Product Review: Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge

Remember awhile back I told you how I purchased the Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge? Well here is a picture of what it looks like to refresh your memories:

This sponge is a cheaper version of the infamous Beauty Blender sponge. For those of you who don't know what that is, here is a picture:

These sponges are supposed to make your foundation application easier and leave you with a flawless finish. The rounded shapes prevent streaking or lines in your foundation and the pointed tips allow you to reach smaller areas, such as around the nose.  These are also supposed to prevent the waste of excess foundation use and can be used with wet or dry makeup.

(I accidentally stuck it on top of a cotton square and it picked up all the lint from it!)

Here is a size shot next to my kabuki brush so you can get an idea of how big it is

So what is my take on the Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge?

Well after going back and forth on whether or not to try it, I gave in (hey, I said before, I have like zero willpower!)

I was super excited to try this after hearing so many rave reviews about the Beauty Blender and hearing so many good reviews about this one as well. At only $9.99 it is much easier on my wallet and you don't have to buy the cleanser as well, you can just use baby shampoo to clean it.

Or so I thought....but more on that in a minute

To use the sponge you are supposed to get it wet first, wring out the excess water, and then stipple on your foundation. You use the widest part for the largest areas of your face and  the pointed tip around your nose, mouth, and eye area, and also to dab on concealer and blend it in. Some people claim you can also use it dry for the application of mineral makeup.

Well, I tried it both wet and dry and did not like it either way. When it was wet, even after wringing out the water, it still felt too wet and felt like I was just rubbing water all over my face. It also seemed like it soaked up too much foundation and I kept having to reapply, thus wasting more foundation, instead of preventing the waste!  I also tried it dry, which then felt like it didn't pick up any foundation at all. Supposedly you can use it with blush, which I didn't have any desire to try after no luck with the foundation.

On to the cleaning part. They say you can use baby shampoo to clean it but after 3 tries it still wasn't clean!

Even worse, now it has a horrible latex-y smell, which wasn't as bad until after I washed it. I didn't experience any of the crumbling that some people have had happen to them though.

Overall, I was pretty disappointed in this product. Perhaps I just don't have enough skills to master this tool? I don't know. Others claim it works great, so maybe it is just me, but after trying it out several times I just can't get the hang of it. I am now somewhat curious to buy the Beauty Blender, just to compare the two. Many people have reviewed them both and say that they are pretty much the same. If that is the case, then I doubt I will purchase it.

Rating: 2.5/5

Pros: Inexpensive,  the shape is a good idea

Cons: soaks up too much water and makeup, doesn't clean easily, smells

Would I repurchase? No...I am still trying to figure out to do with this one!

The Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge can be purchased at Target retailers for $9.99

Note: as always, I purchased this product with my own money and this review is based soley on my own experiences with it. Many people have had success with it so please do not let my review hinder you from trying it out for yourself if you are curious. The reviews I do on here are not meant to deter you from purchasing the products, but allow you one more review to compare to other people's experiences with it. I am not a professional in any way, so please use your own judgment when it comes to purchasing products.