Why I've Ditched The Foundation Brush (In Favour Of Basically Everything Else)

Choosing and applying your foundation correctly can mean the difference between a flawless, radiant glow and a dull, flat finish. You can have the best foundation in the world, but if you don't apply it correctly it may as well come from the bargain bin in your Nan's local chemist. It's no surprise that foundation shopping it almost as feared as searching for a new pair of jeans, or that women tend to stick to their 'holy grail' product when they find one that works for them, but the secret to the perfect base is in the tools you use - and not always in the product formulation itself. Although I spent years using my fingers to apply my base, when I finally discovered the benefit applying foundation with a brush could bring it completely revolutionised my routine. Not only is it way more hygienic than the alternative and saves valuable product, but it ensures precise application around the tricky eye and nose area. The traditional foundation brushes I've known and loved may have had their place within a professional regime five years ago, but as we look for more natural finishes and increasingly flawless results they're no longer cutting it for me.


The flat 'paintbrush' style of the bristles can be heavy, pick up far too much product and cause you to layer on foundation in a style that looks less than flawless. Nobody wants to paint on their base like they're painting a wall, and those unsightly brush marks left on the surface need a whole technique to ensure they're blended in. I've found myself turning away from the flat, glossy and perfect brush heads in favour of something a little more fluffy and flat; I can't remember the last time I used a traditional foundation brush to apply my base, but I now use pretty much every other face brush within my repertoire to ensure it looks as flawless and streak-free as possible. For a much better result I'd recommend using an angled brush to apply the liquid in small movements, ensuring you use a little amount and build up coverage as you need it. (Start from the center of the face and blend outwards in sections, focusing on the nose and eye area to ensure the product is blended effectively.) Brushes with angled tips are able to get to all those little areas of the face that fingers and rounded edges cant, as well as making it much easier to build up layers and conceal those imperfections.

Additionally, tools that are packed full of bristles will also help to buff in the product rather than leaving it sitting on the surface; not only does this provide an airbrushed finish, but it helps minimise movement and transference throughout the day. This style of brushes work with every kind of liquid foundation imaginable, helping to blend and buff as naturally and easily as possible - there's no need to be precise or feel like you need to have a technique, just quickly buff into skin and see the benefits for yourself. I now opt for contouring brushes, stippling brushes, blusher brushes and everything in between (basically anything I can get my hands on and is clean,) as they work with, rather than against, my products of choice. The slightly fluffy texture and dense nature of the brushes make a little go a long way, plus I very rarely have to get out the Beauty Blender to finish off. I may have discovered this technique by accident (when all my foundation brushes needed a good clean,) but it proves that sticking to the traditional beauty rules isn't always a definitive route to success.

How do you apply your foundation? Do you have any top tips or tools of choice?

(Some of my favourite brushes are in the photo above, including Real Techniques, EcoTools, Pixi and Bare Minerals. I also love Zoeva and Crown.)