Can we talk under-eye concealer for a second?
Of course we can. That’s why we’re buds. 😀 You understand my obsession with the whole dark circle thang, and that’s one of the many reasons I heart ya.
So, I usually blend under-eye concealer with my fingers because I feel like my body temp warms up the product a tad, making it a little easier to work into my skin. Plus, I figure, why use another brush if I don’t have to and be left with yet another brush to clean?
Then I came across the Beautyblender…
Man, this thing is cool! Basically, it’s a non-latex sponge, so it’s not exactly a brush, that you can use to apply and blend concealer, foundation or any cream products you wear on your face or body.
Just wet it with water, and watch it magically expand (ooh!). Then use the dampened sponge to apply your makeup.
Ever since I started using it to blend my under-eye concealer, I’ve seen a huge difference in the final look.
All I do is mix a little MAC Pro Longwear Concealer with MAC Careblends Essential Oils on the back of my hand (a trick I learned from MAC Pro Artist Louise Z), dot the mix under my eyes, and blend it all in with a damp Beautyblender.
When I’m done, I swear the skin under my eyes looks smoother than it does when I just use my fingers. Call me a Beautyblender believer!
Have you tried them yet, and if so, what do you think? They’re available at Sephora stores and sephora.com for $20.
They also sell a Beautyblender cleanser for $18, but I’m not exactly sold on that yet… I’m still using my good ol’ Dr. Bronner’s Lavender Soap, and it seems to work fine.
I actually do not like the BB for concealer at all. When I use any liquid product, the sponge just sheers it out like nobody’s business. I just like using the BB to smooth any streaks out or to fix the dry patches after I’m done with my face makeup.
I so want to be a Beauty Blender convert but truth be told, I’m kind of afraid of it staining. The irrational germaphobe in me can’t handle that. Have you tried using it with powder to set your concealer?
Hey Karen..hope your elbow is better now!
I have the BB (two of them actually..because I just have to wash it after everrrry use) and it’s good with most foundations but I haven’t had much luck with concealer..probably something to do with my eye shape too I guess, but I find it eats up most of the product 😐
Karen! I have heard about this wonderful invention. I still don’t know if it’s worth the $$$, ya digg? I’ll have to mull it over some more. I’ve seen replicas, and I wanted to try the one by Real Techniques. I feel ya on using my finger to pat in the under eye concealer, though. The warmth does help it blend well.
We’ll see 🙂 that price, though. :/
There’s a reason why this sponge was started by a makeup artist in desperate need of upping the HD face when the cameras became HD. This beauty tool did the trick.
http://www.cindyslittleblackbook.com
I refused to pay $20 for a sponge for years, and then I tried the BB. OHMYLORD, it has changed the way I apply makeup on myself and on my clients. I have 8 now (for the wedding parties I glam). It doesn’t eat up the product, but I leave mine kind of damp so it’s easier to build sheer layers of coverage (for that glow!) instead of going heavy on foundation initially.
I clean mine with plain old dawn soap, it sucks the makeup right out of the BB and my brushes. I dilute the dawn in water though, it can be harsh if applied full strength to the brush bristles.
Happy Thursday!
Karen,
I love my BB! I’m opposite of you, I actually hate using my fingers to blend anything! I use my BB for foundation and concealer blending. It’s awesome! I recently bought Mac’s bright forecast for brightening under the eye after I watched your video on dark circles.
I’m also obsessed with cover dark circles! Lol
I’ve been wanting to try out a beauty blender.
I use my fingers for concealer too! But this sponge seems limit would make everything a lot easier. I may try a cheaper version to begin with though, possibly the Real Techniques one. Have you seen it?
Btw, I’ve been meaning to ask you – I’m a fellow .NC42 who is just getting into MAC eyeshadow. So far I own Woodwinked, handwritten and swiss chocolate. Do you have any suggestions for 3-4 must have shades that would go with these? Neutrals or colours are both fine as long as they aren’t crazy bright. Thanks!
I am a huge under eye concealer buff too! I’ve never tried the BeautyBlender, but I do get great results from using a normal makeup sponge for that particular area!
I want to try the BB, I just don’t want to pay $20 for it. I tried the Real Techniques version and I wasn’t wowed by it.
I never wanted to spend the money on the beauty blender cleanser but I recieved the solid version for Christmas and WOW. It got my beauty blender soooo clean…it took off my Mac Pro longwear foundation that usually took 2-3 washes to remove off in no time! I love it for my brushes too…plus it’s great for travel since it’s not a liquid. Give it a try Karen!
I’m currently using and Simply Love it!
I’ve read so many rave reviews about the BB but it isnt available in India and with international shipping, it costs a bomb. But Im really lusting after it now….
I have never tried using a sponge during makeup application but I have heard such great reviews of the Beauty blender and it really has got me curious! I have seen a similar knock off of this product actually in Primark for £1 and I really wish I didn’t skip on it. I would love to have my concealer under the eyes be soft and smooth as mine always tends to get a little cakey. Thank you for the great review and you have really inspired me to go out and give it a try!
-Shelby
http://bittersweetshelby.blogspot.co.uk/
I’ve always been curious, but I have a pink sponge from MAC that I use for my undereye concealer and it works amazing! Only $8 🙂
Oooh. I got a beautyblender in my glossybox last week, and I really loved it. Then I decided it was time to use Face and Body instead of UD NakedSkin. And the BB doesn’t work well for that, but I bet it would for my concealer.
Mac 217 has been my holy grail for blending out concealer, so far. I tried to buy a couple of the cheap 217 dupes, I don’t like them nearly as well.
I’ve never tried the BB. I’ll probably invest in one when I’m back in the USA!
Brilliant! My beauty blender was sitting unused until this morning. I didn’t realize that is got bigger when really wet- until your comment, and what a difference. i used it with my Tarte BB concealer and it was perfect for covering up the red around my nose. Worked sooo much better than that two sided brush. Thanks!
I was a little apprehensive about paying $20 for the BB but I am now a lifetime convert. I typically use it for concealer and wow, it’s like a magic wand! It’s my favorite tool at the moment!
I’ve been obsessed with my Beauty Blender for the last few weeks, after having it in my possession for about a year. Works FLAWLESSLY with my MUFE HD foundation, and layering my Tarte Maracuja creaseless concealer over my Bobbi Brown corrector.
and give the cleaner a try. I’ve been hooked using it with my beauty blender and all my brushes. Love the scent and the longevity. I’ve had my current one since October and I’m only about halfway used, if even.
xo, Vanessa
I’m on my third BB sponge! My boyfriend was shopping and asked if I wanted anything from the city,and I knew there was a Sephora so I requested a BB. When he brought it to me he wanted to know why a sponge would cost $19 lol but he knows now.
Hi Karen. I jumped on the Beauty Blender craze when the thing first came out. Along with the special cleanser. I found the liquid cleanser a pain to use because it just wouldn’t rinse out. Then they came out with the solid which is better. As far as the BB itself, I didn’t find it to be anything special although from reviews I read I guess I’m in the minority. Mine finally tore from all the washing and I decided not to replace it because I think it’s way over priced for a sponge. I recently found some similar sponges on Amazon and they work great! I picked up some that come in a set of 4; they all have different shapes so you have some choices for the task at hand. They are just as good as the BB and they clean up nicely. Best thing….they are way cheaper. For those ladies considering this, there are far cheaper (and just as good) alternatives out there. The BB is way too overpriced for what it is. IMHO, the BB is just hype at this point.
I am a firm believer in the BB sponge. I think it’s wildly expensive but NO OTHER SPONGE COMPARES (that I know of). I’ve tried a few that were supposed to be the same but the texture is way different.
The BB sponge is meant to be used damp. When it’s dry it’s really not that soft nor does it work as well. I never use it to apply makeup; I only use it to blend it out. Sometimes I just bounce it around my face if I feel like I look a little powdery and it sets everything.
I do use the cleanser, I have the liquid and the dry bar for travel. THe liquid can be a little tough to get out of the sponge but I put it on my hands and then kind of wash the outside of the sponge so it doesn’t really get too much soap in there. Foundation brushes get washed with either my oil cleanser first or I’m going to dry the Dawn diluted with water trick that someone mentioned.
AND – MOST IMPORTANT – I would love to be Tab’s VALENTINE! The Boosh is gonna be jealous. LOL
I heart my BB. I dampen it and use it to apply my MUFE foundation. I alternate it with a (wet) brush for application everyday, so give the BB a break. I can spot the difference in application between the brush and BB. The BB is more subtle and allows you to build up coverage, IMO. I bought the cleanser and 2 pack on Amazon for much cheaper than Sephora, although I noticed the price has risen. But you can still get a 2 pack BB on Amazon for $23, which makes it a bargain. The liquid cleanser is ok, so I’m not sure if I’ll continue to use it. I may try something new.
I have two Beauty Blenders and it’s one of the best investments I’ve ever made! It applies and blends everything to perfection so quickly. I actually prefer it to brushes for foundation and concealer
i can’t believe you’ve just tried the beauty blender, karen! did you not get the memo?!
usually i’m one of those people pooh-poohing something expensive and hype-y. but after i saw a couple of pictures of the back room of a fashion week, and saw tables upon tables strewn with this pink sponge, i just took the jump. boy am i glad i did! more than 2 years later and two sponges later, it is one of the best things in my arsenal.
anybody who’s still thinking about it? DON’T! just git it!
Hi Karen,
I love your blog. I’m wondering if you think beauty blender works with moisturecover, specifically by dabbing it onto the back of my hand as you do with prolongwear concealer. Thanks for all the advice!
best,
Amber