I don’t mind fingertips on my face, cheeks, and so forth, but I’m not keen on using them for anything on the eyelids as I find my fingertips to just be too large/lacking precision. I like applying tinted moisturizer or liquid highlighter (when used all over) with my hands/fingertips.
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Eyeshadow primer (unless it has a doe foot built in), dotting on liquid rouge (I find I have a bit more control since a brush could both soak up and apply too much) and sometimes under my eye area, especially with a concealer that benefits from a bit of warming up (ironically, Benefit’s concealer, to name just one!). I’ll often use my fingers/palms of my hands to press foundation into my skin if there seem to be brush marks in it. And I apply all my skin care with my fingers.
When I’ve been using the Fenty foundation, as per one very helpful SA’s instructions for use. She made it clear that it needed to be applied one section at a time (forehead, then cheek, and so on) due to its incredibly quick drydown, and that either fingertips or a blender sponge were the *best* applicators for it.
Also use my fingertips for many ColourPop and MAC Electric Cool eyeshadows. Works very well when applying a cream blush or highlighter, or a looser shimmery/ glittery eyeshadow, too.
Generally only for skincare. I’ve upgraded my concealer game from game from fingers to a Beauty Blender lately and it looks way better. Every once in a while I’ll use my fingers for a simple, smudge-y eye look if the mood strikes, but it’s not often.
I don’t mind my fingertips being involved either way. Though on my eyes I feel like it’s my last go to… just cause my natural nails are kind of long.
For one shadow looks, it’s just easier and quicker for me to swipe a finger over my eyelid then diffuse the edges with a blending brush.
I also like to use my fingers when I want a softer look to my lipstick, just tapping them after a swipe of lipstick.
I like using my fingers to apply concealer; especially if I don’t have a lot of time.
I only use my fingers for cream/serum products if i’m having a hard time with my brushes – I definitely get more precision and more pressure that way. If i’m in a pinch, I’ll use cream shadows with my fingers on my eyelids. Otherwise its always brushes on the lids.
I use my finger when applying a BB Cream or when using Colourpop Super Shock eyeshadows or the shimmers in HUDA Rose Gold palette
Cream shadow, concealer, cream highlight
Whenever possible but not just fingers… all parts of the hand! Foundation, concealer, blush, bronzer, highlight, eyeshadow, lipstick, even eyeliner! I have more control over pressure and blending and work SO much faster with my hands than with brushes.
If I am wearing makeup, I’m typically applying it after a morning cleanse so my hands are clean. I tend to use my fingers more so when I am in a rush and want to do a very quick look. In that event, I will use my fingers for TM/CC base and a bit to blend out some concealer and sometimes even use my pinky finger to apply eyeshadow as a one and done, but for the remainder, I still automatically grab brushes ..I’m a powder product over cream at this point. I always use a brush or sponge to quickly fine tune/even out any product where I have used my fingers.
Oh, and I always use the side of my pinky finger to blur lipliner before applying lipstick. I don’t actually have a tool that does a better job 😛
All skin care, concealer, all cream products and sometimes foundation. I don’t mind using my fingers for almost any product although obviously powders are mostly brushes or beauty blender. I have used my fingers for applying powder under my eyes by tapping the powder rather than swiping. Most of the time I don’t care for the way brushes apply powder under my eyes, even if I am just tapping it on with the brush. If I do use a tool under my eyes for powder it is almost always a damp beauty blender. The crepey texture of that skin just looks way to dried out if I use any other method.
For everything but powder shadow, blending brow pencil, blending concealer, applying a dusting of powder, applying cream eyeliner, and sometimes liquid lip products. Very, very occasionally I’ll use a brush to blend a cream shadow or smudge a pencil liner. I wear mostly cream products, and find that finger warm up products and make them apply more easily, as well as give a more natural finish. I think most people overuse brushes. JMO.
I use my fingers to apply eye and face primers. I dot my foundation onto my face with my fingertips, then use a brush to blend. I use my ring finger to tap in undereye concealer.
I use my fingers for blending out my eyebrow pencil and smudging eyeliner sometimes.
I only really use my fingers to apply eyeshadow primer to my lids and brows, glittery or dry/loose pigments to the eyes, and occasionally to apply ColourPop highlighters to the face. For my face, I use a sponge to blend concealer and brushes to apply powder and I use brushes for eye products and blush/highlighter.
As a makeup artist, we were trained to never, ever touch a client’s face. It was the mid 80’s and the AIDS fear was heavy. We didn’t know yet how it was spread. So, I got used to never touching my own face when putting on makeup. I lived by that rule until just recently. With purchasing a makeup company, I have been experimenting. Actually, ColourPop got me to open up regarding it. I started applying my very glittery shadows on with a clean finger, of course, and got such a great color payoff. Now I encourage my customers to experiment with it too. However, I still lecture about clean hands! Just like putting in contacts.
I generally only use my fingertips to apply skincare products, primer, BB creme and foundation.
I would never use my fingers for eye shadow application.
I use my fingers for my lids 90% of the time! The other 10% of the time I’m using my brush wet.
Sometimes I’ll pat my concealer in with my fingers, especially if it’s thick.
When I use the Wet n Wild cream highlight maybe once a month, I’ll apply that with my fingers, too.
I use them for spot concealing, applying face and eye primer, applying UD Moondust shadows (and sometimes ColourPop and other glittery shadows), and occasionally for foundation.
I use them when I want my eyes to have a bold metallic look as I find brushes do not do this as well. Plus I find that with some eyeshadow my finger actually warms the product making application that much easier. But I don’t try to get my inner lid because like you said my finger is to large so I use a small brush in the inner corner part. I actually used my finger to apply the Loreal Infallible Paints Metallics in Caged and I have to say it is literally the holy grail taupe eyeshadow I’ve been searching for. Similar to UD mushroom but with a subtle gold touch. OMG have you tried these yet, Christine? They are amazing! I hope you do a review on them and hope they add more colors soon. (sorry to go off topic but this shadow got me excited lol)
Very rarely some nights to apply baseline on my lips but prefer to use lip liner. or a few times to apply Colourpop super shock shadows love them!
With just washed hands always, forgot to add, I also melt a bit of concealing stick between my ring fingers it melts quickly to the warmth and applies smooth and easy. I usually use a Qtip to blend a harsh eyeliner. Thanks to someone for the tip to use pinkie finger never thought of it! Learned something new!
Let me think.. Not often, turns out. Skincare for sure, primers (both eyes and face) and UD lip toppers.
That said, not sure it counts, but I apply concealer and foundation with my fingers and then blend them with a brush.
I like to use my fingers to apply cream eye shadows. Also, to touch up shadows. I put them on in the morning, and often go home for lunch and/or between jobs. Rather than redo the whole thing with my brushes, if there’s a spot that’s worn off, I just fix that with my fingers. I have very long slim fingers though, so they make great tools for lots of things.
On my face, I use them for all skin care, including masks that I’ve seen Youtubers apply with brushes. It’s just easier to wash it off my hands than my brushes. I used to do all my face makeup with my fingers, but I do think the brushes and sponges do a better job. But if something isn’t blending properly, or again, needs retouching, I’ll use my fingers.
Blending or spot placing glitter/super shimmer.
Almost always for shimmer eyeshadows and also blending highlighter. The best trick to get shadows completely in those inner corners is to look to look away from your finger when you apply them.
For lip balms in pots, and for my UD eye primer.