We thought we’d seen the worst of the beauty trends to come in 2017 with Kim Kardashian’s nail trend, but this new beauty trend brings a fresh surprise. We’re used to being surprised in the beauty world – beauty bloggers are always coming up with fresh ways to shock and awe (never forget nail polish mountains and the chaos that ensued). However, the new trend in makeup application is unusual in a whole new (and NSFW) way.
Beauty bloggers are now applying makeup using condoms. You didn’t read that wrong. Condoms are no longer used solely for safe sex. They can also used to apply foundation more smoothly and evenly than a brush. While it’s definitely the weirdest makeup hack we’ve encountered, it looks incredibly effective.
The silicone condom prevents the sponge from absorbing any of the makeup, so there is no makeup wasted. The sponge provides the squishy texture and flexibility that applies your makeup to hard-to-reach places easily. To try this shocking and smart trend out for yourself, the first thing you need to do is clean the condom thoroughly to remove the lubricant and spermicide and pat it dry. Then insert your sponge, tie off the end, apply your foundation and blend as usual.
The method has been popularised by beauty vlogger Laila Tahri, who wanted to combine the best of the traditional makeup sponge and the SiliSponges. After trying one of the first silicone sponges, Laila Tahri realised that she wanted the flexibility and softness of a regular makeup sponge, but with the smoothing effect of the silicone. Using the (thoroughly cleaned) condom over a sponge allows her to achieve her ideal method of foundation application.
Although Tahri popularised the condom beauty blender trend, beauty blogger Itzayana Lizbeth (known on YouTube as Beauty Vixxen) was the first to test the method back in January. She came up with the idea after seeing how effectively the popular silicone sponges apply foundation. After thoroughly cleaning the condom, she filled it with moisturiser and used it to apply her makeup. She quickly declared it the best beauty blender she’s ever used, although we’re skeptical about the over-flexibility of a condom full of moisturiser. Watch the video below to see how thrilled she is and for the side by side comparison with applying foundation with a balloon.
If you can get past rubbing a condom all over your face, it seems like a great way to save money and time waiting on silicone sponges. There have been very mixed reviews from your average beauty lovers – some think it’s inspired and some think it’s a sign of terrible things to come in 2017. Whatever your verdict, you can’t say that beauty bloggers aren’t creative.
i just watched a girl put her beauty blender in a condom. Genius pure genius.
— ✺ Anna Sun ✺ (@AnnnaSunn) February 5, 2017
Just watched a makeup video where a girl covered a beautyblender with a condom. What a time to be alive.
— alexis modero (@alexisplague) February 5, 2017
I seriously just saw a video on ig of a girl putting a condom on her beauty blender to do her makeup …done with life ATM 😷😷
— Tatiana Monique (@tatianam_gomez) February 7, 2017
Put my beauty blender in a condom this morning bcuz the beauty bloggers said it was amazing for foundation.#alternativefacts ladies, don’t.
— Mawds (@Mawdiiiii) February 7, 2017
What do you think? Would you try this trend?
