Believe it or not, but I have never purchased a high-end makeup blending sponge! One time I bought a Sephora gift set for myself and it had a beautyblender Pro (the black one), but I was honestly not thrilled with the finish of my foundation after using it. My issue here is that 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.
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wet n wild
I am kicking off the best drugstore blending sponges list with wet n wild.
- Makeup Sponge: wet n wild did not release their sponges until 2019, but, let me tell you, they are wonderful. They are bouncy, soft, and everything you want and need in a sponge.
- Mini Makeup Sponge: Their mini sponge is a bit bigger than some of the others on the market, but of course it is made with the same great material of the larger sponge. I am addicted to mini sponges for detail work. I do not see other beauty guru’s using them, but once you start you will not go without!
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.
Ecotools
Third, I am discussing what Ectools offers sponge wise.
- Total Perfecting Blender: The Ecotools sponge is cut a bit differently than your typical blending sponge, but I rather like it. They cut an angle out on each side to give you a flat edge. One side has a smaller flat edge, while the other is larger. I like to press one of the flat edges onto the skin to really sink the foundation in.
- Color Perfecting Minis Makeup Sponges: Again with the mini sponges, but I gotta have them! Ecotools sells a four piece sponge set as a “color correcting” set because each sponge color coordinates with a color correcting concealer. I use these as I do any mini sponge. They are cut just like the full-size version.
elf
I am ending the best drugstore blending sponges list with some elf sponges. One of these will surprise you!
- Total Face Sponge: elf has a bunch of different sponges on the market, but I will go as far to say that this one is the most well-known. This is elf’s version of all of the other blending sponges we have talked about thus far. It works perfectly good. Really, when it comes down to it, you can substitute any of the sponges in this post for one another and your results will be flawless.
- Highlighting Sponge: If you are reading ‘highlighting sponge’ and wondering if I have lost my marbles, allow me to explain. elf sells this duo kit that contains a silicone blending sponge and this so-called highlighting sponge. This sponge is downright the best blending sponge that I have ever used! This is due to the fact that it is super soft and bouncy wet or dry. elf needs to listen to all the reviewers who are saying they need to scrap the silicone blender and just sell the sponge by itself. I would take that a step further and say that elf needs to discontinue ALL of their sponges and only sell this one because it is that good. Honestly, this sponge is the best out of all of the sponges in this post. I also want to mention that the glitter they put on the sponge does not transfer onto your face.
Washing Your Sponges
I want to take a moment here to share how I wash my sponges! A while ago I used to recommend liquid soap (dish soap). I find that it does work, but it really causes your sponges to rip up. Primarily because the soap is difficult to wash out 100% so you keep working that sponge in the water, causing damage. I never use liquid soap anymore, rather, I use elf’s Solid Sponge Cleanser. It effectively removes all makeup, but it does not get as sudsy as liquid soap, so you can wash the soap out in less than half the time. Now my sponges hardly ever rip or break down!
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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.
Update 4/18/20
After writing this post I have discovered another sponge to add to this list! elf’s Camo Concealer Sponge is another sponge that I am using to blend concealer under the eyes and other areas, the same as I do with mini sponges. The material reminds me of the Highlighting Sponge very much, considering how soft and bouncy it is. It will expand when wet, but it stays small enough that you can work in details with ease.
Conclusion
I have now shared all of the best drugstore blending sponges that I have ever tried! I am fully stocked up on these sponges because they are that good. Now, this list is by no means complete. There are so many other great drugstore sponges out there. So, this is where you come in! Be sure to leave your ride-or-die sponge recommendations in the comments. I know that a lot of people like the Flower Beauty and L.A. Girl sponges as well. Let’s work together to recommend sponges and save our cash! Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.
Are any of my sponge recommendations currently on your vanity?