Foundation- do I need a brush?

[canyouseemyhousefromhere]

As an erm older woman I have been using foundation for decades and always applied it with my fingers.
I see everywhere people using a brush, is this something I should use? Does it make a difference?

If so, can anyone recommend one from the dozens on sale in Boots?

Thanks

I use my fingers, I've tried every brush on the market and for me they just sweep off the foundation and I use way too much product.

I apply with my fingers, and then dab with a slightly wet Real Techniques sponge.

I tried it and I can’t see it’s better. I think the heat from your fingertips makes it blend better.

I just find it easier and less messy with a brush - the Elf and Morphe ones are good. I use a beauty blender too. But it’s not a necessity. I like full coverage foundation some days and that’s easier (for me) with a brush. A skin tint is fine with fingers but I would use a damp beauty blender for that.

For full coverage, I find “priming” the brush with the foundation works well, and then go over with a beauty blender so it’s smooth.

I use a brush to buff my foundation in, Morphe or Real Techniques, it gives an air brush finish

https://uk.morphe.com/products/m106-flat-topped-foundation-brush

As someone who also uses their fingers, I'm fed up with being patronised by younger people on make-up counters who seem very scornful that I don't apply with a brush. I've been 'shown' how much better it is with a brush, but the result always looks cakey and emphasises my rather large pores.

As someone who has been putting foundation on for the last 30 years, I know that the best result for my skin is when I use my fingers to warm the product first, then buff/stipple my skin after with a stiff kabuki brush. Less is wasted, pores aren't emphasised and it looks more like skin.

Agreed, I’ve tried brushes and beauty blenders and can’t honestly see how they do the job any better than my fingers.

Beauty blenders just seem to soak up product and brushes just kinda move it around but use too much product.

Worn foundation mist days since I was 15 or so . Nearly 60 now and agree much better finish with fingers foundation smoother and gets into all the crevices much easier . Tried brushes looks cakey -sometimes use a beauty blender to blur edges . Presume those that use brushes wash them every day ? Gosh what a faff!
I find fingers do the job much better - possibly a ploy to use more foundation then sell more!

I’ve bought a foundation brush, a stippling brush and a sponge, and I still can’t see any difference than when I use my fingers and join the dots.
I use way less product and it’s much easier to wash and dry my hands than wash and dry a brush.

I also think fingers are better than brushes. I've tried both, and sponges. Brushes use to much product and it's hard to get a light coverage without stroke marks. I'm not trying to get really creative or hide myself. My foundation has spf 40 and it's pigmented enough to shade my rosacea- I tried covering it once and it was too mask like.

Thank you everyone. After reading all the feedback I will probably stick with using my fingers for now. I like a sheer coverage. I’ll put the money saved to a nice new lipstick 💋

A brush emphasises my pores. I use a sponge.

I’ve always used brushes but had an MuA (kind of) session and she recommended using my fingers because it warms it up and it goes on better.

I don’t know if that’s even more important with “older” skin hence she suggested it for me, I’m 40 for reference and it does go on better/looks a lot more natural and I need less with hands so I’m a convert now!

Actually, I think the effects are all more or less the same. There's no need to buy a brush just for applying foundation.