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10 best make-up sponges for a flawless finish

The humble tool will help you blend and buff your base layer easily

Tamara Corin
Wednesday 11 November 2020 19:29 GMT
(iStock/The Independent)

It all began in 2007 with the revolutionary launch of the Beautyblender sponge that changed the way women applied make-up, forever. 

Buffing and blending foundation, tinted moisturisers and other bases had never been this easy to apply, nor more flawless on the face. 

It was a complete gamechanger for professional make-up artists and beauty junkies alike, and one, 13-years on, we’re still very grateful for.

Although we love a make-up brush (or 10), the use of multiple beauty tools has since been replaced by a piece of innovative foam in a host of shapes and sizes that deliver the perfect canvas for our make-up. 

Not only do make-up sponges allow for more buildable application, their porous texture holds onto make-up better than other tools and they guarantee an even complexion, every time. But with so many designs and textures to choose from, how do we spot the difference?

You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.

Beautyblender the original makeup sponge

BeautyBlender-indy-best

Without doubt Beautyblender was the pioneer behind make-up sponges and even today, many sponges use this brand as a comparison to their own innovations. It has worldwide status and has been a game-changer for applying make-up both professionally and at-home. The egg shape is perfect for blending small and larger areas of your face without streaking or caking, while the pointy-edge gives you access to hard-to-reach areas.

The only drawback is that it’s pricey and with so many good dupes now available, it’s hard to justify the cost.

  1. £17 from Amazon
Prices may vary
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The verdict: Beauty sponges

With its ridiculously affordable price tag and its flawless finish- every time, e.l.f total face sponge is the most deserving of the top spot. Plus, we were most impressed how it kept its firmness after many weeks of testing, almost like memory foam for our skin. However, if you’re willing to invest in a sponge with some added extras, such as anti-bacterial agents and innovative technology, then Laura Mercier’s luminous foundation sponge is everything you want and expect from a makeup sponge, and more.

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