Last updated: 16/10/2022

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After choosing a foundation with the right texture, shade and finish for your face, your concern should come down to how to apply the product perfectly using the best foundation brush.

Choosing a suitable foundation brush provides a professional finish, while using an inadequate or low-quality brush can ruin your makeup. To find out how to choose a brush for foundation, read on!




First things first

  • Using a good brush for foundation facilitates the application of the cosmetic, increases the adherence of the product to the skin and enables an even application.
  • There are three models of foundation brushes. The Kabuki brush is ideal for foundation with light coverage, the Duo Fiber brush is perfect for foundation with medium coverage and the traditional brush is indicated for high coverage foundation.
  • Brands such as Vult, Koloss, Belliz, Macrilan, Real Techniques and MAC offer excellent options of brushes for foundation.

The Best Foundation Brush: Our Picks

Buying Guide

As the name suggests, foundation is one of the most important cosmetics in makeup, whether used in everyday life or on special occasions. However, many people have difficulty applying the product correctly.

To make a makeup with professional finish, you need the best brush for foundation. With that in mind, we have prepared a Shopping Guide full of information about this product. Enjoy your reading!

Imagem de uma mulher aplicando base no rosto.

You will find different models of foundation brushes. (Source: Domenicogelermo/ 123RF.com)

Why use a brush for foundation?

Many women question why apply foundation with a brush instead of using fingertips or a sponge. The answer is simple, using a brush for foundation ensures superior results such as greater adherence of the cosmetic to the skin, homogeneity and a natural finish.

By combining a foundation with the right shade, texture and finish with a good quality foundation brush, you can achieve a professional make-up finish.

Furthermore, the foundation brush reaches all areas of the face, resulting in perfect coverage around the eyes, nose corners, scalp line and around the mouth.

By using a brush to apply foundation, you also avoid makeup waste, as unlike a sponge, the bristles of the brush hardly absorb any product.

You can find several models of brush for foundation, in straight, rounded or diagonal shape, with natural, synthetic or mixed bristles and that serve for products in liquid, creamy or powder texture.

Did you know that it is not recommended to apply foundation with the fingertips? The contact of the fingers with the product may heat the foundation, jeopardizing the cosmetic adherence

What are the types of foundation brushes?

There are three models of brushes for foundation application: Conventional brush – also called “Cat tongue” – Duo Fiber and Kabuki. Each model has different characteristics, use indications and results.

It is not necessary to use all three brushes to achieve the perfect result, on the contrary, choosing a brush for foundation according to the cosmetic used and the desired coverage is enough.

Conventional foundation brush

The conventional foundation brush can be used to apply liquid or creamy foundation, with medium or high coverage. This model results in a less natural finish to the makeup.

This brush has firm bristles that require some skill when applying foundation. However, the flattened shape allows you to reach more difficult areas, such as around the eyes, the ends of the nostrils and the scalp line.

Imagem de pinceis de base.

The conventional foundation brush is called the “Cat Tongue” because of its shape. (Source: Hazel Olayres/Unsplash.com)

Kabuki Brush

The Kabuki brush is indicated for application of liquid foundation with soft, medium or high coverage. It has a rounded shape that allows the application of makeup in circular movements, promoting homogeneous coverage and perfect finish.

Do not apply too much product and do not weigh your hand if you want a smooth finish. The Kabuki brush also serves to homogenize the makeup, just clean it and pass it with circular movements over the applied foundation.

Duo Fiber Brush

If you only want to buy one foundation brush, invest in the Duo Fiber brush. This model is very versatile because it can be used to apply foundation in different textures and with different levels of coverage.

The brush intertwines synthetic and natural bristles.

As the name indicates, this brush intertwines synthetic and natural bristles. The synthetic bristles are used to apply the product, while the natural bristles are used to spread the product.

In addition to the mixed bristle composition, another factor that makes this brush special is the possibility of performing circular or linear movements to spread the foundation in the best possible way, covering even pores and scars.

How to use a foundation brush?

Using a foundation brush is very simple, just apply a few drops of foundation directly on the face or put a small amount of product on the back of the hand and wet the brush before applying the cosmetic on the face.

The product should be applied with the correct movement. Rounded brushes require circular movements, while straight brushes require a linear application.

Spread the foundation from the centre to the edges of the face. This movement helps to even out the makeup, avoid product build up in specific areas and ensure a perfect finish on the sides. Don’t forget to lower the brush to the neck and décolleté areas.

Imagem de uma mulher.

The movements with the foundation brush influence the makeup result.(Source: Oz Seyrek/Unsplash.com)

Is it better to use brush or sponge to apply foundation?

As we mentioned earlier, the tool used to apply foundation makes all the difference in the makeup result. And many women have doubts about which is the ideal tool to apply the product: Sponge or foundation brush.

The answer is that there is no right or wrong tool, but the brush that provides easier application and a more beautiful result. To help you choose, we have prepared the comparative table below:

Foundation brush Sponge
Ideal for applying Liquid, creamy or powder foundation Creamy foundation
Differential Better distribution of foundation on the skin Reaches even the most difficult corners of the face
Coverage Light, medium or high Light
Advantage Models in different shapes and sizes Can be used to make contour
Negative point Requires practice in handling Absorbs a little foundation

Purchase criteria: How to find the best foundation brush of the moment

Some brushes are suitable for liquid foundation, some for creamy foundation and some for powder foundation. Also, each model provides a different level of coverage. To find the best foundation brush you need to take into consideration the buying criteria listed below:

We will detail each of the topics throughout the section. Questions or suggestions? Leave a comment below:

Brush model and texture of the foundation

As we mentioned earlier, for each type of foundation – liquid, cream and powder – and desired finish – soft, medium or high coverage – you should choose a different foundation brush.

  • Conventional brush has synthetic bristles, used to apply liquid or creamy foundation with good adherence and high coverage. Those who are not experienced with this brush may leave a few scratches on the foundation, as the bristles are quite firm.
  • Brush type brush has a large concentration of natural bristles and anatomical shape, perfect for blending liquid or creamy foundation, promote uniform coverage and reach all corners of the face.
  • The Kabuki brush is excellent for applying liquid foundation, but also works with powder foundation. With this brush, even the least experienced women will be able to experience a makeup with high coverage and natural effect without difficulty.
  • The Duo Fiber Brush combines two different types of bristles. While the synthetic bristles (light) are used to apply the foundation, the natural bristles (dark) are used to blend the product and ensure a perfect finish. This brush can be used to apply foundation in different textures.
  • Round brush has a rounded tip, which simplifies the application of powder foundation. Since this brush has a large volume of bristles, you can apply a larger amount of product and result in high coverage.

Bristle material and desired finish

Another feature that should be considered when buying is the type of bristles. Your choice should be between a brush with natural bristles or synthetic bristles. Each type of bristle offers a different finish.

The brush with synthetic bristles can be used to apply liquid or creamy foundation with high coverage. The synthetic bristles absorb less product and allow you to apply and spread the foundation in a precise manner.

The natural bristles brush, on the other hand, offers a smoother finish. Made with animal hair, it is perfect for applying foundation with light coverage, as the soft bristles allow you to blend the product better. It is important to mention that the foundation brush with natural bristles absorbs part of the product, generating waste.

Imagem de um conjunto de pinceis de maquiagem.

A foundation brush can be composed of natural or synthetic bristles.(Source: Glow Repose/Unsplash.com)

Brand

To find the best foundation brush, you should also look at the brand of the product. To help you in this mission, we have put together a short list with the best makeup brush manufacturers.

  • Regular foundation brushes: The brushes from Belliz, Koloss, Vult and O Boticário stand out in the category of products with the best cost-benefit in the market.
  • Professional use foundation brushes: These brushes are recommended for those who seek a tool with maximum quality and durability, especially for professional use.

Price

Another feature that should be taken into consideration at the time of purchase is the price of the foundation brush. As we mentioned in the previous item, a common foundation brush can cost between $ 10 and 50 Pounds.

However, a brush for professional use can cost 10 times more. You can find options that cost between 50 to 220 Pounds.

(Featured Image Source: Oli Dale/Unsplash.com)

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