Fingers are best for a quick and natural application; sponges are good for achieving a flawless finish; and brushes are ideal for full coverage.
A makeup sponge gives the most skin-like finish and pushes the product into the complexion, the foundation doesn't sit on top so it appears more seamless and natural. You can really beautifully build-up and blend the product from sheer to full-coverage, but you have to use a clean sponge!
Applying foundation with a brush is arguably the more efficient and less fussy way to create a beautiful makeup base. With this method, you can achieve flawless, medium to full coverage and a precise, even finish with any foundation type.
Where liquid foundations tend to fare best with buffing brushes, stippling brushes, and oval brushes, powder foundations apply best with fluffier, powder-centric brushes, as they help keep the coverage looking light and natural, as opposed to caked into pores.
Don't Paint, Buff. No matter what tool you're using—a foundation brush, a BeautyBlender, or your fingers—buff (or bounce, if you're using a sponge) the foundation into your skin as opposed to “painting” it on to build coverage smoothly and avoid streakiness, says Park.
However, if you're struggling to make your makeup look smooth because of skin texture, using a makeup sponge, like the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender, is your best bet. Applying foundation with a damp sponge is great because it soaks up excess product that can emphasize texture.
Bartlett, a professional makeup artist and the Artistic Director of Glamsquad, for an incredibly simple breakdown. The first step is wetting your sponge. You should never use a makeup sponge dry to apply foundation, especially if it's a beautyblender, says Bartlett.
If the skin is really dry, I only use damp brushes when applying. Generally speaking, sponges can give more coverage, while brushes can be more sheer.”
Start by dabbing a little bit of foundation onto the back of your hand, and then lightly dip your beauty tool into the foundation. With the product now on your tool, dot the product around your face. Then, gently blend it all over, making sure to move from the center of your face outward.
Never put concealer or foundation on your eyelids as a base, it will cause your eye makeup to crease.
The proper way to apply the two products is to first smooth on a foundation and then apply your concealer. Foundation will create that even canvas we talked about earlier, and then concealer can be used to spot correct any outstanding areas that need extra coverage.
They are the best option if you want a seamless blend of foundation on the skin. If you feel that using a foundation brush has left streaks on your skin, a beauty blender can come to your rescue and blend all of it like a pro.” If it's a flawless, practically airbrushed look that you're going for, look no further.
Makeup Sponges
Beauty blenders should be washed regularly and depending on how well you take care of them - they should be replaced every 1-3 months. The reason for such frequent replacement of these products is due to their serious build-up of bacteria.
What type of brush is best for liquid foundation? You'll find it easier to apply your liquid foundations with a flat, paint-like brush. This is because it'll give you more control over where you place the product, and it'll provide a more full-coverage finish too.
To protect your skin and kill any harmful bacteria that lingers in your makeup brushes, it's a good idea to wash your brushes every 7 to 10 days. Rinse the tips of your brushes under lukewarm, running water to remove residual makeup.
Right before applying foundation, it's important to cleanse your skin to help prevent clogged pores and remove any dirt that may be dulling your natural radiance. Next, gently exfoliate your skin to sweep away any dry, dead skin cells that may cause foundation to go on unevenly or look flaky.
Uneven skin texture can come in many forms, from under-the-skin bumps, to large, visible pores, or fine lines and wrinkles, all of which can contribute to foundation not sitting smoothly on the skin.
“If the skin surface is dehydrated, textured, [or simply] not at its best, this can change how makeup lays on the skin. That's why skin prep is the key to ensuring that your foundation has a skin-like finish and never looks cakey. ”