Leia Ultraflesh Makeup Applicator Review With Photos
This Viral Makeup Applicator Looks Like an Alien's Penis — But It Works
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I've tested some pretty weird beauty products in my day, but testing a makeup applicator that looks like a mix between an alien's penis and a ball sack might just take the cake. The product in question is the Leia Ultraflesh Blender. This product is not currently available in the UK.
Invented by celebrity makeup artist Beau Nelson, the product has taken social media by storm for its extremely . . . provocative shape and appearance. You have to admit, even the name makes it sound like a sex toy. Still, when I saw beauty influencers like Mikayla Nogueira singing the tool's praises, I knew I had to give it a try.
At $50, the cost seemed a bit pricey for a product applicator, but according to the brand, one Leia can replace 12 disposable beauty sponges. The Leia promises to be nonabsorbent, hypoallergenic, easy to clean, and sustainable. After watching a few how-to videos, I learned that this applicator isn't just for makeup — it can also be used to apply skin-care products (the feel of the Leia pressing into your skin is meant to mimic skin-on-skin contact).
I typically use makeup brushes to apply my products and a beauty sponge to blend everything out. When I used the Leia for the first time, one thing I noticed was the texture. It didn't feel anything like a sponge or brush; in fact, it felt a tiny bit sticky. It actually reminded me of the sticky-hand toys from the '90s that I used to throw on glass windows as a kid. I noticed when playing around with it that fuzz and hair seemed to almost migrate to the applicator, and I hoped I wouldn't have any issues when actually doing my makeup.
I started off the test with foundation, dotting the makeup on the areas of my face that needed coverage. The Leia has a smooth side and a textured side, and per the brand's instructions, I used the textured side of the Leia to tap the makeup into my skin. (Pro tip: only use about 50 percent of the product you would normally use. Since the Leia isn't absorbing the makeup, there's a lot more left over to blend out on your skin.)
I applied concealer to my face using my fingertips and then used a gentle tapping motion with the textured side of the Leia to blend everything out. To apply contour, I used the smooth side of the Leia to stamp my contour product along my cheekbones. From there, I used the textured side to blend everything out. I also used the Leia to apply my cream bronzer, but since the rest of my products were powder-based, I opted for my regular brushes and sponge when it came time to apply those.
I noticed, when applying my makeup with the Leia, that a tiny bit of product really did go a long way. Similar to when I tried applying my makeup with a jade roller, the Leia's nonabsorbent quality meant that all the product remained on my face. It gave my foundation an almost airbrushed look.
Once I was finished applying my makeup, all I had to do to clean the Leia was massage it with a small amount of face wash under running water. The product buildup came off quickly and easily — no crazy scrubbing required. After, I stored the Leia in the convenient ventilated case it came with — a feature I really appreciate. (I've often wondered what to do with a clean beauty sponge I'm taking with me on the go, since I don't want to store it in my dirty makeup bag.) The Leia made the cleaning and storing processes completely easy and carefree.
When it comes to the Leia's pros, I love that this applicator is hygienic and sustainable. Even after I wash a makeup sponge, there are times when I feel like it isn't truly clean. After washing the Leia with cleanser, I could physically see that it was completely free of any makeup. I also love that I don't have to apply as much product when I use it. The Leia didn't absorb any makeup, and I didn't need to get it wet to use it, so a tiny amount went a long way. Plus, it truly did give my skin a smooth look that I haven't really been able to achieve with beauty sponges or brushes.
I did find concealer to be the most difficult thing to apply with the Leia, mostly because it felt a little too big and wobbly for a precise application to my delicate under-eye area. I also had a difficult time with the contour — again, I felt like I couldn't be as precise as I normally am with a brush or beauty sponge. I also found the texture of the Leia itself to be a little tricky — it would stick to and pull on my hair if I got too close to my hairline when applying makeup, and I also felt that it was kind of a magnet for fuzz and tiny pieces of fluff.
Overall, this product will most likely replace my beauty sponges, but it won't replace my makeup brushes entirely. It's a great tool for achieving a smooth base for makeup, but it definitely can't do everything my other makeup tools can. The product is currently sold out, but you can preorder a Leia on the brand's website.
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