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A Glamour UK guide published with advice from professional makeup artists outlines a sponge-based foundation technique: use a slightly damp, clean sponge and tap on thin layers. The artists say this can help blend coverage smoothly, but the report does not establish that the method lasts longer for everyone or is better than a brush.
Glamour UK has published a foundation application guide based on advice from professional makeup artists, recommending a clean, slightly damp sponge and light tapping motions to blend product in thin layers. The method is presented as a way to create a softer, more natural-looking finish, while the artists’ comments are professional guidance rather than evidence that a sponge will suit every skin type or deliver a longer-lasting result for everyone.
The guide describes a process that begins with a few drops of foundation on the back of the hand, rather than applying product directly to the face. Tim Quinn, a New York-based celebrity makeup artist, recommends picking up the foundation with a brush and placing small amounts around the center of the face, then working outward. He advises dotting on the product rather than rubbing it in.
Next, use the rounded end of a slightly damp, clean sponge to bounce or tap the product into the skin. The report says to wet the sponge, squeeze out excess water, and press it in a clean towel so it is damp but not saturated. Kasey Spickard, another New York-based celebrity makeup artist, recommends a bouncing or stippling motion, building coverage only in areas that need it.
For smaller areas, Quinn says the pointed end can reach around the nose and under the eyes. He suggests blending leftover product along the jawline and hairline. The guide says to repeat the application until the desired coverage is reached, then use concealer where more coverage is wanted and finish with setting powder and setting spray. It also advises starting with a clean sponge to limit product and bacteria buildup.
A Layered Alternative to Heavy Coverage
The technique offers readers a practical way to control where foundation goes and how much is applied. Starting with a small amount and adding more selectively may help avoid putting the same level of coverage across the entire face. The artists describe the aim as a blended, less noticeable finish, rather than full coverage.
That distinction matters because the guide does not present sponge application as a universally superior method. It reports artists’ preferences and advice, not comparative testing of sponges, fingers, or brushes. The finish can depend on the product, tool, application and individual preferences, so readers should treat the steps as an option to try rather than a guaranteed result.
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What the Artists Recommend
The source is a Glamour UK beauty guide featuring comments from makeup artists Christian Briceno, Tim Quinn and Kasey Spickard. Briceno says sponges let him work with thin layers, soften changes between areas of differing coverage and lift excess product without disturbing the rest of the makeup. He links that approach to a finish he considers less likely to fade or crack, but that is his professional assessment, not a measured finding in the report.
Quinn describes a makeup sponge as a tool for blending and softening foundation, and says he favors a finish where the foundation is barely noticeable. He recommends a damp sponge for a softer effect, while noting that a dry sponge can be useful for more concentrated coverage. The guide says the artists it consulted advised against using a dry sponge for a soft, even finish, since it may leave makeup looking patchy or streaky.
The report favors liquid foundation for this method and cautions against foundation sticks, but it does not provide a product-by-product comparison. Its recommendations focus on application technique and on building coverage gradually, rather than endorsing one specific foundation brand.
“Sponges let me work with very thin layers, soften transitions between areas with more and less coverage, and gently lift excess product without disturbing the rest of the makeup.”
— Christian Briceno, celebrity makeup artist
Results Depend on the Application
The report does not include controlled comparisons showing how sponge application performs against fingers or brushes, nor does it quantify how long the finish lasts. Claims about a longer-wearing or less crack-prone result are attributed to the artists’ experience and should not be read as a guarantee.
It is also not clear from the source that one sponge shape, foundation formula or setting product will work best for everyone. Skin, product choice and personal preference can affect the result. The guide gives general technique advice; it does not offer individualized recommendations or establish that the method is suitable for every reader.
Try the Technique in Thin Layers
Readers following the guide can start with a clean sponge, dampen it and squeeze out excess water before applying a small amount of foundation. Tap product onto the face, add coverage only where wanted, and check the blend around the nose, jaw and hairline. The artists’ advice favors adjusting the amount gradually rather than beginning with a heavy layer.
The source does not announce a follow-up test or new product launch. Its practical next step for readers is to compare the finish with their usual application method and decide which tool and amount of coverage work for them.
Key Questions
Should a foundation sponge be wet or dry?
The guide recommends a slightly damp sponge, not one that is soaking wet. Squeeze out excess water and press it in a clean towel before using it. Quinn says a dry sponge may provide more concentrated coverage, but the report associates a damp sponge with a softer finish.
How do you apply foundation with a sponge?
Put a small amount of foundation on the back of your hand, pick it up with a brush, and dot it onto the center of the face. Use the rounded end of a damp sponge to tap or bounce the product into the skin, working outward and adding more only where needed.
Can you use a sponge around the nose and under the eyes?
Yes. Quinn recommends using the sponge’s pointed end for smaller areas such as around the nose and under the eyes. Blend remaining product around the jawline and hairline to soften the edges.
Does a sponge make foundation last longer?
Briceno says building foundation in thin layers can contribute to a long-lasting finish. The report does not provide testing or a guarantee that sponge application will make foundation last longer for everyone; results may vary with the product and how it is applied.
How often should you clean a makeup sponge?
The source advises using a clean sponge to help limit bacteria buildup, but it does not specify a cleaning schedule. Follow the sponge maker’s care instructions and clean it regularly, especially when it is used with liquid makeup.
Source: glamourmagazine.co.uk
