Foundations: The Brush Edit

Foundation brushes have come a long way in the past few years. We now have every shape and size at our finger tips that it can be quite daunting to decide which one to choose. I'm going to run through some of the most common and show you the type of finish it leaves. 


For the purpose of this post, I used the same foundation in all the pictures; Laura Mercier Silk Cream. Here is the before photo:

Before

Buffing Brush- The most fool proof of the bunch. A brush like this really buffs foundation into the skin and will help you achieve a well blended flawless base. My favourite is the Real Techniques Buffing Brush. These brushes are so easy to use and are great for beginners. You can get quite a full coverage finish but it also allows you to build up product where you want. For example, I need more coverage on my cheeks so I pack a bit more product there and dab it in. 

Buffing Brush

Expert Face Brush- I've included this brush by Real Techniques because it is one of my favourites. It's a very stiff and dense brush, much like a buffing brush, but the shape is quite unusual. I like using this brush for lighter coverage bases because it almost melts the product into the skin. The finish is very natural and well blended.

Expert Face Brush

Flat Foundation Brush- The most traditional of the bunch and probably my least favourite. This kind of brush will give the most coverage because you can pack on foundation. I'm not really a fan because they tend to leave the face quite streaky. When I used this, it felt as though I was painting my face! I ended up having to smooth over my face with my fingers to blend the streaks. 

Flat Foundation Brush

Fluffy Brush- The most recent of the bunch (at least for me!). I love using a fluffy brush for my foundation. It sounds very odd but because the brush is so fluffy, it really blends in the product. If you want a flawless face then this will be your best friend. It takes literally no time at all and it leaves behind a very natural finish. I personally love the Real Techniques Blush Brush for this. It's perfectly fluffy and blends everything seamlessly. I think this might be my new favourite foundation brush! It also doesn't soak up foundation so your less likely to waste any product. 

Fluffy Brush

Sponge- These are the marmite of makeup application; some people love them, some people hate them. If I've got time, I love using it on myself because the finish is like no other. However, sponges are not something I'd use in my kit unless they are disposable. They harbour too much bacteria to use on others and the process of cleaning a sponge isn't ideal if you're a busy makeup artist. For personal use, I think they are great. I do have post coming up on how to clean a makeup sponge properly, so stay tuned for that!! Oh and don't use a sponge with a water based foundation- it will soak up all of the product.

Sponge

So that's my run down of foundation brushes. The type of brush really depends on the finish you prefer. If you want a more full coverage base, opt for something like a buffing brush. If you want a light coverage, I suggest using a sponge or the Expert Face brush. For a flawless finish, use a fluffy brush. 

What's your favourite foundation brush?

Thanks for reading,
Avani 
xoxo