makeup

FOUNDATION BRUSH MASTER CLASS

POST + PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY NADINE, GRAPHIC DESIGN BY EUNICE CHUN

Did you know that the brush that you choose to apply foundation with has a major effect on the coverage? You can take the same foundation, apply it with three different brushes and get three completely different results. When I work on my clients’ faces, I consider many things… is the event in the daytime with natural light or nighttime with flash bulbs, is it indoors with icky cafeteria lighting or outdoors with direct sunlight? Do they have sun damage or redness that needs extra coverage? The answers to these questions determine the foundation and the foundation brush to use. Here’s a quick guide! 

LIGHT COVERAGE:

For lighter coverage, choose a Tinted Moisturizer, BB Cream or CC Cream and pair it with a Stippling Brush. My favorites are Chanel Blending Brush #7 and Dr. Brandt CC Glow Cream.

1. Squeeze a small amount onto the palm of your hand.
2. Swirl the stippling brush in the product to load it up.
3. Swirl the brush in circular motions all over your face and neck.

MEDIUM COVERAGE:

For medium coverage, choose a Liquid Foundation and pair it with a Buffing Brush. My favorites are Sephora Brand Classic Mineral Powder Brush #45 even though we’re not using it with mineral powder but instead with Cle de Peau Silky Cream Foundation.

1. Again, squeeze a small amount onto the palm of your hand.
2. Load up the buffing brush by swirling it in the product.
3. Swirl the brush in circular motions all over your face and neck.

FULL COVERAGE:

For full coverage, choose a Liquid Foundation or a Cream Foundation and pair it with a Foundation Brush. This provides the most coverage because you are literally painting the product on. My favorites are the MAKE UP FOR EVER Artisan Brush #176 with Bobbi Brown Luminous Foundation (this has quickly become my personal daily foundation) or Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick.

1. For the liquid foundation, squeeze a small amount in the palm of your hand and dip the foundation brush in it. For the cream foundation, sweep the brush against it to load it up.
2. Paint the product all over your face and neck, starting at the center of your face and working outward in downward strokes.