(Part 2) Best makeup blenders & sponges according to redditors

I think it's possible, but personally I find that foundation goes on much better for me with a damp beauty blender (though mine's a bb knock-off: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D0ANSAG/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_bDcPub1E19NXJ) I bought liquid foundation that highly recommends a special branded brush which was just as expensive as the foundation- but now I wish I hadn't because application with the sponge looks SO much better.

I got a five pack on Amazon for like seven bucks! MISSHA Air in Puff [Blue 4P] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DPGKAD2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_bB8nDbA3RA69H

I hate the RT sponge. It's SO squishy and doesn't evenly spread my foundation. It just absorbs the foundation in like one blob in the middle. To me, there is a noticeable difference. BB is better (for my preferences, anyway.)

But I don't like spending money on the BB so I use the Beau Gachis sponge. I get 2 on Amazon for like 9 bucks. Closest BB dupe I've tried. I actually may like it better than the BB. https://www.amazon.com/Special-Promotions-Beau-G%C3%A2chis-Cosmetics/dp/B00P6NZ902/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1492023029&sr=8-1&keywords=beau+gachis

I love the beauty blender for whipped foundations! If you cannot afford the beauty blender, SOHO (sold at Walgreens if you're an Amerian) has a great dupe that I use! You can also find it on Amazon.

I'm not too good at posting links yet so
I hope this works ;u; I got them here !

I'll post my method routine just in case it helps ya.

TIPS:

• You'll need a thick/theatre type concealer. Kryolan's TV Paint Stick is my weapon of choice although I hear Mehron's CreamBlend's are pretty much the same. Oil-based concealers (Dream Matte Mousse, for example) just don't work at all. They ain't kidding when they say that Covergurl doesn't cover boy.
  
• You'll need a sheer concealer. No if, and or but about it.
  
• You'll need disposable spoolies. When your eyebrows are as thick as mine or yours, you need a lot of glue to battle through in getting 'em covered, so if you have a non-disposable spoolie brush it's just going to end up caked in glue and gunk pretty quickly, thus meaning you'll loose spoolie brush surface pretty quickly.
  
• Do one eyebrow at a time. When I do two, I lose focus and one eyebrow always ends up far better than the other. It's a pain in the ass process and takes forever, but you want it done properly.
  
  
  PREP:
  
  
• As a rule of thumb, I wash my face thoroughly and then lightly moisturise, but either way, the space of about a thumb width all around the eyebrows should be clean and free from excess sebum/dirt/etc.
  
• Take a cotton pad soaked in an alcohol-based facial toner and really get in there with it using circular motions; you need to strip the oils from the root of the hair.
  
  STEPS:
  
  Remember: timing is everything.
  
  
• Take your glue and rub it through the eyebrows quite generously, circular motions along the shape of your eyebrow; make sure every hair is coated.
  
• Wait 10-15 seconds and let the glue get slightly tacky. Do not fan/hairdry your face. Let this part dry naturally.
  
• Take a spoolie and, whilst circling the spoolie into the hairs (which will drag glue off, don't worry), brush everything upwards and outwards.
  
• Immediately take your glue stick again and begin applying it from top to bottom in motions that mimic where your eyebrow hair now lays (upwards and outwards). Do this a twice along the whole length of the brow.
  
• Immediately take the back of a spoon or a makeup brush or something with a hard, flat surface and run over where the eyebrow hairs lay, again, mimicking where they lay (upwards and outwards). Do this once or twice, a fair but not extreme amount of pressure. I've found my best result comes from using a super chunky mascara tube.
  
  Tip: anytime you've done this, quickly wipe off the spoon/makeup brush/whatever using a baby wipe. It'll save you having to pry all the dried glue off.
  
  
• Fan the eyebrow (some people hairdrye but it's not my preference) until it has lost almost all of it's tackiness, but not all of it. Literally just a minuscule grip when you press a finger on top. This may vary depending on room temperature, how fast your fanning, the brand of glue, etc.
  
• Immediately stipple a thick amount of powder over the brows.
  
• Give it 10-15 seconds.
  
• Using the same brush, neatly brush excess powder off.
  
  You should now be able to see where the ridges where the brows aren't necessarily laying as flat as they could be / are laid atop another hair and giving a ridge.
  
  
• Take the glue stick and, again, run it over where your eyebrow hairs now lay in an upwards and outwards motion. Do this over the length of the brow maybe 2-3 times.
  
• Fan your eyebrows until the glue is again almost completely without any tackiness.
  
• Immediately stipple a thick amount of powder over the brows.
  
• Give it 10-15 seconds.
  
• Using the same brush, neatly brush excess powder off.
  
  Repeat the above once more. You should now have three layers of glue over the eyebrow. There's a chance you may need a forth layer, but as a rule, three is sufficient as you don't want to build outwards too much.
  
  
• Without dragging too much, apply your concealer, generously, but not too much, over the brow.
  
• Blend using a sponge in circular motions. In my experience, nothing comes close to the texture created by Real Techniques' Miracle Complexion Sponge.
  
• Take a thick layer of orange eyeshadow and stipple over the blue undertone of your eyebrow showing through.
  
• Again, without dragging too much, apply concealer in generous amounts, but without going crazy.
  
• Again, blend using a sponge in circular motions.
  
• Set using a generous amount of powder, then brush off the excess.
  
  Boom.
  
  Let me know how you get on!

This Sponge has been my HG for over a year since I got it in an ipsy bag. The prices on amazon go up and down for a double pack. Last time I got the pack for $6.

They're super soft and feel great in adiirion to working really well.

No not a brand name. I have bought some that are designed to be make-up sponges. They are different sizes, so you can pick one to suit you, or trim them if necessary. There are also some sold specifically as sanitary sponges but they're exactly the same.

Constantia Beauty 12 Pack Natural Sea Silk Sponges 1.5"-3" Sizes for Cosmetic Use https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01GGT6G24/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_MA5YDnOZh5G85

NYX Blushes

Not exactly makeup, but most makeup ladies I know love to keep up our inner beauty She'll probably need to relax and wind down eventually!


Makeup remover wipes

Concealer

Eyeshadow singles

Creamy eye-shadow

WET N WILD IS AMAZING AND SO CHEAP!

BROWS!

If she prefers something more sheer on her lips

Beauty blenders

If you want to pick something up at a physical store, you can use this thread from MUA for good drugstore brands that run pretty cheap usually :)

If you can't find anything good from this, here's some Brands I suggest:

• Maybelline (lippies [usually], glosses, and the FIT Me foundation & concealer are amazing) Amazon/CVS/Walmart/Rite-Aid/Ulta
  
  
• Wet n Wild (eye shadows, lippies) usually on Amazon w/ free shipping and <$5 so no worries
  
  
• ELF (Studio line brushes [the others are ehhh] and blush) not everything is on Amazon, but the site has lots of deals and sales all the time
  
  
• NYX (lippies, brow kits, eye shadows) CVS/Amazon/Ulta
  
  As you can tell, yes, I'm really really into makeup

If the redness is mild and widespread, a sheer coverage matte foundation/tinted moisturizer might actually work better for you - easier to cover more area and looks natural. If it's dark and/or just in small areas a more pigmented concealer would be better. I second the recommendation to go to Sephora - they have a lot of brands to pick from and the employees don't work on commission. They'll help you find a match for your skin tone, show you how to apply it and give you samples to try for a couple days before you buy.

For concealer I really like Amazing Cosmetics. It's extremely full coverage and looks natural, and they have a ton of shades to pick from. The 'travel size' tube is more than plenty to last a long time. If you're just putting it on small spots, I find the easiest way to blend it is to dab it on with a finger and then bounce a damp blending sponge over it to blend the edges into your skin.

I'm not as familiar with tinted moisturizer and light coverage foundations, but Paula's Choice makes a tinted moisturizer w/sunscreen that looks like it might work well. I haven't tried it, but Phyrra reviewed it pretty highly, and posted swatches of the different colors. If you'd rather stick to something you can get in store, a lot of people seem to like NARS Sheer Matte.

The number one thing about looking natural though is make sure you get a good color match.

Not sure if it interests you, but I got this on Amazon for $13 and like it! The blenderelle

https://www.amazon.ca/Blenderelle-Makeup-Blender-Storage-Display/dp/B07D5JPWJR?th=1&psc=1

I didn't want to spend $20 on a beauty blender either, so instead I purchased a kit from Amazon. The beauty blender kit comes with 2 BBs and the blender cleanser so I caved in. Definitely worth it.

Since that one is sold out, here's the same thing.

This has worked well for me because it acts both as a holder and also a carrying case in my makeup bag.

I bought these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DF90SAE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I saw that same video and made my custom sunscreen cushion. They are the perfect size! I also would like to suggest that you get something similar to my purchase: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N1NOI1V/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

But these sponges are currently unavailable. I didn't want to bother with cleaning the air puff.

They fit perfectly into my loreal lumi cushion.

Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/Makeup-Blender-Beauty-Sponge-Shopping/dp/B07GR9YZW4

The fabric-y kind that come in compacts. :) I got a set of Missha air puffs from Amazon.

I like these because they don't absorb too much sunscreen and last for months. I just threw out the first one after 4 months of daily use, because it was starting to fall apart from being washed several times a week.

The sponge sets (and some brush sets) also seem to be on sale on Amazon, in case that works better for some people: https://smile.amazon.com/JUNO-Co-Microfiber-Latex-Free-Foundations/dp/B07KK7P9GY/ref=gbps_tit_s-5_a544_de1599a3?smid=A2NDMQ1CNSKX52&pf_rd_p=73793677-0789-40d9-9f0d-77265ab8a544&pf_rd_s=slot-5&pf_rd_t=701&pf_rd_i=gb_main&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=Y8BGHXC2TKP0T2KDM2AE&th=1

$30 for two sponges and a huge thing of cleanser. You'll definitely want the cleanser because it extends the life of the sponge to clean it after every use.

Doooo ittttt, I have one and I love it.

purple durple makeup sponge thing

I'll be stalking this thread for more ideas - thanks for hosting!!

I'd say my number 1 item under $5 is NYX Butter Lip Gloss in Raspberry Tart because the color is gorgeous and the formula is better for my busy mornings at work.

The second most favorable item would be these lashes because falsies are the one thing I've yet to master and I could use all the practice!

The 3rd item would be this blending sponge because I've yet to try one.

I just looked for a cheap sponge holder on Amazon and found it :)

Apparently they're still selling some (I didn't get mine from the same vendor, because I use my country's Amazon but here you go)

Have any of you tried these blender sponges? Thoughts? I LOVE my Beauty Blender but it's all gross now and I'm hesitant to spend $20 on replacing it if I can find a good dupe.

http://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Blender-Dupe-Makeup-Sponges/dp/B00D0ANSAG

Ok, so I'm a makeup geek.. sorry if this is a long post.

1. CoverGirl Eye Enhancer in French Vanilla: A stable of mine, I love this colour as it will not smudge or budge. Hurry, it's only 1c at the moment!!
   
2. Corrective Concealer Palette: This is professional quality make-up that's only $4! Every girl should have one of these handy, you don't know when you'll have an icky pimple, bad bags under your eyes ect.
   
3. Hair tie 'ribbons': Another must have. They are basically non-traditional hair ties to hair up without pulling/tearing. Another plus? When you take them out, they don't leave an indentation on your hair. You want ANOTHER plus? Oh ok, these can be worn as bracelets when not in hair.
   
4. Beauty Blenders: This little guys are very popular at the moment, very 'in' in the beauty world as they make cosmetics application extremely easy, cheap and best of all, it leaves you with flawless HD effect!
   
5. EOS lip balm in lemon balm: This scent is like a dessert. Cute packaging. Works great. What's not to love?
   
   Other brands to consider
   
   
6. Bourjois: Bourjois are a French makeup company with cute affordable makeup. I don't know how big they are/are they in the US (I'm in Europe), but try find their stuff on amazon. The packaging is Parisian chic with an edge. Bourjois make excellent lipsticks, nail polishes, blushes. Avoid their mascaras.
   
7. Essence: A German super affordable brand that is available in the States (you'll need to look up where, I can't remember >.<). None of their products are more then €10 (about 7 dollars). Buy their eye products, blushes and face powders. Avoid their nail polishes, they chip very easily!
   
8. Etude: Korean makeup is super affordable, esp thanks to ebay and free shipping! Their eye primer is the best stuff I've even tried (I bought it on ebay for $7 w/free shipping)
   
9. NYX: Two words come to mind; BUTTER GLOSS!! My absolute favourite NYX product, it's a highly pigmented, moisturizing and not very expensive. Also, NYX make excellent blushes too.

Not familiar with that brand, but there are more well known brands in that price range that would be a great gift.

I'd get:

this real techniques set

Along with this one

And maybe add their version of the beauty blender here

**I linked from Amazon UK since I'm assuming that's where you are. You can also get them in Superdrug.

You'll need a cream makeup wheel like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07K1K9DYY/ref=mp_s_a_1_11_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1549193305&sr=8-11
And ideally an roughcut type stipple sponge like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0787YTZVP/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_kjTvCb5020Y75
And of course some fake blood of your choice.
Google a photo of road rash. Look at a few actually to get a feel for the look you are going for and a basic idea of where the wound(s) should be placed depending upon of cause. Note the wounds usually have a direction if it from something like a motorcycle crash and are rarely symmetrical.
-Start was the red cream makeup and dab the sponge into the makeup and then onto the skin in a shape outlining the effected area (a ring shape). Blend it out by rubbing it to the skin. We want the skin to look irritated and it does not have to be perfectly blended. Then fill in the ring with more blended red until the whole area looks pink. Less is more (you can always add to it later)
-Next take some more red and dab a "inner ring" just inside the border on the blended red area. As you dab rotate the sponge in your hand so as not to make the sponge patern too repetitive. Do this sparingly for now. so the area should look pink with little flecks of red inside it.
-Now dab some of the purple into the center as well. Again, sparely. It does not have to be too dark or perfectly even. Just get a bit of purple in there.
-Now if you want to do a directional wound take you sponge and turn it sideways and drags it across the center of your makeup so that the little flecks smear in one direction. If you want it darker add a few more dabs of red and purple and then smear it again.
-Now go back on enhance the outer ring with some addional stippling of red, purple, and brown. Again rotating the sponge as you go.
-Finally blood. A little goes a long way here. You basically want it to look wet for camera. I would advise placing the person in the position or general pose they will be on camera so that any directional drips you may get make sense. Use a stipple sponge (ideally a different one from the cream make up) and dab the blood around your outer ring and though the inner area very sparingly and randomly. Try different dab pressures for slighted different effect. Any protruding areas would most likely bleed more so put your higher pressure dabs of blood in those areas. Again you can always add more later but it is difficult to remove.

• Reply and let me know if you wanted more of a 3 days after the wound makeup. This would be a fresh wound makeup. Id love to see how you did. I recommend doing a test run on yourself!

Thanks for doing this contest! TeaCup

If I could only bring 3 items with me on a vacation it would definitely be water-proof mascara, lip balm and tinted moisturizer!

Although I've never used something like this before, I've heard great things and want to try it!

Some of these might be a bit over $5, I apologize in advance.

This Burt's Bees lip balm is great for everyday or regular use. I have the Beeswax flavor and I love it.

This Eos lip balm is wonderful! I have the Vanilla and the Mint flavors (which somebody gifted to me <3) and I just love them. They smell nice, are organic, and are just good all around. Your sister might already have a few of the round ones, but the sticks are also great. I don't think there's a vanilla round one, and that's one of my favorites.

This mascara is great and one I personally use. It's not waterproof, but it's super easy to apply and makes your lashes look longer. It has minimal flaking and lasts all day.

If she wants a waterproof mascara, Great Lash is great but harder to apply and doesn't lengthen your lashes as much as the other one does.

If she's in to nail art, these dotting pens look great. Each of them is a different size and they come in fun colors.

This blender looks great, but I can't personally advocate it. It's cheap and should do the job though.

These face cleaning towelettes are great for removing makeup and cleaning your skin. It might not be the right product for everybody though, so get her a small pack if you do.

This concealer set is cheap and by the reviews, works well!


I think that covers it, good luck!

These look good to me:

https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Sea-Silk-Sponges-12pk/dp/B01GGT6G24

I just bought mine at the pharmacy (sold as cosmetic applicators). They were too big so I trimmed them to the right size with normal scissors. For me, the size of a golf ball is the right size, but it probably depends on the woman's body.

$1.29 with free shipping and handling.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L0R2TY2/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3HFAT0N482Y8H&coliid=I1EPDATZH7O5FG

and there no need to look for it.

Here is an item I would love that is only $1, free shipping!

Happy labor day, ya'll ~~~

Get a beauty blender!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even better than a face brush!!!!!!!! Seriously life changing & looks flawless

All you have to do is wet it and ring it out before you use it
Clean it before each use - I just have a castile bar soap it's cheap

I love this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HLTNE82/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This one is super cheap I've used before when I was skeptical and works fine: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RVSNO02/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pass the dutchie on the left hand side
Edit: haha sorry
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RVSNO02/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3EQ57C3PSV8S6&coliid=I2IOR936P95K17

I just chucked mine last week!
They make the triangular foam applicators super cheap, try walmart. Or Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07THCH5JV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_VySKDbY3BQ47V