sonia kashuk core tools synthetic buffing brush

major confession: i don’t clean my makeup brushes.

i know, it’s awful, but hear me out. i don’t clean them because whatever i clean them with, tends to break me out and they are never the same after washing. so, i buy them on the cheap and i toss them every couple of months. it’s definitely not the most cost-effective cycle, but it helps to keep my skin clear and the silver lining is that i get to test out many different options for you.

so…all is forgiven? good.

when my recent favorite started to turn on me, i was in a bit of a shopping pinch to replace it. normally, i would make a visit to ulta where there are wallet-friendly options aplenty, but i was already at target with mr. glossarie in tow. so, long story short, while i distracted him at starbucks (“ooh, major pregnancy craving, gotta have a mocha cookie crumble frappucino. oh, while you’re waiting for my drink, i’ll just pop into the beauty aisle…” works every time.) i hustled through the beauty aisles to view my options. let’s just say that there weren’t many! i quickly settled on sonia kashuk’s synthetic buffing brush for its domed bristles and tossed it into the cart on a wing and a prayer.

when i got it home and got to testing, i was blown away! the softness of the bristles falls somewhere between a traditional foundation brush and a stippling brush. it sweeps product onto my face flawlessly and without irritation. best of all, because the synthetic bristles soak up less product, my foundation is transported directly from my hand to my face without wasting any excess (previously lost to the brush gods). i’m able to use far less than i used to, meaning my foundations will go a lot further now. i also love that this brush actually allows me to build coverage. it adds in an extra layer in the areas that i need it, without undoing what i have just laid down. this has been a major frustration for me with brushes, but not anymore.

i am a big big fan of this brush and it’s definitely urging me to play around with more of sonia’s core tools. also, i’m curious to know how you apply your foundation – and please feel free to scold me for my failure to wash brushes in the comments. (shameful, i know.)