I'm not the most avid viewer of Youtube videos mainly because I have the attention span of a gnat, I do however like to settle down to make-up tutorials. Not really for inspiration nor tips but rather to see how others apply their make-up. A little bizarre, I'll give you that but I find it fascinating to see how one product (more often than not foundation) can be applied in so many different ways.
I never and I mean never apply powder eyeshadow using my fingers, always a brush; the same rule applies (in my instance) for powder face products yet with cream formulations I'm less fussy. There is no denying that a brush can provide a soft, polished finish not to mention the precision element and et sometimes I find that the heat of my hands helps to move cream products around a little. If I am less about a polished look and more in favour of a soft, natural barely there flush of colour I will quite literally down tools for cream textures.
It will most likely surprise no-one that I go through phases with foundation brushes, sometimes I swear by them - other times I feel they hinder application. I guess it all depends on the texture of the foundation in question to begin with. I must stress that if I am using my hands it is always after I freshly wash them and normally reserved for heavy, cream based formulas. My reasoning? Again the natural heat of my hands helps to move the product around, more often than not it prevents heavy textures from "sitting" on my skin. I'm sure there are plenty of make-up artists out there who would disagree but then again sometimes you have to do what works best for you.
Under eye concealing is another area in which I tend to rely on my fingers for the best application - don't get me wrong I have been known in the past but more often than not I go for the au natural approach. Why? To control pressure, the under eye skin is so delicate that I only use my ring finger to apply product to minimise damage cause by pulling and tugging. For highlighting such area, I do use and recommend a Beauty Blender - the tapered edge makes the process a breeze and it is so much more gentler than most brushes. Again this is nothing more than preference but I do find it works best for me.
Now over to you - are you loyal to make-up brushes or are you a little like myself, in that they each have purposes but sometimes you will use and prefer your hands for application?
I'm exactly the same and sometimes I go through stages of using ONLY brushes to apply all my makeup, and then other times I'll use my hands for base and eyes. I actually really like using my fingers to apply eyeshadow - I find it blends much easier around the brow bone. Most of the time I'll end up using a combination of hands and brushes :)
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Interesting post! I'm a pretty big makeup brush user, I just find it easiest and I guess its what I'm used to, I do like to apply under eye concealer with my ring finger though, the product seems to just melt into the skin beautifully!
ReplyDeletealice x | beautybyalicee | bloglovin'
I nearly always use my fingers for everything. It's far fresher, and as you said the heat just makes everything perfect. I use the lightest bases, and the difference between a brush and fingers is insane, it either looks like makeup or like skin. I need brushes when it comes to eyes though, brows especially. I do find it so easy to forgo brushes completely!
ReplyDeleteI use brushes nowadays because I'm too lazy to use my fingers and to wash them off later on. I use concealer brushes under my eyes and on my blemishes because brushes actually reach and blend them out perfectly compared to my fingers, imo.
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I use brushes for almost everything - I just find it much less messy!
ReplyDeletePhilippa - ByPhilippa
I'm a brush girl :)
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I'm definitely a buffing brush girl for foundation, concealer is hit and miss depending on what coverage I want as it blends in better but takes off so much product!
ReplyDeleteLauren x
Britton Loves | Lifestyle Food Beauty
I typically use make up brushes however sometimes the warmth of your finger tips make it easier to blend a product. I always use brushes when doing my eye make up just because it is quicker and less messy.
ReplyDeleteBeth x
www.hellobeth.co.uk
I am an avid brush user, I can't imagine not using brushes to apply my makeup now. However, I do often switch round which brush I use for which product.
ReplyDeleteI rely on brushes, I use my fingers for concealer or cream products. But I am mainly a brush girl.
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend the bobbi brown face brush for applying foundation, can read my review here: http://www.makeerinover.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/product-review-bobbi-brown-full.html
Quite honestly, I do as much applying as I can with my fingers in the summer and just try to get out of the door as soon as possible! Haha, I do agree some tools make the biggest difference though :)
ReplyDeleteBeautyosaurus Lex
I honestly almost never apply anything with my hands! The only exceptions are perhaps when applying an under-eye corrector or a cream eyeshadow xx
ReplyDeleteJasmine Talks Beauty
I put my mac paints on my eyes with fingers and my el doublewear with my fingers too. Brushes make the coverage too light and soak up the product.
ReplyDeleteI am both, however I tend to go more for brushes because the product from my fingers tends to rub everywhere!
ReplyDeleteLaila from Townhouse Palette
I never use fingers to apply makeup, make up brushes all the way. I love the Real Techniques Bold Metals collection.
ReplyDeleteTiffany Tales – A British Beauty & Lifestyle Blog
You know....I never used to apply foundation with a brush but then I started watching YouTube videos and instantly thought what a rookie I must be! So now I do use a brush and actually, it feels so much nicer!
ReplyDeleteFran Leanne x
I almost always use brushes for foundation - but I go back and forth with concealers. I find my japonesque concealer brush gives an airbrush finish - but I like to use my ring finger under my eyes - like you - or for any stubborn blemishes where I want a concentrated amount of product.
ReplyDeleteI am all about the brushes. I'm never comfortable with my hands or beauty blenders even - crazy as it sounds. I love the control of a good brush!
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-S
I always use brushes when it comes to my base, but with my eye makeup I will sometimes use my fingers depending on the product. Typically cream eyeshadows and finish off the look with brushes.
ReplyDeleteHilary | The Beauty Collective
As soon as I started using brushes I knew I would never go back to using my fingers! I just find that it gives better coverage with less product used. I agree with you about the delicate under-eye area though, the ring finger is perfect for blending concealer etc here :)
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For me if I'm on a hurry, I usually use my fingers for a light makeup.
ReplyDeleteBut for special occasions, I really have to sacrifice a bit more time to prep and apply makeup with brushes
A Beauty Bella ♥
I'm just like you! I used to always use brushes no matter what. However, ever since I added Beauty Blender in my beauty routine, I use them less and less. Now sometimes, I even apply my powder products using the amazing sponge. That with the exception of under eye concealer. Like you said, sometimes the heat of the hand is better than using any brushes or sponge.
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I use an eyeshadow brush for my eyes and a Beauty Blender for my face. I find that works best for me :)
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On an everyday basis I almost always use MAC Face & Body which I find benefits from being applied with my fingers. It builds up the coverage faster and blends it into the skin beautifully. I also prefer to apply & blend concealer this way.
ReplyDeleteBut if I'm using a foundation that has a thicker consistency (like Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum), I like to use a brush. And my fave is actually the Real Techniques Contour brush which is a fairly small, tapered buffing kind of brush. A lot of people prefer quiet big brushes for the face, but I think a smaller one makes it easier to blend seamlessly around the nose, mouth etc.
ELIN BERLIN // http://www.1nightinberlin.blogspot.com
I used to be a makeup brush only gal as I really liked the airbrush look. These days though when my skin has been behaving I have been using a lot of sheerer bases and find they tend to blend more seamlessly into the skin by using the fingers. I am loving the natural no makeup look this achieves. Similarly with eye makeup, these days I like to keep it simple and easy with the use of eyeshadow pencils (By Terry's ombre blackstar are to die for!) I find them so easy to blend and even smoke out with just your fingers.
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I have to admit that I have only tried couple of times to apply foundation with brushes and I am not the biggest fan of results. In my case since I need more coverage brushes work better than fingers but I swear by my beauty blender. For products that are powder I always use brushes since I have more control than with other tecniques
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i am all about the beauty blender!!
ReplyDeletei always used brushes until i splashed out on a beauty blender and i have to say it is one of my best purchases as far as make up.
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