Hey y’all!
I am SO excited to chat about the newest beauty sponge I’ve tried out:
The MakeupDrop Hybrid!
I am a super-fan of using sponges for makeup application and I love putting them to the “test” to see how they perform. I use a sponge for it all— foundation, concealer, liquid blush/bronzer, applying setting powder, etc.. Each sponge I try seems to have its own unique pros/cons, and its interesting to see what new feature different brands come up with.
I think that many people would agree that the Beauty Blender set the stage for the hype of makeup sponges—it’s the “standard” for what all new releases are compared to. I have a pretty good collection of different brand’s products, and I must say the Beauty Blender is a special experience. It offers a softness and bouncy-ness that just hasn’t been identically replicated yet. I would have to imagine that because a Beauty Blender is the OG sponge on the block, they will never lower the price. Because I have found SO many affordable sponges that work really well for me, I haven’t bought a new BB in awhile. If I’m going to spend over $20 at Sephora, I’d rather pick up a new lip product or something that I can use more than a few months.
Don’t get it twisted though— I still love me a brand new, bright pink Beauty Blender (I just wish they were cheaper!)
***I’ll list pricing of each sponge mentioned below, but I think it is first important to know that the Beauty Blender and MakeupDrop Hybrid both retail for the same price —- $20 USD.
Naturally when I found this MakeupDrop Hybrid sponge/silicone thing, I HAD to order one and see how it stacked up to the competition.
The design of this sponge is unique– it is designed to be a 2-in-1 tool, with a silicone top and a sponge base for blending. The addition of the silicone is intended to avoid product loss that would otherwise be soaked into the sponge. The suggested use of the MakeupDrop is to apply the product (liquid or cream) directly to the silicone side and “dab or sculpt” the makeup into the skin. Finally, you use the sponge portion to blend your makeup in for an “airbrush finish.”
*Notice the silicone part separates itself out of the sponge portion to minimize product loss. I must say, I love the overall design of the BeautyDrop. It’s a beautiful blue color that really POPS and the brand logo on the back is a really cool touch.
Here’s a Comparison of the BB vs. MakeupDrop DRY
*****I must apologize in advance— all of my sponges are clean but most have makeup stains I just can’t get out. So not lovely to showcase.
As you can see here, the sponges are pretty similar in size/shape when dry. A big factor that sets the two apart, is the TEXTURE of the sponge. As I mentioned above, the BB is softer and more bouncy than the MakeupDrop —both wet and dry. If you feel that the softness level is the most important factor in a sponge, the BB definitely wins.
Because the two sponges are the exact same price, my expectations were pretty high for the MakeupDrop.
In my opinion, what really sets the two apart is that each sponge has unique pros/cons depending on your application method.
PROS/CONS Each
- MakeupDrop Hybrid
- PROS:
- I did feel it required much LESS product to build to the same coverage I would get with a BB. The product goes directly from the silicone to your face.
- More precise application— because the MUDrop has more defined edges, you can really control the location/amount of product you want to add.
- CONS:
- The texture is less soft/bouncy than the BB
- Concealer application is not ideal—the very defined/less spongy edges of the MUDrop made it more difficult to blend product near the inner conner of the eye.
- PROS:
- Beauty Blender
- PROS:
- Soft, bouncy, and more comfortable to use.
- Superior for blending out concealer
- CONS:
- Absorbs product easier, which results in product loss/waste.
- Less precision in application.
- PROS:
Because I’m a nerd, here’s all of the other brand name sponges I have for further comparison: (Again, clean sponges with stubborn stains). I LOVE and recommend all the affordable sponges as well. They each have little unique details I enjoy. I thought the dark pink sponge on the far right was a L’Oreal sponge I love (and can’t find), but it is actually another Real Techniques!
Sponges are dampened here, and you can see that the bottom of the MakeupDrop definitely becomes more dense when wet. I should say that although it does swell up a good bit, the exterior material of the sponge gets extremely soft. Of all the sponges pictured below, the MUDrop definitely wins in terms of smoothest outer surface.
Here’s a more direct comparison of the BB/MUDrop when dampened: (Yes the MakeupDrop has a DROP of water….the irony isn’t lost on me ;-))
I think that the takeaway here is that each sponge has different qualities that make them great. I really appreciate the innovation that the MUDrop offers. To be competitive in today’s makeup market, you really have to bring something “new” to the table to keep consumers’ interests. I think this product is fun and definitely mixes up my normal makeup routine, I’ll keep experimenting with different formulas and products to see this sponge’s full range of use. If you want to spend $20 on a cool new makeup tool, I would say give this one a go!
Is this product a “DUPE” for the Beauty Blender, I would say no. But then again, I don’t feel like it’s trying to be! 😉
Shop ALL Sponges Discussed Here:
- Beauty Blender
- MakeupDrop Hybrid
- Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge (The Orange One)
- EcoTools
- Real Techniques Miracle Finish Sponge (The Dark Pink one)
- Honorable Mention one I can’t find: L’Oreal Infallible Blending Sponge
I’m dying to hear y’all’s thoughts on this!
Would you purchase the MakeupDrop Hybrid Sponge?? Also, share your favorite sponge(s) or other beauty tools below!!
THANKS SO MUCH!!
xo,
Jena
FTC: This post is not sponsored and all products were purchased by myself. Thoughts and opinions are honest and my own. Some links are affiliate. Thank you for supporting my blog!
Jena J Beauty 