Beauty Blender vs Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge Review

Makeup sponges used to be inexpensive, basic makeup tools.  I used to buy a pack of wedges and use each one for a week and toss. I wash them after each use (...most of the time :) ).

They are very inexpensive and 'boring' tools that work very well.  Sponges are sanitary because I use a new one every week so they don't accumulate bacteria. 

The edges of wedge shaped sponges are fantastic for applying undereye concealer.  Sponges are great for applying foundation flawlessly. I love them!

Then comes the BEAUTY BLENDER.  It quickly became so hyped up, everyone is raving about it worldwide.  The thing is, it really is fantastic!!  Here are the comparison of two of the more popular egg shaped makeup sponges.  I've been comparing them, using they one on each side of my face for about 2 weeks.  The Beauty Blender I've been using for about a year, the Miracle Complexion sponge i recently purchased.  You can see the Beauty Blender is at the end of its life now, there are small tears and the 'pores' looked enlarged. Hope it helps!!

To wash these, I use the Beauty Blender Solid, which is my favorite for sponges and brushes. I also use other soaps like Lush's Rock Star soap, it works too.

 

Here you see the differences in size, on the left they are dry, on the right they are damp.

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Beauty Blender
Price: US$20

What the guys at the beauty blender says  |  The world’s first edgeless, non-disposable, high-definition cosmetic sponge applicator. The unique shape and exclusive material available only with beautyblender® ensures impeccable, streak-free application with minimum product waste. Use it with primers, foundations, powders, cream blushes, and any other complexion product.

beautyblender® features an open cell structure that fills with small amounts of water when wet. This allows the sponge to be “full” so that the makeup product sits on top of the sponge rather than being absorbed, allowing you to use less product every time. When wet, beautyblender® doubles in size and becomes even softer, returning to its original size when it air dries.

At beautyblender® we choose to use safe, water-soluble dyes that do not harm the environment and will maintain the integrity of our proprietary foam. For this reason, you may notice some color run off the first time you wash beautyblender®. This is normal and will disappear after you have cleansed the product several times. Please note that the color will not transfer onto the face or clothing.

 
My thoughts |

PRO

1. The shape  •  it's perfect.  The pointed end is fantastic for undereye concealer. The rounded end and sides of the sponge is amazing for apply foundation to large areas.
2. The material  •  when its damp, its soft but with the right firmness. For cream foundation, this is especially important. Cream foundations are thicker and requires more to work it into the skin and blend seamlessly. The Beauty Blender has the right firmness to make it work.

CON

1. The price  •  need i say more
2. Stains  •  foundations just stains it, even though I wash it right after using it. I even tried washing it repeatedly with Beauty Blender Solid.  Just can't get the foundation stains off. This is my pet peeve and it annoys me so much
3. Wastes foundation  •  do not use foundations that are thinner in consistency, like Chanel Perfection Luniere Velvet, with the Beauty Blender. It absorbs too much foundation even they say that it doesn't if its damp. It does! One way to combat it is to apply the foundation with your fingers quickly, there will be some patchiness. Use the Beauty Blender as a last step to blend it to perfection.  That way it absorbs less product. If you simply dot runny foundations all over your face, then start bouncing the Beauty Blender all over, i found that I don't get the coverage i expect because the foundations gets absorbed into the sponge, not on your face
4. Color comes off during washing   •   this is not a negative to me but may be to other people. During the first few washes, the pink color comes off quite a bit. You can see the water becomes pink as you squeeze the water from the sponge. Doesn't happen with Real Techniques.
   

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Real Techniques miracle complexion sponge

Price: US$6

What the guys at real techniques says  |  This versatile beauty tool was designed with a revolutionary foam technology to evenly blend makeup for a smooth, enhanced finish. Use damp for a dewy glow or dry for a full coverage.

•  rounded sides blend large areas of the face with a dabbing motion
• precision tip covers blemishes and imperfections
• flat edge for contouring around the eyes and nose
• ideal for liquid foundation

My thoughts  |

PRO

1. Easy to clean  •  no foundation stains, it's completely clean even when i wash it the next day. That makes me so happy
2. Price  •  at almost a quarter of the price of the Beauty Blender, it's amazing!!!
3. Its soft and bouncy  •  i love squeezing it because its so squishy

CON

1. Its too soft  •  i love using the pointed end to apply undereye concealer, but because of how soft this is, it makes it harder to use
2. The shape  •  the flat end isn't good for undereye concealer either because of how soft it is. I just can't get enough pressure because its so soft. However i like it to apply foundation on large areas. The rounded  sides are also great for foundation on large areas.
3. Cream foundations  •  again because of how soft it is, its not good for thicker cream foundations.  For these foundation, alittle firmness is a must to spread it around and blend quickly. This can still be used, i would dot the foundation all over, use it to spread by wiping it sideways, then bounce it all over to blend.

Summary  |  I prefer the Beauty Blender, it works better, quicker and can be used for more products and applications.  The price is ridiculous but its worth it since it lasts a pretty long time.  That said, the Miracle Complexion Sponge is a great alternative for the budget conscious. At US$6, its still a fantastic product.