How to Use a Makeup Sponge

Triangular makeup wedges have been around for a long time, but in the past few years a new shape of makeup sponge has invaded the beauty industry. This guide will show you how to use a makeup sponge to create a flawless base and amp up your beauty routine!

Beauty blenders, sponges, whatever you call them – they are awesome for applying makeup!

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Products you can use with makeup sponges:

• primer
• liquid and cream foundations
• liquid and cream concealers
• cream contour
• cream blush
• cream highlight
• setting powder

You don’t have to use a makeup sponge with all of these (I personally do not like using a sponge for my primer!) but using a makeup sponge can be helpful for many product applications.

Not sure why you should use a makeup sponge? Here are 10 reasons you should use a makeup sponge.

Wet or Dry?

Using a wet sponge on your face to apply makeup DOES seem really weird at first – but you get used to it, fast.

Why would you use a wet sponge?

Completely saturating your sponge in water, then squeezing as much out as possible, leaves you with a damp surface that will absorb way LESS of your precious foundation into the sponge. This will save you product that otherwise would be wasted.

The damp sponge also helps create a very flawless finish with liquid and cream products.

As a bonus, when a (quality) makeup sponge is wet it expands to about double it’s original size, allowing you to cover more of your face quicker – and who doesn’t love a quicker foundation routine?

However, some people DO prefer using their sponge dry. I find that this wastes a lot of product and does not create as flawless of a finish. Feel free to try it both ways, but in this article we will be assuming that using a damp sponge is preferred.

How to Use a Makeup Sponge for Liquid or Cream Products

Foundations, concealers, cream contours, blushes, highlights, and primers are all applied essentially the same way when using a makeup sponge.

Step 1: Wet your sponge

Hold your sponge under running water or submerge it under water. Every couple seconds, squeeze your sponge. Repeat until you are sure your sponge is at its maximum size, holding as much water as possible. This usually takes me about ten seconds and 4-5 squeezes!

Step 2: Squeeze out excess water

You want your makeup sponge to be damp, not dripping. Squeeze your sponge until all the excess water is gone, and you’re ready to go!

Step 3: Apply product to face

Take your desired makeup product, and apply it on your face in the desired area.

For example, if I am applying foundation, I will use my finger to dot it all over my entire face.

If applying concealer, I will take the applicator wand to dot it where needed.

If applying cream blush, I will dot the product on my cheeks.

Step 4: Blend out product with sponge

Use the sponge in a bouncing motion on your face to blend the product into your skin.

TIP: Do NOT swipe or drag the sponge on your face, because it will remove product – especially if you are applying multiple layers. If you drag a sponge to blend out blush over top of your foundation, the sponge will remove both the blush and foundation from your cheek. 

Continue bouncing the sponge on your face until you are sure the product is fully blended and evenly distributed on your skin.

Don’t forget to blend towards your hair line, neck, ears, and any place where your foundation shade doesn’t 100% match your skin – you don’t want any harsh lines!

How to Use a Makeup Sponge for Setting Powder

If I used a makeup sponge dry for any product, I would use it dry for setting powder.

NOTE: LOOSE setting powder is the best powder to use with this technique.

Since I typically apply setting powder after cream products, my makeup sponge is already damp, so I use a damp sponge to apply my setting powder.

NOTE: Applying powder with this method can be more drying. I do not recommend you use this technique on dry skin or dry patches, because it will look flaky. 

Step 1: Dip sponge into powder

Dry or damp, it’s up to you. If you want your sponge damp, follow the first couple steps above then dip your sponge into powder.

Don’t be shy about the amount of powder you use!

Step 2: Place sponge on area of face you want to set

The most popular place to set with a sponge is under your eyes, where concealer can slip and crease.

Step 3: Press & Roll

The best motion to really set the powder into your skin is a pressing and rolling technique.

Press the sponge onto your face, roll it in the direction you want powder, and then lift it off your face.

Repeat until all desired areas of your face are set, dipping sponge back into powder as needed.

Honestly, that’s about it!

It’s actually very easy to use a makeup sponge.

If your foundation still isn’t looking great after trying these techniques, check out this post:

13 Foundation Mistakes You’re Making – and How to Fix Them!

And now that you’ve used a makeup sponge, you need to know how to clean it! (especially when using powder, because product will cake up fast!!)

Best Way to Clean Makeup Sponges

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How do you use a makeup sponge? Tell me in the comments below!