We spoke to professional MUA Hannah Martin to get the low down on makeup sponges, what they do and why everyone needs one in their kit. Take notes. How do you use a makeup sponge? The ideal makeup sponge has a soft texture so that it’s comfortable to use, and it should also be flexible so that it can bounce and bend to distribute the product.

The denser the makeup brush, the less porous it is—which means it’s less likely to absorb all of your products. A high-density brush will be great for seamlessly applying a full coverage foundation. Lower density sponges are better for blending light to medium coverage foundations. Makeup sponges are essential for creating a perfect base. These days there are a ton of different shapes, sizes and textures out there so knowing what to buy can be a bit of a minefield. Before we introduce you to the very best base blenders in the biz, we thought it would be good to get some info from a pro on why we should all be using sponges. Sophia Nawabi is a makeup and hair artist with 17 years of professional experience. She is based out of San Francisco and offers on-demand mobile and in-home services. Traditional foundation sponges are usually egg- or teardrop-shaped – this style is perfect for blending large areas, while the tapered tip will get into those hard-to-reach spots such as the crevices around the nose.This factor is super important. A great makeup sponge will be easy to clean and keep dry to avoid product buildup and bacteria. Almond-shaped sponges, on the other hand, are perfect for contouring and precision. The slanted edge offers controlled stippling, while the rounded edge is, again, perfect for wider areas such as the cheeks. You’ll also find curvy pear-shaped varieties, which are great for targeted coverage and a more opaque finish. When it comes to size, dinkier versions allow for greater precision, but much of your decision will come down to personal choice and what you need it for. How much should I spend?

Most sponges are made from hydrophilic foam that can hold water, you dampen them before use and that way they don’t absorb any of the liquid products that you might use them with." Why should you use a makeup sponge instead of a brush or your fingers? Powders are better applied with makeup brushes, but liquid and cream products blend best when applied with a sponge," says Loiz. "Often, liquid and cream products look streaky when you use a brush, but sponges give you more control to pat the product evenly into the skin.” A dampened sponge can blend foundation more effectively and evenly than fingers or brushes", says Martin. "They can also lay down powder more densely and with more precision (for baking for example) than a brush."Makeup sponges and beauty blenders haven't always had the street cred they have today. I remember a time when they were just the freebies that came in your makeup compact that you tossed out with the box. But over the last few years, genius makeup artists and cosmetic companies (ahem, Beautyblender) have seen the true potential of old-school foam sponges and have transformed them into the quality makeup blenders you're obsessed with today—the ones that can buff, blend, and smooth your foundation, blush, contour, highlight, and more into a legit airbrushed finish. Ahead, the 13 best beauty sponges and beauty blenders for your every makeup need. Trust me—these will not only rival but beat your current old favorite makeup brush. The best beauty blenders and makeup sponges of 2022: