Makeup

13 Brush-Free Makeup Looks You Can Apply With Just Your Fingers

Gorgeous spring looks, no makeup brushes required

by Heather Cichowski | COMMENT

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From contour brushes to Beautyblenders, there's a makeup application tool for every job. As much as we love the precision of makeup brushes, sometimes you just can't beat the ease and portability of the tools we were born with: our fingers.

Using fingers to apply makeup is quick and intuitive, plus it saves the confusion of whether to use a round eyeshadow brush or a flat one. Even professional makeup artists sometimes use their digits instead of sponges and brushes. "My first introduction to makeup was as a young actor training in theater," says Craig-Ryan French, artistic director at Paul & Joe Beaute. "We were taught to use the back of our hand as a palette and our clean fingertips to apply foundation, highlights and shadow." French continues this practice today as a professional artist working in fashion, film and television. "If I really want to highlight the arch of a beautiful brow bone or the center of the eyelid, I often press eyeshadow onto the lid with my ring finger to help 'bump up' the intensity of a color. With this method, matte shades look velvety, rich and opaque while metallic shades look vibrant and electric," he says. If the pros are down, so are we.

Ready to give makeup brushes a rest? The Spring 2018 runways featured plenty of makeup looks that can be recreated with a finger painting approach. Just remember to start with clean fingers, OK?

Cover image via Imaxtree

Image via Imaxtree

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