Real Vs Dupe - Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

Makeup blenders are definitely an essential makeup tool! My personal favourite is the Real Techniques miracle complexion sponge. Although I can't say I've splashed out on an official 'beauty blender' (I just can't bring myself to spend £16 on a sponge), I have experimented with various brands:  a LGFB (look good feel better), W7, Real Techniques, home bargains (bargain store). After testing the waters, Real Techniques remains a firm favourite. 

Top 'dupe'
Bottom Real Techniques

I first got one a few years ago and loved it. It helps me to blend my foundation and concealer seamlessly. The flat shaping on part of the sponge lets me blend a wider area on my face. And then the pointed part for getting into trickier sections like around the eyes, nose etc. Texture wise it is spongey, as you'd expect. But the main difference from the other blenders I've tried is that it's a lot softer and bouncier.

These sponges however, don't last that long. It's recommended to replace a blender/sponge every other month. Although they are cheaper than the 'beauty blender' at £5.99 it's still a pain  to have to fork out that every other month. I've managed to extend the lives of my sponges by taking care of them and washing them regularly (when I remember) with a bar of soap and hot water.


Getting on to the main point of this blog post, I bought a cheaper alternative or 'dupe' to the real techniques sponge. I tried to find one that had a similar shape and sure enough, on eBay I managed to get one for £1.99. 

Firstly, in size comparison, the real one is bigger and longer, whereas the 'dupe' is dumpier. Although its not a massive issue for me.
The colour is obviously different but I think with the dupe being lighter it would prompt me to wash it sooner because it will look dirtier quicker! 
The texture is comparable although the dupe doesn't quite have the same softness to it as the real techniques one which is probably my favourite feature of the real one. Saying that, when I ran it under water it became softer and less dense.

When I used the dupe I wasn't that impressed. Although I was able to blend around my face and eyes it didn't look smooth and blended.

Would I say that I would happily swap this for the real one and save the £4, probably not. I'm a big fan of the real techniques one and believe that I need to have good applicators in order for my makeup to turn out well, the dupe one wasn't as good and didn't create a good finish like I had hoped for. For sponges i'd say its best to spend the extra to get good quality.

That's all,
L xo