So called “face painting sponges” stink!
They’re bulky, have to be cut down, and are generally fussy to use.
Could it be that an all-in-one, nearly free, makeup sponge will solve your sponging problems?
Fellow face painters frequently ask why I use cheap makeup sponges for my face painting designs. Well, it’s been my little secret–until now!
I know, I know, not very “juicy,” but work with me here.
When I started my face painting career I experimented with many different techniques, including sponging. I quickly went out and bought the “made for face painting” sponges. You know, those Moon Pie shaped, too-big-to-use discs.
No go, Batman. These things just won’t cut it!
I tried cutting them into triangles because I found it’s the easiest shape to work with. I discovered using a triangle shaped sponge is especially helpful when painting around kiddos eyes, like with the dinosaur face paint design, for example.
After much effort, I finally gave in and gave dollar store sponges a go. They totally rock and I wouldn’t switch back to the other sponges for anything!
The five reasons I prefer dollar store triangle sponges:
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They’re cheap!
I can get 28 sponges for a dollar, as compared to the “official” face painting sponges, which are a dollar each. After all, you know how thrifty I am after hearing my thoughts on wasting face paint!
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They’re smaller
Even when you cut down the regular face painting sponges, they’re still too large to finesse properly. I mostly paint on children and the smaller sponges are a much better fit for their little faces.
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You don’t have to cut or shape them
Yep, just like it sounds, they’re ready to rock right out of the package.
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They’re shaped perfectly
The triangular sponge is in the perfect shape to apply many face painting designs. The rectangular end of the sponge fits like a charm into a mini split-cake. Plus, they’re flexible, yet firm enough to retain their original shape.
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They don’t stain like traditional face painting sponges
These little guys are much easier to clean and generally look nicer for longer. I use anti-bacterial soap to clean them between each event.
Bonus Tip:
These little guys work great to apply the glue for your glitter tattoos. They spread the glue more evenly than the standard brush applicator. This enables the glue to dry more efficiently and avoids clumping.
And all this greatness for a dollar, who knew?! =)
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Giggle Loopsy says
Hi Joy! Yep, they sure are. They’re super cheap and also latex free.
Velvet
Joy says
Are these the regular makeup sponges?
Giggle Loopsy says
I’m super excited to find out what kind they are, and I’d love to try them! I bought the sponges black, but not all Dollar Tree stores carry them in black. I don’t like the white as much since they stain so badly. Do you remember what color the ones from Marinello are?
Ricky 'Illustrated Faces' says
I’m not quite sure of the name, I’ll ask her when she comes back in town, but I know that they are a nice middle ground of the dollar store sponges and the Ben Nye FX sponge wedge that are extremely high density–in my opinion way too absorbent for face painting or glamour makeup. May I ask if you dyed your sponges black or did they come that color?
Giggle Loopsy says
Thanks for your comment, Ricky! What sponges did they use at Marinello? I love trying new stuff!
Ricky 'Illustrated Faces' says
I totally agree. Not only is color payoff my intense, it’s also more precise, and smoother in texture. I will say though, I tried the sponges provided to Marinello students, my sister went there, and they’re even better. They’re higher density then the ones at the dollar store, and don’t tear after wash. 🙂
Giggle Loopsy says
Hi Charlie! I spritz my paint pretty generously, almost to the point of running… then I rub the sponge over the cake until the paint is shiny but mostly dry. I have found the sponge picks up a perfect amount of paint and applies it nicely. If I get too much water in the cake, after I rub the paint with the sponge, I then tap my sponge on the cake as if I were daubing up a spill. That seems to absorb the extra moisture from the cake and then cleanly transfers the color to the skin. I find the smoother texture of the makeup sponges provides better color pay off than the face painting sponges, because I think the face painting sponges are more absorbent, and keeps the color trapped inside 🙂 Thanks for your comment!
Charlie 'Brushes on Mushes' Bl says
I use the same sponges for butterflies 🙂 I find the colour pay off isnt as good as the painting ones.. so I just go over it a few time’s.. if u have any tips on how to get the colour pay off better with these id love to hear it 🙂 xxxx