This drugstore dupe is both budget and face friendly.


Have you ever held your damp blending sponge in your hand and thought to yourself, “Wow, it would be highly responsible and sanitary of me to replace this within the recommended time frame, but there are still many moons until payday?”

Rest assured, you are not alone. While the advent of latex-free foam sponges like the beautyblender have made applying anything from foundation to highlighter not just wildly easy but also natural looking, they do tend to cost a pretty penny. But if your sponge is an indispensable tool in your routine, you know how frustrating and expensive it can be to replace it every three months.

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If you don’t, it will begin to harbor break-out and infection-causing bacteria even if you make a point to clean and dry it daily.

So when we saw a drastically more affordable version at the drugstore, she was equal parts skeptical and hopeful. For one, the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge is not the spherical teardrop shape, but more of a rounded wedge with one end cut to a tapered edge. The material also felt less porous and firmer. We have also been burned in the past by other applicators that proved too good to be true, especially the smooth silicone ones that promise to eliminate the need to replace them. Streak city, y’all. Two sponges for $8 sounded like another disappointment on the horizon, but for that price how could we pass it up?

We’re so glad we didn’t. Not only do these sponges produce equally gorgeous results as sponges that cost upwards of $20, we can also use one for foundation or tinted moisturizer while reserving the other for formulas with stronger pigments like blush or bronzer. We also know we won’t be playing hygienic roulette with our skin with this much cuter pricepoint.