Makeup sponge help

Makeup and beauty is not my thing. Never has been, which is why middle schoolers are better at makeup than I am. Hoping someone here can help.

when applying foundation, I have always used wedge sponges that get tossed after a while. That’s what my mom used, so that’s what I learned. I went to buy a package and noticed our Walmart doesn’t carry them anymore. But there are a lot of different kinds of applicators for a wide range of prices.

How are people applying makeup now? Do you wash a fancy sponge every time you use it? Where do you store it? (We have a cat that would steal it if left on the counter.) I only use lotion, primer, liquid foundation, and mascara. No powders or anything like that.

Thanks!