Review // Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

This was a total impulse buy. I was in Boots, saw it, remembered the hype and grabbed it. Luckily for me, the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge is one of those rare products that actually does live up to the hype. I am in love with it! APPEARANCE Although it's frequently compared to the Beauty Blender (which I have yet to try), this sponge is a very different shape, with a flat end and rounded edges meeting in a point. I do wish it wasn't orange, as it makes it quite difficult to spot the areas that need most attention when cleaning, although perhaps the idea was so it didn't look as dirty!
 APPLICATION The beauty of the distinctive shape is that it can be used for a huge number of uses. I start by applying my foundation with the broad, flat end before using the pointed tip to target blemishes with my concealer. Once that's applied, I can use the round edges to "roll" cream blusher on (like an old-fashioned blotter!). It's advised to use a damp sponge but because I'm nowhere near a sink when I apply my make up, I've been using it dry and it works just as well. I keep forgetting to use it but I've bought a little spray bottle that I'll use to dampen the sponge. Another bonus is that you can use the flat end as an eraser if you apply too much blusher. Magic!
RESULTS Oh my word, my make up is flawless! My foundation blends so well and it creates a super smooth, natural finish, even when I build up to quite heavy coverage. Remember that NARS foundation that showed up dry patches I didn't even know existed? I've been using it with this sponge and it just glides on. No dryness, no patchiness. Just a really even finish. 
CLEANING I won't lie to you, cleaning the sponge is a pain! I use Johnson's Baby Shampoo to clean my brushes so I've done the same thing with this but it takes forever! The sponge, being a sponge, completely sucks up the shampoo, soaps it up and takes ages of rinsing before it's clear. Plus there's the fact that I'm never entirely sure if I'm targeting the right areas since the foundation shade blends into the orange. Of course I clean the whole thing but you know how you get those stubborn bits? It's hard to tell if I've got them all. However, I have recently read about Nicki Minaj's MUA's trick so I'll be trying this out next time!

I cannot believe it's taken me this long to try the Real Techniques sponge. It's completely changed my make up routine and is perfect for travelling- instead of a foundation brush, concealer brush and blusher brush, I just have to squeeze this one squishable sponge into my make up bag and off I go! Plus, it's only £6 instead of the £20-odd I'd spend on three separate brushes. Lifesaver, I tell you!
Buy Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge here
Affiliate links have been used in this post
Bloglovin' // Twitter // Instagram