Liquid Foundation A flat brush allows you to paint product on, which provides the highest coverage. Buffing brushes are best used in small, circular movements and will give you medium to full coverage with an even, streak-free finish.
At the end of the day, foundation brushes are meant to give you the best possible makeup application. If you like the thicker coverage that a more dense, rounded brush can provide and prefer to use lighter foundations or tinted moisturizers, a flat foundation brush will be what you need.
Tapered foundation brushes are usually flat, less full in form, with a gentle taper. These brushes are best for liquid foundation and other liquid products.
A flat top foundation brush for applying liquid makeup will make application quicker, easier, and give you airbrushed-look, flawless, results. The flat top makeup brush can (and should) also be used when applying sheer powders and blushes too.
The flat-top angled kabuki foundation brush should be used to apply a liquid or cream foundation, blush, or bronzer. The angled brush head hugs the planes and curves of your face for even application every time.
Flat brushes are versatile. Their long bristles can lay smooth patches of color; make long, bold strokes; or, when using their edges, execute fine crisp lines. Marks made with a flat brush have a distinctive square edge.
Apply your liquid foundation directly to your hand—this will help warm up the product. With your ring finger (which naturally uses the least amount of pressure), spread the product gently around your skin, starting in your T-zone and blending outwards.
Whether you're using a foundation brush (synthetic bristles are best) or your fingertips, apply foundation in a stippling motion, which means gently tapping it into your skin. Avoid any wiping or rubbing motions because that will only push the foundation around and cause streaks.
But if you're the type to use wrist motions while styling, twisting the brush will produce similar results to your traditional round version, but in a slightly shorter amount of time, all depending on your skill level of course. The final verdict? At least when it comes to our blowout, it's definitely hip to be square.
Shape matters.
The shape of the hairbrush will determine the shape of your style. Think round for waves and curls, paddle and flat for straighter hair, and vented for fast drying time (i.e., shine and less damage). Pick size by hair length- small for short hair, large for longer locks.
You don't need to dampen your brush before applying foundation, as makeup brushes can be used dry. However, many people with dry skin like to spray their makeup brushes with a face mist before applying foundation, which can help give the skin a dewy finish.
After cleansing and applying your moisturizer, it's time to apply your product. If you're using a liquid foundation, you can apply your foundation two different ways. The first option is to pour some foundation onto the back of your hand, then dab the brush into the product as you need.
The trick is to avoid sweeping motions; instead, apply the product on your skin and then use a soft, circular buffing motion to blend it into the skin. Keep the strokes small and quick. This will prevent those strokes on your face.
Don't Paint, Buff
No matter what tool you're using—a foundation brush, a BeautyBlender, or your fingers—buff (or bounce, if you're using a sponge) the foundation into your skin as opposed to “painting” it on to build coverage smoothly and avoid streakiness, says Park.
"It's very random—you should go every which way instead of stroking the brush in just one direction, which can look streaky." Use a Sponge For a Smooth Finish: "For an extra-smooth effect, I usually take a sponge and gently pat it all over to blend [the foundation] in even more," explains Barose.
Powder foundation is best applied with a natural bristle brush. “Synthetic could work as well, but I keep synthetic brushes for cream and liquid products,” Almodovar says. “Depending on how much coverage I want, I either use a regular powder brush for lighter coverage or a flat top brush for fuller coverage.
Use the flat contour brush to sculpt your face with liquid, cream, or powdered bronzer.
Round brushes are a good choice for blow drying hair and styling loose waves. They're fully circular, which makes it easier to blow the hair under, resulting in curls or waves (depending on the size of the brush).
If you're painting a smooth surface, use a white China bristle for a smooth finish or, if you need to achieve an even finer finish, a China bristle blended with ox hair is recommended.
Round brushes
A round can be used in a number of ways such as to fill, to draw, to apply washes, to spot on small amounts of colour from the tip or produce a thin line for detail and varying thick to thin marks by drawing the brush away from the surface. Also useful for filling in larger areas.
Sponges work best, for instance, with lightweight liquid formulas or stick foundations. Creamy, thick foundations would be better served with a brush (so you can buff out the edges for a more natural finish).