Are some makeup sponges better than others?

Of all the makeup sponges that PEOPLE Tested, these were considered the best.

For more information, please visit our website.

Now, all you have to do is find the right makeup sponge for your skin. But don't fret &#; we did the hard work for you. Our PEOPLE Tested testers spent a day applying different types of makeup with 13 of the most popular sponges. They evaluated each sponge for absorption (no one likes wasted product!), application, and ease of cleaning, while also considering shape, texture, and the final makeup look.

Compared to brushes, "I find that sponges are very beginner-friendly because they provide a quick, seamless blend with less effort," TikTok creator and celebrity makeup artist Melissa Murdick tells PEOPLE. She adds that sponges "work well for both liquids and powders."

If you've ever wondered how celebrities get picture-perfect makeup (apart from professional glam teams, of course), it's thanks in part to a tiny but mighty beauty tool: the makeup sponge. When applying foundation or any cream-based product, the right makeup sponge can blend the color for a natural-looking finish and smooth the look of any unwanted texture.

Best Overall

L'Oréal Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender

PHOTO: Amazon

$8 at Amazon

View on Ibspot.com

View on Kroger.com

Pros

• This sponge helped us apply our makeup evenly and doesn't absorb too much foundation

• Its unique shape allows you to blend in tight spaces

• It was easy to rinse after application

Cons

• It was hard to build up coverage with this sponge

If you ask us, the L'Oreal Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender is essentially the goldilocks of makeup sponges &#; because it's just right for all of your needs. Its material, effectiveness, and durability makes this our best overall choice.

Made from a plushy sponge material, this blending sponge is quite soft when damp and doesn't feel rough on the skin. It scored well in the absorbency test; when used with foundation, it transferred most of it onto the skin rather than absorbing it all. During application, its pointed dome shape allowed for blending in tight spaces like under the eyes and around the corners of the nose, while the base was great for larger areas like the cheeks, chin, and forehead.

This makeup sponge fell short when we tried to build up foundation coverage on our skin; the member on our team who tried this sponge has oily skin and hyperpigmentation and was looking for good, buildable coverage. It was not as seamless as we'd hoped, which could also be attributed to the application technique or foundation used &#; we can't solely blame the sponge.

Overall, this is a user-friendly and affordable makeup sponge that's soft on your skin, and applies makeup evenly without streaks or blotches. It's a no-fuss beauty blender that does what you expect, and it's super easy to rinse out when you're ready to clean it.

Shape: Hourglass, dome | Material: Cotton | Absorbency: Light | Good for: Liquid or cream foundation

People / Tamara Staples

Best Budget

L.A. Girl Beauty Sponge

PHOTO: Ulta

$8 at Amazon

$5 at Target

$5 at Ulta

Pros

• The dense sponge material doesn't absorb too much product, so you waste less product

• It was soft on our skin due to latex-free foam material

• The sponge was easy to clean just by rinsing

• This is one of the least expensive makeup sponges we've tried at just $5

Cons

• The sponge pushed the makeup around a bit, which caused us to spend more time blending

• It wasn't as plush as other sponges

You don't have to be an L.A. girl to appreciate this sponge. It's quite dense compared to a lot of the sponges we tested, which makes for minimal absorbency (meaning all of your foundation will go onto your skin rather than disappear into the sponge). We also loved how soft the latex-free foam material felt on our skin during application.

In terms of design, this sponge mimics a classic teardrop shape with a slight edge for blotting certain areas of the face &#; say, your cheekbones with blush. The shape aided application, with the pointed tip getting into the small areas around the nose and under the eyes. One word of caution: This sponge tends to push makeup around, so you have to be careful when blending. That said, it eventually created a smooth finish with our foundation.

This makeup sponge is easy to clean, and all the residue came out with a few rinses. Though it's not as plush as other sponges, the size, shape, and material makes the LA Girl sponge a good option for daily use &#; and at a budget-friendly price.

Shape: Teardrop with flat edge | Material: Latex-free foam sponge | Absorbency: Light | Good for: Liquids, creams, or powders

The Best Lighted Makeup Mirrors We Tested in Our Lab

People / Tamara Staples

Best Investment

Fenty Beauty Precision Makeup Sponge

PHOTO: Sephora

$16 at Sephora

$16 at Ulta

$16 at Kohls.com

Pros

• It precisely applied foundation, thanks to its flat shape and narrow edge

• The sponge didn't absorb too much makeup

• Its soft texture made applying makeup feel luxurious

Cons

• Latex-free isn't as durable as other materials

Rihanna made moves at the Superbowl, debuting a new matte lipstick, but Fenty's sponge remains a fan favorite among the beauty line. The Precision Makeup Sponge 100 earned a near-perfect score in our testing for its unique design, lack of absorption, and precise application.

This soft makeup sponge is light and airy in design, and we especially loved the flat shape and narrow edge at the end. This special design facilitates a clean and precise application, easily blending foundation across all areas of the face. Testing also showed how quickly foundation washes from this sponge (only FourFiveSeconds...get it?). Though more expensive than others on our list, it's hard for us to find fault with this premium makeup sponge. If it's good enough for Rihanna, it's good enough for us.

Shape: Pointed dome with angled edge | Material: Latex-free sponge| Absorbency: Light | Good for: Liquids, creams, or powders

People/Tamara Staples

Best Silicone

Ulta Dual Sided Silicone & Sponge Blender

PHOTO: Ulta

$6 at Ulta

Pros

• Its soft-to-the-touch silicon material allowed us to apply foundation smoothly, making it easy to achieve full coverage

• One side of the sponge is not porous, so it didn't absorb makeup, which means you can waste less product

• It was by far the easiest sponge to clean compared to others we've tested

Cons

• It didn't blend as well as a classic sponge because it's dry

Editor's Note: The silicone makeup sponge product we originally tested is discontinued, so we recommend this similar option instead.

If you want a hypoallergenic beauty tool (no natural latex!) to create smooth coverage across your face, this silicone beauty blender is the way to go. We were pleasantly surprised with its softness and how well the teardrop shape performed when applying foundation.

Since it isn't porous like a classic sponge, this blender doesn't absorb any makeup and transfers all product to your face. However, the newer version does have a sponge side, so it will likely absorb some makeup. The tipped side works efficiently to get around tight corners near the eyes and nose, and the round side is better for larger facial areas.

The silicone material doesn't blend quite as well as a standard sponge because it lacks the dampness that helps your skin take in the product, but it was by far the easiest beauty blender to clean; the makeup washes right off. Overall, the sponge performed well, provided full coverage, and was easy to use &#; a great hypoallergenic option.

Shape: Teardrop-shaped | Material: Silicone, sponge| Absorbency: None | Good for: Liquid or cream foundations

People / Tamara Staples

Best Latex-Free

Sonia Kashuk Latex-Free Makeup Blender Sponge

PHOTO: Target

$7 at Target

Pros

• Its super soft material feels great on your skin

• The shape made the application process very easy

Cons

• It's easy to tear, so use caution when cleaning

• The sponge absorbed some makeup during testing

Sonia Kashuk is known for an array of user-friendly beauty tools, and this makeup sponge is no exception. This egg-shaped sponge utilizes a rounded bottom and pointed top for versatile application no matter where you're trying to blend product. We loved the soft feel and whimsical design of a black and white marble-esque pattern.

While this sponge blended our foundation well and created a smooth finish, it did absorb some product, and we found ourselves adding more makeup to build up the coverage. We suggest applying your makeup product directly to the sponge or on your face to avoid product loss when transferring from the back of your hand to your face.

In terms of durability, it did rip when we tried to clean it with a makeup wipe &#; so while not a dealbreaker (because a better way to clean would just be to wash with soapy water), it's not the most durable on our list. That said, the makeup did come out of the sponge when cleaned, so if you're gentle when washing, it should last until you're ready to get a new one.

Shape: Pointed dome-shaped | Material: Latex-free polyurethane foam | Absorbency: Medium | Good for: Liquids and creams

People / Tamara Staples

The Best Concealers for Dark Circles, According to Our Testers

Best Classic

Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge

PHOTO: Sephora

$20 at Amazon

$20 at Target

$20 at Nordstrom

Pros

• Its classic, egg-shaped design makes it easy to use on all areas of your face

• This one is the "golden standard" of makeup sponges, according to our expert

Cons

• It didn't get clean very easily, so plan on a little extra time to completely rinse this one

• The sponge needed to build up coverage with several applications

• It was pricier than any other option on the list

There's a reason there's only one "original" &#; it's the first, the classic, and the model to which all future iterations are compared. In steps the Original Beautyblender. "Beautyblender is the golden standard," says Murdick. This product is the reason many makeup sponges are referred to as "beauty blenders" by professionals and novices alike. It offers the classic egg-shaped design with a pointed tip to delicately blend makeup under the eyes and in the crevices around the nose.

The material is similar to many others on our list: Latex-free polyurethane foam. It's soft and works well to blend foundation for a smooth finish. (Though we did notice it needed several layers for full coverage.) It wasn't due to the sponge absorbing too much product (it didn't absorb much at all) but rather could be attributed to the specific foundation we used during the test. We also found it somewhat tricky to clean, but we used makeup wipes for this test, and a better cleaning technique would involve soap and water. Overall, we appreciate the OG Beautyblender and think it absolutely deserves a spot on this list.

Shape: Teardrop | Material: Latex-free polyurethane foam | Absorbency: Light | Good for: Creams, powders, or liquids

People / Tamara Staples

Best for Baking

Essence Makeup & Baking Sponge

PHOTO: Essence Cosmetics

$10 at Amazon

View on Essencemakeup.com

View on Caretobeauty.com

Pros

• Its pear shape, wide base, and pointed tip was great for blending foundation and applying powder to bake

• The sponge proved to be versatile with different makeup products

• It was one of the least expensive sponges we've tried, and performs as well as much more expensive tools

Cons

• The sponge expands a lot when damp

When you need to slap makeup on before running out the door, you'll want a makeup sponge that will do the job quickly and effectively. This sponge was a real teacher's pet, earning a perfect score on all of our tests, with little to no absorption, flawless and quick application, and easy cleanup.

Made from a vegan sponge material (no animal products and no animal testing), this beauty blender has a classic pear shape with a large round bottom, perfect for blending foundation and baking makeup. Its angled side creates an edge for smoothing and a tip for hard-to-reach spots.

The only oddity we noticed was how large the sponge grew when dampened for application. That's not necessarily a con for everyone, but when you're trying to reach tight corners around your eyes and nose, you don't want the sponge to expand so much. Thankfully, it didn't soak up the product and blended it well into our skin. Combining those qualities with the budget-friendly price &#; we think this is an ideal everyday makeup sponge.

Shape: Pear shape with angled edge | Material: Vegan sponge| Absorbency: Very light | Good for: Liquid or cream foundations, pressed or loose powder

People / Tamara Staples

Best Set

Beauty Bakerie Organic Eggs Beauty Sponges

PHOTO: Beauty Bakerie Organic

$20 at Amazon

$18 at Ulta

$20 at Beautybakerie.com

Pros

• It comes as a set with six sponges, so you can use different sponges for different products

• The sponge cleaned easily with a few rinses

• It applied makeup smoothly, especially on large areas like cheeks

Cons

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit JWH.

• It absorbs a lot of product, which means you may need to use more foundation to achieve full coverage

• The sponge grows quite large when damp

Why have one makeup sponge when you can have six? This adorable set, designed as an egg carton, lets you differentiate sponges for various needs (which will make them last longer than one working three jobs). For instance, you can use one sponge for liquid products and one for powder.

It's quite dense, though the material felt soft on our skin when applying makeup. The shape mimics most makeup sponge designs but with more rounded edges, like an egg without a signature pointed tip. We noticed it grew quite large when wet, which made it harder to tackle small areas like creases around the nose but also allowed for easy blending across larger real estate like our cheeks.

The only major con is how much makeup it absorbs. We found ourselves reapplying more makeup in several layers since, on the first application, the sponge ate quite a bit of product. That said, it was super easy to clean, and all of the product washed out. There was a faint stain where the foundation was, but one of the eggs is almost ivory in color, so it would be groundbreaking if there weren't some kind of residual makeup stain.

Shape: Egg | Material: Non-latex sponge | Absorbency: Heavy | Good for: Liquids, creams, or powders; though we recommend picking one egg for each type of product

People / Tamara Staples

Best for Airbrushed Finish

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

$11 at Amazon

$6 at Target

View on Ulta

Pros

• It was one of the least expensive sponges on our list at just $6

• The versatile shape makes it great for a variety of product applications

• This product gave us an airbrush-level smooth finish

Cons

• It gets quite large when damp, which makes it harder to be precise

This makeup sponge is a popular one when you're scouring the aisles at Ulta &#; it's almost always in short supply. And its reputation exists for a reason: It created a finish so smooth that our skin looked airbrushed (very nearly, at least). We've home-tested this product for upwards of a year, and it's definitely earned a spot on this list.

This makeup sponge has a sort of asymmetrical egg shape with a pointed tip. The unique design allows for a smooth edge to apply liquid blush, a pointed section for concealer, and a round side for general foundation, contouring makeup, etc. And it doesn't absorb too much product, so you don't have to worry about waste.

No matter what you're blending, if you've dampened this sponge, you're going to see a smooth-as-butter finish. Though, be warned, the sponge grows massively when wet; not necessarily a con, but you have to be mindful when working in smaller areas of the face. It's also super easy to wash with soap and water and lasts for a while when properly cleaned. And though it's recommended to swap out makeup sponges every three months, we can extend usage for this one by an extra month or two.

Shape: Slanted dome with flat edge | Material: Latex-free foam | Absorbency: Light | Good for: Liquids, creams, or powders

People / Tamara Staples

Over a month, I tested dozens of makeup sponges ranging from unique and chiseled to compact and colorful. In the summertime, I lean towards cream foundations and light liquid concealers as they help absorb the oil on my skin and give a blurring effect, so I paid incredibly close attention to how the sponges performed with those products. Ahead, I share my thoughts and reviews of the best makeup sponges I tried that inspired me to put my brushes down for good.

I have always been a makeup brush person. Something about feeling the soft bristles across my face always felt so comforting. Brushes helped me achieve the best look&#;they buff beautifully for an airbrush finish. Since I have oily skin , switching from a brush to a makeup sponge meant I needed one that would spread the product well, absorb oil, work with creams and liquids, and pick up setting powder .

My favorite has to be the BEAKEY Makeup Sponge Set . The texture and material made these sponges lightweight and gave me a flawless finish when blending my foundation and concealer. If you prefer a sponge with a high-end feel, the &#;&#; Fenty Beauty Precision Makeup Sponge 100 takes the cake. It provides a luminous, satin finish that rivals Rihanna under glowing stage lights.

Best Overall

Beakey 5 Piece Makeup Sponge Set

PHOTO: Amazon

$7 at Amazon

$13 at Walmart

Material: Latex-free hydrophilic polyurethane | Shape: Teardrop | Size: Medium

Out of all the sponges that have bounced on my skin, the ones from the BEAKEY makeup set do it best. The colorful arrangement is a welcoming, bright pop of color in my makeup collection. The texture is super soft, almost like marshmallow, making it lightweight and easy to maneuver. I often have muscle spasms and sore muscles in my hand, but this sponge was comfortable to grip, and I did not have to twist and turn to reach the nooks and crevices of my face. 

These sponges truly rival any makeup brush I&#;ve tried. Each one spreads liquid foundation and concealer flawlessly. They&#;re latex-free, making them perfect for my oily and sensitive skin. They aren&#;t too absorbent, allowing me to stretch my product further without tugging. Each gave my skin a fresh, airbrushed look without using too much elbow grease to blend in. With a couple of bounces, my skin looked like it belonged on the cover of a magazine.

Best Budget

Essence Makeup & Baking Sponge

PHOTO: Essence Cosmetics

$10 at Amazon

View on Essencemakeup.com

View on Caretobeauty.com

Material: Vegan & latex-free foam | Shape: Teardrop | Size: Small

I often rely on concealer to complete my looks. Too much can leave my skin looking two-toned, while too little can leave me looking like a glazed donut. I prefer brushes for a detailed look under the eyes; however, this sponge not only set my concealer but also absorbed the excess oil.

The unique, flat shape at the top of the sponge allowed for perfect product placement. I usually like to bake my face for about five to seven minutes, but I found I could skip this step as the sponge picked up a lot of powder. The product does build up at the tip of the sponge, which makes cleaning it a bit difficult. Overall, this one made my makeup look just like my skin.

Best Blender

AOA Studio Makeup Sponge Set

PHOTO: Amazon

$10 at Amazon

$18 at Walmart

Material: Vegan, latex-free sponge | Shape: Teardrop | Size: Medium

I am a fan of anything pink, but I love this sponge for much more than its color. As someone with oily skin, I can have a hard time getting the right amount of coverage in my T-zone, especially my nose and upper cheekbones, as the oil pools up there first. This sponge annihilated all signs of shine and discoloration and spread my foundation splendidly. It was very easy to blend with it&#;I didn&#;t have to drag, pull, or bounce too hard. 

This sponge does absorb a lot of product. It got product-filled pretty quickly, and it took a few pumps of shampoo and squeezing to get it out. That said, I was still able to achieve a clean, glass-skin look with this sponge.

Best Spreader

e.l.f. Cosmetics Total Face Sponge

PHOTO: e.l.f Cosmetics

$6 at Amazon

$6 at Target

View on Ulta

Material: Latex-free foam | Shape: Angled | Size: Large

Getting product across my skin before it starts to set or the oil around my T-zone starts to pool is key in my makeup routine. These sponges from e.l.f understood the assignment. The texture makes it somewhat unique&#;it was firm but not so firm that I couldn&#;t softly apply liquid products. I have sensitive skin, so the slightest material or hard bounce can quickly turn my face red. This sponge was durable yet gentle on the skin, all while spreading my liquid foundation evenly.

Best for Under Eyes

e.l.f Cosmetics Total Sponge Set

PHOTO: Ulta

$14 at Amazon

$14 at Target

View on Ulta

Material: Latex-free foam | Shape: Cube | Size: Small

I have discoloration under my eyes due to lack of sleep. And thanks to my olive undertones, the bags look almost grey and can completely throw off my looks, especially when I&#;m attempting to brighten. This sponge applied my concealer very precisely, getting into the corner of my eyes, which can be difficult for me as I have a lazy eye, and the shape can vary depending on how my eye feels that day. 

I typically don&#;t like odd-shaped sponges, but this sponge changed my mind. It has a shape similar to a 3-D cube and was designed for contouring, but I found that it was also perfect for concealer. It did not absorb a ton of product, making it ideal for liquid/cream concealers, covering up all the small imperfections, and absorbing oil.

Best Compact

Fenty Beauty Precision Makeup Sponge

PHOTO: Sephora

$16 at Sephora

$16 at Ulta

$16 at Kohls.com

Material: Latex free | Shape: 3-sided angled teardrop | Size: Small

I will admit that I was shocked and slightly disappointed at the size of this sponge when I took it out of the box. Priced at $16, I expected something bigger, however I quickly learned that tiny but mighty was this sponge&#;s MO. 

I used this sponge to blend out my accompanying Fenty foundation and was amazed at how efficient it was. I tend to over-pump my liquid foundations and then have to blend them out, but what made this sponge one of my holy grails was its absorbency. Whenever I pumped too much product, it absorbed a ton and left just enough for me to get an impeccable finish that rivaled my real skin. I was concerned that all of the tapping and squeezing would cause it to lose shape, but the microfiber material was shockingly durable and molded to my fingers/hands. The only downside to this sponge was it did require a lot of shampoo and elbow grease to clean.

Best for Beginners

L'Oréal Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender

PHOTO: Amazon

$8 at Amazon

View on Ibspot.com

View on Kroger.com

Material: Plush | Shape: Stacked teardrop (snowman like) | Size: Small

When I first started using makeup, I leaned toward brushes because sponges felt scary. I believed they were tools that only seasoned professionals used. But as someone new to sponges, this product really helped blend my foundation and buff it out for a blurred finish, almost exactly the same one I would achieve with my trusty brush.

The unique snowman-like shape of the sponge helped it disperse my product evenly. I used the pointed stipend to pick up and place, while the bottom end was perfect for blending. It is a bit small, so it took longer than normal (for me) to finish applying, but overall I would recommend this product to someone who is interested in experimenting with sponges.

Best for Creams

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

PHOTO: Ulta

$11 at Amazon

$6 at Target

View on Ulta

Material: Foam | Shape: Angled teardrop | Size: Large

I absolutely LOVE cream products and thought they blended best with blushes. But then I met this sponge from Real Techniques.

Real Techniques products are standard in my brush collection, so I was slightly hesitant to try its sponges. I did not have to drag or force the product across my face with this sponge and it absorbed so well. The material is also high-quality as it absorbed a lot but did not damage the integrity of the sponge itself, even when wet. Though an average shape/size for a sponge, it performed like a larger one, easily spreading out the product, and it picked up more product than I thought it would. I was pleasantly surprised by how it performed.

Best for Powders

Real Techniques Miracle Mattifying Makeup Sponge Duo

PHOTO: Ulta

$8 at Amazon

$11 at Ulta

$9 at Walmart

Material: Memory foam | Shape: Flat teardrop | Size: Large

Matte looks are always my go-to due to my oily skin. I rely heavily on setting powder, but it's been tricky to find a sponge that works well with it. When it comes to powder, I like to apply just the right amount so my skin doesn&#;t look too oily or too dry. This sponge worked miracles for my skin. The texture felt sponge-like, almost like kinetic sand, yet its holes allowed the product to seep through easily. I didn&#;t have to dig into my powder for the sponge to pick it up, and the flat surface allowed me to pick up an ample amount. 

I could skip baking as the sponge picked up a good amount of powder. I could use it on my high cheekbones and under my eyes, but I had to be gentle as it did become fragile after use&#;the material felt a touch weaker, and I thought it would rip if I applied too much pressure. I wet the sponge first, which was an unusual step for me, especially when applying a powder, but it gave my skin a clean, cloud-like look.

The company is the world’s best bulk makeup sponges supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.