We Tried It: The Pink Beauty Sponge that You See Everywhere

Is this egg-shaped tool worth the price?
Is this egg-shaped tool worth the price?

You could buy the most expensive makeup in the world, but if you're not applying it well, it's never going to look right. If you've been looking for a way to put on makeup faster and more flawlessly, you might want to try the Beauty Blender ($20, sephora.com), a makeup sponge that has become a cult favorite. BirchBox, beauty lovers' favorite monthly subscription service, even named it one of their favorite Fashion Week products last year. You can use this egg-shaped tool to apply all kinds of makeup -- even powders -- though the most common use is for foundation and concealer.

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Here's what we thought of the beauty blender when we tried it out:

Pros: Because it's a reusable sponge, it should last you a few months, as long as you keep it clean and take care of it. No more amassing a million dirty, used sponges in your makeup bag (tell me I'm not the only one!).

Cons: The tool isn't cheap. While it should last you awhile, at $20, it's probably the most expensive makeup sponge you'll buy. You also have to be vigilant about keeping it clean, which you should do after every use. Also, since it's best to use it damp, I have to admit its kind of a pain to wet and rinse it out before every use. Finding the perfect spot to keep it can be a challenge, too: You'll need to keep it somewhere where it's not going to get dirty and is open enough for it to air dry.

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How to use it: You can use the sponge damp or dry, though many people use it damp, which gives your makeup a beautiful, dewy finish. After you wet it and wring out the excess water, the sponge will double in size, becoming soft and springy. Following a quick-patting motion, you can use it to apply and blend your makeup.

The wider base of the sponge is great for larger areas of the face, like the forehead and cheeks, and the pointed tip works best for precise, hard-to-reach spots like underneath your eyes. I love using it to speed up blending, especially for my under-eye concealer, which is thick and takes forever to apply. Getting a perfectly blended, flawless foundation look is almost foolproof with this tool.

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Bottom line: The versatile Beauty Blender can improve the look of your makeup and apply it faster, but be prepared to take care of it.

- By Mary Clarke, Good Housekeeping Research Institute

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