What makeup sponge do makeup artists use?
The 8 Best Makeup Sponges, Tested by Real People
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. When applying your favorite foundation or any cream-based product, the right makeup sponge can blend the color for a natural-looking finish and smooth texture.
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Experts Say
"I find that sponges are very beginner-friendly because they provide a quick, seamless blend with less effort. [They also] work well for both liquids and powders." Melissa Murdick, TikTok creator and celebrity makeup artist
Now, all you have to do is find the right makeup sponge for your skin. But don't fret we did the hard work for you. Our PEOPLE Tested team spent a day applying different types of makeup with 13 of the most popular sponges, evaluating each sponge for absorption, application, and ease of cleaning while also considering shape, texture, and the final makeup look.
Of all the makeup sponges that PEOPLE Tested, these were considered the best.
Star QualitiesDoesn't absorb too much foundation
Able to blend in tight spaces
Easy to rinse after application
It was hard to build up coverage
If you ask us, the L'Oreal Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender is essentially the Goldilocks of makeup sponges because it's just right for all of your needs.
Made from a plushy sponge material, this blending sponge is quite soft when damp and doesn't feel rough on the skin. It transferred most of our foundation onto our skin rather than absorbing it into the sponge. 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.
This makeup sponge only fell short when we tried to build up foundation coverage on our skin; our tester has oily skin and hyperpigmentation and was looking for good, buildable coverage. It was not as seamless as we'd hoped, which could also be attributed to the application technique or foundation used we can't solely blame the sponge.
Overall, this is a user-friendly and affordable makeup sponge that's soft on your skin and allows you to apply makeup evenly, without streaks or blotches. It's a no-fuss beauty blender that does what you expect, and it's super easy to rinse out when you're ready to clean it.
Shape: Hourglass, dome | Material: Cotton | Absorbency: Light | Good For: Liquid or cream foundation
Star QualitiesDense sponge material wastes less product
Soft, latex-free foam material
Has an edge for blotting
Pushed makeup around a bit
This sponge was quite dense, which allowed the foundation to blend directly onto our skin rather than disappear into the sponge. We also loved how soft the latex-free foam material felt during application.
In terms of design, this sponge mimics a classic teardrop shape with a slight edge for blotting certain areas of the face say, your cheekbones with blush. The shape aided application, with the pointed tip getting into the small areas around the nose and under the eyes. One word of caution: This sponge tends to push makeup around, so you have to be careful when blending. That said, it eventually created a smooth finish with our foundation.
This makeup sponge is easy to clean, and all the residue came out with a few rinses. Though it's not as plush as other sponges, the size, shape, and material make the L.A. Girl sponge a good option for daily use and at a budget-friendly price.
Shape: Teardrop with flat edge | Material: Latex-free foam | Absorbency: Light | Good For: Liquids, creams, or powders
Star QualitiesShape allows for precise application
Soft texture feels luxurious
Not as durable as others
Fenty's sponge remains a fan favorite among the beauty line. The Precision Makeup Sponge 100 earned a near-perfect score during our test for its unique design, lack of absorption, and precise application.
This soft makeup sponge is light and airy in design, and we especially loved the flat shape and narrow edge at the end. This special design facilitates a clean and precise application, easily blending foundation across all areas of the face. Testing also showed how quickly foundation washes from this sponge (only FourFiveSeconds...get it?). Though more expensive than others on our list, it's hard for us to find fault with this premium makeup sponge. If it's good enough for Rihanna, it's good enough for us.
Shape: Pointed dome with angled edge | Material: Latex-free sponge | Absorbency: Light | Good For: Liquids, creams, or powders
Star QualitiesEgg shape is easy to use
Experts praise it
Pointed tip works well under eyes and around nose
Doesn't clean easily
There's a reason there's only one "original" it's the first, the classic, and the model to which all future iterations are compared. In steps the Original Beautyblender. "Beautyblender is the golden standard," says Murdick. It offers a classic egg-shaped design with a pointed tip to delicately blend makeup under the eyes and in the crevices around the nose.
The material is similar to many others on our list: Latex-free polyurethane foam. It's soft and works well to blend foundation for a smooth finish, though we did notice it needed several layers for full coverage. It wasn't due to the sponge absorbing too much product (it didn't absorb much at all) but might be attributed to the specific foundation we used. We also found it somewhat tricky to clean with makeup wipes, but think it would clean easily with soap and water.
Shape: Teardrop | Material: Latex-free polyurethane foam | Absorbency: Light | Good For: Creams, powders, or liquids
Star QualitiesGreat for blending foundation
Versatile with different makeup products
Performed as well as pricier tools
Expands a lot when damp
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. This sponge earned a perfect score on all of our tests, with little to no absorption, flawless and quick application, and easy cleanup.
Made from a vegan sponge material, this beauty blender has a classic pear shape with a large round bottom, perfect for blending foundation and "baking" with setting powder. Its angled side creates an edge for smoothing and a tip for hard-to-reach spots.
The only oddity we noticed was how large the sponge grew when dampened for application. That's not necessarily a con for everyone, but when you're trying to reach tight corners around your eyes and nose, smaller sponges are key. Thankfully, it didn't soak up the product and blended it well into our skin. With its budget-friendly price, we think this is a great everyday makeup sponge.
Shape: Pear shape with angled edge | Material: Vegan sponge | Absorbency: Very light | Good For: Liquid or cream foundations, pressed or loose powder
Star QualitiesGave us an airbrush-level smooth finish
Unique design works with liquid blush, concealer, and foundation
Long-lasting when cleaned properly
Larger size makes it less precise
This makeup sponge is a popular one it's almost always in short supply. And its reputation exists for a reason: It created a finish so smooth that our skin almost looked airbrushed. We've home-tested this product for upwards of a year, and it's definitely earned its spot on this list.
This uniquely designed sponge has a smooth edge to apply liquid blush, a pointed section for concealer, and a round side for general foundation, contouring makeup, etc. And it doesn't absorb too much product, so you don't have to worry about waste.
No matter what you're blending, if you've dampened this sponge, you're going to see a smooth-as-butter finish. Though be warned, the sponge grows quite a bit when wet, so you have to be mindful when working in smaller areas of the face. It's super easy to wash with soap and water and lasts for a while when properly cleaned. And though it's recommended to swap out makeup sponges every three months, we have extended usage for this one by an extra month or two.
Shape: Slanted dome with flat edge | Material: Latex-free foam | Absorbency: Light | Good For: Liquids, creams, or powders
Star QualitiesSuper-soft material feels great skin
Shape made application very easy
Can tear easily
This Sonia Kashuk sponge has a rounded bottom and pointed top, which allow for versatile application no matter where you're trying to blend product. We loved the soft feel and whimsical design of the black and white marbled pattern.
While this sponge blended our foundation well and created a smooth finish, it did absorb some product, and we needed to add more makeup to our skin to build up the coverage. We suggest applying your makeup directly to the sponge or on your face to avoid product loss when transferring from the back of your hand to your face.
The sponge did rip when we tried to clean it with a makeup wipe so while not a dealbreaker (because a better way to clean would be to wash with soapy water), it's not the most durable on our list. That said, the makeup did come out of the sponge when cleaned, so if you're gentle when washing, it should last until you're ready to get a new one.
Shape: Pointed dome-shaped | Material: Latex-free polyurethane foam | Absorbency: Medium | Good For: Liquids and creams
Star QualitiesDifferent sponges for different products
Cleaned easily with a few rinses
Applied makeup smoothly
Grows quite large when damp
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Custom Logo Makeup Sponge. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Why have one makeup sponge when you can have six? This adorable set, designed as an egg carton, lets you designate sponges for various needs for instance, designating one sponge for liquid products and another for powder.
Though sponges are quite dense, the material felt soft on our skin. The shape mimics most makeup sponge designs but with more rounded edges. We noticed the sponge grew quite large when wet, which made it harder to tackle small areas, but also allowed for easy blending across larger areas like our cheeks.
The only major con is how much makeup it absorbs. We found ourselves reapplying more makeup in several layers since, on the first application, the sponge absorbed quite a bit of product. That said, it was super easy to clean, and all of the product washed out.
Shape: Egg | Material: Non-latex sponge | Absorbency: Heavy | Good For: Liquids, creams, or powders, though we recommend picking one egg for each type of product
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If you've found your next go-to makeup sponge, check out these other PEOPLE-Tested beauty products. Our team of editors and independent testers vigorously test each product to ensure only the best are selected.
What to Know About Makeup Sponges
Shape
"Typically with sponges, even though they make a lot of novelty shapes now, you are essentially going to be offered something that either tapers to a point or has a sort of slice out of the side to create a flat edge," says Murdick. You want 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.
"For folks who like to pat on foundation, I'd stick with the ones that taper to a point," she adds. "The ones that have a flat side are better for folks who use more of a sweeping motion in their application."
Material
The material can also play a factor in the effectiveness and usability of a makeup sponge. When you use a classic sponge, it's damp, which helps blend makeup more smoothly than a dry silicone sponge. Both can be equally effective, so the "best" option really depends on your preference.
Cleanliness
Makeup sponges are fabulous tools for creating a smooth finish, but it is essential to keep them clean for the same reason you wouldn't use a dish sponge on your face. "The only way to ensure sponge cleanliness is to clean it often every single use if possible," says Murdick. "When I am cleaning sponges I will always let the soap and water soak in for around ten minutes before rinsing so I know I am getting as much makeup out as possible."
Cleanliness is a consideration here because some makeup sponges are just easier to keep clean, though "there is no guarantee of getting them 100 percent clean make sure you swap your sponge out often," says Murdick. If you're someone who rarely cleans their makeup brushes, then you should either consider a silicone sponge or replace your beauty blender more often.
Behind the Scenes
During a day of pampering, we played with an assortment of makeup products and tools to see how well each worked in action. When assessing makeup sponges, our team of testers tried out 13 sponges and looked for the following qualities:
- Absorption: To test absorption, we applied foundation to the back of our hands, dabbed some on the sponge, and stamped a white piece of paper to see how much foundation transferred. A good makeup sponge is dense and less absorbent, meaning more foundation goes onto the paper.
- Application: After testing the absorption, we used the sponges to apply a full face of foundation and considered how they felt, how well the shape aided in the application, and how the final look turned out. We used the sponges to apply multiple layers of product to see whether we were able to build up to a medium or full-coverage makeup look with the sponge. We took note of how easily we were able to blend foundation into the skin and how easily we could pick up and apply powder with each sponge.
- Ease of Cleaning: Applying makeup is fun, but cleaning your tools can be a pain, so we also checked for ease of cleaning, using soap and warm water to rinse each sponge. We then analyzed how clean each sponge appeared after washing it, looking for signs of stuck-on makeup or any tears in the sponge.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What's the difference between a Beautyblender and a makeup sponge?
A Beautyblender is a specific brand of reusable makeup sponges. This is a case of a proprietary eponym, like Kleenex or Band-Aid. We included the Original Beautyblender on our list as our best classic pick since it has inspired many iterations of makeup sponges since its debut in . Regardless of what you call it, a good makeup sponge will spread your makeup evenly, help blend it onto your skin, and won't take too much effort to clean.
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Do you use a makeup sponge wet or dry?
You should absolutely wet your makeup sponge. While you can use it dry, it will not create the seamless finish makeup sponges are used for, and your makeup will more likely get pushed around your face rather than actually blended. Take it from someone who used makeup sponges dry for far too long before seeing the light: Damp is the ideal condition.
To prepare your sponge, get it completely wet under running water. Then, after it has expanded, squeeze out all of the excess water. You don't want your sponge dripping wet, but it should be damp to the touch. If it starts to dry out, and you don't feel like heading back to a sink, you can also spritz it with a facial mist to give it a little refresh.
"An easy application technique is to pick up a bit of foundation on the sponge and then pat it all over the face," says Murdick. "The sponge easily blends as it applies, so it doesn't take much work to get a smooth finish."
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How often should you change your makeup sponge?
These beauty tools should be replaced every one to three months. While regular cleaning will extend the life of your sponge, it will inevitably start to hold on to bacteria. "If your sponge is starting to deteriorate in any way, definitely toss it," says Murdick. "If you are not good about cleaning your sponge after every use, I would not keep it for that long!"
However, certain materials, like silicone, do not hold on to bacteria, so they can be a safer choice for long-term use if you don't see yourself buying a new sponge every few months.
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How often do you wash a makeup sponge?
This partially depends on your skin type. If you are prone to breakouts, you should wash your blender after each use. For less sensitive skin types, you can probably get away with once a week (at a minimum). That said, cleaning beauty products off of your makeup sponge is the best way to ward off bacteria growth. Plus the more product you wash out of your makeup sponge after use, the better it will work during the next application.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Madison Yauger is a senior writer for PEOPLE who's tested hundreds of lifestyle products across all categories. With a background in news and lifestyle journalism, she has a wide network of expert sources and a penchant for accuracy. For this story, she spoke to TikTok creator and celebrity makeup artist Melissa Murdick, heavily researched the market of makeup sponges, and used insights from our lab tests to determine the best makeup sponges of .
Our Expert Panel
Melissa Murdick is a TikTok creator and celebrity makeup artist and has glammed up celebs like Selena Gomez and Rosalia.
What Is PEOPLE Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
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. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust every day, every purchase.
Beauty Blender™ vs Makeup Blending Sponges
It didnt take long for the Original Beauty Blender to become the gold standard sponge, but as we know in makeup-world, dupes are never far behind. Heres how some knock-offs other blender sponges compare
(NOT a sponsored post. May contain affiliate links)
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NOTE: This may sound like it, but this is NOT a placed post. Beauty Blender does not know I am writing this, this is my own independent comparison out of my own curiosity. I was given a Graftobian sponge, but I purchased everything else including my Beauty Blender sponges. This review is based on my actual usage in the field on my jobs and is just my subjective opinion.
- ADDENDUM: As I said above, my post below is based on *my*experiences with the Beauty Blender. However, Ive received feedback from other fellow pro artists that actually the Pink Beauty Blender sponges can in fact have dye run. Also artists who purchased the first run of Beauty Blender experienced some ripping/tearing. The ripping/tearing has not been an issue with later versions of the Pink, and no one reported any problems at all (dye run, ripping, etc.) with the Black sponges. No word on the White sponge or the Micro.mini..
When the Beauty Blender sponge first entered the marketplace to say that it took the makeup artist community by storm would be an understatement. The excitement went from zero to sixty in seemingly minutes and next thing I knew every makeup artist I knew owned and LOVED a Beauty Blender. I was That Makeup Artist who actually was not immediately WOW-d. I thought it was fine, but it was a tool like any other and it certainly was not a must have in any way. Why was my reaction so lukewarm when so many of my artists friends raved? Probably because the first makeup blending sponge I tried was a knockoff, not a real Beauty Blender. Truth be told now that I own and use several real Beauty Blenders I still kind of feel that way; it is not a must-have, use on every job item for me. Now that I am working with the real deal, however, I can appreciate what an excellent tool is really is.
So this got me thinking: How do the numerous makeup blending sponge knockoffs stack up to the original Beauty Blender?
The first knockoff makeup blending sponge I used was so bad it was comical. It came from an overseas company who claimed to be the manufactures for the real Beauty Blender sponge. The claim was dubious at best as I already knew Beauty Blender is an American based company, and the sample sponge they sent was the wrong shade of pink, and not quite the right size and shape (they attempted to explain this away in their literature by calling what they sent a prototype ). It worked OK, but honestly no differently from a run-of-the-mill wedge sponge. But then the truth came out literally the first time I washed it. Upon washing this fakey blender sponge, an odd blue dye emerged from the core of the sponge to the surface. And no matter what I used to wash it, how often I washed it, etc., the weird blue dye would not go away. NOPE. Not using that on peoples faces. Owners of true Beauty Blender sponges know that when washed there is no dye run, no change in shape, no crumbling (until they get very old at which point you probably should have long replaced it), etc. I do not know what that thing was, but it was not a Beauty Blender.
This was about 4 or so years ago. Nowadays the Beauty Blender is well established for both makeup pros and makeup fans alike. As such there are even more knockoff sponges, or shall I say, Beauty Blender inspired sponges ;-). Generally speaking the quality of these dupes has improved significantly from my overseas friend. Since my testing on this began about 6 months ago, none of the makeup blending sponges I tried have changed shape, lost color, or started falling apart on me. But when it comes down to it, do any of them compare to the actual Beauty Blender? Here are my thoughts on a few of the Beauty Blender inspired sponges I have tried.
1 ) Graftobian HD GlamourGrip Sponge
If you know Makeup to Go/Tania Russell, you know I am a large fan of Graftobians HD Creme foundation and I also use their Wet Dry Dual Finish Powder Foundation. A couple of trade shows ago, I brought so many of my friends & students to the Graftobian booth to buy the HD Creme that the gentleman at the booth gave me a GlamourGrip to try. I like it.
Grip: The shape is supposed to make it easier to grip, but I find I prefer the egg shape of the Beauty Blender. Also the GlamourGrip does not have enough of a tip at the top end to get into crevices like around the nose and the inner eye corners.
Texture: Texture is where everyone fell short of the goal line although I would say that the Graftobian sponge came the closest. It has a similar velvety exterior to really give that buffed, polished skin finish for which the Beauty Blender is known. Also the GlamourGrip is softer and more squishy like the Beauty Blender, making it easier to hold and control.
Maneuverability: I found it a bit clunky feeling in-hand. I would not call it bad because of the grip-ability due to the softer texture, but the shape could be more streamlined.
Finish: The GlamourGrip left a very nice finish on the skin. It took a bit more work to get all the lines and demarcations out of my finished applications than the Beauty Blender, but ultimately the finish was very nice. Worked well with both cream and liquid foundations and with Graftobians own Dual Finish Powder Foundation.
OVERALL: Not a bad dupe.
2 ) Real Technique Miracle Complexion Sponge
Grip: The Real Technique sponge pays homage to the original egg shape of the Beauty Blender but then adds their own spin of having one side blunted. This blunt side is for buffing/smoothing/blending out edges/etc. I like the shape. The problem, however
Texture:is in the texture. The Miracle Complexion Sponge is too dense and not at all springy like the Beauty Blender. Also it has larger, more visible pores which in my opinion affected the final outcome of the finish.
Maneuverability: Good. In addition to the blunt edge for buffing, it has the traditional tip end for reaching into the crevices.
Finish: Okay. The finish was again, in my opinion no different than a wedge sponge. NOW artists have used wedge sponges since forever and you can get a good finish off of a wedge sponge. I was able to get a good finish off of the Real Technique sponge, but I would not call the final outcome a miraculous complexion by any stretch.
OVERALL: Nice, basic sponge. No less, but no more.
3 ) Ulta Super Blender Sponge
Grip: Again, I do not care for these contoured shaped sponges. I like the egg better. The Ulta sponge does have more of a definitive point than the Graftobian, however, so it is better at getting into the crevices.
Texture: Hard. Not dense, not firm, straight out hard. Not comfortable on the models skin and also didnt move/manipulate product well.
Maneuverability: Clunky shape plus hard texture = not comfortable in hand.
Finish: Has visible pores. Gave a foundation finish like that of an ordinary wedge sponge.
OVERALL: Of all of the sponges tested, this was definitely the weakest. I still use all of the other sponges mentioned in some capacity, but as of this writing I do not know where my Ulta sponge is.
4 ) Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge (NOTE: this version of the product has been discontinued)
Grip: The Sonia Kashuk (SK) sponge has a more streamlined version of the sculpted shape like the Ulta and Graftobian sponges. Its less fat and has a nice tip at the end. It is a bit dense, comparable to the Real Techniques sponge. It is not hard like Ulta, but it is not as soft as Graftobian or certainly the original Beauty Blender.
Texture: Small pore size and slightly velvety exterior texture. Feels nice to the touch.
Maneuverability: I still prefer the egg, but the SK sponge came in a solid second place in terms of hand-feel and maneuverability. Due to the shape, I had to pick it up and put it back down on the face multiple times which makes it more cumbersome to use. However I was able to stipple, blend, buff and reach all of the crevices just as I would with an original Beauty Blender.
Finish: Very nice. Again, I wouldnt say Beauty Blender, but it gave me a nicely even and smooth finish with both cream and liquid foundations.
OVERALL: Nice sponge. Sonia Kashuk makes quality products overall and this is another in her excellent collection. As good as a Beauty Blender? Nope.
What it is exactly about the Beauty Blender? Well in my opinion it is a few things. Firstly, it is my understanding that the exact composition of the materials used in the original Beauty Blender are proprietary. Therefore other companies may approximate and get close, but they will never look or feel exactly the same as a Beauty Blender, and you really can see and feel the difference. Secondly, the shape of the Beauty Blender is really key. That egg shape allows for a perfect press and roll motion with the surface area of the sponge making contact with the face at all times. That coupled with the smaller pore size is what makes for the super smooth, airbrush finish that the Beauty Blender is famous and beloved for. Used properly, there are NO lines, streaks, or demarcation of any kind with the Beauty Blender.
With almost all of the other sponges, the odd shape not only has a gap where the sponge is not making contact with the skin but it also makes it more difficult to do a continuous press and roll motion. I had to keep picking those sponges up and putting them back down on the face, making it more difficult to get rid of all demarcations. The Real Technique sponge would have been great shape-wise, but the overly dense texture and larger pores prevented it from giving me that flawless finish. It is also worth noting that my two contenders were also the more expensive dupes of the ones I tried. The Graftobian sells for about $14.99 and the Sonia Kashuk retails for $10.49. Bear in mind I chose to compare the better of the knockoffs that exist. I have seen some real, real doozey Cheapy McCheapersons out there. My favorite being a bag of assorted shaped/sized/colored blending sponges one of my former students had. They felt terrible, and worked about as well, but they kind of looked like Beauty Blenders. Some manufacturers have lost track of the concept of function over form. LOL!
If youve used one of the knockoffs and been disappointed I would encourage you to try the real deal. Until you have used an authentic Original Beauty Blender , you have not actually used a Beauty Blender sponge. That said, not everyone needs to spend $20 on a single sponge, and I get that. Therefore, if you would like a lower cost alternative that will give you a very nice finish to your makeup applications, I found the Graftobian and the Sonia Kashuk to be quality substitutes.
EDITORS NOTE 2/11/18 In the spirit of disclosure: This post was written back in and at that time all of my Original Beauty Blender sponges were purchased by me. Since that time I have been graciously invited to several Original Beauty Blender PR events wherein I have been gifted many Beauty Blender sponges and other products by the brand. In the 4 years since I originally wrote this article my opinion remains unchanged; I still prefer the Original over the dupes, but there are some dupes in the marketplace that are pretty good. Look for a #REMIX update article soon!
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