Using makeup products like foundation, you may have used a beauty blender before. But have you heard of a silicone beauty blender? There’s an ongoing debate in the beauty world about whether you should use a silicone beauty blender – some refuse to use it, while others swear by it. What is a silicone beauty blender, though? This article will dive into everything you need to know about silicone beauty blenders.
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What Is A Silicone Beauty Blender Made From?
Silicone makeup sponges are reusable makeup sponges that are made entirely of silicone. It’s much more durable and eco-friendly than other alternatives like plastic, making it a go-to product for applying makeup for some.
A silicone blender is usually wholly flat and designed for liquid makeup products, not powder ones. (You should use makeup brushes instead of a silicone sponge for applying powder makeup products.) They come in various shapes and sizes, including teardrop, round, oval, and more.
How To Use Silicone Makeup Sponges
Using a silicone beauty blender is quite simple. Here is how you can use a silicone beauty blender when applying your foundation.
- First, apply a small amount of liquid foundation to the beauty blender. You can use any liquid foundation of your choice– make sure to use a small amount each time to make blending easier.
- Once you’ve applied the foundation, blend the foundation by using the silicone makeup blender on your face in a circular, swiping motion. Keep swiping until your foundation looks even and blended, and you’ve blended in all of the product.
- Add small amounts of foundation on the sponge until you get the desired coverage. It’s recommended you avoid using a matte foundation formula, as matte tends to dry much quicker and will be difficult to blend well.
Pros Of Using A Silicone Makeup Blender
There are a few reasons that some people swear by beauty blenders and use them in their everyday makeup routine. These are the pros of using silicone beauty blenders.
They Don’t Absorb Your Makeup Product
One of the most significant benefits of using a silicone beauty blender over a traditional sponge is that, unlike a traditional sponge, it won’t absorb into it. So you don’t have to worry about wasting any product. Some makeup artists find this to be a disadvantage since it makes blending harder.
On the bright side, it does make it easier to clean them. You can easily clean a silicone makeup sponge with mild soap and water without worrying about the liquid products that have soaked into the beauty blender.
Cleaning Them Is Quick & Easy
Since your liquid foundation won’t absorb into a silicone beauty blender like a sponge, it is often much easier to clean a silicone beauty blender. It’s essential to clean your blender regularly to avoid mold and germs; fortunately, it’s a much easier process with silicone beauty blenders. There’s also zero dry time!
Silicone Makeup Sponges Don’t Waste Product
Foam beauty blenders are known for being absorbent. The multi-colored makeup sponges absorb more of the product than most people care to admit. However, using traditional multi-colored makeup sponges wastes enormous amounts of the product.
Silicone sponges don’t absorb any product. A tiny bit of foundation can easily cover your entire face, and it won’t be wasted due to using a foam beauty blender.
They’re Durable & Long-Lasting
Another pro of a silicone beauty blender is that it is more durable and long-lasting than a traditional makeup sponge made from polyurethane foam. If you’re not looking to swap out your beauty blender for a new one constantly, a silicone beauty blender may be the perfect solution for you.
This is because silicone beauty blenders don’t absorb products. You won’t have to switch them out every three months automatically. On top of that, the outer lining doesn’t wear away as quickly as the foam of traditional blenders. You can keep your silicone blender until you notice wear and tear to the exterior lining.
Fewer Bacteria
If there’s one thing that foam blenders are known for, it’s the bacteria that can grow within them. This is due to them being so absorbent. According to this article, 90% of traditional beauty blenders can have gross bacteria that you don’t want to wipe across your face. That’s why you’re supposed to replace them so often. That’s not something you’ll have to worry about when using a silicone sponge.
Cons Of Using A Silicone Beauty Blender
Unfortunately, some cons can come with using a silicone beauty blender. Here are the top cons makeup gurus have listed for not using silicone beauty blenders.
They’re Not Great At Blending
Many makeup artists refuse to use silicone beauty blenders because they don’t do the one thing they’re supposed to do very well, which is to blend! Silicone beauty blenders tend to sweep the foundation around the face and eventually wipe off the foundation rather than blending it in for a natural look.
This is particularly true if you accidentally use too many products. You’ll find that it smears over your face and creates a mess. Always remember that less is more!
Silicone Sponges Can Make Makeup Feel Heavy
Silicone blenders don’t buff away makeup for an even finish, resulting in it sitting on top of the skin. Once you start layering foundation, concealer, and your other makeup products, it doesn’t take long for your makeup to start feeling heavy on your face.
They Can’t Absorb Water
Since silicone beauty blenders aren’t very absorbent, they can’t absorb water. This is a big no-no for makeup artists who often dampen their beauty blender to ensure the foundation doesn’t dry too quickly and make your skin look dried out.
Their Non-Porous Surface Makes The Application More Difficult
Although some people like that silicone beauty blenders don’t absorb makeup, many find that having a porous surface allows you to blend the makeup and absorb excess product rather than dispensing too much. An absorbent sponge helps the foundation melt into the skin, giving your makeup a more natural-looking finish. Silicone beauty blenders will slide the makeup around your face rather than blend it into a natural glow.
Our Recommendations
If you’ve yet to try this buzzworthy trend, it’s worth a shot. Silicone blenders are affordable, and innovative products make them not as bad as they once were. These are some of our favorites!
e.l.f. Dual Sided Silicone Sponge ($6)
The e.l.f. Dual Sided Silicone Sponge is designed to give you the best of both worlds. Avoid wasting products with the silicone side. Then, buff your makeup to a flawless finish with the flocked side. If you hate the silicone side, you’re not wasting your money. Did we mention it’s cruelty-free too?
NYX Plump Right Back Silicone Applicator ($9)
The Plump Right Back Silicone Applicator was designed to go with NYX Plump Right Back Primer. Easily apply primer, foundation or any other makeup without the streaks that silicone applicators have become known for with this streak-free silicone blender.
Final Thoughts
Although a few benefits come with using a silicone beauty blender, the overall consensus in the beauty community is that a blender with a porous sponge surface is the recommended choice. But, if you prefer a blender that doesn’t absorb the product and is easy to clean, a silicone beauty blender is a perfect choice.
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