There are numerous ways to apply foundation, and each technique will create a different finish. You can use your hands, a sponge (or Beauty Blender), and a whole variety of brushes. The method you choose will depend on what type of foundation you are using, and what finish and coverage you want to achieve. Some people find the choices too overwhelming so they just resort to using their hands, but using an actual makeup tool can make a huge difference.

Using your hands to apply a foundation has one major benefit: you use your own body heat to warm up the foundation and it just melts into the skin. However, this method does have a few downsides, as it is the least sanitary and can spread bacteria and oils from your hands onto your face, so making sure your hands are really clean is a must. Using your hands is also less precise than using a beauty tool as it is easy to miss spots on your face, especially in areas around your nose.

A sponge is one of the most popular choices when it comes to applying a foundation because people feel like it is less streaky than a brush, which is not always true. A sponge is a great way to create a high-coverage finish, especially if you “pat” it onto the skin rather than gliding it. There is a major downside to using a sponge: it absorbs about one-third of your foundation, especially if it is water-based. Since sponges are so absorbent, most of the foundation gets trapped in the sponge rather than applied to the face. This is why the Beauty Blender sponge was created; it is less absorbent, has a better shape for a precise application and it is washable and reusable.

Probably the best way to apply a foundation is by using a brush because they are disposable, hygienic, and you can use them to create a variety of finishes. The traditional foundation brush is flat and can apply different amounts of coverage. The best way to use it is by making little X's on the face, blending outwards (this will remove any fear of making streak marks).

You can also get flat-top or kabuki-style brushes, which give more of an airbrushed finish. For these kinds of brushes, you need to use an application method called buffing, which is blending the foundation in a small, circular motion. You have to make sure these brushes are made with synthetic hair as natural haired brushes are hard to clean and will be ruined by the oils from the foundation.

All of these methods are excellent ways to apply foundation, but some will be more beneficial depending on what look you are going for. You can even combine all three methods (hands, sponge and brush) to create the most flawless look.