BEAUTY MANTRA PUTTING CLICHÉS UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
When it comes to achieving that naturallooking, flawless skin, most makeup artists say it’s less about the foundation formula and more about how you apply it. But how exactly should you do this and do brushes really offer a superior result? We asked three experts to explain the technique we should all be employing.
Decide on your finish
“While there is no right or wrong way to apply your make-up and you should use the technique you feel most comfortable with, there is definitely a difference in the finish you can achieve with brushes compared to your fingers,” says make-up artist Vincent Oquendo.
“Using a sponge will give you a matte look, but I’m a huge fan of that dewy, radiant finish. A fluffy blusher brush allows you to achieve this finish, as you can really work the formula into your skin. Don’t apply the foundation directly on to the brush; instead, put the formula on to the back of your hand and dip your brush into it. This stops you using too much and allows you to apply the foundation precisely where you need it, rather than giving your skin a heavy blanket layer.”
Blending is key
“Regardless of whether you use a brush, sponge or your fingers, with cream or powder foundation you need to make sure you really buff the product in,” says Jess Whitbread, make-up artist.
“You want your foundation to melt into your skin, rather than sit on the surface. On both myself and my clients I use the small Beauty Blender make-up sponges, as you can really work the product in, especially under your eyes and around your nose. Make sure you damp it before you use it, though, otherwise it absorbs your foundation. Once I’ve applied the foundation, I spritz the same sponge with a face mist and go over the skin again. This helps to rehydrate drier patches, and also gives you a beautiful seamless finish. You can achieve the same finish with a brush, but it would be trickier to do so with fingers.”
Keep your tools clean
“Using a brush or sponge rather than your fingers not only gives you a better finish, but it is also more hygenic,” explains Lynsey Alexander, make-up ambassador for Estée Lauder UK. “This is especially important if you’re concealing a blemish, as your fingers have natural oils, which can aggravate breakouts and often don’t allow the formula to set properly, so your make-up won’t last as long. That said, you need to make sure you keep your tools clean. Spritz your brushes with a cleaning mist after every use and, once a week, wash them thoroughly with baby shampoo or washing-up liquid to get rid of any oils and product build-up.”