Do I need a foundation brush or is a buff the thing?

[adogcalledbert]

I use Bobbi Brown long wear foundation with a bit of Laura Mercier primer underneath.
Of course the BB assistant suggested that a brush was necessary so, feeling stingy I went to Boots and bought a cheap one. It drew lines on my face then the hairs on the brush shedded on my face.
I've read about the beauty buff on here, isn't it like the old sponge?

I have the Real Techniques face brush and their foundation sponge (big orange one). Both excellent, slightly prefer the sponge. Have had the brush for nearly 2 years, no shedding

Do you both Lotta for foundation? Or one for one type?
I looked at the RTs on Amazon but some of the reviews on there suggest some might be fake. I need to buy online.

I use the Mac strippling brush,very soft. I dip it in a tiny bit of foundation then use circular movements to blend,and do it for a while. No brush marks.

Yes, I use both. I bought the sponge recently and have been using that more. You can find RT in Boots or Superdrug

I have lovely zoeva brushes (bought as a result of MN recommendation). They don't shed at all and after 25 years of applying foundation with a sponge I can confirm that it its easier and better once you get the hang of it.