Favorite brand of sponge and why?

I need to order some sponges, but there are several brands out there on the net. I was wondering what your favorite brand is and why? I went to Michaels to try and buy some locally, but none of them denoted "high density" so I didn't purchase anything. So far, I have to admit I have enjoyed using the brushes much more than I have the Snaz sponges but I think that has more to do with my unfamiliarity with using them.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

I to love to us Snazz for blending, but I use Wolfe for split cakes b/c i use both sides and they are sturdy enough not to "fold under pressure" lol and they are bigger.

Tack sponges.... you can get at Feed & Tack stores. They are used for cleaning leather (saddles, etc.)

This link shows the sponges (BUT I have never purchased from this site, just giving it for reference purposes.) http://www.amazon.com/Hydra-Tack-Sponges-12-Pack/dp/B0019CPKGW

They are a lot stiffer than most face painting sponges but I LOVE them. AND THEY ARE CHEAP!

Next choice is the bright green Fantasy Worldwide sponges (which BTW are the same size and shape as the tack sponges BUT softer!)

http://www.fantasy-worldwide.com/

Shannon Fennell wrote:Tack sponges.... you can get at Feed & Tack stores. They are used for cleaning leather (saddles, etc.)

This link shows the sponges (BUT I have never purchased from this site, just giving it for reference purposes.) http://www.amazon.com/Hydra-Tack-Sponges-12-Pack/dp/B0019CPKGW

They are a lot stiffer than most face painting sponges but I LOVE them. AND THEY ARE CHEAP!

Next choice is the bright green Fantasy Worldwide sponges (which BTW are the same size and shape as the tack sponges BUT softer!)

http://www.fantasy-worldwide.com/

Yes to this^^^

I miss the old Snazaroo sponges though - the peach/off white colored ones. If you cut them into thirds they were the perfect size for using smaller Arty Cake style rainbows with stencils.

Anyone getting rid of theirs

~Michelle

Yep... those tack sponges are what I have loads of, and look around for them. I have a Flower Factory in my town (free individual membership), they sell all sorts of stuff. The tack sponges are 30 cents a piece! And cut up car wash sponges are super cheap and very effective. The real difference I've found is how scratchy they are, so try a few.

Tack sponges are a great idea! I'm not aware of any equestrian/feed stores in our area anymore, but I'll ask my parents. They will know where the closest one is!

I found a great place on line for them, only 23 cents per sponge, but the shipping was crazy!

Thanks for the wonderful suggestions!

I like the red hi density snaz sponges okay - BUT MY FAVORITE are the THE MAGIC GREENIES!!!! from Fantasy Worldwide. I can send you a half circle if you want to try one!!! PM me your address.

The Wolfe ones aren't bad - same as the ceramic sponge in the very expensive art store. I also have tried the tack and car wash sponges shaved and shaped and cut into different shapes (a fun project for at home!) for body painting and little wedgy triangles with curved circular edges getting around eyes and for small split cakes - I like those too but find them to be not as hearty after multiple washes and easier to stain and slightly more abrasive on the skin. I need to suck it up and do like Shannon - throwing used sponges in water so they don't stain!!

I have too many sponges and in every shape, size and color!!!!

That is so sweet of you Wyndy. I actually checked their website earlier and it showed they were out of stock.

I just got these recently on ebay. With shipping, it was 12.80 for 30 sponges.

I really like them!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390093914794&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Thanks for the tip. I just ordered them. I'll let you know how I like them once I try them out.

Now that I have my FWW sponges, I love the little green darlings! They are THE softest high density sponges I've felt...to date. I bit the bullet and ordered 3 bags of them along with some mags from Jodi and I love them!

I have so many sponges I should be set should Lake Erie flood.

So what about going to the fabric store (or where ever) and buying a piece of sponge from there and cutting it up into the desired shape? or is that a really dumb idea?

it isn't the same, I did it and they just weren't as good as the green sponges.

Hmmmm... ok. I'm learning sooo much from you guys! Can't wait to put it all into practice. (Grumble-stupid mail!!! lol)

I found the tack sponges at Tractor Supply Store. I think the package was $9.99. I really like them.

I have been using round sponges from the dollar store, I found them in the crafting section. Package of 2 for $1 is good, after I cut them in half it works out to .25 each and I really like them.

However, so many face painters swear by the high density ones and I wasn't sure what the difference was. So I bought a couple from Metina and frankly, I prefer the dollar store ones. Here is a picture showing the two different kinds:
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The one on the left is the one that I ordered, and the one on the right is the dollar store sponge. I find that I get a smoother finish with the dollar store sponges, and they are more comfortable on the skin.

I just got some of the world fantasy sponges(my wonderful swappie Shannon sent them!!!!) and ended up ordering more! I love them because of the smooth finish they give & they aren't too big. The craft store ones I have make monster butterflies on the little girls faces. The world fantasy sponges help me keep the designs smaller & more delicate.

So they are smaller than the ones I have? I figured they were all around the same size as the ones Metina carries, that's why I ordered some; to see how they compared not only in texture but in size. My butterflies sometimes are kinda big (like in my avatar), but I've since learned how to squish part of the sponge away for tiny faces.

Here's the size difference.

Greenie weenies here... they are my ultimate favorite...

You CAN cut the sponges to any size you want to use... don't be afraid, they won't scream!

profacepaint.com has the fab green sponges on sale

I just ordered me some greenie weenies as Jayde so eloquently put it. I got the body brush and the henna kit too....nice deal at 1/2 off and free shipping.

I got some Car wash sponges from walmart swirly green, purple and blue. I cute them into various sizes and shapes. I thought they were to scratchy at first but once I washed one they are much softer and i really like them now. SUPER cheap I think they were like 3 or 4 dollars a peice and I got at least 20 sponges out of them.

magicnewe wrote:Thanks for the tip. I just ordered them. I'll let you know how I like them once I try them out.

I was just going to tell you about the one's on ebay. but I see you ordered them...I think you will like them..