How to apply foundation

[WigglyBraddins]

Calling all beauticians & make up artists...

The beautician I go to, who is great, says I shouldn't apply foundation with my finger tips. She's tried to sell me recommended I buy a stubby brush for stippling my foundation on (in a 1990s stencilling style) to get a "more polished look". But she's said a normal make up sponge or foundation brush will do. I'm sceptical that this is just another thing to clutter up my make up bag that I don't really need BUT I could be convinced that fingertips are bad.

What do you think?

Thank you :)

I use a stippling brush by Real Techniques, available from Boots. I love this brush and think it makes a huge difference to the finish. All the brushes in this range are fantastic.

Does using a brush increase the amount of foundation that gets used? Does half of it get caked in the bristles and wasted? I've fancied using a brush, currently use my fingers, but never tried because I don't want to waste my make up and have to buy more often because I'm a tight git.

That's good to know. Thank you MockingCurl.

I used to use my fingers to apply foundation but you do use a whole lot more product.

Yes you do need to fork out on a brush But it saves you money in the long run as you use so much less foundation! I also think it gives a lighter, more natural appearance on the skin and is easier to layer ;)

I don't know if it's because I have dry skin but when I tried to apply my foundation with a brush, it just wouldn't blend well. It looked so cakey. I find with my fingers I can really rub it in and spread it out better.

I use my fingers, haven't ever used a brush but find it a bit yukky and unhygienic to be honest! I know it's probably fine but I prefer to use my fingers. I watched Lisa Eldridge's video on brightening makeup and she used her fingers but really worked the foundation into the skin and went on about not using too much - I'm trying to emulate that technique now.

Mocking, what do you do with it? Just sort of pat it around your face?

I think it really depends on which foundation your using for which way of applying it works best so there is no definite right and wrong.

I normally use a brush but I do have one foundation that goes on great with finger tips (NARS sheer glow) and the girl at the counter said they recommend finger tips for NARS stuff. Not sure why, but it just has the sort of texture that makes it melt into your skin with fingers.

I use a brush when I want foundation to last longer and if I'm going somewhere photos will be taken.

For just day to day I use my fingers.

If you use a stippling brush, you put some foundation on the back if your hand, twirl the brush into it and then dab it in various places on your face. You then swirl the brush round and round in small circles, buffing the product in. The more you buff the more natural it looks. You can get into all the nooks and crannies. You use far less foundation. You can also use a stippling brush in the same way to put in cream blusher.
Look at the Real Techniques sets. They are excellent value for money, don't shed and wash and dry easily.

Im a brush convert. I hear your argument about how much foundation ends up on the brush, but surely it stays on your fingers in the same way?

I do what Mockingcurl does with a stippling brush , it's fast and easy to get a much more natural look.

I tried the real techniques brush but prefer the Mac stipple one (cheap on ebay) as it's softer and the bristles are longer .
I use the RT one to apply my blush .

Sales girl told me that it's better to use a flat foundation brush , which my dd uses but I prefer stipple.

My preferred method is to apply it with my fingers, then go over it afterwards with a buffing type brush. Real Technique's Expert Face brush is my favourite, or their Buffing brush is good too, I prefer these to the Stipping brush, although that's good. I also love the Sigma high defination kabuki brushes, F84, F82 or F80. These give a fantastic finish, although I prefer the Real Technique brushes because they wash and dry much more easily and quicker.

I use a foundation brush (not a stippling one) and use way less foundation than when I use fingers. You do have to wash brushes though.

Sponges I find use quite a lot of product up.

I gave up using sponges because I felt I was wasting tons of product for no visible benefit. I'll have a look on eBay & in Bootsat brushes. Thank you for the tips :)

I was given a brush set for Xmas including a foundation brush. I don't always wear it as it felt too thick after applying with fingers but the brush is a revelation. It looks so natural and much less is applied.

With brushes, my drugstore foundation (Bourjois Healthy Mix and L'oreal True Match) looks flawless - without brushes, it looks completely shit. So yes, I think they are well worth using :).

I second the recommendation for Real Techniques brushes - you won't get anything else of such high quality for such a good price. The stippling brush is very good for buildable coverage (video tutorials are available on Youtube), and it doesn't soak up any of your foundation. The expert face brush is another very good one which makes blending very easy and gives a fuller coverage finish, but does soak up a bit of foundation. I think the expert face brush is the easiest to use if you're new to brushes - unlike flat brushes or the stippling brush, it's impossible to leave streaks or apply foundation too thickly with it, and it's a very quick and easy way to get natural looking coverage.

Personally, I do the following:

1. Apply moisturiser to skin and allow to dry (I use Avene Skin Recovery Cream, which is fantastic for my skin and makes my foundation look better and last longer);
2. Put 1 pump of foundation on the back of my hand and allow it to warm up and go runny;
3. Use EcoTools foundation brush to transfer foundation to my face in a thin layer (the brush gives a very streaky finish because it isn't even slightly absorbent, but it's great for making foundation last longer by getting it to your face without soaking any up);
4. Blend with Real Techniques expert face brush in circular motions and wait 5 mins for it to set;
5. If there are any bits which need fuller coverage, I then use the stippling brush to dab a very thin second layer of foundation on top wherever needed;
6. Wait 5 mins for it to set, and then apply a thin layer of No7 Creme Touch finishing powder using the Real Techniques powder brush.

That's amazing ElectricMonk. Thank you :)

I like brushes and sponges, but don't think they always make a huge difference. If you are going to buy one though, Real Techniques are excellent I agree.

I think it depends on your skin and the foundation. Generally I apply with fingers then buff in using my stippling brush. I then apply concealer with a small brush, allow to 'set' for about 30 seconds then use the stippling brush again.

If I'm using a high coverage foundation, then I might use my Cosmopolitan sponge - you don't use it to apply foundation, you just dampen it then bounce/roll it over your skin (hard to describe - see Youtube!). It give the most flawless and longlasting finish IMO, I would do it every day if I remembered to take it into the shower every morning!

I bought a brush, quite liked it but it took longer to apply and tbh think I get just as good an effect with fingers also felt like it used up lots more product cleaning it was a bugger too so it sits in a jar with all my other brushes

I use fingers because the foundation warms up and melts into the skin and so gives a more radiant natural skin finish.
With a brush it looks more made up and sits on top.

Isn't the key, whatever you apply with, you only use down strokes. This is so you don't go against the downy hair in your face and coat that rather than your skin.

I Don't find it makes any difference at all. Actually, I tell a lie - it looks streaky if I only blend downwards.