There’s no question about it: make-up blenders are a must-have in any beauty routine. They’re one of the quickest ways to achieve a smooth, polished look, even on days when you barely have time to get ready before you head out the door! But, with all the different types of makeup blenders out there, it can be hard to know which one(s) you need in your collection and which ones are just more fluff than they are practical.
Face Puffs
You can never have enough make-up blender products! A make-up blender is a tool that is used to apply make-up more evenly and blend the product into your skin seamlessly. It’s also a great way to reduce the amount of time you need to spend blending your foundation and concealer. There are many different types of face puffs on the market, but these are the most popular:
* Loose powder puff – This type of puff is typically made out of velvet, which allows for a soft application. If you use it with loose powder or even bronzer, you’ll find it easier to rub off any excess powder after application so that it doesn’t get all over your clothes or counter. Plus, they’re great because they’re reusable! Just throw them in the wash when you’re done.
* Sponge applicator – These are good for applying liquid make-ups like a tinted moisturizer, water-based foundation, or cream blush. They work best when applied wet since they will give a much lighter coverage when dry.
* Brush sponge applicator – Unlike other sponges on this list, this one has bristles around the edges which work well at buffing out your makeup and reducing the appearance of pores.
Make-up Sponge Applicators
There are five different types of make-up blenders you need to have in your beauty routine. These are:
1) The Classic Make-up Sponge
The classic make-up sponge is great for people with sensitive skin as it is soft and gentle on the skin. It also gives a smooth finish to your foundation or powder which makes it great for use with liquid or cream products.
2) The Rubber Make-up Sponge
The rubber make-up sponge feels like silk against the skin and gives an airbrushed effect when applied to your face.
3) The Silicone Make-up Sponge
Make-up sponges made from silicone also feel silky to the touch and very gentle on sensitive skin. However, they are not as soft as rubber make-up sponge applicators which are made from latex. Silicone makeup sponge applicators hold onto a larger amount of product than most other types so you need to be careful when applying foundation to your face.
4) The Natural Makeup Applicator
The natural make-up brush is perfect for blending liquid foundation without leaving any streaks behind.
5) A Lip Brush
The final type of make-up blender we recommend is the lip brush. Lip brushes can be used both wet and dry depending on the texture or consistency of your lipstick. They are usually shorter than traditional make-up brushes but do come in various sizes depending on personal preference.
Cosmetic Sponges
While there are a variety of different make-up blender types, the three that you need are cosmetic sponges, foundation brushes, and beauty blenders.
For a flawless finish, start with a gentle sweep to get rid of any excess oils from your face with a damp sponge or facial brush before using a more rigorous circular motion to apply the liquid foundation. If your goal is sheer coverage use less liquid for this step, otherwise it can just seem like streaks on your face. Remember not to use too much water as this will dilute your product and not give you the full-coverage look you want.
You can buy a branded version of all three types, but it can also be cheaper to buy them separately. If you want to save money and find your ideal blend, you can often get what you need from brands like ELF and NYX. These brands offer sets that have various sponge densities so that you can choose what works best for you.
Once you’ve found a make-up blender type that feels right for your face, there’s no going back! These make-up applicators will help prolong your makeup so it doesn’t rub off or fade by allowing your foundation to sit on top of them instead of being absorbed by them. Keep these essentials in stock with Jane Clinique’s expert advice on more than 3,000 beauty products!
Kabuki Brushes
If you’re into applying foundation by hand and want to avoid the caked-on, streaky result that often comes with it, there are many different makeup blenders to choose from. One type is the classic kabuki brush; this make-up blender is typically made from goat hair and comes with a rounded or flat head that’s densely packed with hairs.
Many make-ups recommend the kabuki for use with powder foundations or mineral foundations for an airbrush finish. The kabuki is said to work great at blending out concealer as well–great for spot correction on spots or blemishes–making it a multitasking tool in your beauty routine. If you’re looking for another option that’ll give you more control, oval brushes can be an excellent option.
Stippling Brushes
A stippling brush is a make-up artist’s secret weapon for a flawless, airbrushed-looking finish. This type of brush is used to apply liquid and cream makeup by dabbing the bristles on the skin. The deep, dense bristles create a seamless, feathery finish that looks like it was professionally done. If you’re not really into applying your makeup with your fingers (like me), this is the perfect tool for you. It’ll save you some time and will give you a professional look every time!
All you need to do is apply your liquid or cream makeup with a stippling brush, then use a sponge applicator to blend it into your skin. This will ensure that you don’t have any streaks and that your look isn’t heavy and cakey. You can also stipple on other types of make-up, like concealer.
If there are specific spots you want to conceal, like blemishes or discolored under-eye circles, use a small dabbing motion to hide them.
Just remember that these kinds of brushes tend to lose some bristles as time goes on and aren’t as sturdy as other kinds! When washing your stippling brush, only use a very gentle soap.
Conclusion
As you’re looking for the perfect make-up blender, there are a few things that are important to keep in mind. You must get your hands on a silicone make-up blender to avoid clumps and lumps from forming. What’s more, the shape and size of your blender should be selected with care because this will help ensure the product does what it is supposed to do. As with all makeup brushes, quality makes all the difference when selecting which one is right for you.
Image Credit: Getty Images
