CREDIT: MACCOSMETICS.COM
Synthetic brushes are the most efficient way to blend out your foundation.

People often wonder if there is a certain way makeup should be applied or if there are certain tools that work better than others — should you use brushes, sponges or just your hands? Even though there are very many "rules" or guidelines to makeup, it is still a very personal thing, so everyone will have different comfort levels with different tools. That being said, some ways of applying makeup may not be the most economical or may not deliver quality results from your products.

Foundation seems to be the struggle for most people in terms of what to use to apply it. Sponges are by far the worst to use when applying foundation (especially liquid); since they are so porous, they actually end up absorbing the majority of your foundation. Even though it may smooth on your foundation fairly well, the waste of product isn't worth it. That being said, a sponge works brilliantly as a blending tool for getting rid of harsh lines and foundation buildup, as well as blending the foundation into the hairline without getting makeup in your hair.

The next most common way people apply foundation is with their hands; while this seems the quickest and easiest way, it is the least hygienic. Using your hands can not only spread bacteria all over your face, you also risk the chance of contaminating your foundation if it's not in a pump bottle. However, some products do work better when they are applied with hands because your body heat helps warm up the product, which allows it to blend a lot easier (this is mainly for cream foundations). If you are going to use your hands to apply foundation, make sure they are completely sanitized and for any products that are in a jar, never scoop it out with your fingers — always use a cotton swab.

The most efficient way to apply foundation is by using a synthetic brush. The synthetic foundation brush allows you to control how much foundation you are using and it helps achieve a flawless complexion a lot easier than using a sponge or your hands. The synthetic brushes work much better than natural brushes for foundation because they don't absorb the foundation, and they are also easy to clean.

It is often assumed that using a brush would take longer to apply makeup, but after a few times of using it, you can get your foundation done as quickly as you could with your hands. You simply start on the inner part of the face and, in overlaying strokes, start to blend the foundation out towards the ears. Then you can use a sponge to correct or blend out any difficult areas.

While a brush is more of an investment, it is something that will last you a long time if taken care of properly. Brands such as Quo, Lise Watier, Cover FX and MAC offer very reasonably priced brushes that are perfect for everyday use.