Blending Makeup Flawlessly Isn't As Hard As You Think

In the fun albeit daunting world of makeup, there are a few skills you need for that flawless face beat. One skill that is arguably the most important of all is none other than blending. In the words of the Grammy-nominated rapper Megan Thee Stallion in her Revlon makeup tutorial on YouTube, "As long as you can blend, makeup is your friend."

Blending involves getting makeup to be absorbed properly into your skin, to avoid streaks, harsh lines, and patches. These inconsistencies can ruin your look and cause your makeup to look rough. Blending is important in makeup and can make or break a look; however, a lot of people find it difficult for many reasons, like not knowing how to use makeup tools or having no idea which tools to use, to begin with. Ultimately, though, blending can be done with several tools in your arsenal, like makeup sponges, brushes, and even your fingers. You can also blend using several techniques, and it truly isn't as hard once you figure out what technique works best for you and your routine. 

To help with your makeup journey, here are a few ways you can blend perfectly and give your makeup a flawless finish, ranking them from the tools that absorb the most product into themselves to those that absorb none at all.

The makeup sponge is an incredibly versatile tool for your makeup. From applying blush to blending in your complexion products, it can be used for pretty much any product you have in your stash, including eyeshadow (via Beauty Blender)

Blending with a sponge is easy when it's damp. Remember, though: the sponge should be damp, not wet. To accomplish this, run your sponge under tap water until it's increased in size, and then squeeze out the excess. Making the sponge damp helps it apply your product more evenly and avoid patches or streaks as well. As for the technique, your makeup sponge is best used by patting or dabbing it gently on the skin. Dragging it across the skin might create the harsh lines you're trying to avoid in your makeup (via Maybelline). Patting allows the product to be transferred properly to your skin and gives your complexion an even glow. Sponges like the Fenty Beauty Precision Makeup Sponge 100 are also great for reaching difficult corners of your face by using the tapered tip on areas like the sides of your nose and corners of your eyes.

To blend properly with brushes, you need to know what brush is appropriate for use. Different brushes work on different parts of the face and with different techniques. To blend eyeshadow, you need a fluffy eyeshadow brush like the e.l.f Cosmetics Fluffy Eye Blender Brush. With it, blend in small circles to create a smooth finish.

Brushes with even-length bristles, including flat foundation brushes, can be used to blend foundation. Brushes with bristles of even length, like buffing brushes or the famous flat top kabuki brushes, help blend your makeup flawlessly when you use them in tight, circular motions across the face (via Dose of Colors). Meanwhile, oval brushes like the Yoseng Oval Foundation Brush are great for blending complexion products flawlessly. Flat foundation brushes can be tricky as the best technique for them is to drag the complexion product along your face. But with a little practice, you'll get the hang of it in no time. Important to note, too, is that brushes used to apply eyeshadow or foundation are different from those used for contour and blush. To blend your contour right, use an angled brush like the Sigma Beauty F53 Air Contour/Blush Brush to make sweeping motions wherever you want the contour to go (via Lamora Beauty).

Unlike sponges, which absorb a considerable amount of product, less is more with brushes. Brushes transfer more product onto the skin, and you'll be better off layering to increase intensity than applying a ton of product at once (via The Beauty Editor).

We all love free stuff and the good news is this method costs pretty much nothing. Your fingers are great ways to blend your makeup and are also pretty versatile. For one, your fingers contain body heat, which warms up your product and makes application easier. Secondly, your fingers can get to any tough-to-reach spots on your face, the major culprits being the sides of your nose and the crevices of your eyelids.

To blend properly with your fingers, try patting and pressing your products into the skin. For eye makeup, pressing your shadows with your fingers transfers more product and makes it more pigmented (via Makeup.com). For complexion products like foundation and concealer, L'Oréal Paris says to pat little amounts repeatedly using the pads of your fingers. For blush and contour, warm the product first by rubbing it between two fingers and then applying it to specific areas of your face. Essentially, fingers are great for blending, but always remember to clean your hands thoroughly before trying this method (via It Cosmetics).

While blending may seem difficult, especially to beginners, it's all about getting your product to look as settled and natural as possible. No matter what techniques or tools you use, with a little bit of practice and a dose of patience, your makeup can be just as flawless as you want it to.