Best Drugstore Blending Sponges

I am cheap and always looking for those amazing low-cost options from the drugstore where I can. Needless to say, I have tried many sponges in my day, and I want to share the best drugstore blending sponges with you.

I can tell if a sponge is going to be good or not before I even purchase it. I determine this by squeezing the sponge. When a sponge feels dense and as hard as a rock before you even wet it and use it, then it is not going to be any better when you actually do. These kinds of sponges will not give you a skin-like finish, they will most likely absorb your product, and it will feel like you are beating a rock against your delicate face. No one wants that! All of these sponges that I am recommending are super soft, both when dry or wet, they expand when wet, and give you the most beautiful finish. You will not return to your more expensive sponges ever again!

I always use sponges to apply foundation and concealer. It is very rare that I use a brush. Once I discovered blending sponges many moons ago, my life was changed and I really do not want to go back. A great makeup sponge, in conjunction with some top-notch brushes, will yield wonderful results.

wet n wild Makeup Sponge

This is bouncy, soft, and everything you want and need in a sponge. Besides this original, they offer a trio with a medium and mini option, a biodegrable sponge, and even an hourglass shape! You can get the orignal in a two pack as well.

Real Techniques

Next I am discussing various options available from Real Techniques.

• Miracle Complexion Sponge: Ahhh, that orange hue that we have become accustomed to seeing in the drugstore. By now you must have heard great things about it, and the reviews are true! I have used so many of these sponges because they are great. Sometimes Real Techniques releases other sponges in odd shapes (like I am showing below), but they are all made of the same material.
• Mini Miracle Complexion Sponge: You can buy a four pack of the mini sponges to really get into those detailed areas of the face. I must use a mini sponge every time I do my routine, specifically for under eye concealer. Pair these with your full-size sponge for an expert look.

While elf Cosmetics makes an appearance in this list, you might be noting how RT and elf are pretty much shaped the same. I have all of the dirty details in my elf Total Face Sponge vs. Real Techniques comparison.

elf Total Face Sponge

elf has a bunch of different sponges on the market and you can see me put them head-to-head in my elf makeup sponge review. The Total Face Sponge is the most famous or well known. It’s elf version of the other sponges that I have talked about so far. It works perfectly good. Really, when it comes down to it, you can substitute any of the sponges in this list for one another and your results will be flawless.

elf Camo Concealer Sponge

This is another sponge that I am using to blend concealer under the eyes and other areas, the same as I do with mini sponges. It will expand when wet to be soft and bouncy, but it stays small enough that you can work in details with ease.

Washing Your Sponges

For every day washing of your sponges, a solid bar of soap will do! While you can buy specific brush cleaning soaps, I honestly use Dove’s white beauty bar. For difficult spots and stains you will need a liquid. My go-to is Dawn Platinum Dish Soap, or any liquid brush/sponge cleaning soap.

When cleaning your sponge, be super gentle with it and avoid having your nails dig in as much as possible to prevent your sponge from ripping. I always dampen the sponge, lather up the soap, squeeze the makeup out, then keep squeezing and rinsing until all of the soap is out. Finish by air drying.

I have also discovered a washing tip. If you allow your sponge to dry out, then wash it at the end of the day, the makeup washes out even easier! I literally run the sponge under the water for a second, which is not enough to saturate it, but to get some surface water on it. Then I begin rubbing the sponge on the soap. You would think that letting the makeup dry into the sponge would be a bad thing, but it is quite the opposite.

Shop The Sponges

There are so many other great drugstore sponges out there. There is even an entire category of velvet makeup sponges. So, this is where you come in! Be sure to leave your ride-or-die sponge recommendations in the comments. Are any of my sponge recommendations currently on your vanity? Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.

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