Since makeup sponges are designed to absorb water, they can sometimes absorb a bunch of foundation (or whatever makeup you're using with them), too. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. This dual-ended Sephora Collection sponge is also latex free, and it includes reusable packaging that comes in handy when you need to keep it separate from the rest of the products in your makeup bag. It gets huge when damp, it bounces nicely when applying, and the angled size is great for getting smaller areas of your face. When applying foundation or any cream-based product, the right makeup sponge can not only blend out the color for a natural-looking finish, but also smooth the look of any unwanted texture. To determine the effectiveness of each sponge, they tested each one with a variety of makeup products to analyze how well they apply makeup, what types of makeup they work best with, how much product they waste (based on absorption), and how easy they are to clean. Roughly three times bigger than your average beauty sponge, this big boy is the ideal size for covering larger areas, like stippling foundation down your neck and dcolletage, or illuminating your arms and legs with a liquid body bronzer. Fenty Beauty's sponge also has three different sides for more targeted makeup application, including a mini moon-shaped side that fits perfectly under each eye. Some sizes and densities of sponges can be better to use for different areas of the face, she explains. The flat teardrop shape can be used from either end. While on the topic, it's worth noting that it gets even wider than it looks in the packaging, for it nearly doubles in size when wet. This oval-shaped makeup sponge is made to use with your favorite concealer and features two pointed ends for perfect product placement. Since it isn't porous like a classic sponge, this blender doesn't absorb any makeup, and transfers all product to your face. Then, they rated each makeup sponge on a scale of 1 to 5 for three categories: absorption, application, and ease of cleaning. Ahead, the 13 best beauty sponges and beauty blenders for your every makeup need. If you're new to the sponge game, this product is a great first foray when you're used to using brushes. Made from a plushy sponge material, this blending sponge is quite soft when damp and doesn't feel rough on the skin. Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. It's Time to Get Colorful With Your Eyeliner, Yup, Its Time We Discuss Erogenous Zones, No, You *Need* to Book a Trip to Jamaica Pronto, This Pretty A/C Unit Is Totally Worth All the Hype, Most Shocking Parts of the 'Victoria's Secret' Doc, Best Makeup Sponge for Highlighting and Contouring, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. When our reviewers put this makeup sponge to the test, they loved how light and airy it was, which made blending makeup a breeze. They can be used dry or wet and work with every product consistency. Where this makeup sponge fell short is when our tester who has oily skin and hyperpigmentation tried to build up the coverage of the foundation on her skin with this sponge. And this line of blenders by Morphe is YouTube's clear favorite. After all, getting a second-skin finish with a damp beauty blender is pretty foolproof. Like the little sponges that used to come in compacts, this set contains four flat-faced sponges for all your blending needs. While larger makeup sponges are great for applying makeup to the forehead, cheeks, and chin, they don't work as well for tight corners around the eyes. Beauty Chapter 4 Favorites, Prince Harry Allegedly Once Told Prince William Kate Could Be Friendlier to Meghan. The size of your makeup sponge determines 1) how quickly you'll be able to apply your makeup and 2) where you can apply your makeup. Rita Moreno Says She Dated Elvis as Revenge Against Cheating Ex Marlon Brando: 'It Was Wonderful', Rita Moreno revealed she dated Elvis Presley to get back at her ex-boyfriend Marlon Brando for cheating on her, Machine Gun Kelly Poses with Daughter Casie at the 2021 American Music Awards, The American Music Awards, hosted by Cardi B, are broadcasting live from Los Angeles on Sunday, Jennifer Lopez Sings from the Heart in New 'On My Way' Music Video, Jennifer Lopez released the official music video for her song "On My Way," which is featured in her upcoming rom-com Marry Me, Stars Who Opened Up About Their Sexuality and Gender Identity in 2021, These celebrities are standing in their truth and proud of who they are, The Best (& Worst) Jeopardy! When you need to slap makeup on before running out the door, you'll want a makeup sponge that will do the job quickly and effectively. Coming off those tests, the L'Oral Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender is the clear winner. While a traditional beauty sponge is egg-shaped, this one has three distinct sides for different areas of your face. At the end of the day, the best thing about this makeup sponge is the fact that it comes in a set. When you bounce a sponge, it gives off such a luxurious, flawless, and evenly toned glow. While there are plenty of do-it-all makeup sponges (cough, cough Beautyblender) that will work for the whole face, Gilleo explains that you may want to build up a robust selection. 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You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, The 16 Best Hair Gels for Seriously Sleek Hair, The 10 Best Exfoliating Gloves for Smooth Skin, The Best Under-Eye Patches to Hydrate & Brighten, The 12 Best Brushes for All Types of Curls, Get the Look: Hailey Bieber's Glazed Donut Nails, Glossier Is Officially Heading to Sephora, Need Hair Inspo? The tip of a regular beauty sponge ain't gonna cut it for applying concealer or blending out smaller spots, like under your eyes and around your nose, which means you'll be stuck dealing with creases and patches by noon. This special design facilitates a clean and precise application, easily blending foundation across all areas of the face. Our tester described this cruelty-free sponge as "light and airy" and loved the "flat shape and narrow edge at the end." Foundation brushes have their time and place, dont get us wrong. "Overall, I like this product, but do not feel like it is very unique," our reviewer shares. Promise. Material: Silicone | Shape: Flat Teardrop | Foundation Type: Liquid and cream | Size: Smaller than an egg. "Overall, I would use this sponge daily because of its great shape and size," she said. Then, a couple of times per week, give your sponge a deep clean with baby shampoo or a dedicated makeup sponge or brush cleaner. This is probably because it is much denser than other picks.". There was a problem. Material: Latex-free sponge | Shape: 3-sided teardrop | Foundation Type: Liquid, cream, or powder | Size: Smaller than an egg. Cons: Doesn't blend as well as a classic sponge because it's dry. You will receive a verification email shortly. The sponges are perfectly designed to fit in the palm of your hand and come in a cute little cardboard box that looks just like a real carton of half dozen eggs. In doing so, they were able to curate a pool of 13 makeup sponges to put to the test. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. When you're on the go, odds are that spending 20 minutes blending can't be a part of your morning routine. Both can be equally effective, so the "best" option really depends on your preference. And whatever you do, after giving your sponge a bath, don't toss it into a cramped makeup bag or closed drawer. While this beauty sponge works wonders when applying all kinds of complexion products, its our all-time favorite for concealer. But dont get it twisted: they feel insanely luxe and blend foundation without any tugging or pulling. Not only are sponges ideal for streak-free blending, but they also don't soak up as much product as a brush, so your favorite concealer will last for months, instead of weeks. 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Allow us to introduce you to this miracle-working flat sponge. Just saturate it under running water, squeeze out the excess until it's damp, then lightly dab the fat end of the sponge into your makeup of choice and stipple it over your face for a seamless, airbrushed finish. The only oddity our tester noticed was how large the sponge grew when dampened for application. If you wet it with warm water ahead of use, it will sheer out your foundations coverage and give a glowy, dewy finish. We created the InStyle Picks seal of approval to help you find the best-in-class buys worth your time and money. You'll get two sponges for the price of one with this set from Beauty Pie that's ergonomically designed for easy blending. If you want blending options without breaking the bank, this product can help you achieve nearly all your beauty goals in a simple product. My personal preference is to use them under the eyes, and to clean up a contour. With two distinct, angled edges, this affordable makeup sponge is ideal for applying bronzer and highlighter back to backeach product gets a dedicated side. After conducting all their research, they narrowed the pool down to the five best makeup sponges, with the Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Precision Makeup Sponge 100 coming out on top. Given many makeup sponges are round tear drops or angular wedges, this three-sides sponge was found to be quite innovative, with a large round side for coverage, a smaller flat side for precise application (like contouring), and an even smaller tip for targeting the under-eye area. The wide flat end is ideal for buffing either cream, powder, or liquid foundation in your entire face and the tapered tip is clutch for blurring smaller areas to a smooth, airbrushed-looking finish. One thing to note is that, since it's not porous, it doesn't work well with powder formulas, as the powder won't stick. It was not as seamless as she had hoped. I'm sorry, but how freaking adorable is this 6-piece makeup sponge set from Beauty Bakerie? We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Our testers spent a week researching the most popular (and most unique) makeup sponges on the market. The latex-free sponge is designed to be a "triple threat" for applying liquid, cream, and powder foundations anywhere and everywhere on the face. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. After a week of research, they came up with 13 sponges. If we can't vouch for a product, it won't receive our seal of approval plain and simple. With this sponge, you can use the smallest side for specific areas of coverage, the long flat side for applying blush or contour, and the widest, curved side to blend it all together. Wait, Have You Tried Magnetic Eyelashes Yet? If you're a fan of the makeup applicators that come inside of powder compacts, then you'll love this set of makeup sponges. Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper's BAZAAR editor. To test absorption, they applied foundation to the back of their hands, dabbed some on the sponge, and stamped a white piece of paper to see how much foundation transferred. Just keep this rule in mind: always dab, never rub. And if you're looking to cut back on beauty waste, we even spotted a few biodegradable sponge options made to break down over time. Check out all of our PEOPLE Tested content. "It's very unique and makes makeup easy to apply.". With super-sharp edges like these, there's no way you can screw up your contour. But we don't stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we've awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. But back then, all we had to blend these things out were brushes. "This is a great sponge," our reviewer says. With a bouncy texture, an angled edge, and rounded sides, it's perfect for applying powder, liquid, and cream formulas. Whether youre trying to expertly blend around your nostrils or cover the inner corner of your eye with concealer, Kajas heart-shaped sponge will get the job done. For example, I have a smaller, less dense sponge to use around the eyes and nose to more easily target those tighter spaces, and a larger, more dense blender for the face.. ', The singer revealed that she dyed her hair dark brown after debuting her blonde look earlier this year, Sen. Tammy Duckworth Calls Going Back to Work After Having a Miscarriage 'Inhumane', "Even though we cleared my calendar for the day, I was still on the phone. "It gets really big when dipped in water, which is great for covering a lot of surface area. There was no resting, you just kept on going," Tammy Duckworth says on an episode of PEOPLE's podcast Me Becoming Mom, We Found the Best Water Bottles And They're All on Amazon, Lounge All Year Long in Our Favorite Adirondack Chairs, We Tested 32 Hair Dryers and One Earned a Perfect Score, These Pet Hair Removers Will Completely Rid Your Clothes and Home of Fur, L'Oral Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender, Best Overall: L'Oréal Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender, Best Budget: Essence Makeup & Baking Sponge, Best Splurge: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Precision Makeup Sponge 100, Best Silicone: Ulta Fingerprint Silicone Blender, Things to Consider Before Buying a Makeup Sponge. How cool is this: After 30 days of using this sponge on repeat, you can compost it! Whether you want something teeny for your under-eyes, or a sharp edge for a contour, here are the 13 best beauty sponges for a perfectly blended, streak-free base. ", Material: Latex-free sponge | Shape: Teardrop/Egg | Foundation Type: Liquid, cream, or powder | Size: Smaller than an egg (when dry). Not only does this makeup sponge come make it easy to blend out hard to reach places like under your eyes or the side of your nose, but it's also biodegradable. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Cons: The latex-free sponge isn't as durable as other materials. While we could rattle off the pros for makeup sponges (reusable! The material of this sponge makes it so that it doesn't absorb any of your makeup, so you don't end up wasting a single drop of product. To ensure a nearly flawless application of your go-to foundation, concealer, powder, and more, using one of the best beauty blenders and makeup sponges available (typically while damp) is key. Like a stencil for chiseled cheekbones, this sponge features three flat sides for your respective contour, highlight, and foundation, along with a rounded back to seamlessly blend them all together. On the hunt for the best makeup sponge for baking and powder products? "It didn't soak up my product and it blended quickly into my skin. Unlike a regular foundation brush or dry makeup sponges, which soak up too much product and leave you with patchy/uneven application, the Beautyblender is designed to be used wet. TL;DR: InStyle Picks are products we love, ones that were put to the test to be absolutely sure you will too. "It covers a lot of surface area, so application is quick and easy. The only downside is that it seems to absorb a ton of product when in use. What We Don't Love: This is a firmer, denser sponge than some others on our list. Simply run it under water and the product came right out. These little buddies are so cute, you'll want to toss them in every purse you have. "It's feels slightly rougher when dry but fairly soft when damp," she says, noting that despite the textural differences, it never feels rough on the skin. ", Material: Dense foam | Shape: Teardrop | Foundation Type: Liquid, cream, or powder | Size: Smaller than an egg. your beauty blenders, allow us to break down the best makeup spongesfor every purpose, finish, and price point. What We Love: The size of the sponge covers a larger surface area and feels soft on the face. When it comes to using a makeup sponge, she says to use it dry or get it wet during your evening skincare routine and let it dry down overnight. Overall, this is a user-friendly and affordable makeup sponge that's soft on your skin, and applies makeup evenly without streaks or blotches. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Check out all of our InStyle Picks content. With the newly announced host stepping down, could one of these celebs be stepping in? The tipped side works efficiently to get around tight corners near the eyes and nose, and the round side is better for larger facial areas. "It feels heavier than a beautyblender, but still feels extremely soft and bouncy against the skin. The material can also play a factor in the effectiveness and usability of a makeup sponge. Its important to remember to wash off the excess product with a gentle cleanser or soap and water. With a non-toxic, vegan composition thats both free of dyes and completely recyclable, these super soft sponges are environmentally friendly. "I love the flat shape and narrow edge at the end," one reviewer says. Makeup sponges and beauty blenders haven't always had the street cred they have today. What We Don't Love: The porous design seems to soak in more product than other firmer sponges. During application, its pointed dome shape allowed for blending in tight spaces like under the eyes and around the corners of the nose, while the base was great for larger areas like the cheeks, chin, and forehead. But there's really nothing that compares to the flawless finish you get when you use a sponge. Or have different shapes, rather than a uniform oval, to fit into smaller and larger areas with the same sponge. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Designed with fingerprint-like ridges, you might not think that this makeup sponge would apply product smoothly but our reviewers proved otherwise. Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Precision Makeup Sponge 100, L'Oreal Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender. Strategically place your cream or liquid formulas with the flat surface and then buff and blend them out with the rounded half. If you want a hypoallergenic beauty tool (no natural latex!) Your skin will thank you. It comes with all the essentials: a full-size Beautyblender sponge, a cleanser and silicone mat for disinfecting your sponge, and a cute little ventilated pouch for storing your sponge so it stays nice and fresh in your makeup bag. Trust methese will not only rival but beat your current old favorite makeup brush. guest hosts in 2021. Unlike a beautyblender, this makeup sponge is designed to be used dry. What We Love: The unique shape makes applying makeup all over the face easierand smootherthan ever. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. Seriouslyjust toss it in your compost bin or bury it in a potted plant. Please refresh the page and try again. Additionally, they were enamored with the unique shape. RELATED: Helen Mirren Reveals Her Under $5 Beauty Hack. You can now blend out your foundation without worrying about your wallet. Use them to apply all types of base makeup: skin tints, CC creams, foundations, powders, and more. Our testers were pleasantly surprised with its softness, and how well the teardrop shape performed when applying foundation. This set of six makeup sponges from Beauty Bakerie. Marie Claire is supported by its audience. Pros: This silicone makeup blender is lightweight, hypoallergenic, and simple to use and clean. Try This Summer Braid Celebs Love, Willow Smith Channels Her Inner Goddess for MUGLER, The 13 Best Makeup Sponges for Expert-Level Blending, Bioblender Biodegradable Makeup Sponge Duo, Tiffany Dodson is the Associate Beauty Commerce Editor at. Plus, they can be used in so many different ways. The sustainable foam (it's made with just five plant-based ingredients) is 100 percent biodegradable. Pros: The large round bottom is great for blending foundation or baking your makeup with powder. Created to fit in the palm of your hand, Beauty Bakerie's Blending Egg Beauty Sponges come six in a pack, which is handy if you usually put off washing your makeup tools and need backups around. When she's not writing, she can be found out and about with her Jack-Chi, Cash, sweating her way through an Orangetheory class, or taking it easy with family and friends. ), they do still require a bit of upkeep. We recommend adding this angled sponge to your collection specifically to diffuse a sculpted highlight and contour lookjust add a little water to it first for the smoothest result possible. This is the perfect Beautyblender kit for for makeup sponge newbs. Its not uncommon to have bacteria or even mold build up. Listen, if you tried this iconic sponge and weren't impressed, I'm almost positive you were using it wrong, because it's actually magical. Once upon a time, makeup sponges were a newfangled beauty tool that had very few options to choose fromand confusion about how to use them. But don't fret we did the hard work for you. Where the fuller end works well for covering larger areas of the face, the smaller point works well to cater to the creases around the nose and below the eyes. This means rubbing any excess product off onto a washcloth or paper towel. She has previously written for Us Weekly, Popsugar, Makeup.com, Skincare.com, and Philadelphia Wedding. "The foundation applies very smoothly and evenly with this sponge," our reviewer says. Generally, most makeup sponges have a similar structure, but you want to look for a pointed tip to reach spots around the eyes and nose, and a wider round base for applying foundation to the cheeks, chin, and forehead. This sponge is a no-brainer thanks to its incredible adaptability. If you would like to opt out of browser push notifications, please refer to the following instructions specific to your device and browser: We Tested 13 Makeup Sponges These 4 Are the Best. That said, she reveals that it's difficult to clean it entirely. And for just $6 that's quite a feat. "I would use it for foundation, but would choose something a bit lighter like the beautyblender for everyday use. Retailing at less than $10, this sponge also has more than 7,000 Ulta customers singing its praises. If your makeup routine is a 10-step minimum, its time you crossed paths with this massive bundle. It works great at blending out liquid products, but due to the microfiber texture, you can also use it for your favorite powder products, too. The Top 5 Takeaways from Beyonc's 'Renaissance', 14 Rising Fashion Brands to Shop This Fall, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Thanks to a certain cult-favorite makeup sponge that's designed to be used wet, many people assume that the best way to apply makeup with a sponge is to start by holding it under a faucet. Oh, rightit was a period when everyone walked around with streaks and lines on their face from using crappy brushes. That said, this makeup sponge is best for liquid and cream makeup products. That said, some sponges work well to "bake" powder under the eyes. If you've ever wondered how celebrities get picture-perfect makeup (apart from professional glam teams, of course), it's thanks in part to a tiny but mighty beauty tool: the makeup sponge. Of all the makeup sponges that PEOPLE Tested, these were considered the best. "This sponge performed very well, giving full coverage of foundation," one tester says.