I personally haven't owned a beauty blender but recently I decided to buy a Real Techniques dupe to check it out since I've only used my fingers and the RT expert face brush. I have acne prone skin, and my pores get clogged really easily, btw.
First off, I don't like layering my foundation with it. One layer looks fine, but whenever I would try to add more layers on my cheeks (because of my hyper pigmentation in that broad area), the foundation starts to look patchy and weird. I'm not sure if it's my foundation (I use L'Oreal True Match for the mean time because I'm broke lol) and the dampness makes it apply funny??? I've never had that happen with other applicators.
Second, I'm skeptical about the cleanliness. Since I have acne prone skin, I'm really particular about anything and everything that touches my face. I thoroughly wash my sponge before or after each use. I let it dry a wash and wrap it with a piece of facial tissue if I don't plan on using it right away to protect from dust. But still, I have some slight paranoia about a bacteria colony growing in the core of my sponge, and I have no clue how to tell if it's gonna cause me breakouts or not.
Third and final point, I strongly believe it's the cause of my currently clogged pores. My skin gets clogged easily, especially my cheek area. Those clogged pores aren't too noticeable except for a slight bump, and over the years, I've become a pro at identifying if a bump is a growing pimple or only a clogged pore which can be easily extracted. After a few hours of wear, my true match foundation gives me about 2-3 clogged pores, applied with a brush. However, I've been experimenting with a sponge the past 2-3 applications and my skin has not been happy. I've never seen as many clogged pores as from other methods of application. I reckon it's because the sponge really pushes the product into my skin. The first time I used my sponge was to set my undereye concealer using a damp sponge and loose powder. I rarely, if ever, get clogged pores in that triangle undereye area, but at the end of the day, my skin in that area was so bumpy. Two weeks later, those bumps were finally hardened and were easier to exfoliate.
What has your experience been with using makeup sponges like the beauty blender and other similar products?
Personal Experience w/ makeup sponges?
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Personal Experience w/ makeup sponges?
Sorry for the grammatical errors. I don't really proofread lol
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Re: Personal Experience w/ makeup sponges?
I also have acne (really, really bad acne that I'm on intense medication for) and have found that average makeup sponges soak up way too much product for me to continue using them, though, I do like how soft they are on my skin. I currently use either my fingers or the RT expert face brush, but I feel like I still haven't found the perfect way to apply foundation. What skin type do you have? Oily, dry or combo? And what skin tone do you have? It may possibly be your foundation that is bad for you, I've heard some amazing things about that foundation and some awful things.
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Re: Personal Experience w/ makeup sponges?
I have oily skin. I would say my skin is medium right now, possibly closer to medium tan with yellow undertones. I'm going to get a new foundation soon, preferably one that's cruelty free as well because the true match shades don't match me too well. The thing is that I've never had this happen until I started using makeup sponge
I agree with you on that it's super soft!
I agree with you on that it's super soft!
Sorry for the grammatical errors. I don't really proofread lol
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Re: Personal Experience w/ makeup sponges?
I'm not too sure about the shades available but I would give the Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous foundation a go. It's matte, lasts a decent amount of time when the price is taken into consideration, and hasn't broken me out. It also covers my pores. Unfortunately, it isn't cruelty free which is what you seem to be looking for but I'm sure Google may be able to help. Do you use a primer? Primers can help with your pores! If they're as bad as you say it won't cover them completely but it may help to blur them. The Nude by Nature primer seems to be working really well for me so far, much better than the two benefit ones and the Rimmel one I had previously tried. As for application, I feel like fingers may be the best way to applicate your foundation as sponges can be easily contaminated and seem to be having negative effects on your skin.[blankcanvas] wrote:I have oily skin. I would say my skin is medium right now, possibly closer to medium tan with yellow undertones. I'm going to get a new foundation soon, preferably one that's cruelty free as well because the true match shades don't match me too well. The thing is that I've never had this happen until I started using makeup sponge
I agree with you on that it's super soft!
I wish you the best of luck
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Re: Personal Experience w/ makeup sponges?
I honestly just find sponges annoying and difficult. For foundation I actually find it tiring. I want to invest in a good foundation brush because I prefer them. They're okay for baking and blending concealer but otherwise I don't like them either.
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Re: Personal Experience w/ makeup sponges?
I don't own a beauty blender as it's always out of stock in the one sephora we have. Is it good tho?
The white triangle pre-cut MAC makeup sponge is amazing but they discontinued it at my nearest MAC. I've tried 2 other basic triangle sponges from drug store MU brands which were horrible. They weren't soft & soaked up all my BB cream.
I use my fingers now or a brush. Any recommendations for good MU sponges?
The white triangle pre-cut MAC makeup sponge is amazing but they discontinued it at my nearest MAC. I've tried 2 other basic triangle sponges from drug store MU brands which were horrible. They weren't soft & soaked up all my BB cream.
I use my fingers now or a brush. Any recommendations for good MU sponges?
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Re: Personal Experience w/ makeup sponges?
I personally don't get the hype over makeup sponges because I think they tend to soak up product and just harbor bacteria and oil. I thin they'd be useful for blending cream contr, but that's about it. I apply my foundation with clean fingers
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Re: Personal Experience w/ makeup sponges?
I use my fingers, but I put powder with a sponge. I feel that I have more control when I use fingers and sponges soak up a lot of product and Im already broke.