your fingers are a real tool
You don't need a full set of brushes to start. Your fingers work, and the warmth of your hands softens creamy, waxy formulas so they spread more easily.
1. what I put on with my fingers
Cream and pot concealers: they can feel stiff straight from the pot, so I warm a little between my ring fingers first.
Lip and cheek balms: I pat them on with the pads of my fingers.
Skin tints and tinted moisturizers: they're light, so I just press them in.
2. when I pick up a tool
Fast-setting liquids are where I switch.
Fast-drying matte formulas: they can set before I finish blending with my fingers, and I end up with patchy spots. A sponge or brush is quicker.
Keeping it clean: I wash my hands first. If you'd rather not use your fingers, a clean sponge or brush does the same job.
what this guide can't promise
Hands suit some formulas and not others, and I can't see your skin. If something bothers your skin, stop and ask a dermatologist. I can't say anything medical.