I used the Russian tips for these floral cupcakes in buttercream. shades of pink, coral, and purple. I put the color icing on the outer part of the insides of the bag (I use a spoon or spatula to put about 1/8-1/4 inch thick icing around the interior lining of the bag). then i fill in the center with white icing. I added green leaves with tip #352. I did frost the tops of the cupcakes with a thinner coat before adding the flowers. I used rose bud and tulip tips. IT does save time in place of piping all the individual petals, these could even fill in nicely in between individual piped petal flowers as well.