Beauty Sponge

Hi there! Happy Monday!

It is the second Monday of 2018 and I can already tell that this year is going to fly by! This past weekend I got to have some much needed girl time with one of my best friends and that included, of course, a trip to Target. We chatted skincare and makeup, and she suggested that I try the EcoTools Blending Sponge, and with a $5 price-point I was happy to test it out.

About the EcoTools Blending Sponge

The Total Perfecting Blender is designed with EcoFoam Technology to blend primer & foundation for flawless skin. The website description claims that the contoured makeup sponge can be used wet/dry to create the look you want. You can purchase the EcoTools Sponge in a duo with a smaller sponge included, or a single like I purchased.

First Impressions and My Thoughts

I have used the Beauty Blender for years and really love it, but the price point is high and sometimes that causes me to not reach for it or not replace it when I have one that gets worn out. I love that the EcoTools sponge because the price point is something that I can grab without much thought or guilt on a regular basis. The EcoTools Total Perfecting Blender sponge expanded beautifully, and it felt nice. The large flat side of the sponge worked great for my foundation, and the rounded end worked well as well, though the sponge did feel a bit more stiff compared to the Beauty Blender sponge. The EcoTools sponge doesn’t have a fine point, and so to get the under eye area and the deepest set area of my eyes I had to hold the sponge to create a finer point for it to fit. I thought this sponge gave a beautiful flawless finish. I loved the flat sides of this sponge for getting around the crevices of my nose. The flat edge is also great for cleaning up eye shadow fallout. I didn’t find that this sponge absorbed too much makeup on the flat edge, but did notice a bit more had absorbed on the bottom, but it wasn’t so much that I was concerned about wasting makeup product. I will definitely continue to use this sponge, and I love that for those who want to try out a beauty sponge or want a sponge with a more affordable price-point, that they have this option.

My Routine

The sponge can be used wet or dry according to the description, but I wet all my makeup sponges with cool water wringing the sponge out until it is as large as possible. I can’t imagine using this dry, it was too stiff in my opinion to use that way, but using it wet it gets much softer and bounces the product onto the skin well. After applying my favorite primer I dot the foundation onto my skin with my fingers and then use the sponge in a bouncing motion, similar to stippling. I like to use the large flat side of the brush and the bottom of the brush to apply foundation. I hold the sponge, squeezing to create a small tip to apply concealer to the under eye area. I dry sponge in storage stand after washing it with an antibacterial hand soap or baby shampoo.

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Have you tried this sponge? Please let me know your favorite makeup sponge in the comments!

Watch My Latest YouTube Video

Hi there! Happy Monday!!

I received a request to talk about the correct way to apply liquid foundation and today I am going to share my top 3 ways to apply it. I want to also say that I am not a professinal makeup artist…but I do play around a lot with different makeup, make up brushes and applicators, read blogs and watch videos on makeup a lot…so there is that ; ) If you have any questions or requests, please never hestitate to reach out to me! I would LOVE some more participation from my readers!!

#1 Stipple It On!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE to stipple on my foundation!! To stipple means to dot and that is exactly what you do with this technique! You dot on the foundation instead of brushing the foundation on. Stippling on your foundation gives a beautiful diffused finish because the foundation doesn’t go into lines or scars as easily, but rather brushes over them for a beautiful flawless appearance.

What I Do:

I put a little bit of foundation on the top of the hand that I won’t be holding the brush with (so in my case my left hand) between my thumb and pointer finger. I use the pointer finger of my right hand to dot foundation on the area of my face I want to start with because I like to work in sections. I work in sections because if I dotted foundation all over my face some of it may begin to set before I’ve gotten to it. I stipple the foundation onto my skin by making quick dotting motions up and down to get the perfect finish.

What I Use:

My absolute favorite stippling brush is the F50 Duo Fiber from Sigma Beauty. This brush is sold individually as well as in sets. I use this brush so often that I have two so that it’s in constant rotation even when I’m washing some of my brushes. This brush can also be used to apply cream or liquid blush and bronzer.

#2 Traditional Foundation Brush

When I first started out this is the technique I used, and it’s still a great option. I think that this is a great way when you are first starting out with makeup or with liquid foundations. Using a traditional foundation brush can cause streaking, which nobody wants, but as long as you make small strokes it can be fairly easily avoided.

What I Do:

I put the foundation onto my hand just like I described above, but this time I use the brush to brush on my foundation as if I was painting. I am careful to use very short strokes, and change the direction of the brush as I go. Changing direction when using a foundation brush like this helps so that it isn’t all strokes going the same way which can look streaky.

What I Use:

The foundation brush I use the most frequently is my F60 Foundation Brush from Sigma Beauty, but I also have had great luck with foundation brushes similar to this from Real Techniques, Tarte, and Sephora’s brush line.

#3 Beauty Blender Sponge

I am sure by now almost all of you have tried this sponge, and if not you have probably at least heard about it! This is a GAME CHANGER for me!! It is completely worth the price! This allows me to build up the coverage as needed and you can never see the foundation (a big no-no!)…all you see is beautiful skin that looks airbrushed.

What I Do:

I like to lightly dampen the sponge before using it. I use the round end to apply foundation to my chin, cheeks, nose and forehead. I use the pointy end to apply foundation to harder to reach places like my under eye area and around my nose. I both dot and blend the sponge to get the perfect seamless look.

What I Use:

I have only used The Original Beauty Blender but I know there are lots of other imitators flooding the market now! I have read and watched lots of reviews, and the only sponge that seems to stand up to Beauty Blender is the Miracle Complextion Sponge by Real Techniques. The Real Techniques sponge is about 1/4 of the price of the Beauty Blender, so that might be a great option for some people. If you would like to see me do a comparision sponge on any of these sponges, let me know! Also, if you have tried any that you love (or don’t love!!) let me know in the comments!!

I hope that this post was helpful! Please take a minute to subscribe if you haven’t already! Just enter your email into the box on the right side of this page and you’ll get an email to confirm your subscription!! It will make my day : ) : ) If you have ANY questions please let me know and have a fabulous day!!

The Best Affordable Makeup Sponge? | EcoTools Blending Sponge Review

My Top 3 Ways To Apply LIQUID Foundation!!