How do you apply Foundation? - Page 2

I use a brush. I hate applying with my fingers as I feel like the coverage is more uneven and streaky that way, and sponges tend to absorb too much of the product and/or make my face look cakey. 

I use the Real Techniques Stippling Brush and stipple, then buff it into my face lightly.

My concealer..I also apply that with a small concealer brush for precision. 

I use my fingers when I apply BB cream. I used to use a foundation brush but found that I prefer to apply it without a brush. I might check out the beautyblender one day though.

 

After applying BB cream, I use a powder foundation brush to apply either MUFE HD Mircrofinish Powder or a bit of bareMinerals foundation (if I find I need more coverage).

 

That's pretty much what I do for foundation stuff.

Personally i think it just depends on you, sponges can absorbed your foundation if its used dry, you can wet it and it wont absorb as much. it also depends on the look you are going for, sponges are more ideal for a matte finish. Play around with different brushes for your face, you can use a flat top, foundation or stippling brush, your fingers and a sponge just play around and see which one is for you for the look you are going for.

 

some tips though: With sponges its best to just "dab" the foundation on other than smearing it on, otherwise it can look uneven and streaky. with a stippling or flat top brush its best to dab it and gently go in clock and counter clockwise circles, it will go on even and will really do wonders in making any visible pores you may have invisible. with a foundation brush its best to start at the forehead and blend downwards, moving the brush up will make those tiny little peach fuzz hairs you have on your face stick up and become more noticeable, and if you use your fingers make sure they are clean and you are using a light finger, your ring finger, for a more even application. 

 

good luck :)

by the way sorry about the double post i thought it deleted my previous response and i retyped it

I used to use my fingers, in fact that's what I do for my concealer.

But for foundation, I like either a damp makeup sponge, or the stippling brush I bought from ELF.

They both give me full coverage and are really fast which I like.

I use sponge wedges, I just prefer the finish I get. Veeery occasionally I use my fingers, but usually with a thicker foundation, I find I don't get the coverage I want using my fingers and a thinner formula. I use my fingers sometimes when I use my Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 HR foundation, but not my Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse because the texture is much lighter and thinner.

I use a real techniques expert face brush. Reasonable in price and I love how it applies my foundation. I just bought the MAC 187 brush. Need to see how it applies though.

For days when my breakouts aren't bad and I don't need full coverage (which seems like it hasnt been in forever ) I use real techniques expert face brush for mineral makeup... On my face it just seems like that brush works better with powder than liquid. 

For liquid everyday (Revlon colorstay) I use the beauty blender. Super fast and easy, good coverage, love it! 

And on nights when I go out or for special occasions I use the Chanel foundation brush (jacked it from my mom... She must not have used it in a long time because she hasn't noticed almost 6 months later LOL!) to make sure everything is really even. 

 

Bought the real techniques expert face and stippling with high expectations, but I don't seem to reach for them often at all. Maybe I'm not using them the way everyone else is? 

When Mary Greenwell guested on Lisa Eldridge's YouTube channel, she said the same thing. She said brushes and sponges were a waste of product and likely to be covered in bacteria. I will say that I've noticed a little foundation goes a very long way when I'm applying it with my fingertips, but if I use the same amount with a sponge or brush, I need at least twice the same amount.

 

I also found that if I rub my foundation into the skin like a skin cream, I get a more natural finish. Sponges are a headache and brushes seem to give me an uneven look. It's probably because I'm not using them properly, but if my fingers work really well, I don't see the point in bothering with learning how to use a brush.

I use the Real Techniques stippling brush, does a really nice job and a little liquid makeup goes a long way with it.

 

I saw that episode too, so now I don't feel bad about using my fingers.

 

What stuck with me from her episode is to REALLY work the foundation into the skin. Now I really rub the foundation in and it makes a huge difference in appearance and longevity.

I use a Sigma F80 or F82 flat top for liquids, creams & wax-based foundations. I don't find I'm wasting any product.

I use a very wide, densely packed flat topped kabuki brush with a very short handle for mineral foundation. I got mine from Coastal Scents about 3 years ago I think. It has never shed a bristle & is incredibly soft.

On occasion, I use a loosely packed stippling brush for my Estée Lauder Double Wear. That's usually when I want less coverage or only want to cover certain areas of my face to get rid of any ruddiness.

Can't stand sponges. Hate the Beauty Blender especially, which I wasted money on. If I need to tap something out to blend it, I use my fingers. Especially with spot concealing, under eye concealing & using a lighter shade of foundation on areas like nasal labial lines etc.

As far as bacteria etc I wash everything I use on my face in hot water - with soap obviously. I Fiest wet my brushes thoroughly, soap them up right to the base of the bristles, let them sit for about 10 minutes, lather them up again to make sure to get everything out of them, then rinse in hot water really well. Not much bacteria is going to survive that. I also wash my foundation brushes - as well as my brushes I use for cream blushes/highlighters/contouring products - after pretty much every use now. They not only perform better this way, I also never have to worry about what's going onto my skin.

Thank you once again, iPhone spellchecker......you never cease to screw up my spelling, ironically.

What a fun thread to read! I compiled some of y'alls great points into an article to try and help solve the debate: Fingers or Brushes?

i use mac 187 duo fibre stippling brush i think its great, although on days where my skin is acting up i tend to use my fingers :)

Beauty Blender or elf powder brush, love both!

There are many ways to apply foundation such as by using a foundation brush, a sponge, or by using your clean finger tips. A correct way to apply it on is by having your face completely clean, by applying small amounts of foundation onto your forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, and jaw line. Make sure that all parts of your face look even. However, to finish off with an amazing flawless look, use a blending fuffy brush to blend all of the foundation in order to get that nice and natural look.

ELF foundation brush

I don't wear liquid or cream foundation often, but when I do, I use my fingers.  I get the most precise coverage that way.

I use my fingers because my face hates brushes. Literally hahaha. I rub the foundation between my fingers to warm it up and then dab on my face. The finish is always flawless when I do so ! Fingers FTW

I use a foundation brush (Estee Lauder's is the best I have used) to apply and a Beautyblender sponge to blend. It is worth the investment if you wear makeup often.

I use an ELF Foundation brush. When I bought my first foundation (which was at a Clinique counter when I was 14 and didn't know much about makeup) the lady there said to never use my fingers when I put it on and that it would cause breakouts, so I guess I've just always used a brush and I probably always will. Its just a habit.

I actually think applying foundation with fingers doesn't breakout as long as you wash your hands thoroughly before applying makeup/foundation

I use my Urban Decay brush. It's better than fingers and any other things I've tried.

I got back and forth a lot on this. I got a Beauty Blender a while back and love the way the makeup goes on with it and I actually found that I use and waste lest product. Sadly, most of the time, I'm in a rush and just use my fingers. The sponges apply the foundation much thinner giving a natural look that I really like.

there isnt a right or wrong way, and i really think it depends mostly on the type of foundation you are using and the coverage you want. i use to apply my foundations with my fingers and that worked fine, but i liked the coverage that i was able to get when i used a brush. i generally use my ELF Flat top powder brush or my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush to get a nice flawless finish. I have never liked using sponges. I think they do soak up too much product and the few times I have messed with my beauty blender, I just couldnt make my foundation look good. 

I've heard wonders about that Real Techniques brush! But everytime I try a brush to apply my foundation on it's just too rough on my skin :(

I'm changing my answer:

 

It depends on what foundation I'm using. 

 

Almay mousse: Brush or fingers (sometimes both -- first layer with fingers, second with brush)

Revlon Colorstay Liquid: Wet sponge or brush

Revlon Photoready Airbrush Mousse: Fingers because I feel it really needs to be worked in to give good coverage and look good

 

I have other foundations, but I basically never use them because I hate them, so how I apply those is pretty irrelevant.