This brilliant multitasking sponge can be used wet or dry to apply powder, liquid and cream products. The pointed pear shape isn't particularly unique, but it's exceptionally versatile and user-friendly. It's perfect for applying products, blending, contouring, and buffing out the corners of your face. This makeup sponge is also notably easy to clean. To test the concealers you see below, they become staples in our testers’ makeup bags, so we can thoroughly assess their ability to cover dark circles and blemishes. During trials, we look at the texture of a product and how easily and well it can be applied, how it blends, the overall finish, plus the length of time for which the concealer stays put. Bonus points are given to those formulas that prove water-resistant and that contain skin-nourishing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. Brushworks offers a brilliant budget-friendly range of beauty blenders in assorted shapes and sizes. We tested the HD Definer, which has been designed to fit into those hard-to-reach areas but also proves to be pretty versatile. While the rounded edge is great for smoothing foundation across your cheeks and forehead, the straight edge is perfect for getting into the hollows of your cheeks to achieve that chiselled look. This blender can be used dry or damp, since it absorbs minimal product, and it’s great for applying blush and powder, too. A great sponge at a great price point.

Cleaning, Care, & Maintenance: Rinse through with lukewarm water after each use. Deep clean 1x/week with Real Techniques Brush + Sponge Gel Cleanser. Air dry thoroughly in a well-ventilated area. Store in a cool, dry place. Replace every 30 days. If you're more of a swiper than a bouncer when it comes to your foundation, this is the sponge for you as the flat slide means you can swipe your base on in seconds. Makeup sponges are essential for creating a perfect base. These days there are a ton of different shapes, sizes and textures out there so knowing what to buy can be a bit of a minefield. Before we introduce you to the very best base blenders in the biz, we thought it would be good to get some info from a pro on why we should all be using sponges. Most sponges are made from hydrophilic foam that can hold water, you dampen them before use and that way they don’t absorb any of the liquid products that you might use them with." Why should you use a makeup sponge instead of a brush or your fingers? Unique shape and exclusive material available ensures impeccable, streak-free application with minimum product wasteFirst wet sponge, then rub in the soap (bar soap is OK, too), gently rub fingers through the sponge to mix soap around, and then gently scrub the makeup sponge on a cleansing pad to remove the product. Run under water to rinse and repeat the process if necessary," says Loiz. Almond-shaped sponges, on the other hand, are perfect for contouring and precision. The slanted edge offers controlled stippling, while the rounded edge is, again, perfect for wider areas such as the cheeks. You’ll also find curvy pear-shaped varieties, which are great for targeted coverage and a more opaque finish. When it comes to size, dinkier versions allow for greater precision, but much of your decision will come down to personal choice and what you need it for. How much should I spend? After trying out many makeup sponges, Fenty's Precision 100 was a clear winner. This mid-size latex-free sponge is lightweight and airy with a soft, bouncy feel. It's absorbent but not so much that it'll soak up all your makeup and leave none for your skin. Our tester loved the unique shape too. This makeup sponge is essentially an egg with one flat side and a flattened mini-moon tip. If you need to be super precise when applying your makeup, for example when contouring or blending under the eyes, simply take an elastic band and wrap it a couple of times around your blender to essentially create two separate applicators - a small tip that won't mess up the rest of your makeup and a big base to blend large areas. Or, you could just buy one of these mini blenders. 'Sup to you. TOP TIP: Don't throw it away

Whether you apply a full face of makeup daily or only on special occasions, you'll want to have the right tools in your arsenal. In addition to a few good brushes, no modern makeup kit is complete without a couple of sponges. While a beauty blender will help you achieve perfectly finished makeup, it's important to keep it clean, too. Make-up sponges, often referred to as beauty blenders, are a staple in most of our make-up bags for applying foundation. Whether you own an original Beautyblender or opt for a sponge from another brand, beauty blenders allow you to apply your make-up smoothly for a flawless finish. This factor is super important. A great makeup sponge will be easy to clean and keep dry to avoid product buildup and bacteria.The OG makeup sponge, if we had a pound for every time we bought one of these we'd have, well, probably 15 pounds. The point is they're great, like the best ever, because the sponge is super soft and highly absorbent, so it always dispenses an even amount of product. Top tip: make sure you use it damp. Once wet, it expands making it even more bouncy and soft, for a totally seamless finish. Our tester liked the dense yet soft and bouncy feel of the foam. While they're all one size, the sponges get really big when wet, and the smaller end is great for getting into the corners of your face. They're easy to clean, too, but just bear in mind the absorbent material soaks up a lot of product. If you'd like a lighter base, run it under a tap before using it each time and then squeeze out the excess water so that you're left with a damp and plump sponge, before dipping it into your product. This way it won't soak up any excess product, and instead will transfer your foundation smoothly and seamlessly to the skin. Do you wet a beauty blender with warm or cold water?

Rinse your sponge under the tap, applying a little antibacterial hand wash, baby shampoo or a specialist sponge cleaner and lathering it up so that you can see the foundation washing out. On a budget? This wallet-friendly sponge is your best bet. Our tester liked that the dense yet bouncy foam material didn't soak up all her product and made it super easy to blend. While it expands to over twice the original size when damp, we appreciate that you can use it wet or dry. It's really encouraging to see brands take real steps to become more sustainable. (In addition to Bio Pure, the brand has pledged to bring more sustainable processes to all its products.) And if my makeup looks all the better for it, it's truly the best of both worlds.So, we're all on board. The question is, are you using your beauty blender to the best of its ability? Turns out you might not be. Here are some handy beauty blender tips you need to know... How wet should our beauty blender be? According to Sigma, "this unique multi-sided, multi-angled design", makes the sponge ideal for blending, sculpting and highlighting. The straight edge of the blender allows you to carve out sharp angles easily. A dampened sponge can blend foundation more effectively and evenly than fingers or brushes", says Martin. "They can also lay down powder more densely and with more precision (for baking for example) than a brush." Celebrity makeup artist Renée Loiz is a huge fan of Beautyblender. "They have a ton of different shapes to cater to specific parts of your face," she tells Byrdie. Our tester liked the feel of this soft, bouncy sponge against her skin. RT's signature 3-point precision application design will give you a full-face look that is dewy & evenly blended