9 Makeup Sponges to Blend Foundation to Perfection

We didn't want to love the Beautyblender because of its $20 price tag, but it really is just that good. This bouncy little sponge has an edgeless shape that provides a flawless, streak-free foundation application that's noticeably better than our other sponges and brushes.

With a 4.3-star average rating from nearly 17,000 Amazon reviews, the Beautyblender truly lives up to the hype, according to very enthusiastic shoppers. To quote one reviewer, “the knockoff Beautyblenders don't work as well, as they are not made of the same space-age materials. This is $20 well spent for anyone's makeup tool kit.”

Beautyblenders are available in 22 fun colors, including Original Pink, Aquamarine, and Mint, but don’t worry — there’s no functional difference between the shades — it’s just for aesthetics. Pro tip: The Beautyblender stains easily, so wash your sponge immediately after finishing your makeup to help preserve its pretty hue.

More: Makeup Brushes That Blend Like Magic

A BeautyBlender might be the gold standard, but this sponge is a close second that'll save you some cash. It's designed with a flat edge for contouring around the eyes and nose while the round curves blur larger areas of your face.

Don't own a fine-point detail brush? Real Technique's pointed tip is ideal for perfecting your complexion in hard-to-reach areas like the inner corners of the eyes or covering up an annoying zit that popped up when you least expect it.

One Amazon reviewer is so impressed with this orange sponge they boldly declared, “I won’t ever use anything else — I can’t believe what a difference they’ve made in covering up undereye circles and bags and evenly applying foundation.”

They’re not the only fans — this Beautyblender dupe boasts more than 12,000 positive reviews, with shoppers calling it “super soft,” “resilient,” and “super easy to clean.”

Owning five makeup sponges at a time may seem like overkill, but you should replace your old tools at least once a season or when they become visibility dirty or torn. This set provides enough product to last you an entire year or a few months if you like to frequently swap out your makeup sponges.

Shoppers say these makeup sponges rival the OG Beautyblender. They are easy on the wallet, and they have over 58,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

One reviewer who owns BEAKY, Beautyblender, and Real Techniques sponges was surprised at how well the BEAKY sponges performed, given their low cost. Another reviewer notes, “they clean well, blend amazingly, and help pick up any extra makeup I may have applied.”

Not ready to buy a whole set but don't want to spend $20-plus on one sponge? This single latex-free blender is the one for you. It's under $4, has just over 29,000 five-star ratings, can be used for powder or liquid makeup, and can easily be cleaned with Aesthetica's Cleaner & Conditioner.

One Amazon reviewer says this sponge is a tad larger and thicker than a Beautyblender, but its size and density allow it to “bounce right off my face, like a soft, bouncy cloud cushion.” Other reviewers are impressed with its overall quality, noting they’ve washed the sponge dozens of times, and there are zero signs of wear and tear.

While we love that these beauty sponges are plant-based and eco-friendly, the fact that it's a set with one larger and one smaller sponge makes the deal even sweeter. The bigger sponge is fantastic for perfecting larger areas of the face, while the little sponge helps you get close to hard-to-reach areas like under the eyes, the sides of the nose, and around the lips.

This duo earned snaps from more than 3,200 Amazon reviewers who credit them with getting flawless makeup. “It hides my fine lines and doesn’t soak up the product. My makeup game is forever changed,” says one 5-star review.

While other shoppers agree that they will continue purchasing these sponges because it prevents their makeup from looking cakey, and it soaks up less makeup than the Beautyblender.

The reviews are in, and while this lemon-shaped makeup sponge is adorable, its shape holds a purpose, too. The lemon’s point makes it ideal for getting into the harder-to-reach corners of your face, so you never forget to blend a spot again. “The little nip on the end is the perfect size and makes blending in the corners of the eyes and around the nose a breeze,” says one Amazon reviewer.

And that's not all — reviewers note this sponge is soft AF, and it even feels comfy to use dry and wet, which can't be said about most makeup sponges in this guide. Consumers also credit Thirsty Lemon with blending their foundations fast and seamlessly.

Speaking of cool sponge shapes, this Laura Mercier Face Makeup Sponge is a unique option if contouring is the name of your game. Plus, it's made of Zero Cell Technology that ensures minimal product absorption, so you can actually keep the makeup on your face and not soaked into your sponge.

One Nordstrom reviewer uses this sponge to blend their face makeup quickly, but they're especially fond of pairing it with the Laura Mercier Silk Crème Foundation.

A bonus: Shoppers say this sponge holds its shape and is easy to clean. Use a gentle makeup brush cleanser like the popular liquid soap from Sigma to remove leftover cream contour and foundation.

If you like the control of a makeup brush but the application of a sponge, this is the perfect hybrid. It features a soft sponge with a bamboo handle to apply makeup effortlessly and precisely.

Amazon shoppers say the green sponge doesn't tear easily and makes blending around the delicate undereye area a dream. One reviewer notes the handle isn't just comfortable to hold but also keeps their hands clean throughout the application.

As much as we love the look of Milk Makeup's glitter sponge, we can't justify buying them when Nylea's 2-pack of sponges have thousands of glowing reviews and cost a third of the price.

Nylea's silicone applicators are also worth using because they are more hygienic and easier to clean than foam sponges. Plus, they apply makeup smoothly for a second-skin finish, according to shoppers.

“The silicone sponge allows my makeup to glide on without pulling at my mature skin,” says one Amazon reviewer. Other consumers praise the sanitary sponges for saving them from wasting face makeup. “I also love using less foundation because the silicone sponge has no pores to trap the foundation,” adds one five-star review.