Make Up For Ever #222 Sponge Applicator & #272 Eyelash Brush Reviews & Photos
Make Up For Ever #222 Sponge Applicator
Make Up For Ever #222 Sponge Applicator ($13.00) is a sponge-tipped applicator on a long, wooden (beech) handle. The sponge-tip is 12mm tall, 9mm wide, and 5mm thick. It’s attached to a black knob that has a thin (about 3-4mm wide) plastic piece that has a lot of flexibility, so you can bend the applicator as needed to maneuver around during application. Sponge-tip applicators are good for picking any powder product that is prone to fall out, crumbling, or when you need to really pack on a color; like a white eyeshadow base, sponge-tip applicators can really pack on a product. It is also a useful applicator for smudging eyeliner or eyeshadow underneath or on the lash line.
The sponge really doesn’t feel too different than a mutltitude of sponge-tip applicators that get included in various kits and palettes; yes, the sponge seemed more resilient and durable, as I can try to remove it and it doesn’t instantly rip as cheaper ones do, and it isn’t scratchy. I’ve scratched at it, and it hasn’t shown any signs of wearing, scratching, tearing, or even bits of the sponge flaking off. I’m not sure it would hold up to prolonged or sustained use. Given that Make Up For Ever sells refills (6 for $9) for it, I would expect breakdowns over time. It’s definitely made out of a thicker, more pliable, and sturdier material than the average applicator you’d find in a cheaper palette. If you like handles or have larger hands/longer fingers like me, the long handle could be very helpful. Otherwise, you may find simply buying a 50-pack of disposable sponge applicators for $5-10 is a better option (or merely gathering all the ones you inevitably own–this is what I do; I keep all the random sponge-tip applicators I’ve had in palettes in a plastic cup).
I was most worried about the very itsy bit of glue that connects the actual sponge-tip to the black knob getting broken down over time or while cleaning, you might accidentally tug too much and rip the very bottom of the sponge (where it’s glued) from the knob. For review purposes, I just went ahead and lightly pulled at the bottom, freeing it from the knob, and yes, it will be prone to slipping and pulling off–just patting and lightly blending powder eyeshadow on the lid or smudging eyeliner on the lower lash line didn’t see any slippage, so it will depend on the use.
#272 Eyelash Brush ($12.00) is described as a “spiral brush used to style eyebrows and correct their shape, as well as separate lashes before or after application.” It is a mascara spoolie, so it is good for all things brow and lash. It’s 25mm tall, 7mm wide, and 7mm thick. There is a thin metal wire that extends out of the metal ferrule. Like the #222, you can acquire disposable spoolie wands in bulk and at a low price point (like 50 for $5-10). The difference is that this isn’t designed to be disposable but reusable.
This brush is comparable to MAC #204 ($15.00), which tapers slightly more towards the top so it is narrower overall. This is actually a brush I keep as part of my daily arsenal, as I use it to brush brows and blend out harsh lines when I’ve filled in my brows with powder. I’ve used it for lashes, too, but it’s nowhere near as effective as a metal lash comb for separation. When it comes to lashes, it is best if the mascara is still wet, otherwise it doesn’t do much once mascara has dried on lashes. The same is true for Make Up For Ever’s #272. It works well to comb through brows as well as to diffuse, blend, and even out color from filling in brows. It could also be used to apply mascara, colored mascara, mixing with a product to apply color to the lashes (like a DIY colored mascara), applying brow gel, and so forth.
The #272 can be a total pain to clean, though, which is another reason why I don’t love it with mascara. I highly recommend cleaning it nearly immediately after using with any liquid product like mascara to avoid difficult clean up (everything just hardens and sticks to the interior wire).
Both of these brushes are useful, and I like them, but whether it’s worth investing in one rather than disposable varieties is ultimately something that is going to depend more on how you use it. The #272 is the kind of brush that I do, personally, find necessary, and I can’t vouch for the durability of Make Up For Ever’s (but it’s on my calendar to revisit all my Artisan Brush reviews a year from now to check in), I can vouch for the MAC #204, which seems very similar in length, shape, feel. The biggest difference is that MAC’s ferrule is crimped towards the top, while Make Up For Ever’s #272 is round.
See more photos!
Make Up For Ever #222 Sponge Applicator
Make Up For Ever #222 Sponge Applicator
Make Up For Ever #222 Sponge Applicator
Make Up For Ever #222 Sponge Applicator
Make Up For Ever #222 Sponge Applicator
Make Up For Ever #222 Sponge Applicator
Make Up For Ever #272 Eyelash Brush
Make Up For Ever #272 Eyelash Brush
Make Up For Ever #272 Eyelash Brush
Make Up For Ever #272 Eyelash Brush
Make Up For Ever #272 Eyelash Brush
I most certainly won’t be paying $13 for something that I routinely throw in the trash the moment I open a new eyeshadow palette or quad.
MTE lol why would anyone buy one of these
Ditto! I was just looking at the ones that came in the Bonne Etoile palette, contemplating whether to pitch them or leave them there!
I’ve been looking for a long-handled sponge applicator
13 bucks for a sponge brush? LOL.. yeah, I’ll grab any of the cheap plastic jobbies I get with my compacts.. thanks.
I want that sponge brush lol. I was just thinking last night how perfect it would be for a sponge brush cause I keep losing the little ones I get in a pack. and now this review popped up xD It can sit nicely with my one other brush I probably will ever own D;
* oh hahaha I just read the below comment LOL
lol what was make up for ever thinking making a sponge applicator?
I cannot justify paying that much for either of these products.
why? lol
I’ve sworn off sponge applicators when several literally disintegrated into dust in my hands upon being left in the compacts for a few months in humid climate. That was a bit of a WTF moment, I had no idea it could even do that.
LOL!
Sonia Kashuk has a spoolie brush very similar to the 272. I never use this for my lashes, but I find them fantastic for brows. 🙂
OMG!!! The Make Up For Ever #222 Sponge Applicator is so pretty. I would love to try it out for I am really looking for a long handle sponge applicator. This is def perfect so this will def be in my purchase list.
Am I the only person who is so frugal that I just use an old mascara brush (cleaned, obviously) as a “lash brush”? I honestly don’t see the point in spending $15 on something that you basically get for free anyway (and there are so many different types of mascara brushes in recent years that you can also get “variety” too)
I prefer the long handle for something that I actually do use everyday 🙂 It’s better for my hands (I have very long fingers), and it’s easier not to lose! There’s nothing wrong with being frugal if it doesn’t hold the same level of value for you!
I’m so short-sighted that I prefer short handles on brushes, otherwise, they just keep banging on the mirror! I love the MAC 130 SH and Shiseido’s foundation brush partly because the handles are short!
Makes sense! I don’t use any of my short-handled brushes (except buffer ones) by choice, LOL!
I was not reading closely enough and thought the price tag for the sponge (#222) was $22 and had a rather intense “oh HELL no” moment.
I still think $13 is a bit much for a sponge applicator because it’s, well, a sponge applicator. But I am relieved that it’s not $22