As a makeup enthusiast, I often come across questions from makeup novices about what makeup brushes to invest in. Starting today, I will try and post a weekly guide on makeup brushes. This week, we’ll start with a liquid foundation brush guide.

For liquid foundation, you have the choice between a brush, a sponge or your fingers. Fingers are fine if you’re applying makeup on your own skin and your hands are clean.

Unfortunately for me, I have the most temperamental skin type in the world. If I apply foundation with my fingers, my face seems to visibly reject it, by bubbling and clumping it off its very surface and thereby causing me to hold my hands to my cheeks, screaming, “NOOOoooooooo!”

If your face is like mine, you might find better use out of brushes or sponges, which really help the foundation blend into your skin.

Sigma Foundation Brush

The standard foundation brush is broad and flat. The flattened edge gives this brush a great advantage over just using your fingers, as you have better control of how much product goes around the eyes and nose. The brush also allows for more controlled layers, so you can add additional sheer layers on desired areas.

Sigma Duo Fibre Brush

An interesting alternative to the brush above is the stippling brush, a.k.a. the duo-fiber brush or the skunk brush. This brush is quickly gaining preference with the makeup enthusiasts for its ability to apply foundation flawlessly, allowing for a more air-brushed look. This is also considered a multi-tasking brush, used also for powders, blushes and bronzers. You use it to stipple foundation lightly around the face, then buff it out in a circular motion. The stippling brush can be used for both liquid and mineral foundation.

Alcone Non-Latex Wedges

The downside to using cosmetic wedges is that it creates more waste and also absorbs more foundation than the brushes. Thus, they are a great alternative for those who don’t wear foundation very often and don’t want to bother with washing brushes after putting on makeup. It’s good to have a bag of these in stock if you don’t mind a disposable tool that you throw away after each use. These are available at any drugstore or Sally’s.

Where to buy
MAC Cosmetics continues to uphold their (often disputed) reputation for having the best quality makeup brushes. However, if you’re looking for a product that simply works and you don’t really care about the minute details like handle weight, there are scores of other options out there. Furthermore, being associated with high end makeup doesn’t necessarily mean the brushes are great.

Sigma Beauty is one of many vendors that provide large selections of brushes online. You might also try Sephora.

There are some amazingly great quality drugstore brands, too. My favorite brand is Eco Tools, irresistibly soft brushes available at any drugstore. Target’s Sonia Kashuk line is also worth checking out.

Your pal,
Al