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If you’re looking for a tool that will apply your makeup evenly, quickly, and seamlessly, chances are you’ve come across a Beautyblender or makeup sponge. Makeup sponges are small pieces of foam used to apply makeup to the face, often in the shape of a teardrop. They are loved by makeup users for their ease of use when applying foundation, concealers, and other products for an airbrushed, cake-free finish.
The Good Houskeeping Institute’s beauty lab has a long history of testing beauty products, including tools that make makeup application easier than ever, like makeup mirrors and makeup brushes, for factors including ease of use, the feeling on the skin and the results of the application. Using this unequivocal experience from our GH editors and GH Beauty Lab scientists, plus recommendations from celebrity makeup artist Judi Gabbay, we’ve chosen our favorite makeup sponges and beauty blenders. all $20 and under.
Our top picks:
Wondering how to use and clean a beauty blender? You can read more about all of that, including how we chose beauty blenders and makeup sponges, plus everything you need to know about buying one, at the end of this guide. And if you’re looking for more ways to kick your makeup routine up a notch and keep your makeup tools clean, check out our guides on how to apply foundation flawlessly and how to clean makeup brushes.
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The Good Housekeeping Beauty Lab tests thousands of products each year, including makeup application tools. While the lab has not yet conducted a test on makeup sponges and blenders in particular, the lab’s most recent test on makeup brushes included 381 brushes from 63 brands. Beauty lab scientists surveyed 1,557 panelists to determine the best makeup brushes on the market, based on price, ease of use, feel on skin, and application results. Based on this experience, plus decades of beauty product testing, our beauty editors and analysts can confidently select the best makeup sponges based on brand performance and unique features.
✔️ density/texture: “Look for a sponge that feels soft and springy, not too firm,” says Butler. A firmer, denser makeup sponge won’t feel as smooth on your face and will make applying makeup more difficult (and less enjoyable!).
✔️ shape size: Depending on what you’re using your makeup sponge for, it’s important to think about shape and size, as there’s a seemingly endless selection of options that can be used with different products on different areas of the face. “Round edgeless sponges are great for blending cream products without leaving lines, while sponges with a flat edge are great for picking up and applying powder,” says Butler. “Mini sponges and pointed sponges are great for blending product into small areas of the face.”
Beautyblenders and makeup sponges are designed to be used damp or wet (although some can also be used dry).
First, run your beauty sponge under water until it fluffs up and doubles in size. Then squeeze out any excess water. “I wipe mine on a paper towel before I use it to make sure there’s no excess moisture,” says Gabbay. Then use the beauty sponge to apply the product to your face. You can use your beauty sponge from liquids to powders, from cream blushes to highlighters.
When applying foundation, “squeeze the rounded bottom of the sponge into product and bounce the sponge onto broad areas of the face,” Butler recommends. “For smaller areas like under the eyes and the corners of the nose, use the pointed end.” To finish off your makeup look, you can apply setting powder “by dipping the sponge into a loose powder and pressing the powder onto the skin. Excess powder can then be brushed out with a soft brush,” adds Butler.
Both Gabbay and Butler recommend you clean your beauty sponge daily. “The best way to clean your sponge is with antibacterial soap and warm water,” says Gabbay. She likes the Beautyblender Blendercleanser Solid, though Butler notes that using liquid dish soap works too. “Run the sponge under warm water and lather a drop of dish soap between your hands, then work the lather into the sponge, squeezing and rinsing repeatedly until the lather is removed,” adds Butler. After rinsing your makeup sponge, you can leave it upright to dry.
GH Beauty Assistant Catherine Malzahn is the author of this article and works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab to help provide fact-based, science-backed beauty coverage. Over the years, he has interviewed experts, written product reviews, and tested hundreds of makeup products and tools, including makeup brushes, sponges, and Beautyblenders. For this article, he worked with the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Health and Beauty Review Analyst. chiara butler and interviewed a famous makeup artist Judi Gabby; both provided expert advice on the maintenance and use of makeup sponges, as well as product recommendations.
Source: www.goodhousekeeping.com