The 8 Best Makeup Sponges of 2024, Tested by Real People
The 8 Best Makeup Sponges of , Tested by Real People
Of all the makeup sponges that PEOPLE Tested, these were considered the best.
You can find more information on our web, so please take a look.
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.
"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
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.
Best Overall
L'Oréal Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender
PHOTO: Amazon
Star Qualities
Doesn't absorb too much foundation
Able to blend in tight spaces
Easy to rinse after application
Red Flags
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
People / Tamara Staples
Best Budget
L.A. Girl Beauty Sponge
PHOTO: Ulta
$11
Star Qualities
Dense sponge material wastes less product
Soft, latex-free foam material
Has an edge for blotting
Red Flags
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
The Best Lighted Makeup Mirrors We Tested in Our Lab
People / Tamara Staples
Best Investment
Fenty Beauty Precision Makeup Sponge
PHOTO: Sephora
Star Qualities
Shape allows for precise application
Soft texture feels luxurious
Red Flags
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
People/Tamara Staples
Best Classic
Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge
PHOTO: Sephora
Star Qualities
Egg shape is easy to use
Experts praise it
Pointed tip works well under eyes and around nose
Red Flags
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
People / Tamara Staples
With competitive price and timely delivery, JWH sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
Best for Baking
Essence Makeup & Baking Sponge
PHOTO: Essence Cosmetics
$10
Star Qualities
Great for blending foundation
Versatile with different makeup products
Performed as well as pricier tools
Red Flags
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
People / Tamara Staples
Best for Airbrushed Finish
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
$15
$36
Star Qualities
Gave us an airbrush-level smooth finish
Unique design works with liquid blush, concealer, and foundation
Long-lasting when cleaned properly
Red Flags
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
People / Tamara Staples
Best Latex-Free
Sonia Kashuk Latex-Free Makeup Blender Sponge
PHOTO: Target
$7
Star Qualities
Super-soft material feels great skin
Shape made application very easy
Red Flags
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
People / Tamara Staples
The Best Concealers for Dark Circles, According to Our Testers
Best Set
Beauty Bakerie Organic Eggs Beauty Sponges
PHOTO: Beauty Bakerie Organic
Star Qualities
Different sponges for different products
Cleaned easily with a few rinses
Applied makeup smoothly
Red Flags
Grows quite large when damp
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
People / Tamara Staples
These 9 Makeup Sponges Are Perfect Beauty Blender ...
Real Techniques sponges
Promising Amazon review: "I've tried real Beauty Blenders and I've tried cheap imitators. Of course, real Beauty Blenders are great, but they're a bit pricey for my taste. I mean come on, it's a makeup sponge. After my first few Beauty Blenders needed replacing, I decided to start buying knockoffs instead. I quickly realized that maybe it's not 'just a sponge' like I thought. I had sponges that ripped, some that smelled horrible, and several that literally left a sponge pattern on my face. Each one went right into the trash before long. I was on the verge of going back to Beauty Blenders when I decided to give an alternate brand one last try. I bought this set from Real Techniques and I'm so glad I did. They are GREAT. I use one damp and one dry during my makeup routine, so a two pack for this price that works great makes me a happy girl. When used damp, foundation goes on soft, airy, and even. I use it with a buildable foundation and it keeps it from going on cakey and thick. But the best thing about these sponges is that they are cheap enough that I can toss them without hating myself when they get too discolored from repeated use." &#;
The Real Techniques blending sponge is possibly one of the best-known Beauty Blender alternatives. This vegan, cruelty- and latex-free sponge can be used wet for the most flawless airbrushed finish or dry for fuller coverage. It features round sides to blend larger areas, a flat edge great for contouring and a precision tip to reach around the nose and under the eye."I've tried real Beauty Blenders and I've tried cheap imitators. Of course, real Beauty Blenders are great, but they're a bit pricey for my taste. I mean come on, it's a makeup sponge. After my first few Beauty Blenders needed replacing, I decided to start buying knockoffs instead. I quickly realized that maybe it's not 'just a sponge' like I thought. I had sponges that ripped, some that smelled horrible, and several that literally left a sponge pattern on my face. Each one went right into the trash before long. I was on the verge of going back to Beauty Blenders when I decided to give an alternate brand one last try. I bought this set from Real Techniques and I'm so glad I did. They are GREAT. I use one damp and one dry during my makeup routine, so a two pack for this price that works great makes me a happy girl. When used damp, foundation goes on soft, airy, and even. I use it with a buildable foundation and it keeps it from going on cakey and thick. But the best thing about these sponges is that they are cheap enough that I can toss them without hating myself when they get too discolored from repeated use." &#; H Victorious
Contact us to discuss your requirements of bulk makeup sponges. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Comments
0