Fingers vs tools: Which one applies make-up better?
Two beauty editors investigate
Even though beauty is literally my job, make-up isn’t really my thing. Sure, I get as excited as anyone by a pretty new eyeshadow palette, but my personal routine is… not even a routine? My vibe is less J Lo, more Emily Ratajkowski. So the second something feels time-consuming or a teeeeny bit complicated, it’s a hard no. That’s why make-up tools seem to me like the most over-hyped products in the business. They’re high-maintenance (all that dampening and cleaning, ugh) and you have to keep buying new ones or risk rubbing months-old make-up all over your face. Also, I already have – for free, for life – something that does a better job. Hello, my ring finger is the perfect size for dabbing blush on my cheeks or tapping concealer on my spots. The warmth from my skin also heats up my make-up nicely, making it easier to apply. And I swear that the results look more natural. Whether this is lazy or pure genius, IDK, but #TeamNoTools has been good to me, so I’m going to stick with it.
No offence to anyone (and by anyone, I mean Ruby), but how many things do you touch before doing your make-up? Your phone, a million times. Your toothbrush, the water bottle you haven’t scrubbed lately. Call me paranoid, but even if you wash your hands afterwards, a ton of bacteria is probably still lurking. Putting all that ick on your face is how you end up with spots – and I’m not about that life. For me, the only way to apply make-up is with a brush or sponge. Plus, there’s a reason every make-up artist’s kit is stocked with a million tools: magazine-worthy ~lewks~ don’t just happen. If you want to do a smoky eye (or anything that involves more than smudging on some cream shadow), you need a make-up brush (or two) for shading and detailing. If you use a powder or full-coverage foundation, it needs buffing into your skin for a subtle glow. Your fingers just can’t do it the way a Beautyblender can. So, yes, it’s an extra thing, but if you hate acne and love cool make-up, it’s an extra thing that’s worth it.