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We're all officially obsessed with the beautyblender, an affordable and adorable sponge tool that makes makeup application a snap. But beauty experts say most of us haven't even begun tapping into this tool's amazing potential--and worse, some of us aren't even using it correctly."I'm a huge beautyblender fan," says Jennifer Trotter of Lip Service Makeup, pro makeup artist and beauty expert. "And, trust me, NOBODY uses them correctly--nobody! People use them totally dry or soaking wet, or they never clean them, or they use them in a wiping motion. You absolutely have to use them correctly and clean them correctly to get the best performance out of them."
We asked experts for their best beautyblender tricks--here are 8 you need to know about.
[Photo: Facebook]
Choose your color wisely.
beautyblenders come in pink, white and black, but you shouldn't simply choose the shade that best matches your bathroom. "I like the black ones because they don't get as 'worn' looking," Trotter says. "I'm using pro level, highly pigmented formulas that tend to make the pink ones look dingy. The white ones are dye-free and are great for applying serums and face creams." In other words: consider your makeup needs before selecting a hue that will work best for you.
[Photo: beautyblender.com]
Don't be fooled into buying a dupe.
You may save a few dollars, but Trotter says you'll sacrifice quality if you give in and purchase a fake beautyblender. "The beautyblender is the only one I've found with the texture, performance and longevity I'm looking for, so it's worth the money," Trotter says. "The fakes are hard as a rock or rip after just a few uses and that's not even talking about the fact that they just flat out don't apply foundation half as smoothly."
Don't use yours wet or dry.
The magic word you're looking for here is "damp." If you use it totally dry, Trotter says it will just drag your foundation across your face while soaking up your product. When it's too wet, it will slide foundation around without incorporating it into the skin. Aim for a happy medium. "Hold it under running water and let it absorb as much water as it can, then squeeze out excess," Trotter says. "As a final step, I usually blot it with a paper towel just to ensure it's not too wet. [When it's damp] it won't soak up too much product or slide it around--it'll apply a sheer layer beautifully, without any edges or lines."
[Photo: Sephora]
Don't wipe, bounce.
Depending on your preference, you can use your beautyblender for makeup application in one of two ways. First, you can put foundation or cream products directly onto your beautyblender and then use the sponge to apply the makeup to your face. Alternatively, you dot the makeup directly onto your face and then blend with the beautyblender. When it comes to blending, however, there is one must-follow rule: bounce, don't wipe. "You're aiming for a bouncing motion, not a wiping motion," Trotter says. "The bouncing (similar to stippling) motion ensures a smooth application and feels like a facial massage, to boot."
[Photo: Sephora]
Clean your beautyblender after each use.
The second you're finished you're using it (no excuses!), clean your Beautyblender with a cleanser like blendercleanser, a special cleansing liquid specially formulated to work with the Blender. "Clean your Beautyblender after each use to prevent staining," says Elizabeth Bernardin, makeup artist and founder behind Blushed Beaute. "Store it where it can dry properly, leave on top of a vase or cup so the entire surface dries thoroughly and is less likely to pick up bacteria."
[Photo: Sephora]
Don't feel like you have to buy a special cleaning product.
The Beautycleanser is great, but if you don't have a special cleaning agent, Beauty Blogger Chelsea Olivia from Olive & Ivy says an affordable alternative works just fine. "Baby shampoo, Dawn dish soap or bar soaps (the little ones you get in hotel rooms are great for this) work just fine," Olivia says. "For liquid soaps or shampoos, squeeze a little bit onto your dampened beautyblender, give it a good massage in and then rinse and squeeze under a tap until the water runs clear. For bar soaps, wet your beautyblender and then swirl it around onto the bar soap, then rinse and squeeze under a tap until the water runs clear."
[Photo: Sephora]
Tap into your beautyblender's power by using it in a variety of ways.
This tool isn't just for foundation. Makeup Artist Edward Cruz suggests 4 great ways to use your beautyblender:
- Use your Beautyblender to add color or highlight your hair.
- To achieve a more flawless sunless tanning application, use beautyblender's bodyblender, which Cruz says can give you a flawless, streak-free tan without leaving your house or getting your hands dirty.
- To apply skincare products to sensitive skin, Cruz says beautyblender's Pure is ideal because it is dye free, and when applied with skincare products, gives the skin a silk-like feel.
- For eyeshadow application, Cruz recommends beautyblender's micro.mini, which is perfect for applying and blending cream shadow.
[Photo: Sephora]
Give your Beautyblender breathing room.
There's nothing worse than waking up to find your BB has collected mildew overnight--gross. Trotter says you can prevent that from happening by storing yours in a breathable mesh bag (she loves this one by Walker), where it can dry and breathe.
[Photo: Sephora]
