9 Top Beautyblender Alternatives In 2024

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Is there anything that boosts your confidence more than a seamless makeup base and perfect contouring with a flawless finish? 

After all, these can make or break your whole look. Think about it: cakey foundation or overly improperly blended contouring can mean the difference between an Instagram-worthy photo or a pic that never sees the light of day.

Asian woman using a pink sponge to clean her face and explore the best beauty blender alternatives.

One of the tools that can help you avoid mishaps like this and enjoy professional-level makeup is the popular Beautyblender, which has been considered a game-changer in the beauty industry. 

However, given their prestige, original Beautyblender sponges come at a fairly steep price.  

So if you don’t want to splurge on a Beautyblender, there’s good news. There are plenty of affordable, high-quality alternatives that get the job done without breaking the bank! 

Keep reading as we share the 9 top Beautyblender alternatives with you and give you tips on how to use them properly.

Fenty Beauty Precision Makeup Sponge 100
Editor's Choice
  • Three-sided latex-free plush
  • Can be used on powder, cream, or liquid products
  • Can be used damp or dry
Sigma Beauty 3DHD Makeup Blender
Premium Pick
  • Designed in a unique 3DHD shape inspired by Sigma’s best-selling brushes
  • Can be used for large application or fine details
  • Provides streak-free sheer to medium coverage
Beauty Bakerie Blending Egg Beauty Sponge
Budget Pick
  • Made with washable, non-latex sponge
  • Multipurpose use
  • Comes in six palm-sized sponges that expand once wet

What Is a Beautyblender?

The Beautyblender is an edgeless, non-latex, aqua-activated sponge used to apply and blend all types of makeup products. 

Whether for foundation or concealer, setting powder or contour palettes, it ensures precise, even application while absorbing minimal product. 

Hollywood makeup artist Rea Ann Silva invented this makeup applicator to ensure her clients — most of whom were film and TV actors — all achieved a smooth complexion in person and on the big screen.  

Once she realized how massive the market for her brainchild was, she created her own startup company (unsurprisingly) called Beautyblender in 2002 with this innovative sponge as its star product. 

Today, Beautyblenders have become synonymous with a poreless, airbrushed finish. 

Countless beauty gurus, professional makeup artists, and makeup lovers, who previously used brushes of different sizes and single-use sponges for contouring, have simplified their makeup routines by using this one vital tool.

In fact, it’s become so popular that even industry professionals refer to any egg-shaped sponge as a “beauty blender,” meaning it’s now known as a term for a type of sponge rather than a product name. 

Pros of Using Beautyblenders

To better understand why Beautyblenders have sustained their decades-long popularity, let’s take a look at some of their benefits below. 

Streakless application 

Traditional makeup brushes swipe makeup products across the skin, leaving visible, unsightly brush strokes. 

This occurs even more frequently with brushes that have thick, natural bristles because they absorb more product and consequently leave too much of it on the skin.

On the flip side, Beautyblenders are designed to be pressed deeply into the skin instead of being swiped across it. They also absorb less product, ensuring a streak-free, natural-looking finish. 

Capable of filling pores and blending in hard-to-reach areas

Like other makeup sponges, Beautyblenders push foundation and other products into the skin, effectively filling pores for an ultra-smooth finish. 

The pointed tips of beautyblenders also allow them to blend products and conceal blemishes in hard-to-reach areas, such as under or in the inner corners of your eyes, around the eyebrows, and around the nose. 

Plus, they also blend and soften even the harshest, thinnest contour lines for a diffused, exquisitely sculpted look. 

Suitable for light, medium, and full coverage

You can use Beautyblenders for any level of coverage you prefer.

For sheer or lightweight and medium coverage, use the rounded sides of the sponge to dab foundation onto your skin. 

For full coverage, use the bottom end of your Beautyblender (not the pointy tip, but rather the widest part of the sponge) for application. 

While Beautyblenders are typically dampened before use, some makeup artists use them dry to build up to full coverage. Take note, though, that doing this can make the sponge absorb more product, which can be wasteful.

Versatile use

Aside from being used to apply products for base makeup, Beautyblenders can also be used to

  • apply and blend cream-based products, such as blush and highlighter; 
  • apply and blend eyeshadow
  • set makeup with powder; 
  • erase smudges and other makeup mistakes;
  • blot excess makeup and oil away;
  • wipe makeup off; and
  • apply skincare products hands-free.

In fact, some individuals even use Beautyblenders to apply sunscreen or touch up gray or dark roots!

Cons of Using Beautyblenders

Of course, there are still a few disadvantages to using even the top Beautyblender sponges. Take a look at some of their drawbacks below. 

Tedious maintenance

The reusable nature of Beautyblenders is a double-edged sword. On one hand, you do get to reuse them for up to six months and avoid spending more on single-use sponges. 

On the other hand, cleaning them can be quite a challenge. They need to be soaked in soapy water for at least 30 minutes, then rubbed and rinsed vigorously.  

Plus, most experts recommend cleaning Beautyblenders after every use to wash away excess product, oil, and dirt. 

In other words, keeping Beautyblenders clean takes more time and effort than regular brushes or sponges. 

Prone to mold and bacterial growth

Because Beautyblenders are typically used wet, they’re prone to bacteria buildup and even, disgustingly enough, mold. 

Aside from posing a huge health and safety hazard, a bacteria-ridden sponge can also cause acne when used without proper cleansing. 

However, you can easily avoid this by cleaning your Beautyblender after use and letting them dry in a cool, clean area.  

Expensive price

An original Beautyblender currently costs $20, which is a steep price for a makeup sponge. In fact, it may even cost more than some of the actual makeup products, especially those from drugstore brands. 

Fortunately, there are plenty of cheaper sponges are up to par with the original Beautyblender.

What to Look for in a Beautyblender Alternative

It’s always tempting to reach for the least expensive alternatives to popular, expensive makeup products like the Beautyblender. 

However, even if you’re going for a substitute, it’s important to make sure it meets the criteria for a top-notch makeup sponge. After all, you’ll be using this tool in several steps of your makeup routine.

So see to it that the alternative you choose meets the standards listed below. 

Delivers all the benefits of an original Beautyblender

It goes without saying that your alternative should be able to perform everything its original counterpart does, such as ensuring even application with a poreless finish and adapting easily to different levels of coverage.

Features sturdy, flexible, and non-latex material 

Low-quality sponges are often too stiff, which means they’ll make it more difficult for you to apply and blend makeup in tight areas. They also tend to flake, tear, and break apart easily. 

So make sure to look for Beautyblender alternatives made with soft, flexible, and durable foam.

Keep in mind as well that many makeup sponges contain latex. While these are typically skin-safe, they may trigger an adverse reaction in those with latex allergies or sensitivities. 

Steer clear of latex sponges if you’ve been diagnosed with a latex allergy or if you’re uncertain as to whether you have the condition. 

Offers variations on the original design

Some Beautyblender alternatives don’t look exactly like the original Beautyblender. 

They may come in different shapes or feature angled edges that make them more effective at applying different products. For instance, Beautyblender alternatives with angled edges achieve more precise contouring.  

You can go for these options if they match your needs and makeup routine better. 

9 Top Beautyblender Alternatives

Still not sure how to select an affordable Beautyblender alternative that offers similar results? Check out our list of the best ones below!

1
Beakey Makeup Sponge

You know it’s a solid deal when you’re getting five pieces of amazingly reviewed products at the price of one!

Primary Benefits: Latex-free; reusable and durable; can be used dry or wet for multiple product applications

Features: 

  • Vegan, odor-free, and allergy-free
  • Bouncy and elastic material
  • Comes with tiny pores for optimal application

These teardrop sponges can go head-to-head with the original Beautyblender.

 

No more dirty sponges in your makeup stash; with this five-piece-per-pack beauty sponge, you can use a new one daily!

Beakey sponges come in the classic teardrop shape for precise application and blending on all corners of the face. They also have small pores that ensure products go into your face and not into the sponge.

Plus, they’re made with hypoallergenic elastic foam that’s latex- and odor-free, for safe, gentle use.

Despite their budget-friendly price, these sponges aren’t stiff. Once wet, they double in size and become softer for a smooth and streak-free application. 

2
Aesthetica Beauty Sponge

A sleek, gorgeous black sponge that delivers on all the Beautyblender essentials at a cheaper price!

Primary Benefits: Multipurpose applicator; made with antimicrobial and non-latex foam; reusable, washable, and easy to clean

Features: 

  • Functional color choice
  • 100% cruelty-free and vegan
  • Features a design that utilizes every inch of the product

Get a professional Beautyblender alternative for more than half the price of the original!

 

From liquid to cream to powder products, this big, black Beautyblender alternative can be used to apply practically anything in your makeup bag! 

What makes it stand out from other products is its black color allows you to easily see how much product you’re using and where it is, helping you waste less product and enjoy more precise makeup application. 

Additionally, its sharp tip allows you to access hard-to-reach areas and cover blemishes without a hitch. 

3
E.l.f. Cosmetics Total Face Sponge

The angled edge of this sponge makes it perfect for crease-free blending. 

Primary Benefits: Made with soft, latex-free foam; works on wet and dry applications; multifunctional

Features: 

  • 100% cruelty-free and vegan
  • Designed to have a precision point and angled sides
  • Free of harmful chemicals

Your ticket to airbrushed, blemish-free skin is right here.

 

E.l.f. has a variety of beauty sponges to choose from, but this one is knockout because of its multifaceted design.

This sponge comes with all the typical features of a teardrop-shaped sponge: round sides for easy application on larger surfaces of the skin and a precision tip for concealing imperfections. 

But it also has an angled bottom to help you create sharp, precise contour lines.

This feature also allows you to apply highlighter in areas like the bridge of your nose and the highest point of your cheekbones to finish your look off with a luminous glow. 

4
Sigma Beauty 3DHD Makeup Blender

Among all the sponges on this list, this one will definitely amaze you with its unique form!

Primary Benefits: Designed in a unique shape inspired by angled brushes; can be used for applying makeup to large areas or adding fine details; provides streak-free sheer to medium coverage

Features: 

  • Cruelty-free and vegan
  • Made with hygienic, latex-free sponge
  • Precise product application and blending

Every angle of this sponge is 100% functional!

 

At first glance, you may think this sponge looks like a cut-up Beautyblender. But wait until you find out the purpose of each side.

Sigma’s patent-pending design for this 3DHD blender has six engineered sides that allow you to

  • blend on the curved edge, 
  • contour and highlight on the double wedge, 
  • bake and conceal on the flat base, and 
  • perfect details through the ridged and tapered sides. 

It may be pricier, but you’re paying for top-notch functionality that gives you stunning, streak-free makeup with less time and effort. It’s like mixing the power of multiple brushes into one handy beauty sponge. 

5
EcoTools Total Perfecting Blender Sponge

Ace your base, save your skin, and care for the environment all at the same time with this eco-friendly Beautyblender alternative. 

Primary Benefits: Uses EcoFoam technology with plant-based material; provides incredible results when used with cream or liquid foundation; gives a flawless, airbrushed effect

Features: 

  • Unique three-edge design  
  • 100% cruelty-free, vegan, and dermatologist tested
  • Made of handcrafted material

Nothing beats the impact of an eco-friendly beauty tool.

 

This sponge provides the ultimate makeup experience that’s shaped to meet every contouring need.

Instead of a pointed tip, this one has a cut-edge precision that easily fits and marks all the contour lines accurately and a rounded bottom that blends your base for airbrushed perfection. 

What makes this sponge even more impressive is its eco-friendly design.

Designed with the company’s signature EcoFoam technology, this blender is made with 70% handcrafted, plant-based material that’s not only latex-free but also vegan and cruelty-free.

6
Fenty Beauty Precision Makeup Sponge 100

The ultimate combination of precision and quality, just like the original Beautyblender. 

Primary Benefits: Three-sided latex-free plush; can be used on powder, cream, or liquid products; can be used damp or dry

Features: 

  • 100% cruelty-free
  • Lets you customize your coverage
  • Easy and manageable product application

If it’s something Rihanna uses, count us in!

 

Rihanna’s flat-sided teardrop makeup sponge has captured the hearts of many Beautyblender lovers, and here’s why.

The precision makeup sponge is the perfect tool for all types of makeup applications. 

With a triple-threat latex-free design, it can be used for powder, liquid, or cream foundation, making your look effortlessly refined. 

The slanted edge is ideal for stippling or applying foundation in dots, while the narrow, moon-shaped edge is great for covering blemishes in select areas.

The rounded end completes the look, serving as a buffing tool for a smooth, seamless finish. 

Although there may be some issues with its porosity, the soft bounce still works amazingly on sensitive skin.   

7
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

This is one of the leading makeup sponges trusted by beauty experts. 

Primary Benefits: Features a revolutionary foam technology; gives a long-lasting, luminous finish; prevents excess product absorption

Features: 

  • Dermatologist-tested
  • 100% cruelty-free and vegan
  • Easy to clean

Great for oily skin!

 

This multipurpose sponge is designed to have 3-in-1 blending, concealing, and contouring benefits. 

Designed with ultra-fine pores and velvet fibers, it can be used wet for sheer coverage that creates a dewy, natural glow and dry for full, buildable coverage.

This sponge can also be used with setting powder for a shine-free look. 

Plus, it’s low-density, which means it won’t absorb too much product or leave unflattering streaks across your skin. 

8
Jane Iredale Flocked Sponge Makeup Blender

The best makeup sponge for powder application!

Primary Benefits: Made with a synthetic, non-latex sponge; can be used on powder, cream, or liquid products; can double as a blotter for your makeup

Features: 

  • Vegan and wheat-free
  • Glides smoothly across the skin
  • Rectangular shaped sponge for multipurpose blending and application

If you’re the type who’s into natural-looking makeup, this sponge is for you!

 

This sponge is more similar to the Beautyblender Puff than the original Beautyblender, which means it’s the top tool for applying and blending mineral powder foundation and other types of mineral makeup. 

Not only does it blend products seamlessly, but it also boosts their staying power by pressing them deep into the pores. 

Also, since the design is sleek and flat, you can also use it to blot excess oil away and fix foundation mistakes in an instant. 

With this tool, you can enjoy picture-perfect makeup all day!

9
Beauty Bakerie Blending Egg Beauty Sponges

Aside from helping you achieve the perfect makeup base, these sponges also make great accessories for your makeup station!  

Primary Benefits: Made with a washable, non-latex sponge; multipurpose use; comes in six palm-sized sponges that expand once wet

Features: 

  • Has three variants
  • Can be wet or dry
  • Vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, and sulfate-free

Vegan or not, you can’t resist these cute eggs!

 

Beauty Bakerie’s adorable egg sponges bounce gently against the skin for smooth, even, and enjoyable makeup application. 

These Beautyblender alternatives are available in packs of six, which is a great bargain. You can have them “hard-boiled” or dry for baking and setting and “soft-boiled” or wet for applying and blending liquid and cream products. 

Adding more fun to its playful concept, the six-piece egg cartons of this brand come in three variants: pink and blue, all-black, or brown eggs that resemble the colors of real brown eggs. 

How to Use Beautyblenders for Foundation

New to using Beautyblenders or similar makeup sponges? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to use these sponges like a pro. 

  1. Apply primer to prep your skin and ensure your makeup lasts longer.
  2. Wet your sponge until it doubles in size.
  3. Squeeze out any excess water from the sponge.
  4. Apply a few dollops of foundation onto your face.
  5. Bounce the sponge across your face to blend and smooth out your foundation. Avoid dragging it to prevent streaking.
  6. Use the pointed tip to access tight or small areas. 

You can also use your Beautyblender or Beautyblender alternative to apply other products in the more advanced steps of your makeup routine! Just make sure to use different sponges for different products to avoid mixing them together.

How to Clean Your Beautyblender 

It’s important to make sure you sanitize your Beautyblender or Beautyblender alternative properly to avoid acne, skin infections, and other health hazards. 

Follow the steps below to help you keep your makeup sponges in pristine condition. 

  1. Submerge your sponges in clean water and squeeze out as much product as possible. 
  2. Rub the sponge against a gentle bar of soap. As you do this, massage your sponge and give it a few good squeezes now and then to ensure you’re clearing out whatever’s left inside. 
  3. Rinse it out under running water until all the soap is removed.

Some users also soak their sponges in hot water and dishwashing soap for a few minutes before performing the steps above to guarantee a more thorough clean.

To keep your sponges clean without damaging them, you can use a cleanser specifically designed for makeup tools like the EcoTools Professional Makeup Cleaner.

More FAQs About Beauty Blenders

How often should you change your Beautyblender? 

Beautyblenders tend to accumulate moisture that attracts and traps bacteria. 

As such, they should be changed or disposed of every three months. 

Are you supposed to wet your Beautyblenders before use?

In general, it’s best to use your Beautyblenders damp to keep them from absorbing too much product. So you’ll have to either wet your sponge or give it a good spritz of your face mist or setting spray for optimal makeup blending action. 

That said, your Beautyblender can also be used dry to apply powder makeup or build up your coverage. 

With Beautyblender Alternatives, Flawless Makeup Finally Comes Cheap

It’s true that splurging on high-end makeup tools and products is usually worth the investment because they offer better, longer-lasting results. 

Five beauty blender alternatives on a white background.

But there are exceptions to this rule. As you can see above, there are plenty of Beautyblender alternatives that can work just as well as the original at much cheaper prices! 

Go ahead and pick one of the products we’ve selected above to see for yourself.

You might just find the perfect sponge to use for several steps in your makeup routine and help you achieve the smooth, photo-ready, flawless look of your dreams!

Looking for more beauty bargains?

Check out these articles on cheaper skincare and makeup products:

Author

  • A beautiful blonde woman smiling on a gray background.

    Stephanie Martin blends her beauty industry background with expertise in communications to lead in the fashion and beauty world. As a fashion and beauty editor, she is known for engaging and informative articles. Her lifelong passion for fashion, makeup, and hair shines through her work, earning her widespread respect among readers and clients. Stephanie's style, a mix of classic and contemporary, makes her a dynamic and influential figure in the industry, inspiring others with her knowledgeable and approachable insights.

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