Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge vs. Beauty Blender

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Today we’re comparing the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge and the original Beauty Blender Sponge!

Since the original Beauty Blender debuted, there have been countless attempts to replicate it. Honestly, none of the “dupes” came anywhere close to the quality and effectiveness of the Beauty Blender. I cannot vouch for the suckiness of all the replicas because I have not used them all. In fact, the only one I have used is the Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge that is sold at Target.

Target, I love you, but why would you sell that thing? I remember the material being very dense, and it tended to push the product around on the skin and soak it up rather than blend it evenly. One day, after using it and hating it for roughly the 39th time, (I like to give things a fair shot, 🙂 the little blue sponge took a dive into the toilet (accidentally), and that was it’s dishonorable discharge from my life.

I never purchased another Beauty Blender “dupe” again.

Until now.

Keep reading to find out how this one stacks up!

Introducing the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

Give it up for the reigning champion, the BeautyBlender Original! And her challenger, the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. Yeahhhhh *Cheers*

I might be watching a bit too much Ronda Rousey, there.

The claims stated on the package are very similar to that of the Beauty Blender. The Real Techniques packaging gives you a little diagram on how to the sponge to achieve the best look. Of course, this is just a suggestion and you can really do whatever you want. Which is exactly what I did. I’m a rebel.

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge >> Purchase on Amazon

BeautyBlender Original >> BeautyBlender Original

Initial differences between the two sponges

Please excuse my dirty BeautyBlender; it’s obviously been used. Next to it is the Real Techniques sponge fresh out of the package. As you can see, the Beauty Blender is quite a bit smaller than the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge.

When I hold the two sponges in my hands, there is a noticeable difference in the squishiness between them. I am using the BeautyBlender as a reference point simply because it has become sort of the industry standard in terms of cosmetic blending sponges. The Real Techniques feels denser than the Beauty Blender when you pinch it, though it’s not nearly as bad as the other terrible blending sponge I tried.

The Real Techniques version is just not as bouncy as the BeautyBlender

The appeal of the Beauty Blender is it’s ability to seemingly absorb the momentum of your hand while still effectively pushing the product into the skin. As a result, your foundation is beautifully blended, and is not left sitting on top of the skin. You didn’t knock yourself out in the process.

What makes for a bad blending sponge is when you have the opposite effect. The material is tougher so it  a) soaks up your product, and  b) doesn’t transfer the energy properly, so it feels like you have to put so much pressure on your face in order to get the product into you skin.

Notice how the sponges look after they are saturated in water. While the Real Techniques did grow, (sorry, I forgot to add another object for size,) the Beauty Blender’s growth was more significant as it caught up in size to the Real Techniques.

Don’t quote me on this, because I’m totally just guessing here. I feel like since the Beauty Blender grows more, it’s mass spreads out more, making it feel softer overall. I really hope that makes sense. Since the Real Techniques doesn’t expand as much, more of it’s density is compacted in a tighter mass, making it feel firmer.

The surface texture isn’t quite as smooth, but it’s not bad

After moistening, I carefully examined the surface texture. The Beauty Blender has a very smooth, velvety feel when you run your fingertips over the surface. When you look closely at it, the air pockets in the foam are very small and you actually kind of have to strain to pinpoint one. On the other hand, while the Real Techniques is by no means rough, the surface does have more texture to it than the Beauty Blender, and when you look closely, it has a much more sponge-like appearance, so the air pockets are more evident. When I close my eyes and feel them both, I can definitely tell which one is which.

Let’s get to applying the product, the fun part

For my test, I applied my foundation, concealer, and powder with the sponges. The products I used included the Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation, Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer, and the E.l.f High Definition Setting Powder. (I used one pump of foundation per side of my face.)

Both sponges soaked up very little product when I applied my foundation, which is nice. Also, neither of them made my face look cakey and unblended like some other sponges have.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer >> Purchase at Sephora

E.l.f. High Definition Setting Powder >> Purchase at Elfcosmetics.com

That flat edge is Real Techniques’s best feature

For me the strong point of the Real Techniques was when I needed to blend around my eyebrows, as I found that using the sharp edge of the flat bottom really helped to give me a precise line.

One thing I always disliked about the Beauty Blender is that it’s difficult to get around your brows without messing them up. Because of the rounded shape, you can’t really see where the sponge makes contact with the skin. With the Real Techniques sponge, it’s a non-issue. I really appreciate having one less thing to worry about.

Plenty of pros, but a few cons dampen (haha) the experience

One thing the Real Techniques did not do as well was blend my undereye concealer. I like the softness of the Beauty Blender for this since the area is so delicate. With the Real Techniques I needed to use a bit more pressure in order to achieve the same blended result.

In person, the results produced by both sponges look exactly the same. The only differences involve the user experience.

On to the obvious question that everyone wants answered: Will I continue repurchasing Beauty Blenders after experiencing the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge?

Probably not.

I don’t think the Real Techniques sponge is an exact dupe. However, the finished look is identical, and for the price, I can put up with the slightly denser texture.

To be honest, the only time I ever reach for a sponge is when I am going out somewhere special and I want to have super flawless, full coverage. Besides that, I typically like to use a buffing brush for applying my foundation. For how little I use it, having the Real Techniques sponge around will be perfectly fine with me.

Have you tried the Real Techniques sponge? What do you think?

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge >> Purchase on Amazon

That’s all for today!

If you enjoyed this post, check out this one >> Ricky’s NYC Classic 3D Blender — A Beauty Blender Dupe?

Till next time. ♥︎

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FTC- This post is not sponsored by any of the brands mentioned. I purchase all products myself. All opinions are my own. Some links may be affiliated.