topic Re: What a Difference an Applicator Makes in Beauty

What a Difference an Applicator Makes

Lipstickdiva — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 20:19:50 GMT

I have been doing my best to use up the institutional size IT Cosmetics CC Cream Illumination I bought. I applied it with a foundation brush, also by IT.

All of a sudden one day I looked in the mirror and could see my foundation. I'm not sure if the tube is getting old but I was very dissatisfied with the way it looked on my skin. It looked heavy and cakey and I was noticing a sheen.

I decided to buy a Real Techniques sponge and apply with that instead and wow what a difference. No more of the cakey look, no more sheen.

I have tried the sponge with a few more foundations I have and am liking the results a lot more than with a brush.

Re: What a Difference an Applicator Makes

Dinaki — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 20:37:59 GMT

I do like a lot Real Techniques brushes/sponges. Make certain to wash the sponge at least once per week.

Re: What a Difference an Applicator Makes

Alison Wonderland — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 21:09:30 GMT

You can get all kinds of different results from different applicators. I generally prefer sponges because it sheers the foundation out some.

You can also use a bush over the foundation after using a sponge to apply it for a more blended look.

Re: What a Difference an Applicator Makes

Naturesbeauty — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 21:20:30 GMT

@Dinaki wrote:
I do like a lot Real Techniques brushes/sponges. Make certain to wash the sponge at least once per week.

I love my make up sponges. I have several brands. I wash them after each use. Using a bar of soap. No special brand of soap. I then sit in a window sill that gets lots of sunshine. I rotate with several......that way always have a clean one handy. I only purchase when I can use a coupon. (HSN, Ulta, Sephora)

Re: What a Difference an Applicator Makes

wildcat fan — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 21:30:22 GMT

I so agree @Lipstickdiva. I have an IT foundation that came in a TSV with a brush, and I actually like it applied better with a sponge than I do with the brush.

I'm always so intrigued by the YouTube foundation tester videos where the person shows what the foundation looks like applied with a sponge and what it looks like applied with a brush. Funny how some look better with a brush while others look better with a sponge. Maybe it varies by person, but I think I like the sponge application method better, and that surprises me because for years I wanted to try this IT brush--love the feel of it but don't get the results like I had hoped. I guess the results vary by person or foundation, though. I'll hang onto the brush to try with another foundation to see how that goes, but for now, I'm sticking with the sponge.

I've seen lots of positve comments about Real Techniques. I'm going to try that. My last one was a Beauty Blender.

Re: What a Difference an Applicator Makes

withaK — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 22:35:30 GMT

Great ideas !!! Thank you all........I bought an IT kit months back and was only half pleased with it---the brush was awful so I tossed it out...the foundation differed in actual color than was advertised..the mascara is ok as is the lipstick.....but with this good advice I may be able to finish up the remaining foundation I have....Thanks again !!!!

Re: What a Difference an Applicator Makes

Shanus — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 00:08:26 GMT

If using a sponge w/ cream products, I'd have two. Wash it when you're finished applying makeup and if not dry, you'll have an extra one for the next day. They harbor lots of bacteria that transfers from sponge to face especially w/ cream makeup on them. Just a suggestion.

Re: What a Difference an Applicator Makes

Katcat1 — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 02:46:21 GMT

That is all I use the Real Technique sponge (orange color). It spreads your foundation evenly. I never liked a brush for applying foundation. I wash the sponge after EACH use.

Re: What a Difference an Applicator Makes

Shanus — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 10:10:00 GMT

@Katcat1 wrote:
That is all I use the Real Technique sponge (orange color). It spreads your foundation evenly. I never liked a brush for applying foundation. I wash the sponge after EACH use.

@Katcat1 It should be used wet, so just adding a little cleanser to the water afterwards gets it clean. If only want to keep one sponge and it's damp in the morning, add water. You'd have to wet it again anyway, right? For longer lasting foundation, you can mist the damp sponge w/ setting spray.

Re: What a Difference an Applicator Makes

Shanus — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 10:18:22 GMT

@monicakm wrote:
I don't know what I must be doing wrong. I've tried applying with a Beauty Blender and a RT foundation brush. My foundation is Revlon Colorstay for Dry/Combo skin. I use a primer. My fingers do a much better job than either one of the other options

@monicakm Everyone's different. Hands are fine if you like the final results. I wear a tinted moisturizer & think a sponge soaks up too much product, so I use my fingers. I only use the damp sponge AFTER the moisturizer has set to lightly pick up any heavy areas by dabbing or rolling it across the area. Is that how you use it or are you "spreading" foundation across your face w/ the sponge maybe not lightly enough? Also the sponge can be used in a dabbing motion to apply more coverage where needed. YouTube has videos re: using a sponge if interested.

Re: What a Difference an Applicator Makes

San Antonio Gal — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 12:05:25 GMT

@Lipstickdiva I've been using a damp Real Techniques sponge for long time now. I love the air brushed look. I've never used it dry. I wash it before each use - oftentimes in the shower.

Re: What a Difference an Applicator Makes

Katcat1 — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 04:46:26 GMT

@Shanus I never use the sponge moist. I tried that once and it thins out your foundation. I also noticed that when you use your fingers to apply foundation it gives more coverage but when I use the sponge dry it still gives me nice coverage. I use Zum goat's milk bar soap to clean my sponge.

Re: What a Difference an Applicator Makes

Lipstickdiva — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 14:59:59 GMT

@monicakm wrote:
I don't know what I must be doing wrong. I've tried applying with a Beauty Blender and a RT foundation brush. My foundation is Revlon Colorstay for Dry/Combo skin. I use a primer. My fingers do a much better job than either one of the other options

@monicakm, I don't think you are doing anything wrong. I think it's a matter of preference and the foundation. I own foundations that I just apply with my fingers. This particular IT one didn't look good that way though.

I do not use the sponge damp. I tried that and didn't care for the results. I like it better just dry. Maybe for other foundations, damp will be better.