Fashion

How To Make A DIY Beauty Blender

by Emma Matthews

While Kylie Jenner’s Artis Oval Makeup brushes are relatively new to the market, beauty blenders have become a staple in many cosmetic buffs' makeup bags. So how do you make a beauty blender? Well YouTuber's like GlitterForever17 are on hand to help.

Gone are the days when we could get away with applying foundation with our fingers, because beauty tools are becoming more and more savvy. From spray guns to "vibrating applicators," all of these new additions are starting to make the classic foundation brush look a bit tired.

Not all of these applicators are cheap, though. From my experience, your average blender will cost around $20. Although many people find it a worthy investment, myself included, it’s always nice to have a thrifty alternative. Thankfully, making your own version of the product is easy to do. Take it from someone who’s solely responsible for half of the Pinterest fails on the Internet.

Personally, I find the DIY method great if you want to save a few dollars. It's also ideal if you're on-the-go or travel frequently and don't want to cart your expensive buy away with you in case it gets lost. Whether you want a DIY blender for a festival or a weekend camping trip, think of it as your throwaway fix. Here's how to make your very own beauty blender.

What You'll Need

To create your own beauty blender, you'll need the following:

  • Memory Foam
  • Scissors
  • Fabric Dye
  • Warm Water
  • Table Salt
  • Rubber Gloves

1. Cut The Foam

Begin by cutting the memory foam into a beauty blender-like shape. For this DIY project, I purchased my memory foam from a local craft store. Many shops sell it in various sizes and thicknesses. Alternatively, if you have a travel neck pillow lying around the house, you can remove the casing and use that. Not only is the foam suitable, but it will also save you a little bit of time since the pillow is already in a curved shape.

2. Test Out Different Sizes

I often make a batch of blenders in one go, since having both a larger one and smaller one comes in handy. The chunkier ones are ideal for applying foundation, whereas their baby counterparts are great if you want to target specific areas of your face — like under-eye bags or any blemishes.

3. Mix The Fabric Dye Together

Next, I mix the fabric dye together. For this, I used Dylon Fabric Dye, but Rit Clothing Dye is just as vibrant and affordable. I add the dye to a warm water and table salt mixture, before stirring it until all the lumps and bumps have dissolved.

4. Soak Your Blender

If you plan on trying this DIY but don't want to get messy, pop on a pair of rubber gloves before dunking in the blender. This is the fun part! You can experiment with different colors and patterns by using multiple dyes. Here I'm using a pink and purple shade, but you can be as wild or adventurous as you like. Why not try creating a gradient-hued blender? That or a galaxy patterned one.

5. Squeeze The Foam

As I dye the blender, I make sure to keep squeezing it. By doing this, no dye will get trapped inside the foam. Although that fuchsia might look nice, you don't really want a face full of it on an evening night out, do you?

6. Let It Dry

You're almost good to go. Before using my new creation, I make sure that the sponge is thoroughly dry. To be on the safe side, I let my blenders dry overnight, but if you're in a hurry (or just can't wait to use them) then a hair dryer should work just as well.

7. Apply Usual Products

Once the sponge is dry, I apply my usual foundation products using the same stippling motion I would when using a store-bought beauty blender. This will ensure your foundation looks even. If I plan on using the blender again, I'll run the sponge under warm water and leave it to dry. It's important to keep those creepy crawlies at bay, after all.

And there you have it. All in all, the process is pretty ideal for DIY novices and beauty lovers alike. Who wouldn't want to save 20 bucks while also having the opportunity to get a little creative?

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Images: Emma Matthews