"I was looking to find a cheaper alternative to the $20 Beauty Blender that I got from Sephora. And I've read the reviews in regards to this product and thought, why not, let's try something new. So when I first got the set, I realized that they are a lot tougher when dry than the Original BB, but once I soaked them they became almost as soft if not as soft as the Original BB when it is wet. The pear has a nice hold to it when you use it so it's like having a handle. The black one is the most like the Original BB thus the one I am most used to using. The tiny pink one is really cute but I still don't really know how to use it because even when it's soaked it's still pretty small.

Sadly, I received the large pink pear sponge must have been a dud or damaged because when I soaked it and expanded it, there were cracks along the middle. . It had not broken in two but i am disappointed that it already has cracks. So I quickly emailed Essencell and they emailed be back in less than 24 hours and informed me that they would send a replacement. I was not only surprised at how quickly emailed back but at how they really do follow through with their guarantee that you love product. The product is around 4.5 stars in my opinion but the customer service makes up for it tenfold.

Thank you again, and I'll really enjoy using these blenders!"

"I was pleasantly surprised by this sponge! I do dampen my sponges before use and this sponge puffed up about the same amount as a Beautyblender. I tried it with my normal liquid foundation and it gave me a very nice finish, though it took me a moment to get used to the texture-it's a little firmer than a Beautyblender, so I had to use a lighter touch when blending. It didn't seem to absorb any more foundation than the other sponges that I use and I got about the same coverage as I get with any sponge (strong medium, i.e. slightly less than I'd get with my kabuki brush).

So far, the only negative is the shape-I prefer the more rounded shape of this sponge over flat-sided sponges (which I just can't seem to get used to, no matter how nice the sponge feels). However, I miss having a pointed end for getting up around my eyes and nostrils. It's not a dealbreaker, as I have some tiny sponges that I can use for that (and I bought this sponge set knowing that the shape wasn't my favorite), but it's nice to only have to dampen one sponge for the day.

I haven't tried to wash this sponge yet, but I'll update my review if anything happens that would change my rating. I can usually get three or four washes out of a Beautyblender before the texture starts to get weird, though the Real Techniques sponge only lasts me maybe two (and it usually tears by wash four or so). For the price, I'd really only expect two washes out of this sponge, but maybe I'll be surprised!

Update: bumping my review down quite a bit for the performance after washing. One of the two started tearing immediately and the other started absorbing A LOT more foundation after washing (indicating that it's breaking down as well). For the price, I'd say a Real Techniques sponge is the better value, if only because it can be used more than once."

"These are awesome sponges, a great addition that quickly replaced my previous method. They provide good coverage that is blended well and the result is a natural look that lasts. It blends so well I even used it with a foundation that was a shade off and it still looked good! I use it wet, like directed, and use a bounce/dab motion. I don't think it "wastes" any more foundation than using a foundation brush or any other things I've tried. I am sensitive to latex and most of the other sponges I looked at in the past are made with latex, so I had basically just moved on from the idea. These are latex free! Yeah! Therefore these are the first beauty blender sponges I have ever tried and the learning curve is pretty easy, and I am by no means a make up queen. So if you've never tried a beauty sponge, do yourself a favor and pick up some these and you will not be disappointed."