Foundation Collection and Application - A Comparison

I now have a bonafide foundation collection, and each foundation has been tested to determine my preferred method of application.  Funnily enough, most of my foundations work best with different application methods, which makes me glad I have such a selection!  I'm also including (what I hope is) a bonus for you guys; a comparison between the Real Techniques Stippling Brush and Core Collection Buffing Brush.  But that's not until the end. Please stick around and let me know if you like the same application methods as I do!

EcoTools Bamboo Bronzer Brush $10
I like this with loose or pressed powder foundations (or whenever you want more coverage from a powder - this packs it on pretty densely) i.e. Bare Escentuals in Light $28 (not pictured) or e.l.f. Mineral Foundation in Light $5  Please note: Some won't like the super-thick base of this brush as it can't fit in a brush cup.
Combo = $15 to $38

e.l.f. Studio Flat-Top Powder Brush $3
I prefer this with sheer, watery liquid foundations, like my Jemma Kidd Light as Air, $38 on Beauty.com
Combo = $41

Sephora Pro Foundation Airbrush #55 $34
I prefer this with my Chanel Perfection Lumiere $55 (light-weight, medium coverage)... both are priciest in my collection!  This is my go-to when it's a special occasion but I won't be photographed.  This just doesn't photograph well on me (full review here).
Combo = $89

Beauty Blender Sponge $20 (but I always buy it in value-packs)
I like this best with medium-weight, full-coverage liquid foundations like my Bourjois Healthy Mix, $12 from ASOS.com when I bought it - this is my go-to for special occasions at which I can expect to be photographed because it covers well and doesn't cause much flashback.  I also love the beauty blender with my Boscia BB Cream, $38, which isn't the usual BB Cream texture (it's more light and gel-like).
Combo = $32 to $58

Real Techniques Stippling Brush $10
I adore this with my L'oreal Magic Smooth Souffle Foundation $15 (an airy mousse).  This is my HG, everyday combo and by far my favorite. It blends the easiest and quickest of all these combos! I must admit, though, that the stippling brush takes a bit longer to blend liquid foundations because they'll go on streaky at first. Not a problem with this mousse foundation at all :)
Combo = $25

Fingers -
BB Creams (i.e. Missha M Perfect BB Cream No. 23 $12.99 for 20mL from iMomoko.com, not pictured), Tinted Moisturizers (Origins Vitazing $35, Stila Sheer Color Tinted in Medium SPF 20 $34, not pictured), L'oreal True Match Foundation $10 (light coverage with a heavier, lotion-like consistency)

Now, the moment of truth - because I TOTALLY lied. I claimed earlier I was going to compare the Real Techniques Stippling Brush with the Core Collection Buffing Brush, but the honest truth is that they don't compare at all.  The Core Collection Buffing Brush is more densely packed than the Stippling Brush, and I noticed a similar finish to the E.L.F. Flat-top Powder Brush when I tried it out with all my foundations.

Obviously, they don't look alike, but they offer the same finish and work best with sheerer liquid foundations.  They don't leave streaks as much as the Real Techniqes Stippling Brush so if buffing in a sheer liquid foundation is your thing, either of these will be great for you!  Seeing as the Core Collection Buffing Brush is smaller than the E.L.F. Powder Brush, it might be better for people who want to feel as though they have a bit more control over where the foundation goes (but the E.L.F. brush is $15 cheaper than the Core Collection kit and buffs in your foundation more quickly. Things to consider).

I hope you found this interesting and helpful!
<3
Sarah S.

November 2011 Favorites

Another month... flew by! I imagine the last month of 2011 will be the same.
Here are the favorites that maintained my cosmetic obsession this November:

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters, $7.49 each
I have nothing to say about these that hasn't already been said, but here are a few in my current rotation:

Left to right: Sugar Frosting, Pink Truffle, Sugar Plum, Creamsicle, Strawberry Shortcake, Peach Parfait

Great reviews and swatches can be found at Beauties in Bloom, Don't Call Me Jessie, and Beauty Gala.
There is not a thing I do not LOVE about 'em!

Sephora #55 Airbrush for liquid foundation application $34
It can be a pain to wash it after every use, but I'd rather spend the time washing this (best cleanser I've found for this purpose: Beauty Blender Cleanser), than trying to scrub foundation off of my fingers!  The application tends to be sheerer than other methods (beauty blender, fingers), but also very natural and quick!  Thanks for Jessica from Don't Call Me Jessie once again for mentioning this on her blog ages ago (it was on my list until the F&F sale!).

Pond's wipes $5-ish
They're extremely easy to find at any drugstore, which I love.  I'll admit they're not as good at eye makeup as MAC or CVS wipes, but they are rather wet and seem to more thoroughly remove base makeup from my skin.  I must admit, though, that I'm dying to try E.L.F. makeup wipes since I read Yu's recent rave review!

Toss up: Harajuku Lovers Wicked Style Baby/Jingle G ($25 for the .33oz, $45 for the 1oz)
Obviously, the packaging is over-the-top adorable, but I really love how festive ornament Jingle G smells the way I wish fruitcake would smell!  I'm wearing it constantly in the cooler weather.
I had the mini-size of Wicked Style Baby, but I had been wanting one of the soft, felt-haired full-size bottles from the Wicked Style line.  I couldn't justify it until I noticed my husband sniffing me blissfully one afternoon... what a relief I remembered it was Wicked Style Baby that'd I'd spritzed that morning!  After confirming with a fresh spritz of it to the husband's nose, I ordered this during the V.I.B. sale at Sephora.  I heard Harajuku Lovers fragrances are going to be discontinued, so if you are wanting to collect them all you might want to get a jump on it!

Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Enhancing Gel CreamLiner Glam Eyes ($10.95 at drugstores, but often on sale)
These are really great gel liners you can get at most U.S. drugstores.  The brush they come with isn't even half bad.  They also make amazing creaseless eyeshadows (as seen here).  The Glam Eyes and regular line alike come in many colors and several of the colors have glitters... I love The Dark Side of Beauty writer Nancy's eye looks with Stila Smudge Pot in Little Black Dress (black with purple glitters), but I can't find it anywhere.  Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips makes a black with purple sparkles, too, but I can't remember which set it's in cuz I hauled them all... but if you're wanting to dupe Nancy's amazing looks, I think these work well for the cost!  Check the packaging to find out which glitter you're getting :)

Pictured: Top = Glam Brown Eyes trio (the gold is a dupe for UD Primer Potion in Greed, and I'm wearing the black with bronze sparkles thickly as liner here), Bottom = Glam Green Eyes trio

Lorac 3D Liquid Lustre ($16)
I'm on my second bottle (for sanitary reasons), but I never want to be without this gorgeous, multi-purpose shimmer fluid.  The dropper packaging is rather stupid, I'll admit.  It also tends to lighten shadows a bit but its sparkle is just too beautiful to let that bother me.  Reasonable price, too, in my humblest.  The quickest, no-brainer/no-skill evening look I do with it is just dab it across my lids and high up on my cheekbones over my day makeup.

Don't have dirty thoughts! The consistency is definitely water-like :-P

MAC Nordstrom Exclusive Holiday 2011 Festive Face Kit (no affiliation, if you're wondering) $59.50
I don't know if this is still available or not, but this is all I took on my Thanksgiving visit to family in St. Louis and I found it to be extremely versatile!  I apologize I don't have photos of the looks I did with it, but I found it was super-easy to just vary the placement of the very blendable shadows included to get completely different, flattering looks.  The colors look amazing with my light eyes, and even better with my reddish (dyed) hair.  The brushes are also pretty decent and I didn't miss any brushes I'd left at home.  My review and swatches can be found here.  If you've got similar coloring to me you will NOT regret picking this set up!

Y'all ready for Christmas/Hanukkah/New Years yet?