Applying makeup can seem daunting (especially if you watch YouTube tutorials), but it doesn’t have to be. A makeup artist’s best tool is not a fancy brush, but their hands. Even if you start a look using a brush, finish it with your fingers. Here are some of my application tricks when it comes to hands-on beauty:

Foundation

I personally like to apply foundation with my fingers. It gives me more control of the product and I find that the warmth of my hands makes the product easier to apply.

Corrector & Concealer

Corrector and concealer are designed to be layered, with corrector placed first, followed by concealer. Use your fingers to apply, and then blend with a finger, tapping the product gently into your skin.

Bronzer

To apply gel or cream bronzer, use your fingers. Begin at the apples of the cheeks and blend outward toward the hairline. Make sure to blend.

Blush

For gel or cream blush, apply with your fingers to the apples of the cheeks and up toward the hairline. Apply only a small amount at first and blend thoroughly; you can always add more.

Final Touch

If you finish and the makeup still doesn't look “done,” like it’s blended correctly, or like it belongs there, add just a tiny bit of moisturizer or oil and tap into the skin gently with your hands to help blend it and give it a polished look.