that germs will be on a sponge or brush you use at home than your hands because even with washing there are nooks and crannies. Both are negligible amounts of germs though as long as you wash your hands/sponge or brush

I only started using a beauty blender a couple of years ago and was amazed that I actually get better coverage with less product. Seems counter-intuitive as of course some is getting into the sponge but it was a revelation to me.

Germs aren't an issue.

It’s a better finish with a damp beauty blender type sponge , when I use fingers it looks cakey, foundation is designed to be stippled on top of the skin not rubbed in sideways like a cream .

If th e sponge is damp it won't soak up your foundation. It's dirtier than fingers thoughh

Sponge or brush here.

I touch my face during the day anyway so don't really see the point of not touching it when applying cream or make up

I find the idea of sponges (including bath sponges) unhygienic. Washed hands would be better from a germs pov surely.

You clean the sponge with anti bacterial cleaner

You don’t use a sponge or brush for the hygiene issue it gives a better finish.

Always used freshly washed fingers to apply foundation. I have very large nasty pores and never mastered the technique of using a sponge to cover them properly. I also really resented the fact that the incredibly expensive liquid foundation was being absorbed into the makeup sponge!

Wow i have always used my fingers and i cant say if i have ever washed my hands before i put it on 😳.

Coverage has always been fine and no issues with spots or anything.

I just cant work out sponges and brushes and end up painting it on, i find my fingers easier.

The trouble with applying with fingers is it encourages you to rub it in like a cream . The pigments in modern foundation sit best if applied on to the surface of the skin so you pat sponge brush from above skin rather than side to side motion .

I'd say this is one of those situations where you use whatever you damn well please. I like a brush myself, my daughter insists a sponge is the way to go (but not a cheap one as it just sucks up the make-up) and legendary make-up artist and veteran of many a Vogue fashion shoot Mary Greenwell only ever uses her fingers. And I'd expect she knows what she's doing...

I use my fingertips to pat it round and then go over with a Real Techniques sponge.

Sponge gets washed after every use.

I think it's just down to personal preference, if I'm applying foundation to my own skin I use my fingers. But if an mua is applying my foundation my preference is that they use a brush or sponge (I'm a selective germaphobe lol).

Top tip for less wastage:

Apply with fingers as though they were a sponge - patting tapping motion.

Then go over with sponge before it dries.

No wastage and great finish.

A sponge gives much better coverage and finish. I put it on with my fingers, small dots all over then blend with a thick sponge. I tried a brush but it's too much faff. Sponge is more germy I would think as I don't throw it away straight after. I'll use it several times.

@Ohyesiam so glad to see someone else who knows about microbes

Sometimes I use fingers if it’s a light foundation, sometimes I use a big flat ended round brush (not those flat paintbrush ones they call foundation brushes) but if I want it to look properly good and stay, I use a damp sponge. Much better coverage, without caking up. Looks many times better.

@madcatladyforever you’ll use it ‘several times’, do you think throw it away? You know it’s perfectly washable and can last year’s with good care?

*do you then

It actually changes the colour of the foundation applying it with your fingers so a brush or sponge is better

As if they sponge would be sterile.

Unless it's washed every day then I can guarantee there will be bacteria on there.

If your hands are clean and your face is washed then that surely would be the most hygienic way of applying foundation.

And as mentioned above, you end up using 3 times the amount of foundation because the sponge just absorbs it all.