TikTok is always on the lookout for the next beauty hack, especially when it comes to finding easier ways to apply makeup. It’s almost like there’s a new hack coming out every other day.

One of the newest makeup tricks involves freezing your beauty blender and it’s quickly gaining a following, with over 590 million views under the #frozenbeautyblender hashtag.

It all started with TikTok user @gwmakeup whose frozen beauty blender video earned more than two million views. In her video, she shows us to wet the blender, freeze it for an hour, and then use it to apply foundation for a smooth and flawless finish.

Frozen makeup sponges Tiktok video stills

But does this makeup hack really live up to all the hype? I put the hack to the test to see if it really works.

Frozen makeup sponges: what is Daily Vanity’s verdict?

First, I soaked my makeup sponge and froze it in the freezer a few hours before application. When I took out the sponge, it felt so cold – like a solid rock in my hand.

I dotted my foundation directly onto my nose, chin, cheeks, and forehead, making sure I had enough product to blend out.

Frozen makeup sponges blending

Slowly, I blended out the foundation using the end of my makeup sponge. Not long after I started, my fingers began to grow numb from the sheer cold.

But I have to say the icy temperature made for fun blending as the coolness felt refreshing on my skin. My fingers, on the other hand, got worse and worse as time went on.

Frozen makeup sponges finished

By the end of it, my face was well blended, but my fingers were numb. I was briefly impressed by how good the foundation looked on my face before I remembered that a makeup sponge was supposed to do that anyway.

Ultimately, I found that the frozen makeup sponge made for a fun and soothing application but did not make much difference in terms of coverage.

Frozen makeup sponges closeups

I would also question the cleanliness of this hack, especially since we’re chucking the sponges into our freezers filled with raw meat and other frozen foods. It might be good to prepare a special container and clean the sponge properly after use.

Speaking of cleaning, I found that it was difficult to clean the sponge right away as it was still partially frozen. If you like to clean your makeup sponges immediately after using, you wouldn’t be able to as you would have to wait until it has completely thawed out.

What’s more, the warmth actually helps foundation adhere and blend into your skin better, so a frozen makeup sponge might be the last thing you want especially if you’re using oil-based foundations.

If you want to try the hack for yourself, pick up your own makeup sponge at Sephora.