Four Tools To Perfect Your Base

The tools you apply your foundation with are just as important as your actual foundation.  As you’ll see you can get a variation of finish and looks you’re after, using different tools.  I realised this when I started using L’Oreal True Match foundation (post here).  The difference was just jaw-dropping!

Foundation Brush

Generally for applying foundation, you have your primary tool – a foundation brush.  A flat, tapered brush to lay on your base.  The foundation brush is best for liquid and cream base products.  This I think works best if you have quite normal skin with no major oil-control or dry patch issues.  You can build up your foundation and look great all day.  For gals with oily skin (e.g. me!) this isn’t the best tool for foundation.  I still do use it to apply lighter coverage i.e. bb creams, cc creams, even primers; as they don’t tend to make my skin look as oily.  My foundation brush is a Clinique one, £23.50 available here.

Buffing Brush

A buffing brush ‘buffs’ the base products into your skin as opposed to ‘laying’ it on your skin with a foundation brush.  The difference is the finish is much more natural and looks undetectable.  I find that on my oily combination skin, the longevity of foundation is much better too.  The buffing brush works with most types of base products e.g. liquid, cream, powder.  I would say anyone can use this and find that products blend and stay much better.  I’ve been using the Real Techniques Buffing Brush for some time now (review here), available here.

Sponge

I’m not talking about the traditional sponge triangles, but the new breed of sponges’ i.e. Beauty Blenders and other dupes.  These are to be used by wetting the sponge and squeezing the water out of them; then using the sponge to dab or ‘bounce’ the sponge off your skin with the product.  This provides an amazing flawless finish with an airbrushed look.  I find that this give the best result in combination with the buffing brush.  I usually buff in a light layer of foundation with the buffing brush to even out my skin tone.  Then use the wet sponge with the smallest amount of foundation to give the flawless finish I want.  I also like using this for concealing larger areas such as, under eye area.  I’ve been really enjoying using the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge, £5.99 available here.

Your Fingers

This is probably the cheapest, cleanest and most accessible tool you’ll have.  I find it best to use my fingers with primers and bb/cc creams as they have a more moisturiser-esque texture.  There are sheerer, more liquid textured foundations that you can use your fingers to blend into your skin.  But with thicker foundations, I feel it gets harder to use your fingers.  Available on the end of your arms for free!

What’s your favourite tool for applying base products to your face?  Share in the comments below or tweet me @aspiring_london!