Hot Mess Hack: How To Apply Makeup Without Brushes

If you’re anything like me, sometimes sh** happens. It happens in the form of wearing flats in the pouring rain or dipping my white bell sleeves in spaghetti sauce. Most recently, it’s taken the form of forgetting to pack my makeup brushes when I’m going to an event after work or getting ready after the gym. Okay, that last one is a lie because I’ve fallen off my fitness routine knowing I won’t be in a bikini for months. After countless times leaving my black makeup brush bag camouflaged on by black bedspread, I decided to share my “hot mess hack” for how to apply makeup without brushes!

Don’t try to be too precise

The reality is, you’re not going to get a perfect cut crease using your pinky finger. The key to doing eyeshadow with your fingers is to go for a simple, blended look. Start with a neutral base color, add a slightly darker contour, an inner tear duct highlight and be done. Don’t overcomplicate the look – keep it simple.

Choose your eyeshadow colors wisely

We all have that “risky” color in our eyeshadow palettes that we are always tempted to use. Maybe it’s jet black, royal blue, or a glittery pink but, now is not the time to use it. Save those bold colors when you have the security and control of a makeup brush. When you have to use your fingers, choose colors that are cohesive and easy to blend like the Tartlette In Bloom Palette I’m using (literally obsessed with this product).

Utilize Toilet Paper

Chances are if you’re at the gym or scrambling to get ready in the bathroom of your work, you have access to toilet paper. Utilize it! Fold, roll, or crumple the toilet paper to adjust the application of eyeshadow or to serve as an eyeliner brush. For pressed powder, dabbing a piece of toilet paper in your product and then on your skin works best. Remember to tap the product on rather than wipe so that you don’t get little pieces of TP on your face.

Invest in Products that Don’t Require Brushes

There are so many products that don’t require brushes. For example, tinted moisturizer, eyeshadow sticks, or this amazing Laura Mercier Lightstruck Prismatic Glow Palette. I love this palette because it doesn’t require a special brush. The creamy consistency allows perfect application with just your fingers. Plus, the wide range of colors allows you to do blush, bronzer, and a highlight without any brushes or if you forget to pack all your products.

Get in Good Lighting

Nothing is worse than thinking you look like the next Huda Kattan and entering a well lit room to find out you look more like Lindsay Lohan’s mug shot. Applying makeup without brushes can be difficult so to make sure you get a blended, not totally f’ed up look, get in some bright light!

What are your tips for how to apply makeup without brushes? Comment Below!

I also want to point out the necklace I’m wearing in this post by Purpose. PURPOSE Jewelry is beautifully crafted by young women rescued from sex trafficking. By purchasing with Purpose® you are providing freedom, dignity and hope for these amazing artisans. They are able to earn a fair wage and gain employable skills for the future.

I received the Laura Mercier highlight products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. All my opinions are my own :)