No Brush Challenge!

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I was reading the December issue of Elle magazine the other day (yes, I know I'm behind in my reading) when I happened upon an article called "The Brush-Off."  This piece by Celia Ellenberg questions the ever-growing reliance on makeup brushes versus the high fashion preferred method of using fingers.

The article first mentions a few popular YouTube beauty gurus known for their brush-heavy tutorials:

One of the most striking constants in [Michelle] Phan's now 270-clip beauty-video library is her reliance on makeup brushes to distribute concise, concentrated doses of pigment.  This technique has also become the hallmark of YouTube beauty gurus such as Kandee Johnson, From Head To Toe, and Blair Fowler, whose recent post titled 'Everyday Fall Makeup' included 23 steps and 11 different brushes.

Now, I love makeup just as much as the next girl, but when I think of "everyday makeup," using 11 different brushes and 23 steps does not come to mind.  My everyday makeup consists of foundation, powder, mascara, blush, and filling in my eyebrows, using only 2 brushes.  Sure, my makeup certainly doesn't look as perfect as Blair Fowler's, but I'm not trying to look perfect; I want to look like myself only a little more put together.

"Part of the appeal of a brush-happy application is its ability to obliterate any perceived flaw, rewriting features rather than just subtly enhancing them," says Ellenberg.  

Although I like to look like a slightly enhanced version of myself, I do realize there are some people who love to look perfect all the time and who might be using 23 steps and a handful of brushes every day.  If that's how they want to look, who am I to judge?  However, like Ellenberg, I feel there is a lot of pressure stemming from these concise YouTube tutorials:

Using your fingers and following your instincts--as opposed to using brushes and following a diagram or video--results in a makeup look that's 'more true' says [Pat] McGrath [P&G's global creative design director].  'Women are expected to be perfect at so many things, and then they're sitting at home at night trying to learn how to do a 20-point eye on YouTube?  No one should feel pressured to be so skilled.  The sexiest makeup is a bit worn off.  The sexiest makeup is when it's about self-expression.  When you do you.'

Here's my challenge to any and all beauty-loving creatures: create a look using absolutely no makeup brushes--just your fingers!  Come on, now's the time to let your natural beauty shine, not how perfect your smokey eye is!  I think we'd all be surprised how easy it is and how good a natural and not-so-perfect application can look.  Think of all the makeup brushes you won't need to wash afterwards!

I will be doing my look later this week, but I'd love to see your looks, so please use #nobrushchallenge on any looks that you create or title your video or post No Brush Challenge.  Even have a challenge between a friend to see who can create the best look without using a brush!

Consider yourself challenged!

What's your preference--are you brush-reliant or hands-on?  Comment below!