Everything You Need to Know About Makeup Sponges

We have the makeup sponge encyclopedia for you right here!

Beauty sponges are this decade’s big breakthrough in makeup tools, and for good reason. The design of the egg-shaped makeup sponge blender made it effortless to apply and blend foundation, concealer, and other products. Suddenly everyone was able to achieve those flawless, red-carpet-worthy faces thanks to having the right tool. They eliminated streaks and created that completely natural (yet airbrushed) look that makes everyone’s skin look beautiful.

Since their introduction, makeup sponges have exploded into a whole category of tools. There are now multiple types, usually separated by shape, size, and color, to help you easily identify which does what. These sponges can replace almost any other beauty tool out there, and the pros use them almost exclusively.

Our collection of five unique beauty makeup sponges was created with all your makeup needs in mind. This article introduces each sponge, explains what its best use is, and offers some of our best tips for getting the most out of your sponge.

I’m a big fan of makeup blending sponges. I love how they make my foundation smooth over my skin the way nothing else will. Goodbye pores!  –  Kim A. Enjoy the View Blog

Introducing Beauty Junkees Makeup Sponges

The five makeup sponges in our collection each offer different uses for your makeup routine. However, we designed all our sponges as multi-functional tools that create a seamless look with any type of product, from liquids to powders. We wanted something that wasn’t too soft so that you could get plenty of product on, but was also soft and pliable for a natural look. They include:

Why Replace Your Brushes with Sponges?

The big debate in the beauty industry is whether makeup sponges truly offer a better finish than brushes. The fact is that it will depend on the look you want. If you want a totally blended, airbrushed look that is natural and smooth, the beauty sponge really does give the best results. Because you are able to press the makeup into your skin with an applicator that doesn’t have tiny hairs (like brushes) or natural oils (like your fingers) causing streaks, you can truly get that flawless look you want.

However, it is true that beauty sponges can soak up a bit more of your makeup than a brush. Most industry gurus admit that when they want a more full-coverage look with lots of pigmentation, they still use a brush. However, keep in mind that the sponge can be used in many ways, not just for foundation! If you want to use a brush for your foundation, the beauty blender can still help you get a flawless finish on your blush, eye shadow, and finishing powder. It’s also the ideal tool for cream contouring.

Beautyjunkees made it easy for us makeup junkies! – The Fabzilla

Related: The User’s Guide to Our Contour and Highlight Kit – Plus 4 Great Ways to Use It!

A few other pros offered by makeup sponges include:

• You get more control with the fine point of a sponge than you can with your fingers.
• Your foundation will go on much more sheer than with a brush.
• You can achieve a dewy glow with a sponge by wetting it before using.
• You can get into those small, delicate areas without aggravating your skin the way brushes can.
• They are inexpensive compared to luxury brushes that offer similar levels of coverage.
• They travel much more easily than brushes do.
• Because they are replaced frequently, they don’t carry bacteria the same way brushes or fingers can.

Those are the most common reasons to replace other tools with beauty sponges. Now let’s look at how you should choose which sponge to use.

Buyer’s Guide to Makeup Sponges

With many options out there (including five from us!), how do you know which beauty sponge you should be buying? It depends on what you want to do.

If you want a ton of control over your coverage for very specific looks, the pear-shaped beauty sponge is best. It offers you a better grip so that you can really focus where you are placing makeup, making it perfect for looks that use multiple colors or a lot of transition layers to get a high-fashion look.

Sponges with flat ends, like our Sculptor or Contouring sponges, are perfect for foundation and contouring. That wide, flat area allows for the best combination of more coverage over a larger area and precise placement. If you are the contouring master, these sponges will definitely be a new go-to in your makeup kit.

If you do very precise eye looks, such as contouring your eyes, you’ll want a sponge with a small point. Our Oval sponge has two very tight points, which makes it easy to flip from one color to another without having to stop and wash out your sponge. This is also a great tool if you have a small nose, or want to contour smaller areas, and have previously struggled to control contouring products with a larger applicator.

No matter what beauty sponge you choose, be sure to consider its porousness to get the best sponge. Blending sponges are meant to be absorbent, but you should not be able to see visible pores in the surface of the sponge. It should have a smooth texture that feels satiny, and should have a bit of give when you stipple it on your skin (often referred to as its bounce in the industry).

Related: The Best Bronzer and Highlighter Applicator

How to Use Makeup Sponges

Using beauty sponges is as simple as using a brush, but does come with its own set of tricks and tips. The most important things to know are to use the sponge when it is wet (but not dripping), and to never put the product directly on the sponge. Instead, put it on the back of your hand and dip the sponge into the product as you go.

The reason for both of these steps is that it helps prevent the sponge from soaking up your product. When the sponge is wet, there is less chance that it will try to “drink” the product, and it also creates a very smooth, natural finish on your face. You will waste less of your product and you’ll get a streak-free finish. Simply soak your sponge until it is fully expanded, then squeeze it out till it is no longer dripping. Add some product to the back of your hand, dip the sponge into the product, and apply to your face.

It’s best to not drag or swipe the sponge over your face, but instead to bounce, stipple, or press the makeup into your skin. This dabbing motion creates a texture that closely resembles your real skin, which helps you build coverage without looking like a pancake. If the sponge starts to dry out before you are done, re-wet it with a quick spritz of water from a water bottle, or run it under some water and squeeze it out again.

You don’t want to press or bounce the sponge into your skin too harshly. The point of a beauty sponge is that it creates a very light coat of foundation. Just gently blend until you have an even, sheer coat of makeup. Be sure not to pinch or squeeze the sponge too hard because it can rip the sponge itself.

Related: Discover the Secret to Flawless Foundation

How to Take Care of Your Makeup Sponges

Beauty sponges do need to be cleaned regularly to keep them free of bacteria. Most beauty sponges need to be replaced every four to six weeks simply because they aren’t designed for longer use, and because they are too porous to totally kill off the chance that bacteria are gathering inside. During the month to six weeks that you have your beauty sponge, wash it after every use. Here’s how to do it:

• Run the sponge under warm water and squeeze gently until the water runs clear.
• Apply a dime-sized amount of olive oil onto the sponge and massage under the running water until you get a lather.
• Massage the sponge under the water until the lather is gone and the water runs clear.
• Squeeze out the excess water and let the sponge air dry.

Don’t store your sponge in any sort of bag or sealed container because it can promote mildew. If you travel with your beauty sponge, try to keep it in a ventilated mesh pouch rather than inside a zippered bag. The sponge needs to breathe! And if your sponge starts to come apart or gets ripped, replace it.

Pro Tips

Remember that makeup sponges are not just for foundation! There are many, many ways to use this tool. It’s great for skin care products, SPF lotion, powders, even eye shadows. If you apply it to your face, the sponge can be used to do it. The key is to use it whenever you want coverage that is even but light and sheer. These aren’t the best tools for depositing lots of pigment, so stick to other applicators if you want big, bold eye looks, for example.

Additionally, there are ways to use the sponge dry. The pros often use the tip of the dry sponge for a quick concealer touch-up, or to soften color where you’ve put a bit too much blush or bronzer. Consider the dry sponge something like a magic eraser for your face, and you’ve got a good idea of how it can be used this way as well.

Try Them Out Risk-Free

Our collection of makeup sponges features options for any type of face product you use. If you want to try out sponges but aren’t sure that you’ll love them, we’ve got you covered. Try it risk-free for 30 days, and if you don’t love it, we’ll refund your full purchase, no questions asked. You may find that for the looks you do, the sponge is not ideal – or, you may find that this beauty trend is exactly the tool you’ve been looking for to get that airbrushed, natural face that is so hard to achieve. Add a few of these sponges to your makeup kit to see the difference.

More Great Resources:

The 12 Beautyblender Makeup Sponge Mistakes You Never Knew You Were Making

9 Ways You’re Applying Face Powder Wrong

The 10 Biggest Mistakes You’re Making With Foundation