Make up brushes, can we go back to using our fingers?

[JoJuniorShabadoo]

Bored of make-up brushes that, despite me washing them and caring for them, end up losing bristles and I have to replace them annually.

there wasn't this fuss over brushes in the 80s/90s. Can we just used fingers again?

I’ve just started using brushes in an effort to feel more put together. The wastage is insane, I’d say about 50% seems lost

Not soap and water? Do they get satisfyingly clean? I feel the need to see clear water running down the plug hole…

Yes, I find they get satisfyingly clean, spritz them with the alcohol and then rub on the towel until all the bristles are makeup free. And repeat. And they dry almost instantly. When you use soap and water you need to prop them up for a few hours to dry, and the hot water can loosen bristles. I'm way more diligent with my brush cleaning using this method.

It's why I like NARS pure radiance tinted moisturiser...it says apply with fingers. Also Trinny bbf.

I have a brush towel so I just buff any powder out onto it until it’s clean
i wash them with baby shampoo and use the little mesh covers to reshape when damp, dry brush head facing down

I don’t get how you need to replace them so often, mine are expensive (Sonia G brand) and I have brushes that are well over 20 years old

I've been watching Youtube make up tutorials. You transfer the make up (foundation/bronzer/blusher/conclear) to the back of the hand. Dap the brush in it and onto the face.

I have to admit that I am in two minds about this: good technique for flawless finish or complete waste of product?

I have settled on: foundation with fingers, bronzer and blusher with brushes from back of hand, eye shadow with brush. Eyeliner blended with a brush - if all my other brushes were to disappear, this is the most important.

It's nice to share this stuff...strangely no-one else finds it interesting :)

PS Brushes came from lidl and have lasted donkeys!

best technique for flawless finish. I always apply liquid products like this.

Never get the base of the bristles wet, I wet the bristles, run along a soap like Pears then swirl it in the palm of my hand. Repeat until clean. A spray is also good. I use fingers for wet products like foundation, cream blush, cream eyeshadow. Brushes for powders.

Also, I think a weekly wash is excessive, maybe I'm just a bit skanky though. My brushes are Real Techniques and about 10 years old.

I’ve never got on with brushes for foundation, I use a sponge. Fingers feels like it would be too messy! I use brushes for everything else though.

Just looked back at my order. Real techniques too

Use my fingers.

If an eyeshadow comes with a sponge applicator, I may use that, but haven’t had once recently.

You've ordered Real Techniques? Hopefully they'll be as good for you as me. Maybe get a spray brush cleaner too so you don't have to wash them so much either.

No, I had a real technique one, that's the one that fell apart

I get a much better finish applying foundation and cream blush/ bronzer with a brush. I haven’t had the issues you’ve had with brushes though. I have 3 from Saie which basically cover me for everything (foundation, cream blush/ bronzer and powder). They weren’t terribly expensive either.

I would use a brush for powder products and liquid blush sometimes but I don’t like using a brush for foundation type products, it feels all slimy and immediately in need of a clean and I’m not faffing around with it. I agree with pp that it depends what look you are going for, elaborate make up looks need the right tools. That’s not my look.

For anything creamy, I use fingers. For anything powdery, a brush.

And it's such a waste of product

I do love my kabuki brush.

Always used my fingers. I don’t wear makeup much these days but I’ve only ever used a brush for eye makeup and now just don’t . When I see people apply foundation with a brush it looks like they use a massive amount. I have more control not using one.

Never used brushes for foundation or concealer. To me, they seem like a waste of time and money.

First, I couldn’t be bothered to wash them, and even after just one use, I’d find it disgusting. (This probably also explains why so many women struggle with breakouts.)

Second, they absorb so much product. I can use one pump of foundation with my fingers, but with a brush, I’d probably need at least three pumps to get the same result. I don’t like wasting my already expensive makeup on a tool that soaks so much of it up.

The only brush I use is for powder. I can’t really avoid that, but since powder is so lightweight, it doesn’t bother me.

I haven’t replaced a makeup brush in a decade…

Are you washing them in hot water so the glue melts? Only ever use cold.

Breakouts tend to be hormonal not due to makeup brushes

Why are you complaining about having to wash brushes that you don’t even want to use? Just use your fingers?