I converted my Clarisonic into a makeup tool with its foundation brush head here's how to use it

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• Clarisonic is synonymous with cleansing brushes, but its $40 foundation brush head converts the tool into something much more versatile. 
• I like that I can apply and blend my makeup without getting my hands dirty; it's also a lot faster and gives me a more even finish. 
• Here's how makeup artist Patrick Ta uses his Clarisonic for seamless makeup application.

Most Clarisonic users, including yours truly, probably use their cleansing brush for just that — cleansing. In fact, we named the Mia Smart 3-in-1 as the top pick in our buying guide to the best cleansing brushes because it's gentle yet effective, providing a deep cleanse even when we're half-awake. 

See more: The best face brushes

But in 2018, the brand launched a handful of interchangeable brush heads that exfoliate, massage and firm skin, and even blend foundation. It's also the latter foundation brush head that hooked makeup artist Patrick Ta as the brand's first-ever consulting makeup artist, though their backgrounds couldn't be more different.

Before Ta became synonymous with super-natural, dewy makeup that make his celebrity clients look as if they've drank 18 gallons of water and gotten two days of sleep, he was working at a M.A.C. beauty counter in Arizona to pay the bills after filing his tanning salon for bankruptcy.

He moved to LA as a freelance makeup artist for $75 a pop in 2011 when he was 21, and three months in, got an Instagram DM from actress Shay Mitchell asking him to do her makeup. Then he met model Gigi Hadid at a party, then model Joan Smalls slid into his DMs, and well, you can see where this is going.

Eight years later, Ta has an eponymous beauty line, a multi-year ambassadorship with La Mer, and a makeup consulting gig with Clarisonic. While it might seem odd to team up with a brand we all associate with cleansing brushes, Ta tells Insider Picks that smooth, clean skin is always going to be the base for great makeup.

"The Mia Smart exfoliates with the Sonic Exfoliator Brush Head ($39) for a flawless base, so I love to use that before makeup application," he says. "It also works with the Sonic Awakening Eye Massager ($59) to reduce undereye puffiness and wrinkles with a cooling massage. The Firming Massage Head ($59) is amazing, as it tackles signs of aging like fine lines and sagging skin, so I love to use that to help with contouring the face before going in with makeup."

For a makeup artist who's spent as much as three hours to create a red carpet beauty look for the likes of Eva Longoria, Olivia Munn, Constance Wu, and more, it's hard to believe that 60 seconds and a Clarisonic brush can give you anything close to Ta's signature look of clean flawless skin.

But Ta makes it look surprisingly easy. In this IG TV video, Ta uses the brush to apply and blend foundation, concealer, blush, contouring cream, and even highlighter super quickly for a super-glowy and dewy look. 

"I love that you're able to use the Mia Smart with an applicator for makeup, it blends the products seamlessly in only 60 seconds," he tells Insider Picks. "What I like to do is apply foundation in the center of the face and turn the tool on and begin to use circular motions blending outward. And you're even able to apply other cream products with it as well, like concealer, blush, contour, and highlighter."

As someone who uses their hands to apply makeup but hates washing them when switching between products, being able to use the Clarisonic as a makeup tool is one of those things I wish was invented years ago. It does take getting used to though; I was initially concerned that my foundation would splatter like cake mix in a stand mixer, but my worries were unwarranted and my foundation looked seamless. The bristles are densely packed and the circumference of the brush head made it just the right size to apply targeted products like highlighter and contour cream. 

Best of all, it's not a second tool cluttering your bathroom counter; the brush heads are a fraction of the side of the Clarisonic itself. The foundation brush head currently goes for $40, so it is an additional cost, but one that I'm willing to pay for if it means an easier time doing my makeup and making my Clarisonic much more versatile. Once I'm done with my makeup in the morning, I can easily switch the brush out to deep-clean at night — which is the original purpose of the Clarisonic anyway.

Buy the Clarisonic Sonic Foundation Brush Head at Sephora, $39

Buy the Clarisonic Mia Smart 3-in-1 Connected Beauty Device, at Sephora, $169 

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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.

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