Putting on makeup is a fun way of expressing yourself, but applying it can be a tricky skill to master. It is a skill that has been made easier by cheap but effective tools designed to help you. A makeup sponge is a great example of this – it isn't the most technical bit of kit, but it will transform your beauty regime for the better by blending your foundation, concealer and other makeup to achieve precision and excellent coverage.
To help you find your perfect match, we've uncovered our favourites from sites like Amazon and Boots, which include affordable sets of block sponges as well as more high-concept designs like the infamous Beautyblender. Plus, many of our picks are latex-free and antibacterial to suit everyone's skincare needs. Moreover, we have partnered with Makeup Artist Marie Dancer for reviewing and fact-checking the article so that we can deliver you the best information.
Quick List - Top Makeup Sponges
Made by Sunday
Affordable Microfibre Sponge Infused with Vitamin E That's Ideal for Beginners
As a professional make-up artist of ten years, Marie's job has taken her all over the UK working at top events, on TV shows and making up beautiful brides. For all her clients she loves emphasising their natural beauty by creating a flawless base that still looks like skin.
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As a professional makeup artist of ten years, Marie's job has taken her all over the UK, working at top events, on TV shows and making up beautiful brides. For all of her clients, she loves emphasising their natural beauty by creating a flawless base that still looks like skin.
Find out more about Marie and what are her favourite makeup products are through her Instagram! She even shares some industry tips on makeup application too. And if you're interested in getting your makeup done by Marie, you can contact her via her email found at the top of her page.
Your face isn't made up of flat surfaces or straight lines. We have noses, eyes, cheeks and chins which can act as obstacles when it comes to applying makeup. For this, you need a sponge that can adapt to different areas of the face with ease.
Sponges with pointy tips and bevelled edges are particularly good when it comes to reaching the spots that can be harder to cover, such as around the nose. If you like, you can look for multipacks with a selection of shapes, including teardrops, acorns and eggs.
Moreover, mini sponges dedicated to the under-eye area make blending concealer and setting with powder easy and effective. Sponges with a flat edge will provide precision for contouring the cheeks and highlighting the nose, also perfect for use with a setting with powder. Just make sure to use a different sponge when you switch colours or textures.
Explore the best drugstore foundations for dry skin!
There are two schools of thought when it comes to how best to use a makeup sponge, but it largely comes down to the look you're going for. Some people wet their sponge and squeeze it before they apply foundation. This gives a lighter finish and a more natural, glowy look.
If, however, you want complete coverage, it's best to use your sponge dry as it will pick up more makeup. Makeup sponges normally have the option of being used wet or dry, so you can discover what works best for you.
Additionally, while this won't always be outlined by the manufacturer, some sponges are better suited to applying liquid foundations than powders. The distribution of a liquid is easier to do when using a sponge, whereas powders can look better when you stick to other methods of applications like puffs and brushes.
Can't seem to find a foundation that won't cause breakouts? Browse our picks for the best hypoallergenic foundations!
Makeup sponges don't always clearly list what they are made from, which can be frustrating. They do, however, list qualities that are worth looking out for. Hydrophilic sponges stop the build-up of liquid which means you won't be wasting precious foundation. It is also crucial that those with sensitive skin, or in some cases serious allergies, check the labels of sponges before they buy.
Most will specify that they don't contain latex, and some will describe themselves as anti-allergy. As we think more and more about the waste we create and attempt to reduce it, have a look to see whether your sponge is recyclable or whether it is made from eco-friendly materials.
Different materials will have different densities and therefore different finishes. Some sponges will feel bouncier and squishier than others, giving more flexibility and lighter coverage. Very dense sponges will provide a heavier coverage but may need more work and time to blend out.
A sponge that can only be used once is going to be expensive and inefficient, but you also can't just keep using the same sponge over and over again without cleansing it, otherwise bacteria will begin to build up and cause breakouts.
Cleansing a sponge means giving it a proper wash with soap in order to get rid of all of the residual makeup and skin oils. The majority of sponges do have the option of being washed, but as some single-use options still remain it's always worth double-checking.
Makeup is something that some people choose to apply every day, or at least fairly regularly. In order for you to be able to wash your sponges and only use fresh ones, it's best to be equipped with more than one. It also means you can use different sponges for different types of makeup.
Lots of sponges are sold in multipacks, which is useful for a number of reasons. Firstly, as mentioned, you will always have a clean one ready to go. Secondly, some brands offer a variety of shapes, which helps you choose a specific tool for a certain area.
Although sponges can be reused after cleaning, its recommended to replace them every 6 months. Each sponge will be different so check with the brand for an estimated life cycle. Look out for rips and stubborn stains, sponges can lose their bounciness which is when you know it’s time for a fresh one.
Need help finding reliable makeup brushes too? Discover our favourite makeup brush sets!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Findigit 6 Pcs Makeup Sponge Puff | ![]() | Six Shaped Makeup Sponges for Every Need | |
2 | Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge | ![]() | An Affordable Sponge That Doesn't Sacrifice Quality | |
3 | Beautyblender Beautyblender Pro | ![]() | A Flawless Finish From a Popular Beauty Brand | |
4 | Made by Sunday Pinky Promise Microfibre Beauty Blender | ![]() | Affordable Microfibre Sponge Infused with Vitamin E That's Ideal for Beginners | |
5 | EcoTools Bioblender | ![]() | Eco-Friendly Sponges Made From 100% Biodegradable Material | |
6 | Brushworks High Definition Complexion & Contouring Sponge Set | ![]() | Three Sponges for Seamless Coverage and Contouring | |
7 | NYX Professional Makeup Complete Control Blending Sponge | ![]() | Chiselled Sponge for Contour and Definition | |
8 | Morphe Highlight & Contour Beauty Sponge | ![]() | One Sponge for Highlight and Contouring | |
9 | UOMA Beauty Makeup Sponge | ![]() | Build Coverage With This Egg-Shaped Sponge | |
10 | QVS Makeup Sponges Value Pack | ![]() | Value Pack of 20 Makeup Sponges |
This pack of 6 sponges means you'll be ready for anything. They are all slightly different shapes and sizes so you can experiment and find the perfect sponge for each product and each area of the face. The sponges are easy to wash and you can keep your favourite on rotation.
No makeup type is off-limits, and you won't lose a huge amount of precious liquid foundation and other products through absorption thanks to the clever hydrophilic material used. Whatever makeup you like to use and however you like to use it, these sponges will have you covered!
The three distinct surfaces of this sponge allow you to put your makeup on just how you want to. The rounded sides are good for larger areas and work best with a dabbing motion, whereas the flat edge is perfect for contouring.
The way this sponge smooths and blends will reduce the appearance of pores, giving you the photo-ready finish we all crave. Plus, this sponge is cheap without leaving out any of the quality and comes with a handy travel case, too.
This brand is an extremely popular choice of makeup sponge thanks to the polished and professional finish it provides. It's won awards and garnered a whole host of fans. The black colour means the sponge won't have that dirty look that sponges of other colours end up having.
It is the most expensive option on this list, but once you give this beauty blender a go, you'll know why. It's easy to clean and blends all sorts of makeups seamlessly. For the flawless finish you can achieve and since it can be cleaned and reused for good amount of time, this sponge wins our no. 3 spot!
This Pinky Promise sponge from Made by Sunday is one of the most affordable options on our list. We love that it's made from microfibres, as they absorb 70% less product so that more of it goes onto the face for better coverage and efficiency.
Unlike other sponges, this one is infused with Vitamin E, meaning that it is capable of nourishing the skin while smoothing out your makeup products. Best of all, you can use it wet or dry for applying different types of products and get perfect results!
It can be difficult to find makeup products that are simultaneously better for the environment and do a good job. This product is one of those elusive finds. The sponge is made from 100% biodegradable material, great if you want to cut down on your plastic footprint.
The materials are also USDA certified, vegan, and cruelty-free, making them an ethical choice. Even the packaging is made from recycled materials – being eco-friendly is in this brand's DNA. With a unique shape of three distinct edges, you can achieve a lot with just this one humble sponge. It's both practical and good for the environment, what's not to love?
Complete with 3 sponges of different shapes and sizes, you'll be equipped to cover every inch of your face that you want to. The bigger sponges are good for covering larger areas, whilst the smaller one is useful for applying things like concealer.
You get quite a good amount of options for whatever look you want to achieve. Although, these sponges do recommend that you use them whilst damp, which might not be the exact look you want to go for, and they aren't the most environmentally-friendly option.
This sponge has been design to include a range of different angles, allowing you to target harder-to-reach areas. The thin tip helps you to apply your makeup to the most difficult spots, but the large surface still means you can get your makeup on fast.
Like some other options, NYX doesn't give much away about the material it uses to create this sponge, which might bring up problems for those who have sensitive skin or allergies. It is also best used wet, which might not be everyone's preference.
Contouring is a great way to sculpt the face, helping you to achieve a snatched jawline and cheekbones while accentuating the top layers for even more dimension. With this sponge from Morphe, you can easily pick up any product and apply to the face with precision for a chiselled, airbrushed finish.
The rounded sides lets you evenly and seamless blend across large areas of the skin, with a precision tip to reach small areas. It is also latex-free, and can be used whether dry or damp, depending on your desired results. However, while it is reusable, some users have said that cleaning it isn't as easy and it takes some time to get it to usable conditions.
The bevelled sides of this makeup sponge give you more control when you're applying your beauty favourites. The sponge is high-density, offering more complete coverage, but this doesn't stop it from being light to the touch.
This sponge works best when wet foundations, so bear this in mind if you prefer applying a heavier layer of makeup. The brand also isn't specific about any potentially allergy-inducing materials, so be careful if you have issues with latex.
This pack is great value, offering 20 sponges at a lower price than some brands charge for one. They are simple but will do the job, and with so many, you won't run out in a hurry. The latex used is synthetic, so you don't need to be worried about allergies either.
These sponges aren't washable which hugely limits their reusability, particularly when you don't want to be putting the same sponge near your face over and over again. Working best when dry also means you can't achieve the more natural makeup look that a wet sponge provides.
While you can purchase specialist cleaning solutions for your makeup sponges and brushes, the good news is that you don't really need to! This video talks you through the best way to keep your sponge clean and hygienic with just soap and water.
Written and Researched by Emma Cramp
No. 1: Findigit|6 Pcs Makeup Sponge Puff
No. 2: Real Techniques|Miracle Complexion Sponge
No. 3: Beautyblender|Beautyblender Pro
No. 4: Made by Sunday|Pinky Promise Microfibre Beauty Blender
No. 5: EcoTools|Bioblender
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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