Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge vs e.l.f. Power Grip Primer

96 facts in comparison

Based on 619 Reddit opinions. Close race—Makeup Sponge edges ahead.

619 opinions
Makeup Sponge leads by 3pts
Reddit's Pick
Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge
81%
B+
Based on
570 Redditors
Winner

Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge

~$32
231 opinions

tldr; Reddit generally recommends the Beautyblender for even and easier liquid foundation application, especially when used damp, though some note its price and past mould issues.

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VS
e.l.f. Power Grip Primer
78%
B
Based on
785 Redditors

e.l.f. Power Grip Primer

~$11
388 opinions

tldr; Reddit highly recommends the e.l.f. Power Grip Primer for its affordability, ability to mattify, make foundation stay, and create a natural, good-looking base.

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Formula & PerformanceLongevityShade RangeSkin CompatibilityPackaging
FOR
⏱️LON
🎨SHA
❤️SKI
📦PAC
56
Points
66
Points

Score by Category

Formula & Performance
75%48%
Longevity
75%93%
Shade Range
50%
Skin Compatibility
0%28%
Packaging
0%

Why is Power Grip Primer better than Original Makeup Sponge?

  • Better longevity (93% vs 75%)
  • Better value (94% vs 22%)
  • Affordable (around $8).
  • Helps mattify the face.
  • ⏰ Makes foundation stay in place.
Based on 1,355 Reddit opinions
Too Close to Call

Reddit prefers the Makeup Sponge

Winning by 3 points (81% vs 78%)

Better formula
Helps apply liquid foundation evenly when wet
Easier application for lightweight liquid
High confidence (1,355 mentions)

💬Reddit Sentiment

Based on 1,355 Reddit mentions

Overall Rating

Makeup Sponge
8.1/10
570 mentions
Grip Primer
7.8/10
785 mentions
VALUE
Makeup Sponge2.2/10
Grip Primer9.4/10
FORMULA
Makeup Sponge7.5/10
Grip Primer4.8/10
LONGEVITY
Makeup Sponge7.5/10
Grip Primer9.3/10
PACKAGING
Makeup Sponge0.0/10
Grip PrimerN/A
SHADE RANGE
Makeup Sponge5.0/10
Grip PrimerN/A
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Makeup Sponge0.0/10
Grip Primer2.8/10
⚔️

Head to Head

Head to Head

Makeup Sponge: 2|Grip Primer: 3
ValueGrip Primer
Makeup Sponge22%
Grip Primer94%
FormulaMakeup Sponge
Makeup Sponge75%
Grip Primer48%
LongevityGrip Primer
Makeup Sponge75%
Grip Primer93%
Packaging
Makeup Sponge0%
Grip PrimerN/A
Shade RangeMakeup Sponge
Makeup Sponge50%
Grip PrimerN/A
Skin CompatibilityGrip Primer
Makeup Sponge0%
Grip Primer28%
Makeup Sponge81%
Grip Primer78%
Close race - Makeup Sponge edges ahead by 3 points

Key Specs

SpecBeautyblender Original Makeup Spongee.l.f. Power Grip Primer
Material
Exclusive aqua-activated foam
Shape
Ellipsoidal (tear-drop shape)
Latex Free
Yes
Reusable
Yes
Brand
beautyblender
e.l.f.

Key Highlights

Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge
📱 Helps apply liquid foundation evenly when wet
🔧 Easier application for lightweight liquid
⚠️ Can be expensive (around $20)
⚠ ️ Past versions had mould issues, but newer
e.l.f. Power Grip PrimerWinner
💰 Affordable (around $8).
✨ Helps mattify the face.
⏰ Makes foundation stay in place.
✨ Creates a good and natural look.
✨ Pink version contains niacinamide.

Topic Battles

Makeup Sponge: 2|Tied: 1|Grip Primer: 2
Formula & Performance
Makeup Sponge wins
Makeup Sponge
75%
Grip Primer
48%
⏱️Longevity
Grip Primer wins
Makeup Sponge
75%
Grip Primer
93%
🎨Shade Range
Makeup Sponge wins
Makeup Sponge
50%
Grip Primer
❤️Skin Compatibility
Grip Primer wins
Makeup Sponge
0%
Grip Primer
28%
📦Packaging
Makeup Sponge
0%
Grip Primer

Based on Reddit sentiment across 5 categories

📈Where They Rank

💬What Redditors Actually Say

What Redditors Say

Best praise vs top criticism for Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge

Best Praise
+72 pts
I found a new beauty blender in the beginning of this year, and it didn’t get mouldy like my old ones so I’m keeping it. 😂
r/MakeupAddiction
View
Top Criticism
+7 pts
I haven't used a beauty blender in ages because I feel I can never get it clean - I just use brushes.
r/MakeupAddiction
View
3 more quotes available below

What Redditors Say

Best praise vs top criticism for e.l.f. Power Grip Primer

Best Praise
+184 pts
amazing work :)))! if you don’t mind me asking, was it elf power grip primer?
r/MakeupAddiction
View
Top Criticism
+88 pts
From my experience the power grip primer caused me more creasing! I forgot to put it in my bag one day and just applied my makeup over my sunscreen like normal and the creases were gone. It could be too slippery for your skin if you are of an oily skin type
r/MakeupAddiction
View
3 more quotes available below

📈Historical Price Data

Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge
e.l.f. Power Grip Primer
$8$16$24$32Jun '25Sep '25Oct '25Oct '25Oct '25Nov '25Nov '25Dec '25Mar '26May '26Low: $25.6Low: $4.99Current: $11
Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge
All-time low: $25.6(2025-11)
e.l.f. Power Grip Primer
All-time low: $2.99(2024-02)

Which is Better?

Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge Wins
81%
Sponge
vs
78%
Primer

Close race, but Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge edges ahead by 3 points based on 1,355 Reddit opinions.

Why Makeup SpongeWinner
  • 📱 Helps apply liquid foundation evenly when wet
  • 🔧 Easier application for lightweight liquid
  • ⚠️ Can be expensive (around $20)
Why Grip Primer
  • Better Value for Money (94% vs 22%)
  • More discussed (785 vs 570)

❤️The Love/Hate Breakdown

Sentiment Breakdown

33%Positive
Positive
33%
Neutral
60%
Negative
7%
Based on 570 Reddit opinions

Sentiment Breakdown

39%Positive
Positive
39%
Neutral
50%
Negative
11%
Based on 785 Reddit opinions

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge or e.l.f. Power Grip Primer?
Based on 1,355 Reddit comments, Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge has a slight edge with 81% positive sentiment vs e.l.f. Power Grip Primer's 78%. The difference is small, so both are solid choices.
Should I buy Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge or e.l.f. Power Grip Primer?
Both have similar approval ratings (81% vs 78%), so focus on specific features, pricing, and what matters most to you.
What do Redditors love about Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge?
Reddit users highlight: Helps apply liquid foundation evenly when wet. Easier application for lightweight liquid. Can be expensive (around $20). With 570 mentions and 81% approval, it's a well-regarded choice in the community.
What do Redditors say about e.l.f. Power Grip Primer?
Reddit users highlight: Affordable (around $8).. Helps mattify the face.. Makes foundation stay in place.. With 785 mentions and 78% approval, it remains a popular alternative.
How many Reddit reviews were analyzed?
This comparison analyzed 1,355 Reddit comments: 570 about Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge and 785 about e.l.f. Power Grip Primer. Data was sourced from Makeup products community discussions.
How accurate are these ratings?
Our sentiment analysis is approximately 80-85% accurate compared to manual review. Well-discussed products with many mentions tend to have more reliable scores than niche items with fewer data points.
Why trust Reddit over professional reviews?
Reddit users bought products with their own money and have no incentive to mislead. You're seeing hundreds of real opinions across different use cases, not just one reviewer's take. This crowdsourced approach surfaces both common praise and recurring complaints.

619 Reddit opinions analyzed · Last updated 6/7/2026