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5 Uses for Your Recently Used But As-Yet-Unwashed Foundation Brush

February 27th, 2014 by Karen 21 Comments

Hourglass No. 2 Brush
One of my favorite foundation brushes, the No. 2 by Hourglass

Before you relegate that recently used foundation brush to the pile of brushes you plan to wash later this week (or today), believe it or not, it’s still a useful tool, even after you’ve used it to apply whichever face product you’re wearing on any given day and the brush has leftover product in the bristles.

I mean, of course we are going to wash it eventually (I wash my brushes every day), but before that, while we’re still doing our makeup, we can use it to…

1. Tone down bold brows

A recently used foundation brushOops! Uh, oh. We’ve accidentally applied too much brow filler and crossed the fine line between bold brows and Groucho Marx.

What to do?

Well, we can run our recently used foundation brush across our brows a few times to break up our brow powder or gel and lighten them up.

2. The definition of cheeky

We can also use our used foundation brush to give our cheeks a boost! After applying our blush and/or bronzer, we can sweep our used foundation brush right below the apples of our cheeks to define and sculpt their shape.

3. Lift that look!

I think you’ll really like this tip because it’s easy but makes a big difference. After we finish applying eyeshadow, let’s grab that used foundation brush, and swipe it from the outer corner of our lower lash line to the outer tip of our eyebrow to clean up the edges a bit and give a little lift to our look.

4. A blank canvas for nude lips

Let’s make nude lips look even nuder (nuder?). Working with your favorite nude lipstick or gloss, swipe however much product remains on your recently used foundation brush across your lips. Now, this trick works better if your lips are in good shape. In my experience, if we see any flakes at all, our foundation will only draw attention to them.

I only do this one every once in a while, as it tends to dry out my lips…

5. Dial back bright blush

Uh, oh! We accidentally applied too much blush and look like we have crazy clown cheeks.

No problem. Let’s just stipple our recently used foundation brush head lightly on top of our blush to tone down the intensity.

There you have it! Five uses for your recently used but as-yet-unwashed foundation brush. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Rise and shine, morning glory! After a full day of rain, the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and Tabs hasn’t swiped or bitten me (yet).

So far, so good on this lovely Thursday.

Today I plan to appreciate the little things, like my seven-year-old tabby alarm clock…

It’s very reliable. I’ll give it that…

…and grilled lemons.

I had this tilapia fish special at Pasta Pomodoro last week. The grilled lemon totally took it to the next level.

I hope you have a downright fabulous day. 🙂

5 Uses for Your Recently Used But As-Yet-Unwashed Foundation Brush / Originally published February 27th, 2014

There are 21 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Makeup Tips/How To

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Comments

  1. Trisha says

    February 27th, 2014 at 10:17 am

    Good advice, Karen! Especially about the overdone eyebrows. I’ve been doing that a lot, lately. Good way to even them out since my right eyebrow always seems to end up darker.

    Reply
  2. Shannon says

    February 27th, 2014 at 10:59 am

    Love this! Thanks, Karen 🙂

    Reply
  3. thebeavercat says

    February 27th, 2014 at 11:03 am

    I think I spy the Airbrush Finish Bamboo Foundation Brush in the back there. Love that brush. :] Great advice, Karen.

    Reply
  4. Kiss & Make-up says

    February 27th, 2014 at 11:12 am

    These are good tips 🙂 And what a good idea to appreciate the little things. I should try and do that too. I don’t enjoy the little things enough, but instead I just worry about silly stuff.

    Reply
  5. gio says

    February 27th, 2014 at 11:36 am

    Great tips, Karen! I use it to tone down blush sometimes, but I hadn’t thought about the other uses. Thank you!

    Reply
  6. Vineetha says

    February 27th, 2014 at 11:39 am

    Nice Tips! The lightening cheek bush is one way I always use it!

    Reply
  7. BETSY C. says

    February 27th, 2014 at 11:43 am

    Genius ideas all! Thank you. BTW, the husky tabby you promised to send me to help recover from my surgery Tuesday has not arrived! Tabs must love you too much, lol. You and your gravy! 😉

    Reply
  8. Ruchita says

    February 27th, 2014 at 12:21 pm

    Great tips, especially #5! Sometimes if I’m trying out a new blush I can over apply it, so a used foundation brush is a good way to remedy the situation.

    That pick of you and Tabs is so cute! I wish my husky tabby would snuggle on the bed. Most times he’ll jump up, meow in my ear and then jump off. 🙂

    Reply
  9. Sylirael says

    February 27th, 2014 at 12:28 pm

    Great tips! I particularly like the brow one, as I’ve never thought of that! I’ve definitely toned down my blush a couple of times with my foundation, though… 😀

    Reply
  10. Denise S. says

    February 27th, 2014 at 12:33 pm

    I use BB cream but I can totally apply these tips with it. I really like the brow and cheek tone down suggestion as I can be a bit too heavy handed. I do the uplift trick all the time and it’s great! Cute pic of you and Tabs, looks cozy! Love the PJ’s !

    Reply
  11. Erin says

    February 27th, 2014 at 1:02 pm

    Nice tips! I will also say broiled lemon and grapefruit are in fact the $hit!

    Reply
  12. Abby says

    February 27th, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    This is such a great post with such great ideas! And the grilled lemon looks delicious!

    Reply
  13. Fancie says

    February 27th, 2014 at 2:38 pm

    Great tips! I always use my foundation brush to tone down blush if I over apply but I’ve never thought of using any other way lol. So creative!

    Reply
  14. Ankita@corallista says

    February 27th, 2014 at 3:47 pm

    Super helpful post Karen! I generally use my used foundation brush as a buffing brush in the end to ensure the contour/highlight and blush are blended well together.

    Reply
  15. Phyrra says

    February 27th, 2014 at 4:36 pm

    These are great tips! Thank you 🙂

    Reply
  16. Danielle says

    February 28th, 2014 at 5:44 am

    I always used my foundation brush to blend in my blush. It’s a great tip!

    Reply
  17. Kelsey says

    February 28th, 2014 at 9:22 am

    ooh great tips! also, I have the same pyjamas in your kitty picture! 😀

    Reply
  18. Vanessa says

    February 28th, 2014 at 7:03 pm

    awww Karen and Tabs <3

    Reply
  19. Chelsea says

    February 28th, 2014 at 7:32 pm

    Love the tips, hadn’t thought of some of these!

    One of my favorite restaurants does a chicken dish with grilled lemons, it’s heavenly.

    Reply
  20. Iris says

    March 1st, 2014 at 6:29 pm

    Love this post and the tips. I shall be using the brushes to dial back blush. I sometimes apply too much with a heavy hand and it really shows up on my skin.

    Reply
  21. theblahqueen says

    March 3rd, 2014 at 4:22 am

    Awesome tips,specially the one regarding using it on the outer corner of the lower lash line !!!

    Reply

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