All The Unexpected Ways To Use Your Makeup Sponge
by Audie Metcalf
If you’re a makeup fanatic, you’re probably aware of this dark horse which received huge accolades when it came out a few years ago. If you’re not, allow me to introduce you to your newest under $10 obsession:
The Flower Beauty Ultimate 3-in-1 Makeup Sponge.
Zero disrespect to the $20 Beauty Blender, but there is something SO bouncy and almost lived-in about this sponge. Run it under regular tap water, let it really expand, then squeeeeeze out. The shape of this sponge, once wet, is almost comically plump, and it seems to be able to absorb twice the amount of water as other sponges, thereby morphing into a perfect blend of soft and dense, and blends nearly anything on your face effortlessly and flawlessly. Case in point:
1. Stick foundation: just swipe the stick directly on your face then blend out with your sponge by dabbing and bouncing until blended. Stick foundation can sometimes be trickier to blend out but with this sponge it takes almost half the time.
2. Liquid foundation: put a few dabs (try even less then you would normally use) and start bouncing. I found that I needed much less foundation than I typically wear because the blend was so smooth.
3. Cream foundation: smear and push the sponge right in the pot then bounce it on your skin. Experiment with using even less— the smooth but fat side of the sponge really makes it go a loonnnng way.
4. Cream bronzer: I exclusively use the Flower Beauty sponge with cream bronzers and contours now. It diffuses the color so perfectly and evenly and you don’t have to worry about terrifying contour lines or splotchy unblended bits.
5. Cream blush: While I have accepted that blush actually isn’t for me blending out cream or gel blush with this sponge is a thing of beauty. It’s almost impossible to get streaks. Try it with blushes that have heretofore been annoying or pesky to blend out with fingers, namely: Glossier Cloud Paint, Benefit Benetint, Dr. Perricone No Makeup Blush.
6. Cream Highlighter: If you love the look of a blinding but natural cheek glow, using this sponge will get you there. Bounce it into your RMS Beauty luminizer pot, tap it onto your Glossier Haloscope stick highlighter or Beauty Counter illuminating cream highlighter stick, then dab (never drag) a couple of times on your cheekbones AND cheeks, twice on the nose, and once right above the peak of your brow arch. Glinty and sun dappled but not overdone.
Note: I do not love this sponge for blending out concealer - the flat tip just isn’t precise enough for that area. Stick to your fingers or use this little magic wand of a brush.
Audie Metcalf is the Editor-in-chief of The Candidly, and lives in LA with her family. You can find more of her articles here.
