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Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Beauty Blender vs. Sonia Kushuk

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See video on How to clean your beauty sponge.

Many of you have asked me for awhile now to compare both the Beauty Blender Sponge and the Sonia Kushuk version from Target, so I finally got around to it! It's hard sometimes to do requested product reviews because 1.) 90% of the time the products I review are out of my own pocket, so if it's pricey I'll wait to try it because 2.) I have similar products I have to finish first before I go buying another one (such as liquid foundations, I have like 3 different brands so I better finish at least 2 of them before buying any more!)



Anyway, I bought the Sonia Kushuk one the other day at Target for a nice and economy-friendly price of $10! I wanted to get a "backup" for my makeup bag, and even though I have a brand new Beauty Blender Sponge I could use; I didn't want to risk losing it since they are expensive, so I figure the Sonia Kushuk one is just as good and at least if I lost it I won't feel as bad! We all love good deals anyway, so I just had to try it.



These 2 sponges have A LOT of similarities they could seriously be twins. First of all, look at the packaging, they are pretty similar although the Beauty Blender Sponge has its own stand that you can use to store your sponge or use it to dry after washing, and is more aesthetically pleasing (I am a sucker for polka dots), while the Sonia Kushuk is simple and basic. The sponges themselves are also identical in size and feel (althought the SK one seems a bit more dense and a tad bit more sturdier), and almost have the same egg-shape. They are both soft, squishy, and just as flexible; not to mention easy to wash. You can use baby shampoo or Dr. Bronner's Pure Castille Soap available at CVS, Target, or even from my good friend Robyn at Purely Cosmetics who also sells the actual Beauty Blender Sponges! (CLICK HERE to watch video on how to clean these beauty sponges).

The only noticeable differences I can say is:
1.) The Sonia Kushuk one only costs $10 whereas the Beauty Blender Sponge starts at around $18+, and that's not even including the Beauty Blender Cleaner, that's just the sponge. 2.) The Sonia Kushuk sponge has an almost plastic-manufacturer type smell, nothing foul or anything like that but you can definitely smell like it's "new" whereas the Beauty Blender Sponge has no smell at all. 3.) The Beauty Blender Sponge comes with it's own cleaner that you can purchase with a sponge or separately, whereas Sonia Kushuk is just the sponge (but you can easily use the products I mentioned earlier) 4.) The Sonia Kushuk one seems much more thicker than the Beauty Blender Sponge, and not as light; could be perhaps that it's still new and hasn't been broken in, but nonetheless, this is great because it gives more control when it comes to stippling liquid foundation on your face or even applying mineral foundation wet for an airbrushed look. Simply spritz some water or MAC Fix+ spray onto the sponge, then into your mineral foundation. Then gently dab across your face till you reach your desired coverage. You don't want to wipe it across your face because this will cause streaks which you want to avoid.

Does the slight difference in shape make a difference? I honestly didn't notice any dramatic difference in terms of the shape affecting the way this sponge performs, like I said before, the Sonia Kushuk sponge seems a little bit more thicker and wider at the bottom which probably makes this the better sponge for applying liquid foundation because there is more surface area so you cover a lot more. It's also pointed at one end like the Beauty Blender Sponge to help conceal or apply foundation in hard to reach areas like the sides of the nose, inner corners of the eyes, etc. I think the slight indentation on the Sonia Kushuk sponge is genius as it gives you somewhat of a "grip" so you can hold the sponge better, again giving better control.

Is this a good dupe? Yes.

Overall? The Sonia Kushuk blender sponge is an AMAZING dupe to the Beauty Blender Sponge. Definitely worth $10 in comparison to $18+ and if you have a Target near you, you save on shipping since the Beauty Blender Sponge isn't accessible everywhere in terms of actual stores (that are near me anyway), and the ones that are, jack up the prices on it! I definitely recommend it to all of you who have never tried it or even those of us who already have Beauty Blender Sponges and are looking for a cheaper alternative when it comes time to replace 'em. I know I will definitely be buying this one from now on!

41 comments

Anonymous said...

thanks for all the updates lately.
always fun to read as a pick-me-up.

im done said...

they remind me of peeps. i want to eat them.

Vanessa said...

HAHAHA they do look like Peeps huh!?? LOL, I say we eat 'em BEFORE we put makeup on it haha

sanniet said...

great review!!! Tiffany did a review on it too and now this just makes me want to get it even more! Going to go pick one up since I hate using brushes for foundation sometimes x_X

ღ Caroline♔ said...

YESS! OMG! I am SO THEREE!!! ;P haha...I would be sooo old by the time your little sis turns 18...since I'm 21 right now (just turned it last March! :])

I actually heard about the Sonia Kashuk sponge first, then I discovered the Beauty Blender sponge after from wandering around the 'net. haha. I've yet to buy one for myself!

blushing in high heels said...

you should try the beauty blender soap for your brushes! it works soooooo well for cleaning my goat hair brushes. it cleans better than baby shampoo. IT IS JUST AMAZING!!! i got it at sephora.

Anonymous said...

I remember seeing that sponge last time at target, and I think the beauty blender is a bit pricey for a little sponge, I'm totally gonna get the sk one now XD

Thanks for the review!

SzeLing said...

Thank you so much for doing this review. I've always been hesitant to get Beauty Blender cause of the price. Now that I know about the Sonia Kushuk dupe, I'll definitely get that. :h:

Syn@3sTh3sI@ said...

i've been eyeing on this sponge for longest time.. the only problem for me is i really have difficulties in using liquid foundation...

Janelle said...

Thanks for this review, Vanessa! I've been lemming the Beauty Blender Sponge ever since I saw your first review! But I might try the SK one first since it's cheaper & you say it's a good dupe. :) Thanks again!

~Mel said...

yeah the Target one is just as good and I didn't even bother getting the other one.. I used SK one to apply foundation on my sister and works just as great.. but i didn't see a purple one?!?! hehee.. now that's a pretty color.. the one we got was blue.

MakeupByRenRen said...

thanks hon! i think i'm goin to pick up a few of the sonia kashuk sponges for my kit!

KillaCamilla said...

what a great review! i love a good dupe.

this is on my next target list! darn it, the baby doesn't need anything now so i won't be there for a while :/ i need to come up with a scheme. lol.

Unknown said...

I have the sonia kashuk one and love it! =)

Unknown said...

omg you found a purple one! hehe

Phyrra said...

Great review!
I have the Sonia Kashuk blender (though mine is blue, not a pretty purple like yours!) and I really do like it.

I've been using the Castille Soap in Almond scent from Robyn at Purely Cosmetics to clean it. That stuff is great for brushes!

Julienne said...

Thanks so much for doing this review. I've been eyeballing both sponges and wasn't sure if I wanted to pay double when the SK one does the job as well. Great review. xoxo :)

Stephanie T said...

I've been wanting one of those for awhile. Too bad I don't have a Target nearby. :(

Sonya said...

I have both, but I have the blue Sonia Kashuk. I perfer the Sonia Kashuk to apply my MAC MSF, because it's more dense than the beautyblender. However, the beautyblender when damp does an awesome job at stipling liquid foundation. I love them both, but would repurchase the Sonia Kashuk instead since it's easier to get...just drive to Target!

Phamtastic said...

Great review! I also enjoy your detailed comparisons.
I have a question though Vanessa. I have oily/combo skin so I am too afraid to try liquid foundation in fear of insane break out. I use powder foundation instead (Mac Studio Fix) but you know how powder can look kind of cakey. Do you recommend any type of liquid foundation or a way to minimize the cakey appearance with my studio fix? Thanks!

Unknown said...

I've always wanted to try the Beauty Blender but I wasn't about to spend $18 on a sponge lol! I'll be trying the SK version. Thanks for this! :)

Kim Patterson said...

Thanks for the review. I've been eyeing both for a minute now.

Ethereal Prey said...

i keep hearing good things about the SK line. I'm trying to find that hairbrush she has that's supposedly a dupe of the expensive $180 version. any thoughts on her skunk brush? :P Happy easter!

aquaracer said...

thanks for reviewing this product. been having second thoughts on this one since i'm about to replace my beauty blender but now i think i'll try this one too. thanks :)

Anonymous said...

these are so silly looking!!! i will never think of buying them if i didn't read reviews. lol. cute gadgets to have.

Jen said...

Thanks for the review.

Beauty blender sponges are 2 for $26 if you buy the twin pack, by the way. However, Target is more convenient.

Iyah Love said...

I need to go to target & get one of these! I've heard so many great reviews about it already :D Thanks for this one :)

PS: I was too shy to even say Hi. I should have since we are meeting any on June at the Pow wow. ahaha :P I'm such a dork!

GurlOnA"Diet" said...

hm i think $10 is still high for a sponge....>< i'd rather pay another $5 and get a brush from SK!

Jen said...

oooh you sold me on using the blender with fix+. now i'm itching to go to target... =)

Saimese said...

Thanks for the review. I'm def going to grab it now

Anonymous said...

i am so interested in these now =) great review!!

oh yeah, thanks for the site!! i can't wait to try essie!! and yay for Ruby Pumps!!! that's my fave so far and i chose that one first!!

Anonymous said...

As always thanks for the review. Your expertise is great...

Unknown said...

Super cute, but with the amount of brushes I've ended up with recently I don't think I'll be needing it for a while. Thanks for the review though :)

Lovevashares said...

thanks for the GERAT heads up nessa! i will def. have to give this sponge a try. or even these SPONGES a try (:

Unknown said...

thanks for reviewing this product. been having second thoughts on this one since i'm about to replace my beauty blender but now i think i'll try this one too

http://liposuctionguide.com/

Tammy said...

I love my Sonia Kushuk sponge, it can be a bit of a pain to clean though if it's not done right away.

Milan said...

Thanks for reviewing this! I just got my beauty blender sponge at the Makeup Show LA and although I haven't gotten around to using it yet, I'm glad that there's a cheaper, more accessible alternative around. Take care, girl.

Sofia said...

thanx to u and tiffany I totally had to go and get one at target yesterday..I actually got two and i was lucky that i got the purple one..the last time I went they only had a blue one that looked all jacked up so i waited and i actually got a better deal by being able to purchase the purple ones :D

Unknown said...

Just linked this article on my facebook account. it’s a very interesting article for all.


Blender

Cristina said...

I think that you forgot to say that when the beautyblender is wet, it's bigger than the SK one :h: And using it wet leaves better results than dry.
Your article was very interesting (even though my opinion is not the same as yours).
:l:

asas said...

Been using it for a while now and I absolutely love this product

:a: :b: :c: :d: :e: :f: :g: :h: :i: :j: :k: :l: :m: :n:

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