Fingers vs. Brushes: Fan brushes are great for dusting a little powder highlighter onto your cheekbones, but they're really tricky to use with a creamy formula. Using your fingers to apply a creamy highlighter, it's easier to blend and get a more natural, less contrived glow.

Trick of the trade: Use your pinky finger to dab and blend on liquid highlighter, says Bass. Your pinky has a light touch, which will keep you from applying too much product and veering into disco-glow territory.

Fingers vs. Brushes: You can do smoky, blended eyes using only your fingers -- really! Just don't expect it to look like something you've pulled off of Pinterest. It will be smudgier and softer than those eye makeup looks that take 10 brushes to create -- but no less pretty. Bass prefers to smudge pencil liner with her fingers, because it gives her more control and allows her to get closer to the lash line. But for your cat eyes and mod looks? "I would definitely avoid anything too graphic," says Bass. "Save those for a brush!"

Trick of the trade: Your index finger will apply a little more pressure than your other fingers, which makes it great for blending, says Bass.

Fingers vs. Brushes: Applying lipsticks and stains with a finger instead of a lip brush allows the product to melt into your lip, which gives it an even finish, says Bass. For a defined, precise lip, stick with your lip brush.

Trick of the trade: Use your ring finger to press your lipstick (we're fans of Maybelline New York Color Sensational Lipcolor) into your lips, and blend toward your lip line for a polished and fresh look.