When is a makeup brush the right choice, and when is a sponge the way to go? Ask five different makeup artists and you’ll get five different answers! The right tool has a lot to do with personal preference, but there are certainly some scenarios where one is the clear winner. Use this guide as a starting point, and experiment with your makeup brushes and sponges until you find the look that’s perfect for you.
When Should I Use a Makeup Brush?
Makeup brushes are thought to date as far back as 500 A.D. – and with good reason! They’re incredibly versatile, come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and can be used with just about any formula. Our Classified Brushes are made with high-quality vegan bristles and a sleek weighted handle for precision and control, making them a must-have for any makeup collection. There’s a brush for every look you can dream up, and a few scenarios where brushes have the edge over sponges:
When you want a concentrated finish.
Brushes lay down more product than sponges, so they’re the right choice when you’re looking for something full coverage. For liquid and cream foundations in particular, a makeup brush can help you achieve a really saturated, defined finish. Our Foundation Brush #04 and Buffer Brush #05 were created to pair with Perfect Foundation for an even, flawless application. Be sure to apply in concentric circles, not in a swiping motion, to keep streakiness at bay.
With most powders.
A good rule of thumb is the denser the product, the denser the brush. This is why we love pairing loose powders with big, fluffy brushes and packed powders with brushes that are, well, more densely packed! All-over face powders like Perfect Color Powder and Perfect Translucent Powder can go either way. Pair these with the All-Over Powder Brush #02, which is somewhere in between – dense enough to evenly apply the powder across your face, but loose enough to offer an airbrushed finish. For powders that need a bit more accuracy, like Perfect Blush and Perfect Bronzer, we love the control of the Tapered Powder Brush #01 and Angled Blush Brush #03. For pressed powder eyeshadows like Perfect Eyeshadow, a few different sized brushes are all you need to create infinite looks.
For precise placement.
We’ve all had those small-but-mighty blemishes, tiny patches of redness and sneaky undereye circles. When little discolorations are all that stand between you and a flawless natural face, you want to make sure you can apply concealer only where you need it. This is when a small, precise concealer brush is your best friend! Our Concealer Brush #06 has dense bristles that allow you to pick up and apply the perfect amount of product. Swirl just the tip of the brush in your Complete Concealer, then apply to any blemishes or red spots in a stippling motion, starting from the center and blending lightly outwards.
When Should I Use a Makeup Sponge?
Makeup sponges have come a long way from those crumbly, latex triangles you probably found scattered across your mom’s vanity. You can now find them in a variety of sizes and materials, and they have almost as much versatility as brushes. We created our Blenderful Non-Latex Sponge with a half-wedge, half-egg shape to expertly reach both small and large areas. And if you’re looking for a little nostalgia? Our LimeLife Sponges are still triangular, still disposable, but crafted with non-latex material and definitely not crumbly! Here are a few times when a makeup sponge is the best choice:
For sheer, flawless foundation.
If an I-woke-up-like-this look is what you’re after, a sponge is your tool, hands-down. When used wet, the Blenderful creates a gorgeous, feather-light finish. Just run it under warm water until saturated and give it a good squeeze. Pick up a small amount of Perfect Foundation and lightly dab to apply the product across your skin. Use the pointed tip to reach smaller areas like the sides of your nose and the flat side to cover larger areas. When you’ve reached the amount of coverage you’re looking for, use the sponge to lightly blend along your jaw and hairline.
To blend out what your brush left behind.
When creating a full-coverage look, your foundation brush and Blenderful make the perfect tag team. Using your Foundation Brush #04 or Buffer Brush #05, apply Perfect Foundation in layers until you get the coverage you want. Before setting your foundation with powder and spray for an all-day finish, use a clean, dry Blenderful to diffuse any harsh lines. Pay special attention to your jaw and hairline, and simply bounce the Blenderful over your skin to blend your look together.
On fragile or mature skin.
When using makeup brushes, we have a tendency to drag or pull the brush against our skin. Especially around the delicate eye area, repeated pulling can irritate or stretch out the skin, leaving behind puffiness or wrinkles. If this is a concern, be especially mindful of the movements you make while applying makeup. For applying foundation or concealer around the eye, try either the pointed tip of the Blenderful or the classic LimeLife Sponge. Use a light bouncing or dabbing motion for application that’s much more friendly to the skin!
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Give these tips a try and add your own spin. Let us know in the comments – are you Team Brush or Team Sponge?