78 Comments

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K Avatar

For liquid foundation, I use the MAC 190 brush.

For powder foundation, I use the Alima #25 Foundation brush.

For tinted moisturizer, I use my fingers!

Katt Avatar

It depends on the finish I want – for liquid foundation with everyday, medium coverage, I use the beauty blender spritzed with water, and stipple. For more coverage, I use MAC 190 brush, and sometimes I’ll stipple over with the beauty blender or 187 brush for a more airbrushed kind of finish. LOOOVE the beauty blender, by the way, everyone should have one!

Rosanna Avatar

I use a disposable makeup sponge for liquid foundation.

I haven’t invested in a brush for liquid just yet. I did try the MAC 188 brush but it’s too streaky!

Isis Avatar

For liquid and cream foundation I use the MAC 130 and then my fingers. For tinted moisturizers my fingers, and for powders my Hakuhodo large powder brush (can’t recall the number).

Q Avatar

I apply moisturizer, sunblock, primer and THEN my mineral foundation (with a water-spritzed kabuki). Gives me a nice, even, natural, glowy look.

Ellery Allison Avatar

Funny, I do a combination of your two.
I spritz my face with water, then use my fingers to apply and blend.

But if it’s just my Sephora brand tinted moisturizer, no water necessary.

Yumi Avatar

For liquid foundation or tinted moisturizer, I use the MAC 131. It takes awhile to work out the streaks but I really like the sheer effect it gives.

For mineral foundation, I use the MAC 182.

livnzoe Avatar

i apply my clinique superbalanced foundation (liquid) with MAC’s 188.. sometimes i spray a bit of fix+ on the brush first.
i don’t use any oder types of foundation.

nicci Avatar

I only use liquid foundation and was using MAC 187 but now use the Precision Sponge that I got from Sephora, I like it a lot better!

lazeny Avatar

If I am using a lmyiquid foundation and I want a sheer finish, I spritz my face and Shu Uemura natural goat 18 brush with Evian or a Deep Sea Mist(by Shu Uemura) and apply foundation to my face using a stippling motion, starting from the jaw line and blend it towards the center of my face.

If I want more coverage I use the same brush w/ a short swiping/brushing motion, but I keep my both my face and brush dry, again blending from the jawline towards the center of my face.

If I am using a powder foundation, I use a damp sponge and apply foundation starting from my jawline towards the center of my face.

I make sure that I apply a primer first, I usually use Kanebo Coffret D’or UV Lasting veil.

Chips Avatar

For liquid foundation, depends on my mood and weather, sometime i use a wet sponge to apply, sometimes with MAC 187, or trish mcevoy #55.
For Powder foundation, I use either Bobbi brown face blender or trish mcevoy #5.

Siobhan Avatar

I do my foundation like this…
i put a blob of foundation in the four magor parts of my face…
Fore-head…
both cheeks (2)
and the hin…
then i rub the fore-head in then the cheeks and then the chin…
if you do it probley it will be rubbed in with no white gaps or lines
xx

Charlotta Avatar

with my fingers unless it´s a mineral powder foundation (almost never), then I use a kabukibrush. I think it´s easier to aply my foundation with my fingers. I have a foundationbrush, but I never use it.

Lizz M. Avatar

In the summers I usually go light and apply with my fingers; light-weight foundations, tinted moisturizers, etc. Whenever I go heavier with either liquid or powder foundations, I use a flat-top brush. Sometimes even a sponge.. anything that’ll give me a full coverage, matte finish!

Musing On Beauty Avatar

For mineral: Mac 109 (nothing beats this one and its flat top for coverage)
For cream: sponge
For liquid: I mostly apply with fingers, rarely with a Mac 190 – when I want to apply foundation with a brush I use my Mac 182 kabuki: it’s super fast and gives a flawless with a small amount of product.

Arantzazu Avatar

I only use tinted moisturizer and liquid foundation, and I apply both with my fingers.
I’ve tried sponges, but I don’t like them (they absorb most of the product =S).
Maybe, someday, I’ll buy a foundation brush…

serene Avatar

Fingers. I use CdP’s liquid foundation. I tried using a brush but it sucks up too much product into oblivion. I’m too stingy for that, it quite horrified me the first time I tried it. Anyway the CdP m/u counter’s artists told me to use my fingers.

Marjan Avatar

At the moment I’m using The Body Shop’s foundation brush, but on Tuesday I’ll be buying MAC’s 109 to try out your method! It will be my first MAC brush, so I’m really excited ^^

sophie Avatar

i have a stilla foundation brush (No 27) it’s a little small, so i use it to aply foundation then i blend it with my favorite brush (mac 187)

Madelyn Avatar

I first use my fingers in applying my liquid foundation. I also rub them to generate little heat so that my foundation will glide on easily. Then I use my flat-top brush to evenly spread it and for that air-brushed effect 🙂

Opheliana Avatar

Clean fingers, I always have to blend two foundations to get the color right. So i blend them on my upper hand and then I apply a little where needed and then a very thin layer all over like I would apply a moisuriser.

Merenwen Avatar

For all my foundations, I use Everyday Mineral’s flat top. I put some liquid foundation on my cheeks and T zone with my fingers, then apply/blend with the flat top. For mineral foundations, I spritz my brush with a mix of glycerine and water. I actually love this brush, it gives me the coverage I want without streaks, and it’s ridiculously fast to apply foundation this way!

Ally_D Avatar

I either use my fingers, my Louise Young LY34 foundation brush or a flat brush like the 190. Yesterday though I picked up a Sonia Kashuk version of the beauty blender so will be trying that next.

I’m still trying to work out the best method for each of the two foundations I wear but I just bought Kiehl’s TM so I have to decide how I like to apply that now too.

monika-luiza Avatar

stick/ cream foundation: foundation brush by sephora ( the expensive line/silver)
liquid foundation: fingers, i have the perfect technique for my face. no streaking, no lines but a perfect dewy face.
tinted moisturizer: mostly hands but sometimes a foundation brush

Leea Avatar

I never ever wear liquid foundation, or even tinted moisturizer, so I don’t apply those : )
And for (pressed) powder foundation I use the mac 182 kabooki brush.

Rach Avatar

I only use liquid foundation…stipple brush (the MAC “skunk” brush), which I dip into a tiny amount in my hand. I’m amazed at the coverage I get and my foundation is lasting forever! I even things out with a kabuki brush and MUFE HD powder.

Katie Avatar

For liquid foundation, I use the 190 / 187, depending on the consistency. If it’s really thick, like Studio Sculpt, I use the 190 and then buff it out with the 187.

Thrizyl Avatar

Liquid foundation: 187 MAC Brush with water. I have not experienced any streaking issues and I am happy with the finish I get.

Azaza Avatar

For powder foundation I use a kabuki brush and for liquid foundation I use a regular foudation brush. For tinted moisturizers sometimes I use my fingers or my foundation brush

Bel Salemme Avatar

I usually just use tinted moisturizer applied with my fingers and, if I feel like it looks too even, just give a bit of that airbrush finish with a kabuki. Then, for my studio finish powder foundation, I usually go for the 187 or the sponge, depending on the coverage I need ^^

Rahainah Avatar

for tinted moisturizer, i would use my fingers but the other day i tried applying with 187 and i like the result better.
for liquid foundation, i’m still experimenting with different kind of brushes and never use my fingers to blend. so far, i havent found the right way to apply..

JayJay Avatar

For Tinted Moisturizer, I use my fingers. For liquid foundation, I used to use my fingers, but recently I picked up the 109, and now I use that on most days.

Gisele Avatar

Liquid foundation gets the fingers approach. I also use a compact foundation and the Sonia Kahsuk flat-top brush to get a beautiful finish.

Chyna Avatar

How do you apply your foundation?
Mac Studio Tech- I wet my face with fix+/ apply moisturizer while face is wet.Spray the compact with fix+ apply with eco tools foundation brush. Applying it this way help it to not look dry.

Revlon photo ready- prime face with revlon natural primer (clear gel) use my Sonia Kasuk flat top brush.

MAC Mineralzed Foundation SPF 15 SK flat top brush.

I set all my foundation with MSF natural (deep) or Studio fix powder

Nadine Avatar

I use a wedge sponge for liquid foundation. I find it too difficult to use a brush with liquids. I use MAC’s 109 with a Mineralize Skinfinish.

Jakara Avatar

Tinted moisturizer- fingers
Liquid foundation- Crown foundation brush or the beauty blender
Powder foundation- Crown powder brush

Lindsay Avatar

The Beauty Blender sponge is simply the best!! Nothing else comes close to it, it’s a must-try, and don’t fall for the cheap knock-offs!

Elusive Avatar

I apply liquid foundation with my 188. I only tried this for the first time about two months ago because I had never owned this brush, but now I love this method of applying foundation.

My sister actually told me that I looked airbrushed, and I had never told her that I changed my application method!

What does the spritz of water do before applying foundation? My face looks dewy after I put on my liquid foundation, so I am not sure why I would do the spritz.

vickie Avatar

For tinted moisturizer I mix mine with a little of my regular moisturizer since it tends to be cakey and the use my fingers to apply it.

If I wear foundation I usually use my w
109 brush.

Dawn Avatar

For my foundation, I mix my primer (Laura Mercier’s Secret Finish Mattifying) with my foundation (Nars Sheer Glow) and applying it with my Mac 187 brush and it gives me the most natural, even coverage 🙂

Andie Avatar

I am currently trialing all my “foundation” brushes to see which I like best. I like the 109, but not picking black hairs off my face. The 130 is working pretty well. The 190 can get streaky if you are not careful. The 187/8 are too flimsy and streaky. I think I like the SK flat top brush the best at present.

Dusty Avatar

I’m actually JUST started a week ago – Testing out EVERY SINGLE foundation MAC makes. I’m wearing each one for a week and trying out different application techniques, brushes and setting powders (I’m writting a self-assigned report on it! LOL).

My personal favorites though, are the 109 and the 130 – on someone else – Anytime I wear foundation on myself I usually use my fingers. I just like how it looks and I don’t have to wash a brush when I’m done!

Refinement Avatar

I tend to wear either mousse or tinted moisturizers and use my fingers for both because it’s less time consuming and I use less product.

Proximity Avatar

liquid foundation – Chanel foundation brush, spray face and brush with water, 1 pump of foundation on my hand, spray with water (mix with a pump of primer if I want it more sheer/natural), paint on and blend, switch to tapping motions when it dries to remove all streaks. Smooth with a sponge (much more patting than dragging) if necessary. But I usually don’t bother with the sponge unless I want heavier coverage, in which case I’ll use the Shu Natural 18 Goat brush, and then smooth with a sponge instead of patting with the brush. I use LM makeup sponges.

187 was streakier for me, and settled foundation into my pores more.

Instead when I use powder (especially wet/dry formula) foundation, I apply either with a dry sponge or powder puff, or with the Shu Natural Goat 18 brush for better, more smooth coverage. (Brush also good for cream and liquid foundation as above.) Then I spritz my face with water, stipple with the 187 until just on the edge of being dry, then switch to quick gentle buffing motions – it leaves a perfect finish.

For full coverage, I’ve been gently pressing powder foundation over my liquid foundation with a dry sponge or lightly with the Shu brush, and then very gently buffing with a fluffy brush – thin layers of both foundations, so it looks natural not thick.

marisa Avatar

for my mufe hd, i mix two colors together on the back of my hand, then i pick some up with my sephora professional #55 brush. i stipple it all over, then buff it in. occasionally i’ll spritz some fix+ on the brush as well.

Christian Avatar

I’m surprised no one mentioned this brush yet. For liquid foundation I use the Sigma Flat top Kabuki brush (was the SS197 but now called F80). I used to use the MAC 187 and really liked the effect but it always shed on me and I hated picking the fibers off my face. 🙁

Mar Avatar

It depends on the kind of foundation.
When a foundation is very liquid, I use a brush. When it’s a bit more creamy, I use a sponge. Sometimes I use a brush to put in on and I go over it with a sponge for a more natural finish.

Tinted moisturizer: fingers
Mousse-kind of foundations: fingers
Concealer: brush or fingers, dependable on the location of the blemish

Keener Avatar

Just started using the 190 for cream and liquid foundations and I’m loving the result. I use a kabuki to set with powder.

For tinted moisturizers I use my fingers.

I’m glad I read the comments and will try misting water as well and see how that works for me. Thanks guys!

Carolina Avatar

I have the YSL foundation with the built in brush, so I use that. I also use those disposable sponges (Sephora) once in a while. I’ve recently bought a MAC foundation and saw the MA apply it with a brush, so I bough a foundation brush from Sephora to give it a go. 🙂

Dana Avatar

Lately I’ve been using the Sephora Professional (black handle) mineral powder brush for both powder AND liquid, blends really well and never sheds

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