Cult-Fave Beauty Tools Every Makeup Bag Needs — and the New Versions That Might Replace Them
Whether you’re obsessed with makeup or you just learned what contouring is, it’s likely that you have at least one tool that you consider to be your holy grail. Once something is tried and true, it’s easy for us to become lifelong, loyal fans, never stepping outside of our comfort zone. But the down side of staying in your comfort zone is you miss out on all the innovation taking place in the beauty world! Shapes, sizes, and applicators have come a long way in recent years and are always on the up and up. Take a walk down memory lane as we highlight four OG beauty tools and four new kids on the block.
OG: The beautyblender original ($20) makeup sponge hit the market in 2007 and has since become a staple in bags everywhere. It works on all skin types, can be used just about anywhere you apply makeup, and it’s affordable, so it’s no surprise that this OG tool’s popularity has only increased.
New Kid on the Block: The newly launched Givenchy Makeup Blender Fluid & Compact Foundation Sponge ($20) is even more versatile than the beautyblender because of its unique shape. The flat tip lets you target small areas of your face (like the inner corners of your eyes), while the center strip ensures your digits aren’t dirtied by your makeup.
OG: Launched in 2013, the BECCA The One Perfecting Brush ($49) is a multitasker’s dream because of its super straight, packed bristles that make it a solid tool for applying everything from bronzer to primer to foundation.
New Kid on the Block: e.l.f.’s new take on the all-in-one brush is the Beautifully Precise Multi Blender Massager Brush ($12). Its sleek, curved design moves perfectly over the natural contours of the face, making it a breeze to blend in foundation and powder products. Like the Becca brush, use it flat to apply liquid products or turn it on its side to carve out those cheeks with blush or bronzer.
OG: Debuting in 2009, the TEMPTU Air ($195) at-home airbrush makeup system (the first of its kind) allows users to mist on their makeup, giving unparalleled buildable coverage.
New Kid on the Block: The Color Me Original Applicator ($54) dropped in 2014, boasting 250 sonic taps per second — which basically means that it vibrates really fast, doing the stippling work for you. The spongey tip blends foundation seamlessly into the skin while locking coverage in place all day long.
OG: The beloved Sigma Short Shader Eyeshadow Brush ($15) launched in 2010 and made a name for itself thanks to its smudging and blending abilities. Its bristles are soft but compact, making it perfect for applying eye makeup in super targeted areas without having to worry about fallout.
New Kid on the Block: The innovative Artis Oval 4 ($46) totally changed the way we apply eye products when it launched in 2014. Intended to be held like a paint brush instead of a traditional makeup brush, the tool deposits eye products (from concealer to shadow to highlighter) evenly. The fibers are designed to easily fit around the curves of the eye.
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