Bin those brushes! The £14 teardrop that works wonders on your make-up
WHEN it comes to make-up, most women dream of achieving a natural, flawless look. In reality, applying it can be messy – with sponges and brushes getting clogged up and dirty. It can also be wasteful because make-up soaks into them. But a tool that solves these problems, hailed a ‘gamechanger’ by US make-up artists, has just arrived on the British High Street. MakeupDrop is a two-and-a-half inch applicator made of silicone. It is used for blending foundation, creams and powder and is said to be particularly handy under the eyes with its ergonomic teardrop shape. And unlike sponges, which are porous, the Makeup- Drop doesn’t absorb liquid, meaning there is little waste.
As British women are said to spend around £9,000 on foundation alone over a lifetime, it could save a considerable sum of money.
It can be cleaned easily with a rinse under the tap, making it more hygienic than brushes or sponges, which can harbour bacteria that causes spots, manufacturers say.
More than 100,000 were bought in the US in just three days after it was used by the make-up artist of Hollywood actress Natalie Portman for the Screen Actors Guild Awards in January.
Costing £14, it went on sale in Boots in the UK on Wednesday. While similar cheaper versions may be available online, this one has Hollywood’s approval.
Make-up artist Julia Carta, who has worked with A-list stars such as Keira Knightley, said it is the ‘next generation’ tool of the industry. She said: ‘Fashion designers and beauty bloggers are all taking a lead from Korea – they are exponents of a modern, fresh, dewy, natural, no make-up look.
‘This MakeupDrop is the perfect tool to achieve it. Unlike brushes, which tend to leave a heavier, cakeier, slightly old fashioned finish, the state- of-the-art silicone teardrop mimics how make-up is applied with the fingers. Its shape means that you can apply a foundation cream on one side, then flip it over to put on a blusher cream or use the tip to apply a lip colour.
‘The only downside is make-up can take a bit longer to apply using it but it’s still fantastic.’
Natalie Portman’s make-up artist, Pati Dubroff, described it as a ‘game changer’. She said: ‘What happens with traditional sponges is that they get muddy when more than one product is being applied.
‘I am able to use either side with the same or different shades and it does not disturb the integrity of the colours.
‘Everything is very clean and concise when applying and blending anything from foundation to creamy cheek colour or highlighter. Also, the clarity of the silicone applicator gives you a little window to what you are doing underneath. The shape is very intuitive because it fits the contours on the sides of the nose and the under eye area.’
Layla Smith, 40, of Haywards Heath, West Sussex, is a fan of the tool. She said: ‘I am seriously in love with this product.
‘I used to waste so much foundation using foam applicators or my fingers but now I don’t waste any.’
Lauren Nina, 35, from London, also approved. She said: ‘It applies makeup so evenly and the small tip perfectly gets concealer into the corner of my eye.’
‘Doesn’t absorb liquid’