Concealer is the one makeup product I can’t live without. It can be used for many things, like creating a fresh, no-makeup-makeup look and brightening areas of the face. But for me, it serves just one purpose: covering my dark circles. For this reason, I own a collection of formulas and obsess over the latest internet tricks for flawless application. TikTok and Pinterest only fuel my curiosity daily. Lately, my FYP has been filled with clips of kitty-paw concealer brushes designed to mimic the shape of your fingertips.
Any makeup artist will tell you that your fingers can be beneficial when applying makeup. Not only do they help warm the products, but they also allow for gentler application, which is important for delicate areas like under your eyes. Still, that doesn’t rule out using brushes or sponges. Over the years, I’ve volleyed between all three methods and always found that my fingers delivered the best finish. But the recent hype about finger-shaped brushes, applicators, and even the release of a new fingerprint makeup sponge has me wondering which tool really is the best.
TikTok has crowned the Angie Hot & Flashy A506 Concealer Brush ($24) as the top choice for under eyes due to its unique curved shape. The kitty-paw design isn’t entirely new, as many brands have embraced the rounded shape for more precise application. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the sensation Hourglass Vanish Concealer Brush ($39) and Real Techniques Brightening Concealer Makeup Brush ($7) caused online and in stores.
Design aside, these brushes are beloved for creating an airbrush-like finish and for gently dispersing the products. The curved shape replicates the profile of your fingertip when pressed against the skin. This makes it easy to lightly tap the product in place and ensure that it’s not being dragged across the skin. Another big bonus is the bristles, which are just dense enough to apply the product without soaking it up the way a beauty sponge can.
After watching more videos than I care to say, I put the phone down and decided to put my tools to the test. I grabbed my two favorite concealers at the moment, Fenty We’re Even Hydrating formula ($30) and Tower 28’s Swipe All-Over ($22), and dotted them under my eyes. Since it’s summer, I haven’t been wearing foundation and have opted for the finger application method every day. It gives me decent coverage and is, most importantly, quick to do. But for this test, I grabbed my Beauty Pie Angled Concealer Brush ($12) and E.L.F. Camo Concealer Sponge ($6) and went to work.
For the brush application, I followed the technique I’d seen in many of the TikTok videos. I began tapping upward from the inner to the outer corners of my under eye. Once I reached the outermost part of the area, I used a sweeping method to brush out any remaining product. This step was new to me and not one that would work well with my fingers or a beauty sponge. However, the results were spot on. My under eyes looked smoothed and pretty flawless without setting powder.
As far as beauty sponges go, I’m pretty devoted to E.L.F.’s concealer option. While I don’t use sponges or beauty blenders often, I’ve found this one to be helpful in the past and always keep it on hand. After applying the product to my under-eyes, I dampened the sponge with LYS Beauty Skin Loyalty Setting Spray ($24) and began blending. I use the same method, gently tapping the product in from the inner to outer corners and using the curved portion of the sponge to hug the contours of my eye. It takes a bit longer than the brush to really lay the product, and while it stays put, I found that it didn’t give me the same smooth finish as the brush.
When a new hack to avoid creases or prolong wear time emerges, I feel compelled to put it to the test. However, trying these methods side-by-side has finally put my questions to rest. For me, finger-shaped brushes are worth every bit of the hype they’re currently receiving. I’m not saying I’ll ditch the sponge or stop using my actual fingers, but the finger-shaped brushes have solidified their spot in all my makeup bags.
