Best beauty tools you need to have for a smooth, flawless base

Piccasso Makeup Spatula, USD$35 (S$47), Picasso from Olive Young

Credit: Olive Young

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If you’re invested in the K-Beauty scene, you might be familiar with this particular tool that resembles that of a palette knife. Just like an artist, the tools you use have a direct impact on the outcome of a masterpiece. With one that allows utmost precision and control, the Piccasso Makeup Spatula has gone viral for its ability to spread any liquid based foundation on the skin like butter. In just one swipe, it fans out a thin but even layer of product for a natural finish over a large surface area - get flawless skin in seconds without over-layering or patchy areas. To give it a more airbrushed look, buff the product in with a dry or wet puff for a matte or dewy look, respectively. With a handy mixing palette that comes with the spatula, mixing foundation shades or incorporating your favourite illuminator has never been more convenient.

S Fitting Flat Foundation Brush 826, USD$27 (S$36), Fillimilli from Olive Young

Credit: Olive Young

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Every artist needs a good brush. With Fillimilli’s flat S Fitting Flat Foundation Brush 826, be on your way to achieve a flawless base that replicates the skillful techniques of a professional makeup artist. With a wide, slim tip made with dense but soft bristles, this brush is perfect for picking up cream or liquid foundations and concealers. It feels just like painting onto your skin as the product blends seamlessly into each other and covers a large area with a single glide. Thanks to its rounded edges, the brush also makes blending into narrower areas a breeze. Taking your skin but better to a whole new level, this is the best tool to give you the control you need to nail a smooth, glass skin base especially with its high adherence that boasts maximum coverage using minimal product.

Artist FX™ Auto-Patting Makeup Applicator, $126, Starskin from Lookfantastic

Credit: Starskin

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Are you someone who likes to switch up your foundation occasionally and desires a single tool that can pick up all kinds of formulas? Perhaps you would like to explore the Artist FX™ Auto-Patting Makeup Applicator. A fully automated blending puff crafted like a kabuki brush, it has a rate of 4,800 pats per minute and offers a satin, airbrushed finish that makes your foundation look flawless effortlessly. Included in the set are 3 different heads thoughtfully designed in the shape of a teardrop for those hard to reach corners. Use the Rubycell Puff for liquid foundations, as well as BB and CC creams, Silicone Puff for powder foundations, and the Ceramic Stone for applying skincare such as the residual serum from sheet masks for better absorption, or you can even use it as a facial massager! A more hygienic alternative to your fingers especially for acne-prone skin, the Artist FX™ offers a quick solution that is sure to also reduce wastage as it helps with an even distribution of foundation with minimal product.

Precision Makeup Sponge 100, $26, Fenty Beauty from Sephora

Credit: Sephora

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This makeup sponge by Fenty Beauty is unlike any other. It is plush, it is soft, and it boasts high precision application. Cleverly designed with 3 sides without latex, they each serve a practical purpose in terms of helping with blending your foundation more seamlessly. Starting with the rounded side that we are all familiar with, it offers a quick all-over buff of product for fuss-free application. The bevelled edge on the other hand, aids with stippling and covering of blemishes effortlessly, while reaching into the contours of your face to deliver utmost product adherence. While the flat top resembles being cut off abruptly, it actually helps with reaching more targeted areas such as under the eyes, the inner corners, and around the nose. This sponge works with all types of formulas; use it with powder, liquid or cream, and start blending away for your desired coverage!

Precision Foundation Brush - Small - 100, $68, Make Up For Ever from Lazada

Credit: Make Up For Ever

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If you need more accurate and precise application, try opting for the Precision Foundation Brush in Small 100. Make Up Forever is known for their high quality brushes with results that resemble that of a professional makeup artist. This one in particular, has a small rounded head with a tapered tip to reach narrow areas. Despite its small size, it paints on thick stripes of product to save you time thanks to its densely packed soft, straight fibres. Recommended for use on the eyelids and the nasolabial folds, the brush helps to really get your foundation in there so that it does not cake or appear too thick as a final look. The Precision Foundation Brush works best on liquid and cream bases.

Petal 55 Brush, $90, Shu Uemura from Sephora

Credit: Sephora

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To truly see the difference in application of your favourite foundation, pair it with the Petal 55 Brush from Shu Uemura. A crowd favourite, this unique oval-shaped brush is tapered at the ends to better reach into smaller areas such as the hairline, sides of the nose and under the eyes. The brush is broad which covers a large surface area quickly before your foundation dries, and feels luxurious when glided into the skin. With its iconic hexagonal handle, the brush is easier to grip and increases precision as well as control so that sweeping across your face and getting into the corners are easy. The handle is also thoughtfully designed in a way to stand on its sides without the brush head ever touching the surface of your vanity no matter the angle for maximum hygiene. It works best for liquid foundations, and leaves behind a natural skin-like finish with zero caking and streaks.

104 Foundation Buffer Brush, $42, Zoeva from Sephora

Credit: Sephora

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For a higher coverage, try out the Foundation buffer Brush in 104 from Zoeva. Made with dense synthetic bristles that form the flat top, it helps to blend your foundation to emulate the second skin look, leaving it streak-free and offers a smooth, airbrushed finish. The bristles are soft and mimic the result of using natural hairs. It picks up product well and deposits it all onto your skin without absorbing any, hence preventing wastage. Great on all formulas including liquid, powder and cream, this buffer brush blends best when used in stippling motions for a flawless complexion. Another plus point? The bristles have zero to minimal shedding and are incredibly easy to clean.

Pinceau Fond De Teint Retractable N°103, $87, from Chanel

Credit: Chanel

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A travel friendly option, the Chanel Pinceau Fond De Teint Retractable N°103 is elegance in the form of a brush. As its name suggests, the soft bristles are retractable and offer a protective but sleek sleeve that you can slip it into any bag for when you are travelling. Featuring a concave design, the brush head fits snugly into the contours of your face for an easy and fuss-free application that covers all areas with little effort. It picks up products in liquid, gel or cream form, and applies onto your skin like a dream with your desired coverage.