The Best Brushes For Applying Liquid Foundation

It doesn’t matter how good your foundation is or what the formula promises to deliver, without the best tools to apply it with, you’ll never get the most out of your foundation.

The best makeup brushes for liquid foundation depend on so many factors. Do you want full coverage? Do you have oily skin? Mature skin? Dry skin? The list goes on. To help you decode it all, we’ve got together the best brushes for liquid foundation based on shape and skin type, so you don’t have to do the hard work.

Suitable for: Targeted application

This is the most classic foundation brush shape and allows you to target your application. It’s ideal for all skin types, but if you’re going for the less is more approach — you might have mature skin or dry skin and need targeted application — this is the shape for you. Simply buff on where needed, but you will find fluffier brushes better for all over blending.

Suitable for: Full coverage

Flat top brushes are ideal for packing on and layering product, leading to a full coverage finish. If you have breakout-prone or oily skin, this might be the ideal type of brush to pair with your liquid foundation. We’d avoid this type if your skin type doesn’t lend itself to full coverage, such as dry skin or mature skin, where the product can collect on dry patches and in fine lines.

Suitable for: Seamless blending

Buffer brushes are the best of both worlds. They often have a domed head, meaning they can pack on product as well as buff out your foundation for a seamless blend. This type of brush is perfect for all skin types, it just depends how much product you pick up — go for less and buff out using circular motions for sheer coverage. For full coverage, pat more product onto the skin before blending.

Suitable for: Lightweight bases

Duo fibre brushes are characterised by their fluffy finish with varying fibre lengths. They’re a good match for liquid foundation as they make a little product go a long way, whilst delivering a seamless blend. Duo fibre brushes are perfect for all skin types as they deliver a lightweight, buildable base.

Suitable for: Sheer coverage

For a sheer finish, pick up a fluffy brush. Similar to powder brushes in texture, fluffy brushes make quick work of blending the perfect base in a matter of minutes.

Suitable for: Skin-like finish

Whether you choose to use a sponge wet or dry makes a big difference to the application of your liquid foundation. Dry sponges will apply a thicker layer, whereas wet sponges bounce the product into the skin for a seamless, skin-like blend. 

Not technically a brush, but we couldn’t miss the By BEAUTY BAY Makeup Sponges off our list of the best makeup brushes for liquid foundation. This two-pack of latex-free sponges can be used wet to bounce your way to a seamless foundation base. The domed end covers larger areas, while the slanted point allows for more targeted application around the eyes and nose.

You can always count on MAC to be the makeup innovator and the 171S Wedge Foundation Brush is no exception. This angled brush has all the benefits of a flat-topped foundation brush, whilst the innovative shape hugs the contours of the face for a flawless finish.

If you’re looking for a classic flat foundation brush, then look no further. The Spectrum Collections Sculpt No.7 The Foundation Brush is a high-quality brush that will always deliver a flawless finish. The bristles are dense enough to deliver product whilst buffing your way to a seamless blend. Plus, it’s vegan and cruelty-free!

Arguably the perfect buffer brush, the Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Face 1.0 Brush is worthy of a place in your stash. It’s the perfect mix of dense yet fluffy. Distributing just the right amount of product, this domed, fluffy, buffing brush will smooth on your favourite liquid foundations to prep the perfect base.

Sigma has always made some of our favourite brushes, and the F47 Multitasker Brush is no exception. This domed, fluffy buffing brush is the perfect match for so many products, particularly liquid foundation. Delivering medium to full coverage, this brush has dense yet fluffy bristles that create a seamless blend.

If the F47 isn’t your thing, why not try the Sigma Beauty 4DHD Kabuki Brush. This innovative shape has been designed to create a soft, diffused, and perfectly blended finish. It combines the benefits of a flat foundation brush with a fluffy brush, making it ideal for buffing and blending your way to flawless skin.

We’re beyond obsessed with the Spectrum Collections KHJ Brushes, which is why we couldn’t miss the Professional Single Brush – 04 off our list. This duo-fibre bristle brush is perfectly designed to buff liquid products onto the skin for a buildable finish. Simply layer your product and let the brush do the hard work. 

Another of our fave duo fibre brushes is the Trixie Cosmetics P-13 Stippling Brush. Featuring a fluffy head with varying fibre lengths, this brush can be used to buff foundation onto the skin for a buildable finish. Or, you could try the stippling effect associated with duo fibre brushes — bounce and tap the brush onto the skin for a more full coverage effect.

If a flat topped foundation brush is your kind of thing, add the Brushworks HD Buffing Foundation Brush to your haul. This hand-cut brush makes quick work of buffing and blending your favourite bases, thanks to the ultra-soft and densely-packed bristles.

Last but by no means least is the e.l.f. Cosmetics Ultimate Blending Brush. The clue’s in the name with this one. Loved by so many thanks to its fluffy, buffer head, you can pack the product on or seamlessly buff light layers of liquid foundation, depending on your finish preference and skin type.