How to Apply Foundation with Fingers (Without Looking Patchy)

You have got your foundation ready but have no brush, no sponge – Can your fingers really do this job?

Maybe you have tried to apply the foundation with your fingers but ended up looking patchy, cakey and uneven.

Ugh, so annoying – you will just want to do something really quick and clean that does not waste your product and even make your skin look worse. 

The good news is that – with the use of the right steps you can apply the foundation with your fingers which can look very smooth.

In this post, I’ll guide you how to prep your skin, apply foundation with control, avoid streaks and achieve the natural finish you have ever looking for.

Let’s jump into it!

Why People Use Fingers Instead of Tools

Following are the ways that show you why so many people skip brushes and sponges.

Reason	Why It Helps You
Saves time	No tools, no sponges – just apply it and go head out.
Perfect blending	Fingers will help you exactly where to apply it and how much you can blend it.
Body heat blends it better	Your hands warm up the foundation in your skin and give the natural glow.
No extra money	You do not have to spend extra money on brushes and sponges.
Travel partner	Your hands are always ready whatever you are at the work, in the car or on vacation.

Problems You Might Face with Finger Application

• A patchy or uneven finish usually happens when you can rub the product badly instead of gently tapping it . 
• If your foundation looks too thick, you must forget to prep your skin first.
• Got finger lines or streaks, tapping is the best option.
• Wrong formula or too much product can cause the greasy and sticky feel.
• Breakouts can happen if your hands are not clean.

If you have faced any of these issues then don’t worry – you are not alone, with the right steps you can fix them easily. 

Related: How to Apply Blush the Right Way

Prep First: Clean Hands, Clean Skin

Before starting, you can wash your hands very well. Dirty hands can cause breakouts.

Next, prepare your skin with :

• Clean your face with a wipe.
• You can use moisturizer to soften the skin.
• Apply primer for some smoother texture.

No preparation can make the foundation look patchy.

Choose the Right Foundation Texture for Fingers

Keep in your mind – not every foundation works well with your fingers. Some are too thick and hard to blend it with your fingers. If you are using your fingers then you can choose light and easy to blend foundation.

Following are the few formulas that can work best with your fingers:

• To spread easiest you can use light foundation.
• BB creams melts into the skin very well with almost no effort.
• Serum foundations are very lightweight and blend smoothly with your warm hands.

Avoid:

• Sticky foundations
• Matte full coverage foundation

Related: How to Contour a Round Face

Finger Mapping: Which Finger Does What

Fingers can also do a better job. The use of the right finger gives you better control and a smoother look.

Finger	Best Used For
Ring Finger	Under the eyes, sides of nose
Middle Finger	Forehead and cheeks
Index Finger	Chin, jawline and hairline
Pinky	Inner corners of eyes and nostrils

How to Apply Foundation with Fingers Step-by-Step

Following are the few steps that can give you a smooth and natural finish.

Step 1: Warm up the foundation

Put the small amount of foundation onto the back of your hand and use your fingers to gently warm it up.

Step 2: Dot it on your face

Dab small dots of foundation on your face by the use of a ring or middle finger. Firstly, you can use less then add more. 

Step 3: Tap to blend

Start tapping from the centre and use light fingers to gently press it. 

Step 4: Press gently with your palms

Once the foundation is blended then press the face with your palm to melt the product into your face for a natural look.

Step 5: Build only where needed

If you need more coverage then you can repeat the dots and tap it gently.

Mini Hygiene Checklist While You Apply

Few quick hygiene checklist you can follow while applying the foundation

• Wash the hands
• Tie the hair back
• Clean the nails 
• Keep tissue and towel nearby
• Avoid touching the surfaces

These quick ideas can keep your skin clean and prevent breakouts.

Conclusion

Fingers are the best tool for natural look and full coverage without any mess.

If you are in a rush then don’t worry, these methods can help you to do the job. Fingers are only used for light coverage.

For high coverage, you can use tools like brush or sponges.

Matte, full coverage foundation and fast drying formulas can cause patches on your face.

With these steps, you will feel more confident every time when you do your own makeup.