CREDIT: JOSHUA R. WALLER
ifferent style of tools can drastically change the finish of your foundation.

Ever wonder why foundation is just never working for you no matter how many brands you’ve tried? Sometimes it’s not the actual foundation that could be the problem, it can be how you’re applying it.

There is always the daunting question as to what is the best thing to apply your foundation with. Should you use a sponge, brush, Beauty Blender or even your own fingers? Each of these have their own pros and cons and will all achieve a different look, you just need to find which one works for you.

The most traditional way to apply your foundation is by using a brush, but with all the new advancements in cosmetics, the many types of foundation brushes can be confusing. The original flat brush is an easy way to smooth on liquid foundations, but it can sometimes cause streaking so applying with an “x” motion will give the best results.

This type of brush also makes it easy to build coverage by just using a patting motion.

Kabuki-styled synthetic brushes are an amazing way to buff on liquid, cream, mousse and powder foundations and will create an airbrushed-finish. Unlike a traditional foundation brush, you want to apply your foundation by using circular motions, as this will create a flawless complexion. One of the downsides to this brush is that it can be hard to get into the nook and crannies of the face, depending on the size of the brush.

Another common application method is by using a sponge. Traditional sponges may seem like a quicker method, but the downsides are much greater. These sponges will consume a lot of your product by absorbing it, making you have to repurchase your foundation much more frequently. They also get dirty quickly and are almost impossible to clean, so you will also have to replace these quite often as well.

New age sponges, such as the Beauty Blender, are a whole different story. They do not absorb nearly as much foundation, are easy to clean and are reusable. These types of sponges can buff on foundation to create that airbrush finish, can be stippled to build coverage and make it extremely easy to blend.

The last and probably most controversial method is by using your hands. This method is by far the fastest and is okay to use when in a hurry, but is not the most sanitary. Using your hands can also waste a lot of product and can be messy. But after thoroughly washing your hands and using your product little by little, you can achieve a natural finish by letting your skin shine through.

Play around with different brushes, sponges, hands and even combine a few different methods. You can achieve many different finishes with the same foundation by just changing your application technique and tools.