(Part 3) Best makeup blenders & sponges according to redditors

I gambled on this Amazon sponge and it's just as good imo. Gets so soft and 1/4 the price? That's all I'm looking for

Do you have $50 to blow? I'd say go to Sephora, schedule a makeover (you have to spend $50 on product), and then ask them to do a simple, easy to learn style that could be used every day and makes you look feminine/female. Overall, you can get the same look with drug store stuff as with more expensive brands. The difference is usually the durability (cheap mascara dries up & flakes off after 5 hours, say) and how easy it is to put on.

My basics: foundation (ask a store employee for color, usually it should match the skin tone of your neck/chest/underarm), concealer for beard shadow (a little more pinkish/orangish than usual if you're covering up dark beard shadow on a light-skinned face), mascara, lipstick. Also, usually bronzer. (Brush it on beneath the cheekbone. Start at the ear, and hook it under the cheekbone. Don't extend past horizontally past where your eye starts. Adds some color & the darkness in that area makes it look like you have real cheekbones, which many of us don't.)

Hygiene: Do NOT use the floor samples at any makeup store. Makeup can carry bacteria. You don't want other people's skin diseases. A store employee doing a makeover or showing you a sample should clean it with an alcohol spray before using. Ask about this. Also, once a month or so clean your brushes with alcohol (ELF makes a cheap alcohol spray that isn't as rough as plain isopropyl rubbing alcohol, though that works too.

Removal: Makeup removal wipes are a rip-off, though I do have one pack for my gym locker. I prefer a simple oil, as makeup is generally oil-soluble. Something relatively cheap, like cold-pressed almond oil, will wipe makeup right off and be much healthier than fancy makeup removers. (Except mascara, which is usually water soluble.) Take off makeup, towel (or old t-shirt) off the oil, wash face with water, and apply moisturizer before bed. Sleeping in makeup isn't great for your skin.

Brushes: I'd look for a brush set on Amazon. Makeup in stores can be a good deal. Brushes are always a rip off in stores. I prefer animal hair, and bought this set:

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1PC5MA5316

Cheaper:

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B001JKTTVQ/ref=twister_B00MPAVC82?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

Or this if you're going to splurge:

https://smile.amazon.com/SHANY-Professional-Brush-Leather-Look-Badger/dp/B002DOSSYG/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1526426788&sr=8-3&keywords=makeup+brush+set+animal+hair

There are a variety of all-synthetic brushes if you don't want something that uses animal hair though, like this:

https://smile.amazon.com/ZOREYA-Brushes-Leather-Contour-EyeShadow/dp/B01N9RJ4D7/ref=sr_1_6_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1526426788&sr=8-6&keywords=makeup+brush+set+animal+hair

For liquid foundation: some cheap teardrop sponges. For primer, silicone applicators. Like so:

https://smile.amazon.com/Cosmetic-Silicone-Blending-iFanze-Concealer/dp/B071NDHJ6Y/ref=sr_1_6_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1526427802&sr=1-6&keywords=beauty+sponge+%2B+silicon

SPF: the sun is your enemy. Always wear SPF anywhere that will be exposed to the sun.

What basics do I actually use: Sephora-brand liquid foundation (lotion I put on before makeup is SPF), sephora lipstick (SPF), Sephora primer. (Which I use only if I want my makeup to last 10+ hours - makeup is absorbed into the skin. Sephora filling primer is kind of like vaseline-light and will prevent that. Also, ever so slightly reduces wrinkles - not by much.) Sephora concealer too, but they canceled my favorite shade. Dunno what I'll go with when I run out.

Ulta bronzer. Simple, cheap.

Mascara is covergirl (gym bag) or Urban Decay (expensive, but I like it).

I also have a variety of other lipsticks, eye shadows that I got as a gift from friends (yay) or Ulta promotional items. I usually don't bother with eye liner or eye shadow (I prefer light eye shadows, NOT smokey or dark eye shadows, as trans women already tend to have more shadow from deeper-set eyes). Once in a LONG while I play with contouring, blush, highlighters, but I don't bother usually. Heck, many days I'll just put on some concealer on my upper lip and call it good now that laser means I don't have beard shadow most places.

I probably spent about $200 in my first 4 months of makeup. Then about $20 once every three months since then.

While I couldn't find anything for $0.18, here are some of my cheapest finds:

• 90-Degree Elbow of PVC Pipe Fitting (3/4" Slip) - $0.43 + Free Prime Shipping
  
  
• Elmer's Glue (4oz Bottle) - $0.50 + Free Prime Shipping
  
  
• Roller Chain Connecting Link (8 mm Pitch) - $0.54 + Free Prime Shipping
  
  
• Makeup Blender Sponge - $0.79 + Free Shipping
  
  
• Skull Mask Bandana - $0.86 + Free Shipping

i found another sponge that is sold on amazon as well
it's called the Body Sponge by Aeshetica.
it retails for $7.99 and it doesn't have the same shape as nikkie's (her sponge has more of an oval shape) but looks promising!
https://www.amazon.com/Aesthetica-Body-Sponge-Cosmetics-Bronzers/dp/B01JZRJ68A/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1519666626&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=aesthetica+body+sponge&psc=1

The aesthetica brow contouring pallet is regularly $24, but will be on sale in 8 min.

And these three different sponges are on in 15. Won't know the discount until it starts.

I've noticed that as well with my RT sponge, but I thought it was just me. I was looking to save money this summer and got some RT knock offs on Amazon which I actually really liked. I washed it after every other use and it would get totally clean. With the RT, it wouldnt get completely clean even after the very first use. Super annoying.

That was exactly what I honed in on! I'm ashamed I didn't know they existed before today, lol.

I found a 2 pack for $5.99 on Amazon (but because I can't help myself, I got these chicken ones).

Nothing gets through my hot weather combo:

NARS Pore & Shine Control Primer (I apply a pea-sized amount quickly with fingers)

Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Foundation applied with damp Real Techniques beautyblender dupe.

UD All Nighter Setting Spray on top (original formula)

I used to have to blow through blotting papers constantly before I found this from trial & error. If anything, this is a little too oil-absorbing/drying for me. I have oily/dehydrated, acne-prone skin with large pores and blackheads.

I think it's this one, and if you put ''pink makeup sponge" in Amazon's search, you'll see a bunch. They work well because they are dense and don't soak up all of your concealer. That's why the cheap ones suck.

I really like these ones from Amazon!! They’re a little firm when you first use them but after 3-4 uses they’re nice and bouncy. Been using them for a year now, they apply my foundation just as well as the real techniques and beauty blender sponges did.

These are similar to the ones I have. Prices on them are all over the place, and I'm not sure where the price/quality point is on them. I like them a lot though. Youtube is great for contouring vids, and it seems like an essential skill for feminizing your facial bone structure. I'm still not great at it. :P

Wow, this is really helpful! I'm glad I asked about the details. What pad things do you use in particular? Is it a foam pad? I usually go to class everyday so I'm back home late at night after an early rise. Have you tried leaving some sort of absorption pad between your feet and socks while wearing shoes?

I entered in the other one, but still the item that would most make my day are the beauty blenders because I really need a new one. Make me Smile! You're such a sweetheart for doing all these contests. :)

The cushion itself is white, it's this one here (though I purchased from memebox a few months ago): https://www.amazon.com/Its-My-Cushion-cosmetic-internal/dp/B0157HF4Q0?th=1

I'll update with a photo outside of the box, per this thread's rules asap though!

I'm a sucker for cheapo brush sets. I just can't bring myself to spend $30 on ONE BRUSH MY GOD it doesn't matter how much better it blends I just can't do it, so I'm all about the cheap brushes. They last me surprisingly long anyway because it takes me forever to wear through any makeup products..

Also a bonus cause I can't not mention them.. konjac sponges are the best things ever for your skin. Once I started using these seriously there was no going back. Just pop on a bit of cleanser and go to town and your face will be so soft afterwards.

I’ve recently discovered how much I love air cushion puffs for applying/blending air cushion puffs

Hi there and welcome back! I hope we can bring you comfort during what I imagine is a hard time for you.

Contest: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MYANOBW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Vfc-ybJKCF8QR

I'm on my 3rd silisponge and like this one the best so far

To any Clarisonic owners out there...how many days before you started to see a different. I've read that it generally takes a couple of weeks to get going, I'm on day 6 with no improvement. However I will say that because it is so expensive>I'm defiantly washing my face more and that is probably part of the reason people see results with it.

mostly from youtube tutorials (example - searching "simple eyeshadow application" and stuff like that) and from r/MakeupAddiction.

I'd always worn a bit of make up but never really gave it much thought until someone pointed out that I was doing it badly. So then I started spending my evenings for a few months applying/removing/applying again until I got the hang of it.

Some good basics to start with if you're on a budget:

Real Techniques eyeshadow brush set

Real Techniques sponge

Real Techniques face brushes

A face primer (I've had good results with Rimmel ones and Loreal ones). This fills in your pores and gives the foundation a smooth base to sit on.

A foundation that matches your skin tone - this should be something that matches the skin on your neck, not your face, as once you've covered your face in it, you need it to blend into your neck. Note that foundation shades go from light to dark but also from cool to warm. So, if you're pale, you then need to figure out wether a pink toned foundation matches or a yellow toned foundation. This is best applied with a damp sponge - put a couple squirts of foundation on the back of your hand, dap it on the the sponge and then repeatedly "dab" the sponge all over your face until it's everywhere, then keep going until it's blended. It does feel a little silly as you're essentially hitting yourself in the face over and over again, but it works nicely.

Some sort of blush or bronzer to put colour in your cheeks - if you apply foundation and don't add some colour back in, your face may end up looking a little flat. I personally just put a little bronzer under my cheekbones and a little blush on the chubbiest bit of my cheeks. Apply a tiny amount with a medium sized fluffy brush and just keep brushing it until you have a small amount over the area you want it on.

Either a setting spray or a setting powder (translucent) - this is to stop the foundation from disappearing from your face within a couple of hours and kind of "finish it off" - if you're wanting a more matte look, then I'd go for a powder (again, I just get a Rimmel one from the supermarket). If you're wanting a more shiny, natural look, a setting spray is a better shout, but I've never used them so can't offer a recommendation! A setting powder would be applied with a big fluffy brush.

For eyes (if you want to do eyeshadow)-

again, primer. Not cheap, but I buy it in the travel size and it lasts ages - Urban Decay Primer Potion. This makes eyeshadow look more pigmented and bright and it lasts longer and doesn't tend to settle into the creases in your eyes.

Eye shadow. The brand Revolution (you can buy it at Superdrug) have surprisingly good quality eye shadow for the price and they have a big selection of pallettes. I'd recommend buying one in neutral colours (creams and browns) and then watching some youtube tutorials on how to do a simple look. Then practice, practice, practice!

Mascara - I like the Maybelline ones from the supermarket. Best way to apply mascara neatly is to hold the wand still and blink onto it a few times, then hold it right into the root of your eye lashes and give it a little wiggle to coat the roots. If you get it on your skin, let it dry then give it a quick wipe with a cotton bud - this gets it off without smudging it.

Eye brows - I have a little kit from Revolution and I just apply a tiny amount of powder into my eyebrows then comb it through to make them look a bit fuller. Again, if you search for eyebrow tutorials on youtube, you should be able to find something that works for you. Depending on the sort of look you want, you can search stuff like "natural brow tutorial" etc.

I think that covers everything! I can't advise on contouring because I don't do it, but if that's something you're interested in, youtube will have the answers!

All these comments are really surprising because I love mine! I used to use a beauty blender but the sponge freaked me out because I felt like I couldn't get it clean enough. I bought this and I love it because I can wash it after each use! Also, it's nothing like using a silicone spatula.... that's a horrible comparison. It's filled with silicone gel so it's definitely firm but is in no way hard. I definitely use less product with it too. I only use it to blend my cream based concealer, so I'm not sure about applying foundation with it but they're so cheap you might as well buy one and try it to see if you like it!

Edit: mine is called the Lucent! I would try this one since apparently the other brand feels like a spatula?