Foundation brush- yay or nay?
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free skin care · Thu Apr 06, 2006 6:57 pm

Do you use a foundation brush to apply your makeup? If so or if not, why?

I've been told that it applies liquid foundation more smoothly and evenly and can provide better coverage.

Wondering what all your thoughts are on this...

free skin care · Thu Apr 06, 2006 7:18 pm

I use MAC's foundation brush to apply foundation, concealer, and even tinted moisturizer. It provides a nice even finish and seems to minimize pores, too. I find the brush better than sponges because I feel like I'm actually rubbing the product off with the sponge. I also think I get a more controlled coverage with the brush, too.

free skin care · Thu Apr 06, 2006 7:21 pm

I think i get better control and finish with my fingertips. The sponge absorbs alot of foundation, so you are wasting alot of foundation everytime you apply with a sponge. A foundation brush can get quite pricey though

free skin care · Thu Apr 06, 2006 7:48 pm

I prefer using my fingers. It's easier, cheaper and easier to clean.

free skin care · Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:57 pm

LandB wrote:

I use MAC's foundation brush to apply foundation, concealer, and even tinted moisturizer. It provides a nice even finish and seems to minimize pores, too. I find the brush better than sponges because I feel like I'm actually rubbing the product off with the sponge. I also think I get a more controlled coverage with the brush, too.

Same here. I used to think that my fingers did a good enough job but then I tried the brush out at the counter and found that when it comes to the sides of my nose and filling in pores and my stupid chicken pox scars, my fingers can't beat the brush. The brush is also excellent for when I don't want to do a full-face but only on areas where I need some coverage because the brush blends the foundation into my skin seamlessly.

I dip the tip of the brush in my foundation bottle or pour a drop of foundation on the back of my hand and work the brush from there.

IMHO it's a necessary makeup tool, superior to the sponge for applying liquid foundation and offers better control for coverage than your fingers.

HTH! Smile

free skin care · Thu Apr 06, 2006 11:15 pm

I used Jane Iredale foundation brush when I use her liquid foundation. It's smoother and more even. Different cosmetic line has different preference. I went to Bobbi Brown they used fingers. I went to Laura Mercier they used brushes.

Fri Apr 07, 2006 1:10 am

I like to but I don't always (not when I'm in a hurry). Btw, here's a previous poll on this and also some opinions: http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=2827

free skin care · Fri Apr 07, 2006 1:18 am

What a great thread, I am going to watch with interest Very Happy

Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:42 am

I find the warmth of my fingers tend to make the liquid foundation easier to blend. An SA once applied Prescriptives Flawless Skin on me using a foundation brush and I found the coverage too heavy and a little bit streaky. I have used a sponge but found it was difficult to blend and wasteful as it was absorbing the foundation.

free skin care · Fri Apr 07, 2006 5:50 am

I use a perscriptives foundation brush. I love the way it makes my makeup go on and I feel like I'm not tugging at my face as much.

free skin care · Fri Apr 07, 2006 7:30 am

personally i prefer a sponge over a brush because you can mould it to fit any section of the face, around the nose and especially around the eyes, you can blend in contouring products if needed as well. To avoid wasting alot of foundation, wet the sponge with water before hand, that way it won't absorb your foundation. And to get the right finish you pat it on the skin rather than smooth over. But for normal day to day application i just apply with my fingers as it is quicker and you will get a lighter, more natural finish. I have used a brush as well, but i still preffer a sponge.

oli

free skin care · Fri Apr 07, 2006 7:43 am

I bought one and never use it. I prefer my fingers/sponge the best.

free skin care · Fri Apr 07, 2006 7:45 am

im thinking of getting the MAC foundation brush. Is it worth spending the $38 canadian dollars?

free skin care · Fri Apr 07, 2006 7:56 am

BCgirl wrote:

im thinking of getting the MAC foundation brush. Is it worth spending the $38 canadian dollars?

it's probably one of the better priced pro brushes you can get, so if you were going to get one i'd say that would be the one to get.

oli

free skin care · Fri Apr 07, 2006 9:31 am

I use a sponge, it gives me a much better coverage then my fingers. Now, thinking of getting the brush.

free skin care · Fri Apr 07, 2006 9:33 am

I have by MAC but never use it! the only reason is I hate cleaning it after each use so I use my hand.

free skin care · Fri Apr 07, 2006 9:35 am

I think you might be wasting a lot of product on the sponge though. And I prefer the brush because it feels better than poking at my face with my fingers. Alas, I'm not very graceful... Rolling Eyes

free skin care · Fri Apr 07, 2006 9:36 am

If you want to "try" one before you invest in an expensive one my CVS and Rite Aids have a set of brushes that are very inexpensive ($15-$5) and they are really nice (for the money). They have a foundation brush that you could try and see if you like the way it feels.

free skin care · Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:09 pm

I have both the MAC and Px ones. I use the MAC more because it's fuller and feels softer on the skin. For more sheer coverage I use a damp sponge and stipple, then blend. Never use my fingers as foundation always ends up streaky.

free skin care · Fri Apr 07, 2006 4:32 pm

great input, everyone! Thank you Smile

I have also heard that one should invest in good brushes b/c it can make a lot of difference. I believe this and I also like how soft the more expensive brushes can be on my face. I am very sensitive to that sort of thing.

I am definitely going to give a foundation brush a try. (I am currently trying JI's liquid foundation and find that, when worn under the pressed powder, it evens out my complexion a lot better and provides a good base to apply the powder to compared to wearing powder alone. It also help tones down my redness when my skin is having a bad day. But that's a whole other thread!)

Now, I need to decide which brand to try... Wink

free skin care · Sat Apr 08, 2006 4:28 am

Ive been using Smashbox's foundation brush for a couple of years now and loveeee it. I use it with whatever liquid foundation I am using at the time. For me, my face seems to get oilier quicker when I use my fingers to apply foundation... plus it's harder to "airbrush" over the final finish without having "finger prints" and areas of more deposits of the foundation than with the brush. It doesnt absorb like a sponge either ( though I like latex sponges too) so its more economical in the long run. The increased surface area of all those bristles seem to fill in any visible pores around the nose that finger ( and even sponge ) application leave sitting only on the surface, that's a good benefit!

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