“If you're using a lightweight under-eye concealer, the warmth of your finger will help it sink into your skin really nicely,” explains Katie. “But if it is a heavier concealer, I would be worried that it would look cakey or you'd add too much by just using our fingers.
Fingers are best for blending cream products - think concealers, foundations, cream blush, etc. This is because your body heat will blend and disperse better than a brush. The team at BIRCHBOX says it's all about the warmth. The warmth generates slip and movement of the product.
To apply concealer using your hands, you want to use the same patting motion that you did for your foundation. Apply your concealer where you desire, then blend it out with your fingertips. Just as with foundation, a concealer with a liquid formula will be easiest to apply with your hands.
“If you're using a lightweight under-eye concealer, the warmth of your finger will help it sink into your skin really nicely,” explains Katie. “But if it is a heavier concealer, I would be worried that it would look cakey or you'd add too much by just using our fingers.
"Fingers and hands are great for cream and liquid products. The heat from your fingers can warm a product up, making it easier to blend seamlessly your the skin," she explains. "Cream blush, cream eyeshadow, highlighter, cream bronzer, etc., these are all great products to use your fingers for blending," she adds.
Yes, many professional makeup artists and beauty gurus swear by applying liquid foundation with their fingers. This tactile approach provides a skin-like, natural makeup result since you're massaging the makeup onto your skin. Using your fingers works on all skin types and with both cream and liquid foundation.
Tapping. If you prefer using your fingers to blend your makeup, then this technique is for you. What you need to do is apply a dab of concealer over the blemish you want to hide, and then with your ring finger (it's the weakest finger), tap the product into your skin.
To “bake your makeup” means to let your concealer sit on your face for 10 to 20 minutes before blending it, so that your own body heat enables the makeup to melt into your skin and cause it to change color and texture. This allows for the concealer to be blended more easily for a flawless coverage.
Fingers are best for a quick and natural application; sponges are good for achieving a flawless finish; and brushes are ideal for full coverage. And sometimes, a little mixing and matching can go a long way.
Do I apply concealer before or after foundation? Always apply your foundation first, unless you are using a powder foundation. Applying foundation first creates an even base to reduce overall redness, discoloration and minor blemishes.
“Application can take a bit longer with your fingers because you need to keep layering and blending to get what you want. If you're in a rush, and want your foundation application to be quick and polished, then I'd use a brush.” For the best of both worlds, you could use your fingers and a brush in tandem.
Since you probably have tons of makeup brushes in your arsenal, you may be wondering if you actually need a concealer brush. The answer is a resounding yes! Simply put, a concealer brush comes in handy to highlight desired areas and help you disguise blemishes and under-eye circles for a flawless finish.
Using a sponge to apply and blend foundation and concealer makeup is a total game changer. “Beautyblenders make the foundation application almost foolproof,” celebrity makeup artist Emily Cheng tells SELF.
Use your fingers to apply blush for a natural look
"The warmth of your fingers will [blend] the product and it'll go on a lot smoother," he says. "[Apply] one little dot on your cheek and then one above it, heading towards the high plane of your face.
The round and tapered concealer brush is dense and perfect for blending liquid and cream concealers. With a concealer brush, you also get a foundation and blusher brush in this set.
Don't rub the concealer into your skin; doing so could cause smearing or produce a cakey effect. Hack: Wait 5 minutes for your concealer to set before blending it with the rest of your makeup. This helps achieve smooth, even coverage.
The general rule of thumb is that you should always opt for a shade lighter than foundation when choosing your concealer colour. Doing so helps to mask darker discolouration, but be careful not to over-correct! Knowing how to pick the right concealer is essential to ensuring that your look does not appear ghostly.
To avoid drawing unwanted attention to the area, many makeup artists would recommend not applying too much, if any, foundation around the eye. Instead, they suggest using a hydrating, lightweight concealer that has been designed specifically for the under eye area.
Look for a brush with a flat, tapered tip like the NYX Professional Makeup Total Control Drop Foundation Brush or the Giorgio Armani Beauty Maestro Blender Brush to allow for more precise application. “Stipple brushes or using the stippling technique with a damp sponge also blends liquid foundation seamlessly.”