Sponges for makeup appeared more than 10 years ago and successfully won a niche in the beauty industry, becoming an indispensable weapon in the hands of makeup artists and ordinary girls.
Sponge is a sponge with a porous structure of small sizes. Designed for even distribution of tonal products on the skin of the face. Beauty sponges can be of different shapes, colors and sizes. Each type of sponge is used depending on the area of the skin and its purpose.
Types of Makeup Sponges
There are several basic types of makeup puffs. Makeup artists recommend purchasing sponges immediately in the kit. The presence of different shapes and sizes will help to make up not only the skin of the face, but also the eyes and lips. It will also ensure uniform application of products to hard-to-reach areas of the skin.
The shape of the sponges can be different: round, square, triangular or in the form of a drop - they all fitfor different cosmetic products:
- Square and round sponges are used for applying powder. Such sponges are usually distinguished by a rather large size, as they are used for processing large areas. Sponge in the form of a brush suitable for loose powder.
- Triangular sponges are best suited for the distribution of foundation (BB and CC cream). The broad side is applied foundation on the forehead, cheeks and chin. The narrow side is processed hard-to-reach places - corners of the eyes, wings of the nose.
- Small oval sponges are suitable for applying cosmetics in the area under the eyes. They allow you to distribute masking agents well so that there are no streaks and borders with the foundation.
- Teardrop shaped sponges are the most versatile. Such narrowed-down lips are especially recommended for inexperienced users, as they are comfortable to hold.
An important role is played by the materials from which cosmetic sponges are made. Depending on the raw materialsdisposable and reusable sponges.
Disposable sponges are the usual disks for removing or correcting makeup. They are made of cotton and absorb moisture greatly.
Reusable cosmetic sponges are made from synthetic fibers or natural ingredients. They can be foam rubber, cellulose, latex or silicone.
Foam Sponge - universal product. It has a large number of small pores that allow you to apply both dry and creamy consistency.
Sponge from natural ingredients in dry form resembles pumice. In order to be able to use it, you need to lower it in warm water for several minutes, and then get it out and squeeze it out well. Make-up artists notice that natural sponges absorb much less cream, which makes it possible to use tonal products more rationally. However, natural sponges are much more expensive than synthetic ones.
Beauty sponges in the form of tassels used as applicators for eyeshadow or for makeup makeup. At first glance, they look like a makeup brush, but not a bristle, but a thin sponge is located on the tip.
Latex
Latex Cosmetic sponges are used to apply makeup foundation, primers and foundation. Soft to the touch, the lips have an elastic texture that affects the uniform application of makeup.
Latex sponges come in different shapes, which are selected depending on personal convenience and preferences.
Care must be taken when using latex sponges, as raw materials can cause an allergic reaction.
Quality latex sponges are suitable for both liquid and thick foundation. Makeup artists like to use a sponge made of this material when it is necessary to quickly correct skin imperfections.
You can find latex sponges in a set with powder. Most often, such cosmetic sponges are made from low-quality raw materials, so they quickly wear out. Sponges in a set often absorb a lot of product and cause inconvenience during operation.
Silicone or gel
Not so long ago, broke into the beauty industry silicone sponge In composition, it is not a sponge and does not absorb moisture. But the functionality is not inferior, but wins the classic beauty sponge.
Due to its homogeneous structure, it does not absorb cosmetics. This allows you to apply the foundation with a light layer without weighting. Also, due to its features, it minimizes the consumption of cosmetics.
Silicone and gel sponges have enhanced hygienic properties. They are easy to clean using any detergent.
Gel sponges are available in the form of thickened discs. They are convenient to use when applying cosmetics to the T-zone. They have the same properties as silicone.
Cellulose
Cellulose sponges enter the category of natural sponges, which have a beneficial effect on the face, as they do not stretch the upper layer of the skin when used.
Such sponges are designed to cleanse the skin and remove makeup. A large number of pores in the structure allows you to gently and effectively exfoliate the skin, eliminating old keratinized skin.
It is recommended to use before applying a moisturizer. Available in various sizes and shapes. The sponge is selected individually, depending on the convenience of each. Before use, natural cellulose sponge must be soaked.
Sponge egg
“Egg” is a classic look of makeup sponge. This form provides versatility when applying products to the skin of the face.
Sponges are made from a soft synthetic material that is latex-free and non-allergenic. Original sponges from the company Beautyblender are issuedin different colors:
- Pink (universal);
- White. Sponges of this color have a softer texture, which is suitable for the finest application and sensitive skin;
- The black. A more porous and resilient sponge that is used to apply a denser layer of makeup.
- Light green. This is a small sponge that perfectly copes with masking and contouring products. It is also widely used for blending several colors of lipsticks on the lips.
The pointed side of the sponge is most convenient to apply concealer under the eyes or near the nose, as well as remove excess makeup. With a rounded shape, the main layer of the foundation is applied with tapping movements.
How to use makeup puff?
Using a face sponge, you can apply the perfect layer of foundation, blush, powder, or any other product. For this you need to knowhow to use a cosmetic sponge properly:
- Before use, wet. This rule applies to any sponge except helium. The sponge should be wet, not wet. To do this, after it has been wetted, the sponge must be wrung out and soaked in a paper towel.
- Apply tonal remedy with light movements, dabbing the skin. In no case should you rub the foundation into the skin. This negatively affects blood circulation and stretches the skin.It is advisable to apply foundation on the massage lines of the face.
- It is necessary to properly care for the sponge and during it to change.
Before applying makeup with a sponge, it is recommended to dip the device for several minutes in hot water, which will remove microbes from its surface.
To be able to use, you need not only a makeup sponge, but also cleansing sponge.
In order to cleanse the skin, you need to wet the sponge and apply a skin care product (for example, foam or gel). Starting from the center of the face, moving to the hairline, you need to cleanse the skin and wash off the product.
Oily and combination skin can be cleaned with a sponge every day, and dry - once a week is enough.
As soon as the sponge becomes unsuitable for its intended purpose, it can be found no less worthy application. For example, you can use a sponge for manicure using the ombre technique or as a brush for screens and monitors.
How to care for a sponge?
Definitely needed care for makeup puffs, as well as changing them regularly. Some believe that it is enough to buy a sponge once and never part with it. This opinion is erroneous.
One makeup sponge can be used for no more than 3 months.
During this time, even with proper care, a large number of microorganisms develop and accumulate. They not only interfere with the application of makeup, but are also carriers of various skin infections. The same applies to face sponges.
Each time, after using the sponge, you need to soak it, soap it with any toilet soap and rinse it. Sponge must only be dried naturally. You can leave it in the sun, which will also kill germs.
There are times when cosmetics are difficult to remove from the sponge. In this case, a thin layer of any body oil is applied to the sponge and soaked for 6-8 hours in a soap solution. This should help remove stubborn stains.
With regular use, it is worth soaking the sponge in hot water and soap once a week for 15-20 minutes in order to kill all the accumulated microbes.
Another effective item for disinfecting cosmetic sponges is a quartz lamp. A couple of times a week you can leave a sponge for several minutes under quartz light, which will ensure the extermination of all microbes.
You also need to follow the rules for storing beauty sponges. It is not recommended to store them in cosmetic bags with zippers, as the absence of light and air provokes the multiplication of microbes. Storage bags made of mesh or organza are ideal.
