How to Apply Foundation: Beauty Blender vs. Makeup Brush

Beauty girls—and guys—pick your tool wisely. 

The thing about foundation is that when applied fairly well, it can give way to flawlessly airbrushed, spotless skin. On the flip side, when applied, uh—not so well—it has the potential to accentuate the blemishes you were trying to conceal in the very first place; sort of a catch-22 situation you’ve got yourself. So, a word to the wise: when applying makeup, pick your tool wisely. 

The age-old debate lives on—beauty blender or makeup brush? While the choice is yours, entirely yours, your pick can make a real world of a difference in the finish. “If you’re using a liquid foundation and are looking for light coverage, a beauty blender might be better for quick application and seamless blending. They’re ideal for oily and combination skin types and can absorb excess moisture during the blending process. For those of you who possess dry skin, use a damp beauty blender to retain your skin’s moisture,” explains Neha Singh, Beauty Expert, Etude House. 

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That said, beauty blenders absorb way too much product. “Some products may fail to work coherently with blenders. Plus, they require the right amount of dampening—in case too dense, they can leave marks on your skin. The probability of blenders harbouring bacteria? HIGH. So, it has its cons as well,” informs Sneha Singh, Head of Product Development, Faces Canada. 

Now, let’s turn to the humble makeup brush. According to Neha, a brush should come into play when you’re dealing with a high coverage foundation that needs to glide on the skin. “Since a makeup brush does not absorb too much product, it works best to achieve high coverage finish. The key is to blend it well so that we don’t see any brush strokes,” she adds. 

“Through the concentrated application of foundation via a brush, you can avoid streaks or patches of product on the skin. In addition, makeup brushes work with a diverse range of formulas, including liquid, powder and cream-based foundations. For instance, stippling brushes can be used with all three formulas,” Sneha puts forth. If you’re planning to opt for a brush, go about choosing the right one. “Makeup brushes come in a variety of shapes and sizes; a flat foundation brush deposits the product well and helps with coverage at specific areas. A fluffy brush—such as a duo fibre brush or round tapered brush—helps spread and blend the foundation evenly across your skin,” Neha explains. But, brushes, too, require to be washed at least twice a week, to avoid visibility of streaks on the face. 

In the end, your decision should be made based on your skin type, texture, and the kind of coverage you’re seeking.