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Best Brush for Liquid Foundation

What's the best Brush for Liquid Foundation that you've tried?

I use my Real Technique’s Expert Face the most, but the second one I purchased is inferior to the first, which bothers me a lot, as I don’t feel confident recommending it. IT’s LBD Foundation brush is great but very dense so it takes longer to wash. I also like Kat Von D’s foundation brush and Marc Jacobs’ foundation brushes.

— Christine

44 Comments

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Mariella Avatar

That is concerning to read. I know the RT sponges can be of “iffy” quality. I’ve been reluctant to repurchase another one (just looking at them, I can see they look different and seem to have a different texture though this seems most evident with the “double pack” sponges). RT really made a splash, and understandably so, with their budget priced but excellent quality brushes (even though I hate the flared handles that take up so much unnecessary room). It saddens me that they’re now starting to “cheap out”, it seems, on their quality.

MJ Avatar

I’ve stopped buying RT brushes, they disappoint me most of the time.
Interestingly, I still have, use, and love the first ones i bought when the line started and was only bearing the Samantha Chapman name. My RT Expert face brush bearing both sisters’ names (so once Nic came on board) has already been chucked out. Started shedding early, was not as soft, not as dense and not as well formed as the first I had.

Mariella Avatar

The only brushes I have are the original ones…I didn’t realize the labelling, etc. had changed but, again, it’s such a shame. She really made a name for herself and distinguished herself, I think, by launching such decent brushes at affordable price points. Not all the original brushes were great and it continues to bug me that in spite of so many people asking/suggesting that some of her brushes be made available singly, she didn’t do that but even so, it showed that a big name makeup artist could front pretty decent brushes at okay prices.

xamyx Avatar

Mine are both holding up well, but I did buy the second one within a month of the first, and from the same store, so they may have even been from the same “lot”. That said, I bought a set of knockoff RT brushes on Amazon, and they’re holding up really well (I’m guessing they come from the same factory, without the “name”, as they are identical, but a different color handle).

Karen Avatar

I had the opposite experience concerning the RT sponge. The first one I bought wasn’t a favorite, the texture seemed so much rougher and the cellulose pattern consisted of larger, more open holes. It was also a lighter orange than the second one I got, that one has a consistency very close to the beauty blender, and to my new favorite, the Beauty Junkee sponge.

Celia Avatar

I had the same experience with the RT brush, unfortunately. My favorite is the Sephora Collection PRO Airbrush Blender #78 (and it’s on sale right now for 19 bucks on the US site so I’d grab that up!). It’s very dense but easy to clean thoroughly. Magnificently soft, it blends foundation/base products seamlessly and effortlessly.

Shannon. N Avatar

I like real techniques expert face brush, because I can tap out my under eye concealer with it as well, because of the shape!

I also like Wet n Wilds flat top buffing brush! It’s amazing for tapping and stippling liquid foundation into the skin!!

Soleil Avatar

Yes! I was just gonna say that – I’ve tried all kinds and brands of foundation brushes including the RT which was my very first. But the Shiseido Foundation Brush tops them all. I tell you, it’s so soft and tightly packed that the finish it gives is just flawless. I urge everyone to try it! The ones in the Shiseido boutique stores are more expensive than the ones you see in drugstores in Japan but they perform just the same, at half the price!

Risa Avatar

What I find really funny is that I too bought a newer Expert Face Brush and found it to be very different from the earlier versions–but I LOVE it! Lol. If found the bristles to be softer and the brush doesn’t get caked with product quite as quickly, so it stays more flexible between washes. Still nice and dense, though! I’m sorry you aren’t liking your newer version of it. 🙁 I expected to be disappointed when I realized it was different, but found I actually prefer using it over my old ones.

Deborah Avatar

I purchased the Marc Jacobs foundation brush but haven’t used it because I ordered the wrong shade of MJ unre(marc)able foundation.

Rob Avatar

I use an imitation Beauty Blender . I can’t get Marc to cough up $20 for the real Beauty Blender . It’s a quirk I suppose ! I’ve purchased expensive foundation brushes and just never noticed a difference /improvement over the sponge .

Christina – here’s a suggestion for a question sometime . Where does everyone keep their stash ? I’ve got a huge vanity with deep drawers and stuff is crammed in everywhere . I probably have 1/4 of what a lot of folks on this site own.

xamyx Avatar

I finally caved and bought a “real” Beauty Blender, but I honestly prefer my knockoffs that I bought at Ross & Kohl’s, LOL!

Athena Avatar

I’m particularly fond of my RT expert face brush, but also use my Sonia Kashuk flat top brush a lot.

That said, I’m seeing almost unbelievably good reviews of clarisonic’s new foundation brush. Have you tried it, Christine, or could you do a review?

Lesley Avatar

I bought the Clarisonic foundation brush. The bristles started to fall out the first time I used it and switching out the brushes (foundation in the morning and cleansing at night) was annoying. I got my money back.

Ameerah Avatar

My most favourite foundation brush at the moment is the Marc Jacobs face III . I like it so much, I ended up getting a back up during the last sale. Ever since I started using it, I have not been able to switch and use another.

Deborah S. Avatar

I use to exclusively use the Beauty Blender but purchased an Artis Brush # 8 and have used it exclusively since. I love how quickly I can apply my foundation with the brush and I don’t get any streaking. I do use my Beauty Blender after I have finished my makeup and have misted. I gently tap the Beauty Blender where I have “peach fuzz” to lay the fuzz down flat. I am going to start shaving my face but am waiting for the small razors that I bought to arrive. I read on this blog somewhere about a face mask that removed facial hair when the mask is removed but couldn’t find it again after I read!!

Silvia Avatar

I always have used my simple rectangle, round or squared sponges. I like the rectangular shape the best! I get them at TJ Max, Ross, Target and they perform well. I forgot where I purchased a bag of them but those turned out nasty they would brake all over I had to toss them out! LOl! I do own many, many brushes too all cheap but perform. I love a kabuki brush to even out things such a strong blush/ bronzer. I’m pale so I have to blend, blend. You could call me ‘the blender’ pretty much. Lol! My mom and few friends whom know I love makeup have asked me ‘But is the makeup?’ I tell them is there somewhere don’t want to look like my own cockatiel! But would love to wake up with that blush already on my cheeks. Oh! Is there somewhere including bronzer and highlight but very lightly. 🙂

aditi Avatar

By the way, I have to say this is a great question! Foundation brushes is one of those things that we all are looking to find the “perfect” one (like the perfect nude lipstick or underye concealer) and its very interesting to see what other people are using.

Tracey E. Avatar

I use Bobbi Brown’s Full Coverage Face brush. I like the brush so much I’m thinking of picking up a second at the CCO to use for cream products. When traveling, I use Shiseido’s foundation brush.

Cady Avatar

Hi, you mentioned also liking Marc Jacob’s brushes. Which one(s) is it that you like?
I have been eyeing both the Face II and Face III but I also wonder how the IT brush compares to the MJ ones? Thank you!

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