Today marks the first day of my new posting schedule (not that I've done one in the past), but I will be posting beauty posts every Wednesday and lifestyle posts every Saturday. Let's hope I can keep this up!
The one tool that beauty fanatics can't seem to get enough of: the beauty blender. My makeup collection contains many drugstore items, but it's always fun to have a few products that elevate my stash from average to beauty guru status. This Christmas, one of my best friends Emily (quite funny how we're both named Emily) brought me a very "light" present. I quickly tore off the tissue paper to reveal this majestic pink sponge.
Quality | When I first took my beauty blender out of its packaging, it was quite small and soft, but not bouncy. Later when I wet the sponge, it about doubled in size and felt much softer as well. However, I would be very careful if you have long or sharp nails as the material is so delicate that it can easily be torn. I already have two tiny slits in mine as I accidentally punctured it with my nail while washing (and I was being very gentle!)
Use | Make sure you saturate the sponge for a good 20-30 seconds, simultaneously squeezing the water out. Wring out the water completely before applying foundation. The base is great for all over the face application, and the tip works perfectly for reaching under the eyes and around the nose. First, I like to apply my foundation with my fingers to waste the least amount as possible. I honestly don't find myself using that much more foundation than when I just my fingers or a brush. Then, I gently press the beauty blender into my face using quick motions for a completely flawless, skin-like finish. I usually take about three minutes to apply my foundation and concealer when I'm using the beauty blender which is completely doable before school or work. Note that this sponge works best for liquid foundation and concealer and not for powder products. I would also not recommend traveling with the beauty blender as it's best to keep it out in the open when it's still wet.
Cleaning | One of the downsides would be cleaning. I am not used to cleaning my makeup brushes everyday, so it was quite a new experience for me to have to clean it after every use. Since this is a sponge, you do not want foundation to be sitting in there as it will eventually grow bacteria with too much moisture. Also, you will find that your application won't be as flawless if you already have foundation in your beauty blender. I clean mine with warm water and Johnson & Johnson's baby shampoo. Applying about a nickel size worth of shampoo on my hand, I wet the sponge and rub it in circular motions around my palm. I then rinse it out by squeezing it many times to ensure that all the shampoo has been removed. Usually, I repeat this process twice to remove the remaining concealer as it's more difficult to remove than foundation. Dani from Coffee Break with Dani has a great video on cleaning your beauty blender.
Price | At $19.95, this may seem pricey for a sponge, but I guarantee that it is worth the investment. A good face brush alone will cost you a lot more than $20, so I think the price is really not too bad. If you were to buy one "expensive" beauty product this year, this is the one. I never cheat myself when it comes to having a great base!
Overall Thoughts | This is my favorite beauty product that I have yet to try. Ever. It makes a world of a difference and ensures a flawless finish every time. No longer do I have to worry about looking cakey, forgetting to blend out a spot, or having an awkward line between my face and my neck. The beauty blender solved all my foundation problems, and I will happily dabble on foundation with this magical pink teardrop for years and years to come.
What is your favorite tool for applying your base?
