What role does foundation brush play?

A favorite tinted moisturizer, BB cream, or foundation may seem best applied with your fingers or a sponge, but according to makeup artist Daniel Martin, applying your creamy formula with a foundation brush makes the face look “more finished, polished, and seamless.”

The foundation brush allows for easy maneuvering around areas like the nose or inner corners of the eyes—and more even distribution. Martin advises starting in the middle of the face with your foundation and blending outward in tiny swiping motions. The same brush can double for your cream blush, which you can apply using circular motions on the apples of the cheek. For a little extra coverage, stippling will layer on more product in one place if it’s needed to cover redness or darkness—but gone are the days of piling on foundation. According to Martin, “one pump of whatever it is you’re using should be enough to cover your entire face.”