Hello Lovelies,
My favourite way of applying foundation is with a complexion or makeup sponge, I have been applying my foundation with a sponge for around 2 and a half years now and since using one for the first time, I have always used a sponge and never gone back to using a brush. I really like the way my foundation applies and for me it looks a lot better using a sponge. I have 2 sponges in my kit, 1 is the Real Techniques sponge and 1 is the infamous Beauty Blender, since starting to use the Beauty Blender last Christmas I haven't used the RT sponge as I much prefer the BB and to be honest haven't looked at another brand because I believed nothing would compare to the Beauty Blender.
I recently received the Brushworks Complete Complexion And Contouring Kit, I was so excited when I received the kit and I couldn't wait to use the sponges. The kit contains 3 sponges, a small pink egg shaped sponge, a large pink egg shaped sponge and a purple hourglass shaped sponge, I was excited to try all 3 sponges but the one that excited me most was the purple one, as I hadn't ever used a complexion sponge in that shape.
The sponges are made from the highest quality hydrophilic material and are latex free. They are designed to be used wet so that they absorb only the amount of product necessary but they can also be used dry.
The sponges come in a clear plastic box with pink detail on the front and a white back with details of the sponges in the pack and usage tips. The 3 sponges are clearly visible through the front of the packaging and behind the sponges, the "wall" of the box has a mirrored effect and the box was sealed with a clear sticky tab. Inside the box is a clear plastic casing in which the sponges are housed, I found it very easy to get into the box by removing the clear sticky tab and found the sponges, easy to remove from the casing.
Using The Complexion & Contouring Kit
The first time I used the sponges I rinsed them in warm water and squeezed the water out by hand and then used a thin towel to wrap each sponge in individually and squeezed the sponge, there are no rules in doing it this way, it's just how I prepare my makeup sponges before I use them. I like the sponges to be damp and not wet.
The first sponge I used was the small pink one and I used it to apply my under eye corrector, I applied the corrector under my eyes with my ring finger and used the small pink sponge to blend the corrector out. I used the round end and bounced it gently on my skin and then used the pointed end to get right into the inner corner of my eye. Once I had applied my foundation, I used the small sponge again to apply my concealer, I applied the concealer to my face with the doe foot applicator it comes with and then used the sponge to blend it out under my eyes and lastly on a blemish I had.
Next I used the large pink sponge to apply my foundation, I popped some foundation all round my face using my finger, I put the foundation on my chin, both cheeks, nose and forehead and then used the sponge to blend the foundation in. I used the rounded edge of the sponge and bounced it on my skin to buff the foundation in, I used the pointed end of the sponge to apply my foundation around my nose and under and around my eyes.
I used the purple sponge to apply my cream contour, I used the pointed end of the sponge to apply a "stripe" of product where I wanted it on my face and then used the rounded end of the sponge to blend out the cream contour by gently bouncing the sponge on my skin.
I also finished my makeup by using the large pink sponge and the small pink sponge to apply my powder, I dipped the rounded end of the sponge into my powder and bounced it onto my skin to apply my powder, I used the large sponge all over my face and the small one to apply the powder under my eyes. I used the pointed end of the large sponge to apply the powder around my nose.
My Thoughts
I have used the sponges every time I have applied my makeup since receiving them apart from once because I wanted to test my Beauty Blender against the large pink and small pink sponges as I own both the standard size Beauty Blender and the Micro Mini one.
The first thing I noticed when I used the Brush Works sponges was how lovely and soft they are, they are super soft and feel lovely on my skin, they don't absorb too much product so they don't waste my foundation and concealer and they apply my foundation beautifully giving me a flawless finish.
I was really excited to use the purple sponge because I hadn't ever used a makeup sponge like it before and I love it, I have used it for applying and blending out cream contour and also cream blush and highlight, it is also brilliant for applying foundation, it's a fabulous and very versatile sponge.
I can get right into the inner corner of my eyes easily using the small pink sponge and it is brilliant for applying my corrector and concealer to my under eye area and also for applying my powder too to set my under eye concealer. The first time I used the sponges I had a pretty sore and nasty looking area near the corner of my mouth where I'd had a cold sore and the small sponge was brilliant for applying concealer and powder and did a fabulous job of covering it, I used both ends of the sponge to work the products into my skin and the results were fantastic.
I am absolutely over the moon with all 3 of the sponges, they are all fantastic for applying different products, they all feel amazingly soft and all apply products beautifully giving a flawless finish. All 3 sponges have washed really well, I wash them using a solid soap, I have a couple of different brands and both have been fine and the sponges all wash really well and dry back to their original shape and size.
I cannot think of any negatives to say about the sponges, they are absolutely brilliant, they do exactly what they claim to do and are all fabulous and before I started using the Brushworks kit I never thought I would say this but the sponges are as good as my standard size and micro mini Beauty Blenders and work just as well and I never thought I would find a makeup sponge that I liked as much as the Beauty Blender but the Brush Works sponges have proved me completely wrong.
If you would like to try the Complete Complexion & Contouring Kit, you can pick it up for £11.99 here, and I would highly recommend you picking the kit up, you won't be disappointed!
Have you tried the Brushworks complexion sponges? Do you use a sponge to apply your makeup? and if you do which is your favourite complexion sponge to use?
Thank you for reading, much love as always
Zoe x
✿ Post contains PR Samples or Gifted Items
