Product Review | E.L.F. Blending Sponge

Product Review | E.L.F. Blending Sponge in Teal ($5, ELF website and E.L.F. stores)

Product Details (from E.L.F.'s website): This blending sponge flawlessly applies makeup for professionally even and smooth-looking skin. Great for creating a full coverage base, contouring or layering color. This durable sponge is washable and reusable, and perfect for use with all makeup formulations. The comfort curve fits perfectly in the hand and is great for controlled application.

Review: I picked up a few of the newest release of makeup brushes from E.L.F.'s Beautifully Precise line when they were having a 40% off promotion with free shipping and as always, I happen to stumble upon yet another sponge desperately trying to be the next Beauty Blender.  They have four different colors: pink, teal, purple and peach.  I do not think the color variations have anything to do with a particular application such as blush, highlight, contour - I believe these are just one size fits all blending sponge in terms of functionality.  

The packaging is in its typical E.L.F style, black with white typography.  The shape of the sponge (semi-hour glass shape) is similar to my favorite alternative, L'Oreal Infallible Beauty Sponge.  The feel of this after opening the package is not as soft, it feels like the cheap generic brands you will see at any drugstores.  After washing the sponge with a mild soap, which is the same one I use to clean my sponges daily (I use the Next To Godliness Oatmeal & Honey Pure Vegetable Soap from Trader Joes', they come in a pack of 2 for $1.99), it does expand but not too much which means it will not soak up as much product, or so they say.  I have to say while this applies foundation or any liquid or cream product really good (and it really does not soak up a lot of liquid product), the first five uses, the sponge is not as soft on the skin.  However, the more I use it (I have used it for two weeks daily in conjunction with other sponges I am testing out which you will see as I am reviewing all of them this week ), it gets softer and more comfortable during application.  Having said that, the quality of the sponge is not my favorite due to the fact that I have to wait a few uses and washes to get the right softness during application.  If we are talking about performance, I feel that this is a good sponge for $5.   It evens out the application of foundation and does not leave any streaks.  

Would I repurchase?  Probably not.  I say that because even though it applies products well, I have other alternative that feel soft during application upon first time use without having to wait a few uses and washes to get to that comfortable softness.