But really I'm just lazy.
When I do go out to run errands, I take the path of least resistance...I use my fingers! I'll use them to apply foundation, concealer, a little cream blush (I've even blended powder blush with my fingers, lol!). Then I'll use my middle finger to dab some eyeshadow onto my lid and then use my clean ring finger to blend it out...a little mascara...done!
I've done this for years, so I shouldn't just blame it on being a stay-at-home mom. I first learned to apply makeup with my fingers, back in the '80's when you couldn't find brushes at the drugstore and Beauty Blenders hadn't been invented yet. When I was working a 9-5 job, most days I would stay in bed until the last possible second, hitting snooze multiple times so when it came to makeup, I would apply it as quickly as possible...with my fingers. Over the years I think I've become pretty good at it!
In fact, when you see a photo of me, chances are I applied most (if not all of it) with my fingers.
The funny thing is, I love the way my makeup looks when I use brushes...it's so much more flawless! Also, in the Winter months especially, a Beauty Blender (or other blending sponge) to apply foundation and concealer gives my dry skin such a dewy boost. But most days I just can't bring myself to use them because, well...I don't want to have to clean them! It pretty much comes down to that one simple fact.
But that's what weekends are for right? My husband is around to watch the little guy so I can spend more time on my makeup and actually clean my beauty tools.
What about you...what's your makeup routine like? Do you use brushes, a Beauty Blender, or your fingers?
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I like brushes but my skin has gotten so dry and nothing, and I mean NOTHING, will fix it. So the brushes are gone and I've switched to fingers and the beauty blender.
ReplyDeleteMy skin is really dry too and the flakes are so annoying when I apply foundation. The Beauty Blender allows me to apply it without getting that flaky look but it just takes so long! I get really impatient bouncing it all over my face trying to blend it all in, LOL. :)
DeleteI use both a beauty blender and brushes. I used to use my fingers all the time, but I just didn't have the talent for it.
ReplyDeleteA New Old Fashioned Girl
I think my makeup definitely looks better when I use beauty tools but using my fingers is a timesaver mostly. :)
DeleteThat's so funny that you say you don't have the 'talent' to apply makeup with fingers -- I have brushes galore from when I first got into makeup, but quickly realized that I absolutely SUCK with any makeup tool (sometimes I wore off the top layer of skin on my delicate eyes from blending so much!) and that I would have to figure out how else to apply it or give it up. So, I have to use my fingers! I am just that bad with beauty tools. Powder blushes get applied with a brush, but I rarely wear blushes. Everything else except mascara gets applied with fingers, so my finger pads get quite dirty (-: really wish I had the talent of using beauty tools.
DeleteJen,I love how real you are! A friend of mine has a YouTube channel and she is always talking up brushes and Beauty Blenders. I laugh at her all the time, like "girl you know you use your fingers to blend your foundation all the time in real life!" I suppose there's a stigma with using your fingers and bloggers feel like their not "pro" or all makeup artist-y if they don't do what everyone else is doing.
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you so much Karen! I definitely feel a little bit of that pressure as a blogger too but then I think, you know what? This is me and if people don't like it, oh well :)
DeleteFor me, it all depends on what item I'm using. I like brushes for most foundations (easier than cleaning a sponge everyday) but prefer a sponge for the Loreal Infallible. Sometimes brushes for eye primer and cream shadows, sometimes fingers. Same flip flopping for cream blushes, etc. I guess I'm complicated...lol.
ReplyDeleteI'm a brush and a Beautyblender girl all the way, with the exception of a cream eyeshadow. That's the only way I can truly get an airbrushed look and get the coverage that the product promises. Using brushes and the Besutyblender, I apply makeup right the first time, thus saving time on need to "fix" and "edit" my makeup. I know that some multipurpose and cream makeup were invented to save time, but I'm a total clutz when it comes to using my fingers. Plus, creamy products melt right off my oily skin.
ReplyDeleteMarinaD
I'm just like you -- fingers & a minimum of brushes, plus a beauy blender but I hate taking the time to wet it -- I'm REALLY lazy. Eyeliner and brows need brushes so that's my complicated step :-) Also I live in a tiny place so storage is an issue so I stick to the brushes I already have, which are easy to store and take up minimal place. I understand the Artis brushes are fantastic but I am too impatient to find a storage space for them. I use a small e.l.f stipple brush to apply cream blushes, bronzers, and some other things -- I learned this from EmilyNoel83 of Beauty Broadcast, this has been a great addition for me. I learned to put on eyeshadow with my finger(s) in the 80s -- this was what we did back then, and I don't really see tons of improvement by having a bunch of pricey brushes, but I know others do.
ReplyDeleteI use a brush. I've tried the it cosmetics beauty blender but it must be how I hold it cuz i get a cramp in my hand and give up @oneweecha_
ReplyDeleteI used to use only my fingers and sponge wedges, but then realized that I use brushes all my life for watercolors. So I got a basic set and tried them out for my eyeshadow. Lo and behold, I'm way better with tools that I already know how to use. It's exactly the same skill set. So now I almost never use my fingers, unless I'm in a real rush or doing something super simple. Also note I only put any makeup on a couple times a week, tops.
ReplyDeleteMost of the time I use brushes and sponges. I will use my fingers for cream blushes, highlighters, bb creams, and concealer though. Especially during the week, IF I decided to wear makeup during the week.
ReplyDeleteI'm fairly consistent with using brushes for most things and even my Real Techniques sponge for foundation most days, but I have one thing I always switch back to my fingers for: blending eyeshadows from my outer V! I just always get a quicker result doing it that way. I want to be an makeup artist, though, so I need to get in the habit of using a brush for it!
ReplyDeleteI'm a total clutz when it comes to using my fingers, with the exception of cream shadows. Using brushes and the Beautyblender, I apply my makeup right the first time, thus saving time. Cream/multipurpose makeup are emollient to begin and melt right off my face within couple of hours. Having an oily face, I have to use powder products anyways.
ReplyDeleteMarinaD
What a coincidence that you just wrote about this because I've been thinking about this a lot lately! When I wear liquid foundation, I used to always apply with my fingers. I tried sponge wedges, and they just absorbed say too much of the product. However, I recently followed a makeup artist's recommendation, and used a flattop dense brush to buff my liquid foundation on, and I really like the results! Sometimes I wear loose powder bare minerals foundation too, and I love the buffing brush for that too! i really like the Eco tools brushes, but the wet n wild brushes get good reviews too! I recently bought a wet n wild concealer brush, but honestly I mainly pat on my underrate concealer with my fingers.
ReplyDeleteI'm a brush girl all the way! I've tried the Beauty Blender and I will use it occasionally, but I prefer brushes. I never use my fingers. I have acne prone, oily skin so I try to get my hands off my face.
ReplyDeleteYep, I use the dense flat top buffing brush to get full coverage out of foundation without looking made up. I use a flat stippling brush when I want sheer coverage. I get airbrushed results all the time. I use a dry Beautyblender when concealing acne spots. It magically puts the right amount of concealer. I'd use my ring finger all day and never come close.
ReplyDeleteApplying foundation with the Beautyblender is wwaaaayy better than using fingers, but I brushed do a better job.
MarinaD
I use square sponges to blend my foundation very lightly lately in Summer I been using the Loreal Infallible and the Lumi one then blend down my jawline and down my neck also 'til whatever depth my blouse, t-shirt, dress is. For eyes I use both fingers as in the pinky finger to blend my attempted v form smoky eyes at the end which usually end up in none I still have not mastered it yet but how I wish I knew how to! For eyes, brushes and fingers also for cream blush fingers also. I wear all with a light hand I'm pretty pale and blend! Blend! Need to master a subtle beautiful smoky eyes for winter!
ReplyDeleteI was not a makeup lover because I find applying makeup very difficult and a messy task. But after watching one of my friends who is a makeup artist applying makeup so easily with silicone sponge, I asked her about the basic tips and she suggested me to navigate to this web-site for knowing the benefits of makeup tools. After knowing the various benefits of makeup tools I would definitely like to try different tools that can make my daily makeup routine simple. What would be your suggestion to me?
ReplyDelete