How do you incorporate makeup sponges in your routine? Weekly Features 5/12/19May 12, 2019 Sometimes I use beautyblenders, but I loathe cleaning them (just feels like it takes so much water to rinse them clear), and when I do, it’s usually to sheer out heavier coverage foundations or to add moisture to a more matte foundation/concealer. Sometimes, I’ll use them for a cream blush but find I prefer fingertips for most cream/liquid cheek colors! — Christine
Seraphine Light, Neutral undertones. Combination skin. »I don’t use makeup sponges at all. I’ve tried them, but I don’t feel they’re ever clean enough no matter how much I wash them.
Pearl Light-Medium, Yellow, moderately yellow undertones. »Same – I feel like I can never get the water to run clear enough.
Wednesday Light, Neutral undertones. Dry skin. »I prefer a Sonia K marble sponge and while I usually start with a brush for foundation, I finish with a sponge after a spritz. I use it to intentionally take down coverage slightly and to set my face. I do not bake so sponge use is limited to foundation. I use my ring finger for concealer.
TaraI like sponges for applying and blending my foundation. I’ve never tried a brush before, although I’m curious about how it would turn out. I’ve also used it to apply Colourpop Super Shock Cheek products and it works well for that. I tend to wash my sponge after every use because I’m paranoid about breakouts.
Rachel R. Fairest, Neutral undertones. Oily skin. »I use either a Beauty Blender or the ecoTools Total Perfecting Blender for applying most of my liquid foundations. (I stopped using the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. RT changed how the made them a while back, and I no longer like them.) I don’t use sponges for anything else.
Cameron Fair-Light, Yellow, moderately yellow undertones. Oily skin. »I tried one once just to try it, but it didn’t work any better than my hands and just absorbed a lot of product in the process.
Deborah S. Fairest, Neutral, slight pink undertones. Dry skin. »I usually use a combination of sponge and brush although I can use exclusively either. In general, I apply my foundation with either my fingers or my Artis brush and then I will spray my beauty blender with a MAC Fix + and pounce it over my face to really work the foundation into my skin. I started doing this before I started shaving my face and I did it originally to stick my peach fuzz to my skin and make my foundation look smoother but now I shave my face and I don’t really need to do this step but most of the time I do it anyway. It is a habit, I guess. I also use my beauty blender to apply powder under my eyes. For the remainder of my face I use a powder brush but I like the way a BB applies the powder and it seems to make it appear better hydrated and set. My daughter started using the SK marbled sponge about a year ago and she likes it better than the BB but so far, I haven’t changed. I have been using the old fashioned makeup sponges every once in awhile, lately. I saw someone use them for setting the under eye since they have that narrow wedge end and they do work pretty well for that. I also like that they are basically a few days use and then toss them so I don’t have to worry too much about heavy bacteria load.
DanielleHonestly, I just started using my Beauty Blender sponges. (I received some from various makeup boxes, but never used them! I thought that they soaked up too much product and didn’t like the egg shape of them.) Well, that all changed after I used some when I was cleaning my makeup brushes. I still don’t *love* them, but they’re better than I thought. I mainly use them on the weekends to help blend out concealer or powder foundation.
Nancy T Medium-Tan, Olive, neutral undertones. Combination skin. »Almost every time I apply foundation and concealer, I use a Real Techniques beauty blender type sponge. It is the most effective and quick method for covering up my pores and any fine lines I have without having to wear my foundation at full coverage level. Plus, it allows me to get up close to my makeup mirror to see what I’m doing without a brush handle getting in my way!
Genevieve Fairest, Pink undertones. Dry skin. »I don’t use sponges at all in my makeup routine – far too hard to clean and I think they are germ magnets.
Susan NevlingI like Beauty Blenders and the minis when my foundation feels a little too heavy, especially when I don’t have enough moisturizer underneath, ie, winter. I like to use it damp but squeezed almost dry in a paper towel and sprayed with UD setting spray. I bounce it over my foundation until blended and smooth. I use the minis for around my eye concealer when I use it. I usually keep a couple in rotation and don’t use them everytime I wear makeup. This makes it easier to clean them together after one use each along with brushhes.
Nikki Light, Pink, moderately pink undertones. Combination skin. »I don’t use sponges, but I do apply my foundation with one of those CoverGirl Makeup Masters powder puffs that they sell in 3-packs. I blend with the puff and then blend further with a foundation brush.
Dolores Light-Medium, Neutral, slight pink undertones. Dry skin. »I rarely use a sponge, and when I do it’s the Sonia Kashuk marble sponge because of its density. I prefer brushes and my fingers. Lately I’ve preferred to use my fingers when applying foundation and then smoothing it out with a Sonia G or Wayne Goss foundation/blender brushes. My beauty blenders do get cleaned after each use but it takes time to get them cleaned right.
Emilie Fair, Neutral, slight pink undertones. Combination skin. »I pretty much always use my Beauty Blender for foundation. On days when I’m just spot concealing, I’ll sometimes use a sponge but more often reach for my Sigma 3DHD concealer brush to maintain coverage.My Beauty Blenders last me a long time. I wash them with the solid cleanser and have never had any issues with them ripping or staining.
AgonaI actually use the cushion from cushion compacts for my base. They’re easier to clean and don’t soak as much product. They’re also very cheap from Asian retailers.
janine Light-Medium, Neutral, slight yellow undertones. Normal skin. »Sometimes if I think I have too much foundation on I use them on my face I use brushes for foundation.But I like too for applying concealer and setting it.Sometimes I throw the sponges in the bath and wash them but lately I put them in a mesh bag I recieved with halo circles and throw them in the wash with my clothes. I have beauty blenders but I love the Sonia Kashuk small ones from target. 3 am ones for $7. They are so soft and and to bb size.
DVa Fair-Light, Neutral undertones. Normal skin. »I use sponges quite a lot, but I’m on a minute with brushes. I got a new foundation brush recently and have been using it. I used to use a brush for all over foundation and just found it so difficult to get the goopy stuff out from the base of the bristles, even with oil soap. Typically though, I have two sponges on the go, one for foundation and concealer and one for cream contour; I like to keep them separate. If I’m on a light foundation day and use a BB Cream or my Kosas Oil Foundation, I use my hands, then a sponge for under eyes/nose/concealer.Always a sponge for the under eye, no matter what method I use elsewhere.
Rachel MetzI prefer the BB pink solid cleanser to the original white solid cleanser. The pink one resembles a glycerin type soap. I find it cleans the sponge much faster and more throughly than the white soap.I like the sponge, and brushes, too!
KatieI used to use them, but have since switched to brushes for just about everything. Now I just tend to use mine (an Ecotools one) to correct mistakes like if I put on too much of something (today I used it to tone down my blush a bit).
Jane Medium, Neutral, slight yellow undertones. Combination skin. »Foundation and in particular, blending my concealer. Ditto on feeling bad about the wasted water and time to get it as clean as I want it.
