Ah, the elusive beautyblender! Here comes one in its pristine state… I’m hoping it’ll stay in my possession for longer than a week (or a month! — dare to dream), because I’m not the only one in Novato obsessed with these marvelous makeup sponges. All of the little animals I live with — a.k.a. “the boarders,” a.k.a Tabs the Cat and Connor Claire the Coywolf — are obsessed with them, too. They hide them, one (the furry one) bites them, and they rip them apart with their claws.
If it happens again, at least I won’t have to go far to find a new one, because now they’re also available at MAC.
#MACLOVESBEAUTYBLENDER
- beautyblender original — pink ($20)
- beautyblender pro — black ($20)
- beautyblender beauty blusher — gray ($16)
- beautyblender micro mini — chartreuse ($18)
- blendercleanser solid ($16)
This black one is the $20 beautyblender pro, and it’s my favorite. The black keeps it looking cleaner longer, compared to the iconic O.G. pink beautyblender, which is also $20 and also available at MAC. They both work just as well as the other, but the pink one, which is SUPER CUTE, shows off every single product that has ever graced it. It looks messy, and I’m not about that life.
I sure do love the pink ones when they’re new, though.
I primarily use mine to apply liquid foundation and concealer, but I have seen people use them for powders and eyeshadow. I use the larger end of the sponge to cover large swaths of skin, like my forehead and cheeks, and the pointier end for the nooks and crannies, like the inner corner of my eye, and the corners around my nose and mouth.
It’s true, you could use any old makeup blending sponge. There are lots of other non-latex makeup sponges for blending and application, and most of them are pretty good, but I’ve always liked that the beautyblenders are un-textured. When I blend my foundation or concealer, I don’t see a pattern from the sponge on my skin, so the coverage looks natural. Plus, they absorb juuust the right amount, so I don’t feel like I’m wasting much product when I use them (some makeup sponges are too absorbent, IMO).
Here’s a trick I use: before I sit down to apply my makeup, I wet my beautyblender with water — like really, really soak it. I completely drench the thing! Then, I set it aside and do whatever else I’m going to do, like my brows, curl my lashes, face primer, whatever, and then, right before I do my foundation or concealer, I spritz it with MAC Fix+ all over to re-wet it slightly. Then I apply/blend my foundation or tinted moisturizer, BB cream, etc.
The layer of Fix+ really helps my face makeup adhere closer to my skin, or something, and the coverage looks even more natural. I think it also adds a little extra moisture, and my combo skin is mostly dry, especially now that it’s winter, and every little bit of moisture helps.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
