How To: Use a Beauty Blender
Have you ever wondered how to use a beauty blender to get flawless foundation? This viral pink sponge is a makeup game-changer. It may look like just another makeup sponge, but it’s actually a game-changer for flawless foundation and concealer application. I was skeptical at first too, but now I never do my makeup without it. Keep reading to learn exactly how to use a Beauty Blender for smooth, airbrushed skin every time.
Why the Beauty Blender is So Incredible
1. It makes foundation look flawless, almost as if you aren’t wearing anything. “Seeing make up is the first sign of an amateur application.”
–Beautblender.net
2. It makes hard to reach areas such as under the eyes, around the nose, and corners of the mouth easy to get to with the small pointy end of the sponge.
3. You can use it for any type of face makeup like foundation, concealer, blush, bronzer, and powder.
How To: Use it Step-by-Step:
- Start by wetting your Beauty Blender under the sink. It will expand to nearly twice its original size. If you don’t wet it first, it won’t work the same.
- Squeeze out excess water so it’s damp but not soaking wet. You can use a towel to blot out extra moisture.
- Apply foundation directly to the large end of the Beauty Blender or dot foundation on your face and blend from there.
- Bounce the Beauty Blender over your entire face using a light tapping motion. This creates a natural finish with no streaks or brush lines.
- Use the pointed end to apply and blend under-eye concealer and cover blemishes. Remember to keep bouncing instead of dragging the sponge.
- You can also use the Beauty Blender to apply cream blush, bronzer, or even powder with the same bouncing technique.
- After use, rinse your Beauty Blender thoroughly and set it out to dry. It will shrink back to its original size by your next application.
Shop My Favorite
Want to try the original Beauty Blender for yourself? You can find it on Amazon here I promise, it’s worth every penny for flawless makeup.
What is your favorite way to apply your makeup? Any questions about the Beauty Blender ask in the comments below!
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85 Comments
Mesha
I’ve been hesitant to use a BB or anything alike. I bought a fairly good one just an hour ago and came across this blog. Thanks for the tips, I’m looking forward to trying this method out on this old face. LoL.
TheBeautySection
Let me know how it works for you! I love using my BB, I’ve had great results with my skin looking pretty flawless while using it, vs using a brush.
Natalie Peveto
I have been going to wrong this whole time
TheBeautySection
Haha oh no! Well it is not too late to get started using it right! :)
Erl
Love that real technique bb. Thanks for showing us how to use it the right way.
TheBeautySection
Absolutely! I love the Real Techniques sponge too, a very comparable dupe to the Beauty Blender!
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Sydney
I followed all the directions with the damping but when I dampened it it started rubbing off on my face ( like lint balls on sweaters) can you help me or is it a flaw with the product???
TheBeautySection
Hmm, that sounds weird. Did you make sure you squeezed out any access water in your Beauty Blender before applying your foundation? If it’s too wet it won’t work correctly. Also make sure your foundation isn’t old or expired. That almost sounds like something could be wrong with the product. Even if you just bought it, sometimes makeup is left on the shelf for a long time until it is bought even if it is out of date. Try shaking it up before using it as well.
I hope this helps and I hope you have much better luck next time! :)
Chris
I had the “balling” issue with a specific brand of liquid makeup, so that could be the issue.
TheBeautySection
Yea that could totally be the reason for the “balling” issue. I’ve never had that happen to me. Make sure you are getting your beauty blender really damp and squeeze out the access water. If that doesn’t work, try using it with a different foundation.
Thanks for stopping by!
Philaina Michell
Hi there
I believe the reason for the “balling” is the formula of the foundation. This technique works well with water based (aqua or eau) or silicone based; however, if the formula is oil based (first ingredient is an oil) it would not do well, using a oil free anti shine primer…
Kristina Almazan
You’ve just taught me a better way to use my beauty blender. I have never dampened my sponge before, but I can see how it would make it so much more effective. I’m excited to try it using other make up, too (like blush). Thank you!
TheBeautySection
Awesome I’m so glad! Using it damp changes everything. You will love your Beauty Blender way more now I promise!
Evelyn
Great info here! I own a beauty blender and really like it, but I never fully wet it. What I’ve done is apply a layer of foundation with a brush, dampen the sponge with a tonic spray and blend it in, which works great but it is one extra step I may need to go without. I am going to try this way, it could save me some time in the morning…thanks!
TheBeautySection
Yea definitely try it this way! It’s easy to do and doesn’t take a lot of time. It blends out foundation pretty quickly! Let me know what you think!
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Marsha Webster
Where can I find a beauty blender ?
TheBeautySection
You can find them at Sephora, Amazon or Makeup Geek. I provided links in my post to shop!
Claudia
$5 at Wal-Mart….seriously.
TheBeautySection
No, you can’t find Beauty Blenders at Walmart, and definitely not for $5. You might can find the knock-off sponges but they don’t work as well, in my opinion! :)
Lisa
Found mine at Wal-Mart also….works great and paid 5.62 !
TheBeautySection
That’s awesome! I’ve never been lucky enough to find a dupe for the beauty blender that I thought was as good. The Real Techniques sponge comes pretty close tho! Glad you found one!
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Christina
I just bought one of those Quo (? I think that’s the brand name? Ones. It’s purple, shaped a little different but same idea I think. Should I be getting that wet too? Or any kind of sponge for that matter? And using these types of sponges, do you use less product, hence making your foundation last longer? I’m for sure going to try the “bouncy ball” method, cause I wasn’t doing that on my whole face. I’ve finally found a foundation I like but now I’m not sure if it’s the foundation or the sponge (bought at the same time lol)
Thanks in advance!
TheBeautySection
Hey, I am so sorry it has taken me so long to reply to your comment. I know exactly which sponge you are talking about. Yes get that one wet too, it is made to do the same thing as the beauty blender and those types of sponges just work much better damp. I probably use about the same amount of foundation, but the beauty blender soaks up some of the foundation so it doesn’t appear to be as much on the skin, it leaves a nice flawless finish. It’s great. Definitely try the bouncy ball effect! :)
Katy Reusse
Don’t be rude…. “If you see make-up, it’s an amateur move.” That is why we have these articles, so people that don’t know can learn without being judged. Also, before you judge, check your grammar!
TheBeautySection
Oh I’m sorry I wasn’t being rude at all, or judging anyone. I was just quoting something that was said on the Beauty Blender website. “Seeing make up is the first sign of an amateur application.” –Beautyblender.net.
My blog is here to help anyone that is new to makeup or someone who wants to learn more. It was not my intention at all to hurt anybody’s feelings or disrespect you. Thanks for your feedback! Also, thank you for visiting my site and I hope you come back again soon!
Felicia Howshar
I knew what you meant. I saw right away that it was a quote from Beautyblender.net. It was very obvious as there were quotation marks around the sentence and you referenced Beautyblender.net. It’s not your fault other people don’t read things properly. Don’t worry about offending anyone because had they actually thoroughly read the paragraph instead of trying to jump all over you for the completely free advice on using a beauty blender they just received this misunderstanding never would have happened. Thank you for your blog. :)
TheBeautySection
Aww thank you so much for this comment, it really made my day that you were standing up for me! Seriously thank you, it means a lot! :)
Logan
Why shouldn’t you drag the beauty blender? I’ve seen people do it both ways, but I’m just curious. :) thank you!
TheBeautySection
It really just depends on the consistency of foundation you are using, but sometimes it come cause streaks if you drag it, just play around with it and figure out what works best for you! Hope this helps! :)
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Julie
Great information! I have s BB but forget to use it. I have a liquid foundation but a compact bronzer and a loose translucent finishing powder. How do you use the BB with the bronzer and finishing powder? Thanks for your help!
TheBeautySection
Essentially the same way, just dip the Beauty Blender in the powder and bounce it on your face like you would the foundation. It might not work as great with the bronzer, but it works great with loose powders. Just press it into your skin, and your makeup won’t go anywhere! :)
Tam's
Can you use it with the foundation powder to?
TheBeautySection
Yes ma’am you can! :)
Alethes
I’ve only used dupes – being cheap…but my results were not flawless at all. I think I’m finally ready to spend the money and try the real thing. You definitely have me very excited about it! Great post love!
Alethea
http://www.thepowerofthepretty.blogspot.com
TheBeautySection
Yea I definitely think you should try it out, Thank you so much for stopping by! Let me know how you like it when you get it! :)
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Peeya Dee
Hey, you what’s funny. I bought one early last year and threw it out. It wasn’t what I expected. Until the BB’s were all over the place here in Manila! Now, I wanna give it another go. The problem is, I haven’t seen anyone using it for a BB cream. They’re all using it for foundations. The thing is, I am not fond of using foundation for everyday use, just my preference. Have you tried to apply it with just BB cream? Would gladly appreciate your response. Thanks for this article!
TheBeautySection
Oh yea you can definitely use it for BB creams! That wouldn’t be a problem at all! :)
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Trace
You learn something new everyday…lol. Maybe I will use foundation more now? I hate the feeling of having a mask on all day, the main reason why I never wear it. I just use powder. But I’ll definitely try this Lil guy.
TheBeautySection
We learn something new everyday… that’s a good way to put it! Yea definitely try this out and see what you think. Foundation is sheered out more when you use this so it won’t feel like a mask!
Yvonne jones
Can you use the sponge on cream to powder makeup?
TheBeautySection
Yes absolutely, just dip the sponge into the compact and apply like normal. It works perfect for that!
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Kathy Sjolie
Thanks for your tips on the Beauty Blender! I definitely want to try this!
TheBeautySection
Yes please get one… you will love it! :)
Ad
I clean my bb with blue Dawn dishwashing liquid when out of the bb cleaner. Doesn’t take a lot with warm water.
TheBeautySection
Wow I bet that would work great!!
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PHYLLIS.R
When cleaning and before using the beauty blender,are we supposed to use warm or cold water?
TheBeautySection
When you clean it I would definitely use warm water, it will kill even more bacteria that way. I am working on doing a post about cleaning the Beauty Blender so stay tuned for that. When you wet it before you use it you can use either cold or warm it doesn’t matter!
Kim
Do you dampen it before applying powders (i.e., blushes, powders)?
TheBeautySection
Yes always dampen it, with powders or liquids… it works much better!
Holly
Hi there. Great post! I looked around and couldn’t find the post on how to clean the BB…did I miss it? Also, are there generic versions because mine doesn’t seem to work that well. Maybe I’m just used to the usual makeup sponge.
TheBeautySection
Yes I am doing the post on cleaning the Beauty Blender very soon, it will probably be in the next couple of weeks because I have other posts planned. So please be on the lookout for that! There are other versions and there aren’t many that are as great, but I am doing a post about another one soon!
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Lenoa
I also make sure to clean mine once a week with bare minerals brush cleaner. It works great getting it clean and restores it. I have no buildup whatsoever. Also I’ve found that the swissco dupe is the same thing and half the price.
TheBeautySection
Oh awesome I’ve never used the Bare Minerals Brush Cleaner… very soon I am doing a post all about cleaning the Beauty Blender and including a way that a lot of people probably don’t think about! So definitely stayed tuned… it would work on your Swissco one too. I’ve never tried that one but maybe I should! :)
lubna
how much is it?
TheBeautySection
$20…
Cortney
It would be nice to hear you talk about how to properly clean this sponge. There are many skeptical people out there who do not want to use this because of the bacteria that grows and stays in the center of the beauty blender. Even when thoroughly washed with the provided cleansing bar, the bacteria still stays trapped in the sponge. I hate reading about the issue revolving around how bad these sponges can actually be for your skin because I love the way it applies makeup. However, it is a serious issue with this product. Your thoughts?
TheBeautySection
You know what is so funny? I am just about to do a post on how to properly clean the Beauty Blender, to get all of the extra bacteria out that the cleanser doesn’t get. So stay posted for that coming up soon! :)
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Terry
I have been using the BB all wrong! I did not know it works best when damp!? Thank You Anna! I will definitely change my method (using it dry) and use your correct technique starting now! Thanks again for your easy directions & lesson on proper use!
TheBeautySection
Haha aww, I’m so glad you stopped by! Now that you are going to use it wet, you will see such a huge difference!!
EmartUAE
Thanks for sharing how to use a beauty blender.
TheBeautySection
Of course! :)
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Easy Life Meal & Party Planning
Stopping by from Hump Day and couldn’t resist checking it out. It was not what I thought it was going to be when I saw the word “blender” but it looks like it would work great and looks like it would make applying foundation easy!
TheBeautySection
Haha yea it’s an interesting little character! But it really does make applying foundation and other products so easy and gives a flawless look!
Jenna @ A Savory Feast
I’ve never heard of this before. I wonder how it would work with Bare Minerals? I would love it if my bronzer would blend a little better, so this might be the tool for me. Thanks for linking up with Hump Day Happenings!
TheBeautySection
It works great with powder products! I’ve used it many times for that and it does blend it out better! Thanks for stopping by! :)
Nicky @ Little Family Adventure
This is the first time I’ve seen this beauty blender. Handy little thing. { Hump Day Happenings }
TheBeautySection
Oh yea it definitely comes in handy! I use it all the time!
Tameka Brown
Interesting.