Manicare Precision Blending Sponge vs Beauty Pod Airbrush FX Sponge
Over the last few months I have enjoyed both the Manicares Precision Blending Sponge & the Beauty Pod's sponge to apply my liquid foundations.
I purchased these both in Australia but I am not sure on the availability of these internationally although both do look very similar in shape & size to the Sonia Kashuk beauty sponge I see so often in v/posts.
Before I get to the nitty gritty of my findings lets look at the stats for each:
First Opponent
Manicare Precision Blending Sponge
This is available where most Manicare beauty items are available, eg Priceline, Big W, K Mart & selected pharmacies in Australia.
It retails for around $8AU & is made of latex. It is about 70mm long when dry & comes in a dark purple colour. Manicare claims that the sponge will deliver a "flawless foundation application" & can also be used for concealer & blush.
How it works
It directs that the pointed end is to be used to camouflage areas with concealer or foundation & the rounded end is for applying foundation in a blending motion around the face & neck. For powder it needs to be dusted on the end.
Opponent two
Beauty Pod Airbrush FX Sponge
This is available at selected beauty supply stores (I purchased mine at www.makeupandglow.com.au) but I have not yet seen it available in mainstream department stores or pharmacies (please if someone has please let me know!).
It retails around $12-$13AU & it typically comes in a purple magenta but I did pick up the two special edition colours - pink & black. All it states on the packaging is that it is made of 'non-latex sponge" & it is also 70mm long when dry. It claims it will give a "professional finish..airbrush fx" & "makeup artist results". It only mentions use for foundations & concealers & to be used damp.
How it works
The same applies for foundation & concealer (pointed & wide end of sponge). However it states to "dampen" the sponge before use & that it will swell. There is no mention of use with powder or for blush (although I did test it with both powder, cream & liquid blushes as with the Manicare sponge for a comparison).
Performance Tests
Admittedly I am happily obsessed with trying makeup brushes & have had very little "experience" with the use of sponges with my foundations but I was very impressed with how both sponges applied my foundations & how surprisingly quick I could do my face.
I used each sponge daily for a month each & tried all my liquid & cream foundations & concealers as well as blushes. I also tried to apply my compact powder foundations when the sponges were wet. Although the Beauty Pod states to "dampen" the sponge I also tried using it when dry in order to compare it to the Manicare sponge.
How well they performed
When dry:
Liquid & cream foundations, concealers & blush: I preferred the feel & finish of the liquid foundations & concealers when the sponges were wet. I felt the sponges "pulled" a bit on my face as I applied the makeup but they still gave a decent finish if I buffed the foundation/concealer in. Although both performed similarly to apply the concealer with the pointed end, I still found myself reaching for a brush or smoothing the makeup with my fingers.
Powders: I did think the Manicare gave a better finish with powder blush & powder foundation possibly because of the "rougher" texture the latex sponge had in comparison with the Beauty Pod which is much softer & "velvety".
However both sponges appeared to crumble slightly by the fourth application when using when dry as in the photo below. Tiny pieces of the latex sponge on the Manicare applicator seemed to have fallen out & made the surface on the rounded end a little bit rougher in texture & feel. Whereas the non-latex sponge in the Beauty Pod suffered less damage, but small pockets appeared to have opened in the material in the centre of the rounded end.
Round result winner: Manicare Precision Beauty Sponge
Above: (L-R) Beauty Pod Airbrush FX Sponge & Manicare Precision Blender Sponge rounded ends
When wet:
Liquid & cream foundations & concealers: Using both sponges wet did feel much easier on the skin to blend & buff (not so much "dragging" sensation). However the texture of the non-latex sponge of the Beauty Pod was hands down so much more softer & gentler on the skin than the Manicare one.
Also the Beauty Pods swells up much more when wet & gives slightly more surface area to apply makeup as demonstrated in the picture below. The pod is also easier to blend & buffs quicker & more effectively than the Manicare sponge.
I did like how the Beauty Pod gave me almost an "airbrushed" look to the application, although in part the tool is only as good as the makeup & how well the applier blends. But it was definitely much easier & more pleasant to use than the Manicare sponge when wet.
Over time both sponges became slightly more pock marked in the rounded end which got the most use, but the Manicare sponge got more "damaged in battle"
Powders: I was not particularly impressed with using either of the sponges on my compact powders or even trying to use them with my blushes. I didn't feel I was getting anywhere near "MUA results" or that "professional finish" but that may have been in part to years of using brushes & I didn't like the "dabbing" motion I had to employ in order not to get a streaky look to my makeup or ruining any of the foundation application underneath.
Round result winner: Beauty Pod Airbrush FX Sponge
Above: (L-R) Beauty Pod Airbrush FX Sponge & Manicare Precision Blender Sponge when wet
Care/Maintenance:
With both I washed them 3-4 times a week with a gentle cleanser (baby shampoo) or an actual brush cleanser. I also tried the "anti-bacterial liquid" soap that is recommended for the Manicare sponge as well as "gentle soap" as is directed for the Beauty Pod for both sponges.
No matter how long I cleaned them though both were "stainted" with the tint of my foundation (not so much blush as they are red based colours). So during the last week of each trial I even resorted to "spot cleaning" them - spraying them lightly with my brush cleaner sprays & dabbing them onto a towel. (This did not help but at least I felt the sponges were "refreshed" in between washes.)
Overtime with the sponges becoming more pocketed in the rounded ends it is possible that more makeup would build up in these areas. Neither of the sponges appeared visibly affected by the cleansing routine & there was no dye running or fading of the colours.
However as the Beauty Pod swelled up more than the Manicare sponge it did take longer to clean out the soap as it seemed to absorb more liquid. But I believed that since it was more absorbent it would also be easier to wash more thoroughly & therefore rinse any makeup product out better than its opponent sponge.
Once dry the Beauty Pod also felt lighter after a good cleanse than the Manicare sponge even though both are of similar proportions when dry.
Round result winner: Beauty Pod Airbrush FX Sponge
Final Round
Overall I preferred the Beauty Pod to apply my liquid/cream foundations & blushes & even like it better than my brushes (for now).
I didn't want to reach for the Manicare sponge (dry or damp) to apply powder foundation or blush but still like it to use for liquid foundation only if my Beauty Pod & stippling brushes are out of action.
Even though the price point & accessibility is better for the Manicare Precision Sponge I would happily pay the few dollars more to get another Beauty Pod.
Winner "sponges down" for me is the Beauty Pod Airbrush FX Sponge
