THE Beautyblender has been a beauty bag staple for years, giving wearers an air-brushed look.
The woman behind the brand dished on her makeup dos and don’ts to achieve a flawless complexion.
Rea Ann Silva, the founder and CEO of Beautyblender, worked with an array of celebrities before becoming the queen of beauty sponges.
She found herself pioneering professional makeup artistry in the nascent era of high definition film and television.
“I had to mix and manipulate makeup products to create my own formulas that would look natural and last throughout the day while on set,” she told The U.S. Sun.
“At the time, we did not have shade diversity like we see now.
“Our current Beautyblender complexion products are formulated based on my many years of experience working on set with every type of skin and skin tone.
“With each complexion launch, I’ve been able to culminate my on-set makeup trips that are a result of my 20-plus years of artistry experience.”
Rea Ann gave her tips for getting the most out of cosmetics, including what to steer clear from.
“Always hydrate,” she said. “Just like your skin, you have to hydrate your Beautyblender. Always use it damp. Wet, squeeze, and bounce. Bounce the Beautyblender on your skin.
“Wash your Beautyblender with our Blendercleanser after using [it] to prevent bacterial growth and to increase the longevity of your sponge.”
Rea Ann included what to steer clear from when using her iconic sponge.
“Don’t use dry,” she said. “Don’t waste your makeup.”
She assured that while the product is versatile, there is a rule to live by when using it.
“There’s really no wrong way to use a Beautyblender,” she said.
“Don’t drag your skin and don’t drag your Beautyblender, especially around the eyes. Bounce, bounce, Bounce.”
The makeup mogul also added her own beauty hacks to keep her skin glowing.
“Stay hydrated and get a lot of sleep,” she said.
“Wear SPF. A fun tip that I always share is that you can use your Beautyblender to apply and reapply your sunscreen throughout the day so it doesn’t disturb your makeup.
“Skin prep is crucial. Make sure you take the time to properly prep your skin through skincare and primers — it will make all the difference.
“Always apply your foundation with a damp Beautyblender. People forget to wet their Beautyblender, but it’s so important.
“This will melt the product into your skin and help you achieve a gorgeous, natural look.
“Locking in your makeup with a setting spray makes all the difference.”
She recommended the Boost 4-in-1 Firming Peptide 18-Hour Setting Spray, sold for $33 by Beautyblender, for long-wearing makeup.
Rea Ann added that she produced Beautyblender as a way to replace heavier airbrush makeup tools.
“Beautyblender was created to replace my airbrush machine on set,” she said.
“It’s very important to have prepped, balanced skin before applying complexion products. This prevents creasing and cakiness, and helps your makeup last longer throughout the day.
“I like to use SPF under my foundation — something light. If you struggle with skin texture, using a makeup primer helps even your skin texture and increase longevity.”
Rea Ann detailed her step-by-step routine for the perfect makeup look.
“One of the most crucial steps to my makeup routine involves prepping my skin with Beautyblender’s Boost Firming and Smoothing Peptide + Ceramide Primer,” she said.
“This ensures a smooth base — and I won’t have to worry about my makeup creasing or getting cakey throughout the day.
“My makeup routine is very simple — I always opt for concealer or a light layer of foundation and blend with a damp Beautyblender Original Pink Makeup Sponge.
“For the warmer months, I use our Bounce Always On Radiant Skin Tint which has 12 hours of wear and hydration.
“I also cannot live without my Blotterazzi – I keep it in my bag and use it throughout the day to touch-up and reset my makeup.
“Last but not least, I set my entire look with Boost 4-in-1 Firming Peptide 18-Hour.”
When it comes to makeup sponges, Beautyblender has stayed ahead of the game, going from their traditional product to various sizes to hit every nook and cranny.
One of which includes their Micro Mini Makeup Sponge, $18 for a set of two, which can be used to conceal problem areas like the under-eye.
“The inspiration behind the Micro Mini Makeup Sponge lies within my experience as a makeup artist,” she said.
“I created Micro Mini to not only get into the more focused areas to apply makeup, but I also realized that most people have sensitive eyes and the size of your tool will create an easier experience for you and them.
“Beautyblender is ideal for large surface blending all over the face.
“Micro Mini is teeny tiny for more focused application, like precision blending under the eyes and around the nose and covering acne and imperfections.”
Rea Ann also gushed about getting to work with her daughter on newer projects.
“I’ve had such a great privilege working alongside my daughter, Erica,” she said.
“As a single mother, she was always around to witness my career as a makeup artist and founder — and she was also very involved, having helped assemble products when I first launched the brand.
“Erica is multi-talented and helps us with new product development, social media, content creation, and basically everything under the sun.”
