It’s self-care! I exclaim to myself, whenever I put on a face mask after having a difficult and stressful day. Skincare and self-care go hand in hand, and I can admit, along with many others, that I love splurging on skincare products. However, one thing that I do not enjoy when it comes to both my daily and nightly skin routines is the goopy mess of my serums, moisturizers, and facial oils that will build up under my nails and on my hands. Other times, I prefer not to use my hands to rub my creams and serums into my face, especially if I'm too tired to even want to do my skincare routine. I would rather use a brush to apply my products, which is where makeup brushes come in. 

Although you may strictly have your makeup brushes reserved to be used for makeup, have you ever considered using them to apply skincare? Synthetic makeup brushes, which are already great for applying liquid and cream products, such as foundations and concealers, can also be used for your daily skin routine. Synthetic fibers themselves are less likely to trap product pigments within them, which is why there are perfect for applying your moisturizers, your serums, and all your other creams in between. Additionally, using them allows for an even spread and ensures that no drop is wasted (a plus if you use products on the pricier side!). 

When it comes to skincare routines, many people (myself included!) have incorporated using face mask treatments after cleansing to help rejuvenate their skin. As fun and refreshing wearing face masks can be, putting on a clay mask is a daunting task that can leave behind a mess on you and your vanity. To put on a clay mask using a neater method than your hands, you can use a flat foundation brush (such as the Beau Gâchis Foundation Brush for $11.95) for an even application of any thick, sticky face masks.

FOUNDATION BRUSH 

Moisturizing daily is key to refreshed and hydrated happy skin. In fact, it's considered as the most significant step in any daily skincare routine. Using a brush to apply moisturizer is a great hack to use since it makes it easier to cover all areas and contours of the face. Even Kylie Jenner uses this technique, although the brush that she uses does cost $72! However, there is no need to break the bank to find yourself a nice makeup brush for your moisturizer. The ideal is to use a gentle big puffy brush (such as the Beau Gâchis Powder Brush for $10.95 or the Beau Gâchis Flat Top Kabuki Brush for $17.95). Just gently massage the moisturizer onto the face with the brush and you are good to go, no need to tug and vigorously pull at the face with your hands to make sure that the product has settled and absorbed. (Don’t forget to also apply moisturizer to your neck too!)

FOUNDATION BRUSH                                              

 FLAT TOP KABUKI BRUSH  

Splurging on smooth and rich eye cream is my guilty pleasure. They say that your eyes are the window to the soul, so why would I want to show the world my tired, restless eyes. However, some problems that I run into when applying eye cream with my fingers is that I feel that I waste more product and that I rarely get an even spread of application under my eyes. The solution to this is to use a small ended brush to pat on eye cream under the eyes. Additionally, patting on your products can improve blood flow and promote collagen. Depending on preference, the Beau Gâchis Eye Shadow Brush ($9.95), Concealer Brush ($11.95), and Smudge Brush ($12.95), are great for giving your under eyes some special attention.

EYE SHADOW BRUSH                             CONCEALER BRUSH                           SMUDGE BRUSH

Besides being a great way to create a flawless, airbrushed look, beauty sponges are another great tool to use for applying skincare. With similar advantages to makeup brushes, a sponge can ensure that the products you use are applied evenly. Thus, it’s great for using with face oils that you may use to finish your routine. The sponge can apply the oil evenly and create a sheer layer on the face, making sure that the skin absorbs the oil instead of letting it sit on the face, making your complexion look even oilier.

Additionally, a sponge that has been dipped into moisturizer, serum, or face oil will still hold onto some of that product. A popular beauty hack (depending on skin type) is to mix foundation with either moisturizer or oil for a smoother application. Using the same blender for both oil and foundation can prevent makeup from looking cakey, prevent makeup from transferring easily, and blend into the skin smoothly. Although this sounds amazing, remember that it may not work for everyone! Oil and water do not mix so double check that your foundation is oil-based. Try these hacks out with the Beau Gâchis Pro Series Teardrop Sponge Blender ($11.95).   

Creating a daily skincare routine can be a great way to self-care and unwind before and after a day filled with appointments, meetings, and deadlines. However, just because your schedule may feel complicated and messy, does not mean that your skincare routine must feel like that too. Remember to take care of your skin, but equally as important, remember to also clean your brushes!