There are a number of tools you can use to apply foundation and other makeup like concealer and eye shadow. And, depending on who you ask (and this includes makeup pros), you’ll get a different answer when it comes to the question of what’s best. The truth is: there are pros and cons behind each of the three most common foundation application tools: brushes, sponges, or your very own fingers. But if you are searching for the top way to apply foundation to mature skin, many experts lean heavily toward one method over all others. Curious to know which brush you should buy, or whether you even need a Kabuki foundation brush? We asked makeup artists what kind of foundation application is best for aging skin — brush, sponge, or fingers — and this is the method that comes out on top.
Fingers
Good news for anyone looking to save a little money — one of the best ways to apply foundation to mature skin is by using your fingers to apply and blend it flawlessly.
“For me it’s usually a combination of brushes and fingers,” says Kerrin Jackson, a four-time Emmy-nominated makeup artist and creator of The Makeup Refinery. “I rarely use a sponge, because well, it’s a sponge and it can suck the moisture out of the products and your face.”
Instead, Jackson says, patting the product with your fingers allows the natural heat moisture in the fingertips to perfectly soften the product and blend it beautifully into your skin.
“Make sure your fingers are warmer than your face when you use them to blend or apply your makeup,” Jackson says. “The heat in your fingers can be your secret weapon to seamlessly blending product to create that perfect blurred finish.”
Always be sure to blend the product over lined areas — places such as your eyelids that have less elasticity, Jackson adds. “It’s easy to apply your makeup in one direction, neglecting the ‘fold’ in your skin. So be sure to blend it back in all directions to ensure even coverage to your skin surface.”
Celebrity Makeup Artist Tonya Riner says her favorite technique when using serum foundations and tinted moisturizers is to use your fingers to press the foundation into your skin. “The warmth of your fingers helps melt everything together to ensure a seamless and natural finish,” Riner says. Another pro trick she shares is that less is more, especially when it comes to foundation. “Most people don’t know this but the illusion of having even skin happens with the use of very little makeup,” Riner says. “I like to use the least amount of makeup possible by applying a light-weight formula in light layers which also keeps the product from settling into fine lines.”
There is one time when Riner says brushes are superior to your fingers: when you’re looking for a more full-coverage finish.
“If you’re in need of full coverage, I suggest using a brush with dense bristles,” Riner says. “I like using duo fiber brushes in light, circular motions for a sheer application. They make it easy to buff excess product away from areas with fine lines and wrinkles. I also can’t live without a tiny brush for pinpoint concealing, regardless of what tool I’m using to apply foundation! It’s the most effective way to add a little extra coverage on those blemishes and dark spots. My secret? Press it on with the tip of the brush and then diffuse the edges for flawless coverage.”
Pros/Cons of Each Application Method
Does this mean you should toss out your sponges? Get rid of your foundation brushes or never buy a new one again because you don’t plan on applying fuller coverage makeup? No, not necessarily. Jackson adds that there are pros and cons for all three application methods.
Fingers Pros & Cons
Pros
*You can immediately feel the skin's surface and know how much pressure and blending you need to use
*Can be quicker
*No cleaning brushes or sponges afterwards
*Products may last longer due to your hands not absorbing excess makeup
Cons
*Must practice good hygiene before and after makeup application
*Can be messy
Brushes Pros and Cons
Pros
*Makeup application can be more precise with the right brushes
*Allows you to keep your fingers free of makeup
*More options with blendability
*More options with building layers where needed
*Product control
*Environmental impact due to the longevity of your brushes
Cons
*Time - to clean and dry brushes
*Extra storage required to store your brushes hygienically
*You may go through your product more quickly due to absorption of makeup into brush bristles
Sponge Pros and Cons
Pros
*Good hygiene - the option to use a disposable, single-use sponge
Cons
*Environmental impact - one-off use
*Reusable sponges require thorough cleaning
*You will go through your product more quickly due to sponge-absorbing makeup
*Sponges can have hard line edge, which makes a flawless application more challenging
Different strokes for different folks when it comes to foundation application — but when you only have a short amount of time to apply your makeup, your fingers can deliver effortlessly beautiful results.
