Superstar Face Paint Sponges

All About Superstar Face Paint Sponges

Superstar is a Dutch face paint brand with a long history. The sponges in this category are application tools used alongside Superstar face paint: useful for base coverage, blending colours and creating specific effects.

Linda Gloudemans, owner of SchminkenGrime.nl, works as a make-up artist at events, develops and teaches the NHA distance-learning course on theatrical make-up, and serves as examiner for the Dutch vocational programme Allround Make-Up & Hair Artist. Through her daily work with Superstar she knows which sponge suits which application in practice.

What's in this category?

This category contains two types of sponges from Superstar:

• Round Face Paint Sponge Eco in pink or black: a round, non-latex foam sponge for flat coverage and blending colours with face paint
• Stipple Sponge: a sponge with an open, coarse texture for stippled effects such as stubble, broken capillaries and speckles

Which sponge do you choose?

The right choice depends on the effect you want to create.

The Round Face Paint Sponge Eco is for the base: an even layer across the face or body, a smooth foundation for further detail work, or softly blending one colour into another. The pink and black versions work the same way. Pick whichever colour you find easiest to work with.

The Stipple Sponge has an open, coarse structure with holes and cavities. You don't use it to lay down a flat base. Instead, you use it to bring pattern and texture to the skin. Think stubble for a character look, or fine reddish speckles for a couperose or rosacea effect in ageing make-up.

How do you use these sponges?

Dampen the Round Face Paint Sponge Eco lightly with clean water and squeeze it out well. Then sweep or press the sponge over the face paint in the pot and apply the colour in thin layers. Work towards a creamy consistency: not too dry, but not too wet either. To blend colours, apply two shades next to each other and work them together with a dabbing motion.

The Stipple Sponge works a little differently. Pick up a small amount of colour on a corner or edge of the sponge and dab it lightly onto the skin. The holes in the sponge create the stippled pattern automatically. For a couperose effect, dab an earthy red colour across the cheeks and, if needed, the nose.

Linda uses the Diamond FX Sponge Yellow herself for flat coverage and blending.

Cleaning your sponges

Rinse the sponges in lukewarm water after use until no more pigment runs out. You can then wash them at 40 degrees Celsius in the washing machine and leave them to air-dry flat on a clean towel.

Try not to use baby wipes or kitchen paper to clean your sponges. These can leave fibres behind or damage the structure of the sponge.

Storing your sponges

Let the sponges dry completely before putting them away. A damp sponge in a sealed box or kit bag is the perfect environment for bacteria and mould.

Store your sponges in a dry, clean spot, for example in your make-up kit next to your brushes. Place a clean cloth or small towel underneath so they are not sitting directly on a dirty surface.

What do you use these sponges for?

• Base coverage with face paint for children's face painting, events and body paint
• Blending colours for soft transitions in a design
• Stubble and beard stubble effects for character make-up and theatrical make-up
• Couperose, rosacea and speckle effects for ageing make-up
• Halloween character work, pantomime, cosplay and school productions
• Working quickly at events, parties and face painting stalls

Other Superstar products

To use these sponges you will need face paint. You will find the individual pots at Superstar Face Paint. Prefer a ready-to-go set? Take a look at the Superstar Face Paint Palettes. For shimmer, pearl and dual-tone colours such as Ziva Blue and Golden Green, visit Superstar Metallic Face Paint. The full Superstar range is on the Superstar brand page.

For lines, details and fine work, combine your sponges with the FBFX make-up brushes. Sponges from other brands are in the Sponges category, and the full overview sits under Brushes and Sponges.

Learn more about face painting

Are you just starting out and not sure where to begin? Sign up for the free 4-part mini face paint series. Over four days you'll receive clear technique explanations, videos, downloadable technique cards, practice sheets and straightforward examples you can work through straight away.