Best Foundation Brush
When it comes to giving the skin an even tone, nothing can beat the good old foundation. Foundation has been used for decades by women and make-up artistes to give the skin a glowing, flawless appearance. There are generally three ways by which foundation can be applied to the skin i.e. by hand, sponges and brushes. Out of these, application of foundation is easiest through the hand. Although, when it comes to neatness and full skin coverage, none of the other methods of foundation application even comes close to a foundation brush. Given below are some useful tips for selecting the best foundation brush, as well as suggestions on how to care for the brushes so that they last for years.
Tips on Buying the Best Foundation Brush
According to the reviews, brushes which come with both long and short hair are better equipped to fill-in foundation into the skin. Such brushes can almost give you an air-brushed look. So you can opt for brushes like these.
If you go to any departmental store or shop which keeps beauty products, you will find kabuki brushes. Kabuki brushes have a short stem and their head is flat. These kabuki brushes are the favorite choice of make-up artistes for applying powder based foundation. Due to their small size and flat shape, these brushes are very apt at applying concentrated amount of foundation in a prominent blunt curve. So, you can opt for these brushes for applying powder foundation.
Foundation brushes which come in the shape of a cat's tongue i.e. flat brushes with round tips are best for powder foundation. To apply powder foundation through these brushes, you will have to blend outwards from your nose to the ears.
For liquid foundation, stippling brushes are your best bet. These brushes come with sparse hair and are hence excellent for buffing on the liquid foundation in circular motion. Stippling brushes blend the liquid foundation in the skin very well and unlike other cheaper quality brushes, do not give out the appearance of foundation streaks on the skin.
Tips on Applying Foundation with a Brush
For a beginner, it might be slightly difficult to use a foundation brush. However, with practice, this art can be mastered easily. Start liquid foundation makeup with pouring a small amount of the liquid foundation in your hand. Pick some of the foundation from your hand with one side of the brush, if you want light coverage. Dip in both the sides of the brush in the liquid foundation, if you want fuller coverage. Next, using broad, downward strokes, blend the foundation makeup onto the forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. Do not forget to apply foundation on the neck area, otherwise the contrast between the face and the neck will stand out, giving your skin an uneven look. In the end, use the small hair on the edges of the brush to apply foundation in the areas which are generally overlooked such as creases of the nose, around the mouth and hairline.
Tips on Upkeep of the Foundation Brush
It is very important to keep your makeup brush clean so that bacteria does not build up on them. If you are planning on buying a high-end foundation brush, most of them come with a conditioning shampoo which is meant for cleaning the brushes. They can be easily cleaned with a baby shampoo too. The best way to clean makeup brushes is to dip them in olive oil and then put them under running water. After that, they should be dipped in the shampoo, rubbed gently and then rinsed in cold water. Following this method once a week will ensure that there is very less shedding of hair from the brushes and that the brush lasts for a very long time.
The main advantage of using foundation brushes vis-a-vis sponges is that they work equally well with dry, liquid and cream foundations, providing full skin coverage. Any problem areas on the skin such as spots or creases of the noses, which have become slightly dark, can be easily covered by applying foundation makeup through brushes on the skin. Their biggest advantage is that if they are taken care of properly, they last for years. So if you desire flawless facial skin, invest in a good quality foundation brush.
