While makeup shopping at Nordstrom the other day I happened upon a beautyblender training class for the makeup artists on the floor and, um…of course you know I had to sneak my way into the group. 🙂 I even asked a whole bunch of obnoxious questions (yes, I was *that* student back in the day).
Like, did you know that you can apply eyeshadow with a beautyblender?
Yeah! Who knew, right?
Using a wet beautyblender Micro Mini (the smallest-sized sponge; a pack of two sells for $18), swirl the larger rounded bottom end of the beautyblender into your powder eyeshadow pan to mix the powder up into something of a temporary cream shadow and to load the sponge. (Applying shadows wet like this will also intensify the colors.) Then, tap that directly on your lids to apply.
Now do the same thing with the smaller pointed end of the beautyblender to apply color in your outer V.
It’s a great way to do simple, single-eyeshadow looks without any fallout so you can get out the door quickly.
Kind of cool, right?
This works with face powder, too! But instead of the mini beautyblender, take a damp regular-sized one, swirl the rounded base into your favorite pressed powder pan, and then tap that on your face wherever you want powder. It’ll apply evenly, without any fallout, and give you full coverage.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Irene says
July 7th, 2015 at 10:24 amHmm… I’m very curious to try it with my powder foundation. But will using the dampened sponge mess up the powder? I’ve never used my makeup wet unless it says it can be used that way. I’m scared! Lol
India says
July 7th, 2015 at 10:31 amI heard about the powder trick but never the eyeshadow! I always thought the mini beauty blenders were useless
xx,
India
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Vijaya says
July 7th, 2015 at 10:44 amI love the mini blender for cream shadows!
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Amy says
July 7th, 2015 at 11:18 amOooo! I’m very curious now about trying the mini beauty blender for cream eyeshadow! If only they weren’t so spendy. Little scraps of sponge…
Kwmechelle says
July 7th, 2015 at 11:24 amThis is a great tip and I had no idea about it. It certainly does make sense, though. I was using my bb to apply loose powder over my concealer to set it, but it never dawned on me to use it in the way that you’ve described her. Gosh darn I love the bb. Such an innovative, cool tool that can up my makeup game & I am all about that life ☺️
LipjunkieNL says
July 7th, 2015 at 12:35 pmThanks for the tip! I didn’t know! I’m normally more of a brush kind of girl, because I use mostly powder foundation, but maybe I should check out using a beautyblender for this as well :).
Fancie says
July 7th, 2015 at 12:40 pmI’ve been using my BB to apply face powders for years. I feel like they help take off the powdery, dry finish some can have and make them look more natural. Especially when it comes to setting under eye concealer. I never thought of using the minis for eyeshadow though. I actually have them so I think I’m gonna try it out one day
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Jessica says
July 7th, 2015 at 2:16 pmi have a pink beauty blender (large one) and I never use it. :/
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Jenny says
July 7th, 2015 at 2:26 pmI like to use my beauty blender to apply translucent loose powders on my face, but had no idea about the eye shadows! That is really amazing to think of doing an even quicker 5 minute look without any fallout… I’ve put off buying the mini sponges, but I think you now have me sold. Thank you for the enlightenment. Haha!
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Kalliope says
July 7th, 2015 at 2:26 pmOoohhh interesting! I finally hopped on the BB express a couple months ago. I don’t use it everyday, only because I do my makeup at a vanity in my bedroom and I’m too lazy to make the extra trip to the bathroom to wet the BB. But I wondered how useful the teeny ones would be.
Stacey says
July 7th, 2015 at 2:57 pmMight have to think about buying one now that I know they can be used with powder. I never thought about picking one up before because I rarely use liquid foundation.
Lauren says
July 7th, 2015 at 2:57 pmThe entire makeup community is going to ban me when I admit I don’t like the bb to apply foundation. I’m certain I must be using it wrong. I did t have the heart to toss it so I do apply my powder with it, but never thought of eye shadows! Thanks, Karen!
Laura says
July 7th, 2015 at 3:15 pmInteresting….
It’s OK, Lauren- I don’t like the BB either. There’s something about a sponge that skeevs me out as a germophobe.
However, this is really interesting and it’s got me thinking about other interesting hacks with beauty tools.
Holly says
July 7th, 2015 at 6:05 pmLove the fact that you listened in on the class! I haven’t used a BB yet as I rarely wear liquid foundation or even BB cream. My usual eye look is one shadow & then a thick colored liner, either in a complementary color (taupes & brown) or contrasting (pinks & grey), so I think that trick would work really well for me.
Rachel R. says
July 7th, 2015 at 6:56 pmI’ve seen them used for powder, but not eyeshadow. I’m betting that technique would work great for ColourPop eyeshadows. Hmmmm….
Kat says
July 7th, 2015 at 8:55 pmHa! I never would have thought to use it that way.
Kat ♥ http://www.pastelwhimsy.com
Maggie says
July 7th, 2015 at 9:10 pmWHOOOOOAAAA!!! Thanks for sharing–now I’m going to have to experiment with my beautyblender!
Kiss & Make-up says
July 8th, 2015 at 5:16 amO_o Who knew indeed! I’m tempted to try it, my interest sure is piqued!
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Pamela Haddad says
July 8th, 2015 at 10:15 amDidn’t realize you could use it for eye shadow. Cool!!
Kay's Ways says
July 8th, 2015 at 10:30 amI love my beauty blenders, never thought to try with eyeshadow though! Great tip, I’m gonna have to try this out at some point.
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Kirsten says
July 8th, 2015 at 1:24 pmSounds like a neat trick– I love sponge applicators for eye shadow– but I’d be afraid the dampness would ruin my expensive shadows and powders!
kristen @ glambunctious says
July 12th, 2015 at 6:28 pmI love you for breaking into this class! What a great idea! I have the micro minis and have never thought to use them for shadows, even though I love doing wet shadow looks! BRILLS! Thanks, K-rock!