Reader question: Best liquid foundation brush
Monday, October 22, 2012 at 8:40AM Good day Ms Liz! What's the best brush for liquid foundation? Pointed foundation brush or stippling brush? Brand? Cheap alternatives? Thanks!
Hi there! This is a complex question because the best brush for your liquid foundation use depends on the texture of the product and the effect that you want to achieve with it. You need to take into consideration where you need the coverage the most and what your skin needs from your foundation.
But it's not as difficult as it sounds. Here are different foundation brushes and how best to use them!
A flat foundation brush is best for heavy, opaque coverage. It can be used with any foundation texture but it's nice to use with very wet, sheer types if you want to maximize the coverage. To use, start from the center of your face, blending downwards and out.
Try: Estee Lauder Foundation brush, Charm Essentials Pretty in Pink Vegan Foundation Brush
A duo fiber stippling brush is ideal for heavy, viscous liquid foundation since it can distribute the product evenly without dragging and tugging on skin. To use, just get the foundation on the brush then dot dot dot all over your face! Blend if you have to. The finish is more soft focus and natural-looking, but still with the coverage you need.
Try: MAC 187 brush, Charm stippling brushes (individual or from sets)
A small, pointed foundation brush is great for petite faces and/or precision application. If you need particular coverage on the red/purplish sides of the nose, corners of the mouth, and under the eyes, a pointed foundation brush can get you there. It's also great for blemished skin since it can concentrate a small amount of foundation there as opposed to bigger brushes. Best to use with heavy, hard to spread foundations!
Try: Charm Travel Pointed Foundation Brush (rounded), Real Techniques Pointed Foundation Brush (flat)
A flat-top brush is typically used with mineral, pan, and cream foundation but it can also apply liquid nicely. Personally I like it best with a watery BB cream since it concentrates the pigment (due to how densely packed the bristles are) and buffs out any streaks or uneven application. It does quick work but it's difficult to maneuver due to the big brush head and flat surface.
Try: Real Techniques Buffer Brush, Charm Luxe Flat Top Brush
And that's it! Guys, if you have more tips and faves to share, just comment below. ;)
Reader Comments (15)
I like Charm's flat top brush, it's perfect for my MMU foundation application. It's super soft too!
I am a Beauty Blender convert when it comes to liquid foundation. It gives good coverage (depending on the foundation, of course), and I find that you would need less product when using it. Plus it works for all sorts of liquid and cream foundation so even though it's pricey (it is just a sponge after all), it still beats purchasing different brushes for different foundations!
I have very little experience when it comes to brushes (and makeup in general, really), but so far I love The Face Shop's Lesson 01. FACEit Circle Face Brush (P595). It's dense like a kabuki, but small and angled so it can deliver more precise application than a flat top brush. I've tried it with cream and powder foundations and I've read that it works well with liquid foundies as well.
Beauty blender still gives the flawless finish. Hard decision in shelling out that amount of money for a single sponge but once you've got your hands on it, you'll question yourself why you've waited that long. >:D
My favorites are the traditional foundation brush (my first ever was from Body shop, I bought some 10 years ago), the "beauty blender" copycat from Etude house, and my fingers. ;)
I've tried different ways but the one that works best for me is the Sigma F84. It's also a great all-around brush, good as blush and powder brush as well.
I was having a hard time choosing what brush I should use for my Revlon whipped cream foundation. I found this post really timely and helpful.
I currently have the Charm pointer foundation brush but I find it more useful for concealers than foundations though. I also tried the Charm flat foundation brush but I don't think it's the right one. The Charm stippling brush seems to be too soft for the thick formula. I think these aren't the right one for this foundie.
I am thinking of purchasing the real techniques core collection but I'm not sure if the flat brush is what I am looking for. Choosing between that or the Face Shop's Lesson 01 FACEit Circle Face Brush or the Charm flat top brush.
Plus, I'm looking for a flat top brush for cream blushes. Can't decide. @_@
Thank you for your advice on this! I use a stippling brush just for BB cream. It's the only foundation brush im using kaya I still don't know the difference if I use another brush. But once i decide to buy another one, I will surely look at this article again! :)
I also have the Face Shop circle brush and I think it's a dupe for Shiseido's perfect foundation brush! Check out Shiseido's brush Ms. Liz! :)
For Nikka: Do check out the Sigma F84. It's an all-around brush because of its shape, size and density. I discovered this through the blog of Jen of frmheadtotoe.com. This is the one she will chose if she'd had to chose only 1 brush for her face. Search it on youtube too and it's highly recommended!
Hi Liz! Can I use the Charm Duo Fiber Stippling Brush in applying BB cream? Thanks and more power to your blog! :)
Nice post miss liz! Btw what brush do you recommend for mousse type? Like shu uemura mousse. Thanks liz :))
Thanks for this post. Im thinking of getting a new set of brushes. Using Suesh now and I think some of them are getting scratchy. Have you tried Dashe brushes Liz? zthe ones sold in First Aid GB? Thanks!!
I like to use a flat top brush or a stippling brush to apply foundation but at times it's time consuming. So when my sister bought a beauty blender, I tried it and I find it easier to use. I also noticed that my foundation looks more well blended. The downside is that I have to wash it more often but the effect is really nice. So now I prefer to use it than my foundation brushes.
But anyhow, thanks for the post. I'm actually thinking of buying the real techniques set but I'm still on the fence about it. I'm actually torn between real techniques and the ones from charm ( for foundation and contour brushes). Any help? thankx!
Thanks for this extremely informative post! :) I've always wondered about where to use different brushes.