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Best Liquid Brushes for a Special Touch

Have you ever pinned all your hopes and dreams on a new, highly rated liquid foundation, only for those dreams to be dashed as soon as you started applying it? Some liquid foundations really do give that airbrushed look that so many of us covet, but even the best foundation can’t make up for a low-quality brush. The brush you use for your liquid foundation can make or break your look, so it only makes sense to exercise some discretion when picking out your next one. 

Of course, it works the other way around too; a great brush can’t completely make up for a low-grade liquid foundation. It’s common for women to find a couple of foundations they like – or that they’re basically satisfied with – and stick with those. However, it also pays to be adventurous. Maybe you could try out some new releases from big-name brands, or explore what boutique brands like Pamplemousse have to offer.

Regardless, the point of this discussion is makeup brushes for liquid foundations. If you’ve been wondering why you just can’t get the results you want from your foundation, maybe it’s time for you to switch brushes and see what a difference that can make. 

IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Flat Top Buffing Foundation Brush #6

Reviewers love the fact that this brush works with several different kinds of foundations, not just liquid foundation. Plus, users have also noticed that their application times have gone down when using this brush. With nearly 90,000 synthetic bristles, this is a brush that means business. It’s meant to give a smooth, even texture every single time, whether you’re using loose powdered foundation, pressed foundation, or liquid foundation. You’ll also find that it doesn’t absorb too much product, which is a plus no matter how much you’re spending on foundation. The broad build reduces the possibility of streaks to practically zero, no matter what part of your face or neck you’re applying makeup on. It even looks nice, with a stylish black-and-silver handle, and bristles that start out cream-colored, move to a darker brown, and end with a silver-fox hue.

The only downside is that this brush costs about $50, which is higher than any of the price tags on this list. If you’re willing to treat yourself with a high-end brush, you’ll definitely get what you pay for. However, you can also get results that are nearly as good for a lot less money.

MAC 170 Synthetic Rounded Slant Brush

Users say that this angled-dome brush practically made their foundation melt onto their faces – in a good way! The application process was smooth and fast, and left them with amazing results. It’s designed for use with liquid or cream foundations, but you could also use it for liquid/cream blush or contour. Clean-up will be easy as well, as the dense bristles give up any accumulated foundation almost immediately when gently washed. 

Angled-dome brushes are meant to assist with applying foundation to hard-to-reach areas, like around the nose or under the eyes. Users say that this is mostly true, especially around the nose. However, it’s a different story with the eyes; this particular brush didn’t perform so well in that instance. 

All in all, however, users seem to love how soft, effective, and easy-to-clean this brush is. It does deliver on its $39 price tag, as long as you don’t mind spending a little extra time working on the foundation around your eyes.

Lune + Aster Foundation Brush

This may be one of the best all-around makeup brushes on this list. It may not look as glamorous as some of the other options, but the thick handle and short bristles really do mean business. With an angled dome and densely packed yet soft bristles, you won’t just love the way this brush makes your foundation look; you’ll also love the way it feels on your face. Every angle and contour of the face can be easily reached, and when it’s time to clean it, the short bristles will make the job a breeze. It’s meant to be used with any type of foundation, but the way it performs with liquid foundation, you’d think that was its sole purpose.

At $38, this makeup brush is definitely worth the price. Reviews have nothing but good things to say about it, and it’s likely that you’ll come to the same conclusions.

Real Techniques Blend + Blur All Over Brush

If you’ve been wishing you could get your hands on one of the cult-classic oval brushes from Artis, but haven’t been willing to spend the money, here’s an alternative that also gives great results. The unique shape is less like a conventional makeup brush, and more like an ovular, wide toothbrush. Although the shape is rather unusual, the design works especially well for liquid foundations. Reviews note that it’s easy to build up the foundation coverage without getting fatigued, which will be a plus for many.

The principle drawback is that, although the bristles are densely packed, they aren’t all that soft. Even so, they’re still smooth to the touch, and consistently good reviews mean that this brush is worth every bit of the $16 price tag. 

e.l.f. Cosmetics Buffing Foundation Brush

Designed for liquid and cream foundations, this tapered brush works equally well on the larger areas (chin, cheeks, and forehead) and the more detailed areas (eyes and nose). Even though the brush is relatively cheap at $8, reviews say that the quality of the brush is anything but. They repeatedly mention the softness of the bristles, the ease of application, and the smoothness of the finished look. The bristles’ white tips may stain a bit over time, but that’s really the only problem that users have identified with this brush.

The takeaway

Finding your next favorite foundation brush may not be as complicated as you thought. Whether you’re looking for a luxury experience, or you just want something that’ll get the job done, you should find something to pique your interest in the options above.

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