Review: Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge

The Sonia Kashuk blending sponge retails for $9.99 US (not available in Canada, I bought it in the US) at Target. It's a dupe for the Beauty Blender sponge which costs twice as much. The beauty blender is pink, while the SK comes in purple and blue. I chose purple cause that's how I roll. I didn't know how I was going to feel about this product, as I always use brushes to apply my foundation, but I thought I would give it a try.

The cashier at Target gave me a funny look when I paid for it,
"what is this for?"
"It's for applying foundation."
"Oh... "
"yeah instead of using a brush."
"Oh really...Have you seen that new L'oreal foundation with the roller brush?"
"Ya, it's pretty silly, faces aren't flat!
"Yeah.. no kidding."

This sponge gets in the nooks and crannies of your face, that's why it's a good and innovative product. Cause ladies, we do not have flat faces, you hear that L'oreal??

This sponge can be used to apply liquid foundation (doesn't work great with thick foundation ie cream), it blends well and can give you an airbrushed finish with no streaking. You may find that your foundation looks a lot nicer, and more natural when using this brush. You can also build up the foundation easily just by dabbing more with the sponge. It is soft and squishy. I thought this would have the consistency of a wedge sponge, but it's got more weight to it. The size is good.

The shape of the sponge is neat, sort of like a pointy egg. The rounded bottom can be bounced (like a stippling brush) and dabbed around your face to apply foundation, and the pointy end to get areas around your nose and eyes. Also, the pointy end can aid in gently blending concealer under the eyes, works well for that. The sponge is contoured in the middle which makes it easy to grasp.

The only downside I can think of is that this sponge will absorb product very easily and so it's kinda a foundation waster. It gets dirty fast because the foundation seeps into it and you will need to wash it regularly. I found from reading reviews that you should get the sponge damp with water, squeeze out the excess, then apply foundation, that way the sponge does not absorb as much. I have washed it and it hasn't fallen apart or broken up or anything, but I have noticed the foundation isn't really coming out totally. I have read that others have washed it 5x or more and it started to break apart so I will have to wait and see (I hope it doesn't). You're encouraged to replace this sponge every 3 months, I think that is probably a safe bet if you use this everyday, due to bacteria build-up.

For those of you that use sponge wedges to apply your foundation (I don't, I use brushes) this is a great alternative and better for the environment because you are re-using this sponge and not throwing it away after a couple of uses. As for those looking for an alternative to brushes, this sponge does not shed hairs! I like this product but, I prefer my brushes and I don't think I will be reaching for this very often.

Have you used this (or the beauty blender)? How did it work for you?