Sponges seem to be all the rage in the foundation application business, recently. I'd avoided them up until now, but after reading so many positive reviews, I thought I'd move my favourite, buffing brush aside and give one a go. For my first foray into the makeup sponge world, I thought I'd go for the instantly-recognisable, neon pink beautyblender Original Makeup Foundation Sponge. If the original couldn't win me over, then nothing could.

Favouring brushes and fingers for makeup application, I'd always thought of sponges as being unhygienic, harboring hard-to-reach bacteria within the material, even after washing. Presuming that they'd easily absorb a lot of product, I was also worried that my expensive foundations would be sucked up and wasted. It's only after trying one for myself that I can guarantee that's not the case, for any of you that may have similar concerns. 

Initially, the Beauty Blender looks too small and feels slightly rough, so much so that I wasn't sure I'd picked up the right one when I grabbed mine in Sephora. You need to add water to bring it to life. As soon as you run it under the tap and squeeze it to make sure it's fully soaked, it expands. You can't just splash it under the water for a second, as it needs to be totally saturated with water to grow. Then, you use a clean towel or cloth to remove any excess water from the sponge and it's ready to go.

Made from non-latex foam, unique to the beautyblender Makeup Sponge, the texture of the sponge material is super smooth, soft and so light. The material isn't as porous as traditional sponges and, when dampened, the water fills in any gaps, so your makeup sits on top of the sponge surface and isn't drawn into it. You simply dip either end into your chosen product and bounce it across the skin. 

As it really works the product into the skin, I find my makeup lasts a lot longer when I use the Beauty Blender and I do prefer the impeccable finish that it gives, compared to when I use my brushes. But, it's not as quick or as convenient to use, especially as you have to dampen it before each use. So, I still gravitate towards my brushes when I'm in a rush and save this sponge for when I have longer to get ready. I was concerned that it would be a struggle to effectively clean, but it washes just as easily as a brush, with either the Solid Blender Cleanser sample that it comes with, or your usual, brush-cleaning soap. To avoid it becoming too dirty and clogged with makeup, I'd aim to wash it at least once a week, leaving it on top of the pot it's packaged in, to air dry.

You can pick up the Original Beauty Blender for £16. Considering that good-quality foundation brushes can cost double or triple that, it's not a bad price. But, there's lots of cheaper sponges on the market (I'll be trying the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge next), if you want a less-expensive option.