05/05/2014

Who lives in a Pineapple under the Sea?

Miracle Complexion Sponge! Haha, I guess I couldn't resist with that title..even though I wasn't really a big fan of Spongebob Squarepants :P. Anyway! So today I have my review on the latest sponge all star - the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. This is the first ever sponge I'd tried so I wasn't really sure what to expect but I had heard raves about this particular one, and that it is supposedly the closest to the original, amazing Beauty Blender!



































































Dry












Dampened
Sidenote: I think this was the first Real Techniques product that Nic was involved in (she's also involved with the new travel brushes). I'd always wondered why it was only Sam and not the both of them from the beginning...but anyway!

The sponge is bright orange to match the other face tools in the Real Techniques collection. Considering I've never used or felt any other sponges, I can't compare its texture to others. It is though very squishy and soft, and quite porous as you can see. It's quite a bit firmer when it's dry, but when dampened it feels so squishy and fun! I basically only use it damp because it's a sponge - and if it's dry it's gonna suck up all your foundation! Hopefully you can see in the photos that when dampened the sponge expands in size quite a bit (by around 50%), and is almost the size of my cheek!

In terms of how it goes in application, it takes a while - longer than it would using a brush. I think there are a few reasons for this. Because the sponge is damp, the foundation is sheered out slightly due to the water so it's best to squeeze out and dry as much of the water as possible. Also, even though it's damp, I still find it sucks up quite a bit of foundation as I notice I need almost twice the amount than I would usually need when using a brush. It does require patience to blend and apply the foundation, but the result is definitely worth it. Where a brush simply buffs the product over the skin, a damp sponge really blends and melds the product into the skin, basically creating a 'one with skin' finish. Also due to it's dampness, the finish of the foundation isn't at all dry, or cakey as it can be with a brush.

The main advantage of this sponge is it's rather unique shape and having three different surfaces - a flat one, the traditional rounded side and a precision tip. These different surfaces make the sponge quite versatile and effective for a few different methods. With the flat edge I find I can blend and apply foundation by patting or swiping the product in. My favourite way to apply foundation with this sponge though is with the rounded side. I bounce - or 'bump' as Tati likes to call it - the product in (just like I've seen in all the tutorials and GRWMs I've watched!) and it seems to blend and meld the foundation in excellently. The tip is great for precise concealing, or getting into the nooks and crannies of the face. You need to use light dabbing motions with the tip though because if you press too hard, it just gets squished in, defeating its purpose.

Overall, I've been loving this for applying my foundation because of the very lovely finish it gives. However, for daily use or if I'm in a hurry, I still prefer something like the Buffing Brush because it's much quicker and provides more coverage. It retails for $6 on iHerb, so much cheaper than the beauty blender!

Have you tried the Miracle Complexion Sponge or any like it?

32 comments:

  1. I've just ordered the Manicare Precision Blending Sponge for $8 from Priceline in hope that it's comparable to that expensive-ass Beauty Blender. It's due to arrive any day soon actually, I'm pretty excited. If it's a fail, I'll give this one a try; seems it does a pretty good job!

    Much love. xx
    http://christiestakeonlife.blogspot.com.au/

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    1. Ooh interesting, I haven't heard much about that sponge. It seems decently priced. Yeah, definitely give this one a go if the manicare one doesn't work out.

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  2. Great review Tasha, I've had a few make up sponges in different shapes but have completely ignored them because I prefer fingers and brushes...I feel like they won't absorb as much product! I've never questioned by both sisters aren't involved because they don't always work together. They are individual make up artists and it was probably just Sam's personally interest to do this line in the first place. That's what I come up with if I think about it. My eyes are on their new silicone liner brush! I love how it won't get damaged or soak up as much product as a regular eyeliner brush!

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    1. I agree with that, the absorption of this one is dealable, I really love the finish it gives though, so it's a trade off. I can see that, I've just always wondered I guess, it makes sense now that you put it that way!

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  3. Excellent review. I wasn't into sponges at first because they took much longer to apply foundation and also sheered out the coverage, but then I found some foundation formulas that really benefited from this (like my MAC Pro Longwear which is sometimes a bit thick and dry but has AMAZING lasting power). I haven't tried this one but I really want to. I have tried a few generic sponges but never the real Beauty Blender. I still think the finish I get is beautiful but I did touch the real Beauty Blender at IMATS and was blown away at how much softer the foam is.
    xx

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    1. Thanks! Yeah I don't find it terribly practical for day to day, in a rush. I'm not a really a full coverage sort of person so I do prefer sheerer coverages. I should try it with my unloved Revlon colourstay because it can be quite dry looking. I really would love to feel the beauty blender haha :)

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  4. This sounds lovely. The different angled faces it has always made me really intrigued! And as I love my other RT brushes, I thought this must be a good one too. Glad to hear you like it! I don't like the look of foundation sitting on my skin but I don't like foundation blending into my skin either because most of the time I break out lol.. the struggle.
    The only other sponge I tried was the Models Prefer flat sponge that's pink, and it soaked up all the foundation and I couldn't get any onto my face. I'd love to try out this one too one day.
    Btw, love the cute title! x

    Sheri | Behind The Frames

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    1. Haha, glad you like the title :)! That's sucks for your struggle, I guess you just have to find the right accompanying foundation ay? Oh, will definitely stay away from the MP one, I'm really happy with this one so I don't think I'll be trying any others anytime soon!

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  5. great review, I definitely want to try this! much prefer sponges to brushes for applying foundation X

    Istylethereforeiiwear

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  6. Id love to try this! Im not very good with sponges, and I think this has such good reviews that I might buy it! x

    BerrieBlogs| {beauty blog}

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  7. This sounds so good! I'm always so lazy when it comes to foundation application so most of the time I just use my fingers. Also the different sides to the sponge looks really practical as well, since from one of the few times that I actually used a brush for my foundation, it was quite hard to get the bits around my nose without actually poking myself up the nose!

    Yige || Yet Another Makeup Blog.

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    1. I can understand the laziness haha! Mm, it's awesome for getting in the nooks and crannies! :)

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  8. Hmmm... i've put off trying this out because of the amount of product the sponge will actually absorb during the process. How would you compare this to using a flat top brush?

    LilynotLouise | Beauty and Food

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    1. As I say, it does absorb quite a bit. I find myself using twice as much as I normally would with a brush (though it also gives a sheerer finish, so I build it up a bit). It's not a terrible amount, and it all washes out with proper brush soap if that's what you were worried about.

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  9. This looks super handy! Glad to hear the end result is worth the extra effort. Will have to check this out for sure :)

    -Jen

    www.vibrantbeautyblog.com

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    1. Definitely, I love the finish it gives!

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  10. This sounds amazing! Definitely on my wishlist of Real Techniques products to try! xx Rena Kiss and Make Up

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  11. So happy you liked it!! I've been thinking about getting it for a while. How easy is it to clean?

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    1. Do get it - hopefully you won't regret it! I think it is sort of hard to clean, I use the Daiso sponge detergent. It takes quite a few rinses, rubbings and pumps of detergent to get all of the foundation and stains fully out. I think that would be the case with most sponges though?

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    2. Very true. Cleaning the sponge has been the biggest factor of my hesitation. Thanks!

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  12. Haha I loved the title! I haven't tried this yet as I don't really like sponges to apply foundation (i feel like more foundation goes in the sponge than on your face! Xx

    Beauty Soup | UK Beauty Blog

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    1. Thanks, haha! I can see why you would have that issue, I didn't find this sucked up a crazy amount of foundation though, just a little bit.

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  13. ....I....don't think we can be friends anymore WHAT DO YOU MEAN U WEREN'T A BIG FAN OF SPONGEBOB ;-; (but right? In a way I feel bad for Nic, because THEY ARE A DUO, DAMNIT)
    Been reading so many reviews and although I want to try it, cleaning it sounds like a hassle, and my room is a dusty hell. HOW DO I GET DUST OFF MY SPONGE? Not to mention the sponge was the first makeup tool I used and the photos of my makeup during that period has scarred me for life.

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    1. Aaaah I'M SO SORRY! It was on nickelodeon which is pay tv here so I never really got to watch it, but every episode I did watch I just wasn't a fan! Call me weird, but I found it a bit grotesque? I don't know? I seem to have memories of bulging, veiny eyeballs.
      Cleaning is a bit of a hassle but I only do it like, every 3 uses. Lawl, I keep the sponge in my makeup drawers so it doesn't get dusty. But aayyy, everyone has their first makeup regrets! You should try it, who knows ya life might change.

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    2. I will eventually try it!
      PS, I laughed too hard at the veiny eyeballs part WHAT THE EVEN???!!?

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  14. sounds great, I need it :)

    http://sbr-fashion-fashion.blogspot.com/

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  15. I haven't tried this yet! I don't seem to get on well with beauty sponges so maybe this will be the one :) lovely post!
    Bea x
    Bea's Beauty Blog

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  16. I really love the finish sponges give to my foundation application; however, I currently need a bit more coverage. I am also not a huge fan of the fact that sponges use up more foundation than a regular brush as you mentioned. I would highly recommend the RT expert face brush if you ever want to try out a new face brush :)

    Emily
    ahemitsemme.blogspot.com

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    1. Mm I can see your concerns. I'm okay with it using a bit more foundation, and giving a sheerer coverage (which in most cases I prefer), but it's down to personal preference. Yes, I have that brush haha :)

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  17. Definitely picking this up soon! Great post (:
    www.madisonblanding.wordpress.com

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  18. I actually haven't gone around to trying any of the beauty sponges out there. (mind you, I definitely plan to) I have his fear that they will only soak up the product resulting in having to use more.

    Zubie | zubie’s musings

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