Salon Supply Store: Flawless PINK Latex-Free Blender Gourd shaped Sponge #Review #BBloggers

I was fortunate to be picked in testing out a blender, from the Salon Supply Store and then I got an e-mail, which stated I was upgraded to their newer gourd shaped one. Joy! I was so happy and after going through their inventory of products and supplies, I had to come back from my little day dreaming state. The Salon Supply Store carries everything you can think of and some items you did not know even existed (ahhh!). All beauty related and at economical prices. I can use that extra bedroom and save money just converting it into a salon but I don’t play well with scissors, so I stick to cosmetics and nails.

Cosmetic brushes is how I was first taught when it came to make-up application. My Mom gave me a set she did not desire and I played with them until I got the hang of what worked with what. Thankfully, each brush was labeled so I did not have to guess but I learned techniques and what powders worked with what brush, to what brushes performed best for wet applications. Fast forward to today and we have synthetic brushes to blended bristle ones that outperform some of the older versions I used back then. Sponges other than those wedges that you buy by the value pack, is all I knew in Junior High. I called them foundation foams and even though they were cheap, I always would use one until the tip would start to crumble before changing. How I did not get break-outs was a miracle. I then upgraded to a very expensive foundation brush that I treat super well and has lasted me years. So, going back to a sponge was sort of odd but familiar at the same.

I have used the Sephora tear-drop shaped one and liked it and disliked the price, so I was one and done. The Salon Supply Store seems to use a latex-free material that really feels just the same as the one I previously had purchased, but it’s just shaped different.

Retail Price Point: $4.35 for one unit via Amazon

Application: I was unsure about application until I sort of just started playing with it. My motto is to just jump in and hope for the best when trying new items out. 75% of the time I come out on top and I did with the Salon Supply Store’s Gourd shaped applicator. The sponge is smooth and has a nice texture when applying foundation. I use a liquid foundation and found that tip on the sponge was heavenly for the side of my nose to even dabbing little problem areas (i.e. old blemishes) until they could not be seen. I used the blunt bottom for what I call a finishing powder and this was my first time ever using a sponge for powder. The translucent powder quickly adhered to the sponge’s surface and I could apply an even layer without issues and faster than with a brush. I will say the brush I felt gave a better finish than the sponge when it came to dry applications but for wet, this little pink gourd does a beautiful job!

 

Cleaning: I never store brushes dirty and I wash them every time right after using. Just the idea of making a dirty brush touch a clean brush when stored, is not my kind of thing. I will wake-up 20 minutes early to make sure I have sufficient time to clean and store my brushes (plus make-up) as it should be because it’s not something I want to do when I get home after being out. The Salon Supply Store’s blender was easy to wash. I just used an antibacterial soap, the same I use for my brushes and washed it by hand. The foundation and powder came off quickly and it was left just like the day I received it. I left it on the counter to air dry on a clean soap dish. By the time I returned home, the blending sponge was dry and I just stored it away until next time.

Verdict: I like the price and performance matters most to me. I don’t want to waste expensive product on a so-so applicator, so the blender has to work well. The Salon Supply Store’s Gourd Blender did and I was actually happy with how well it applied my foundation. I did not have to use more product and I got a nice flawless affect after I was finished applying my base. It cleans up well and doesn’t break the bank, so it’s definitely a product worth adding to the beauty chest, whether you are new to sponge blenders and/or an everyday user.

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from The Salon Supply Store.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

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Milagrous Beauty: Natural Exfoliating Facial Massage Konjac Sponge #Review #Milagrous

I have been very eager to try new Konjac sponges from several different companies because trying is really the only way to know what’s the difference with all the infused additions like charcoal, green tea and so forth. I also get to learn what to look for in quality because you see some sponges ranging from $10 to $18. They all claim to do the same and let’s be honest, they look the same via the computer screen.

Konjac Charcoal sponges are usually formulated for oily complexions, acne prone to combination skin. The sponge is still like the original versions, made from the Konjac root, which is a vegetable. The vegetable’s fibers are perfect for gentle exfoliation and detoxifying the skin. The addition of charcoal helps clean out impurities that cause your typical skin problems like blackheads, clogged pores, blemishes to even controlling the oil (sebum) your skin may be susceptible to producing. Due to the product being natural and gentle to the skin’s surface, if you suffer from sensitive skin, this form of washing and exfoliating will not cause further irritation but actually calm your skin. You should see improvements in as little as 2 weeks with daily use.

I notice the Sponge is not formed well (dented)

Lighter in color and texture than other Charcoal Konjac Sponges

I have tried the original/plain Konjac sponges, Charcoal and also a Green Tea versions prior to using the Charcoal sponge from Milagrous Beauty. I first noticed this is the first sponge that arrived in a bag versus a box like most others. The sponge is also not pre-wrapped in a plastic wrap….just sort of dancing in the bag. I notice this sponge feels lighter in weight and density (in dry form) from my other Charcoal based Konjac sponges from different manufactures. I wet the sponge and begin gently exfoliating, using a circular motion and applying light pressure. I notice that the sponge has at the center a more dense portion that feels almost like a knot but 75% of the remainder of the sponge, is not very dense at all. The bathroom’s light reflects through much easily than with other charcoal sponges I have used and this one is more a gray in color as it furthers away from that middle knot I referred to before.

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Results:
My skin does not feel too clean, so I tried a second use and notice the sponge is leaving an almost jelly like residue. I understand the charcoal and root leave a residue but I have never experienced a jelly/sticky film. I have to be super delicate in how I hold the sponge because like any wet product, it becomes softer but this one dimples and collapses badly that I am afraid to poke a nail through and shorten the life span of the sponge.

Retail Price Point: $10.00 via Amazon

You can see here the fray ithe sponge came with

Once wet the fray becomes worse

I used a hook supplied from another Manufacture for proper drying

The product states a shelf life of 3 years on the packaging, which lists Qingdao Fujiale Cosmetic Products Co., Ltd as the manufacture and states to refer to the “sealing” for the date it was made. None was listed or written anywhere on the packaging. Like with all my Konjac sponges, they need to dry and air out to stay clean and reduce any bacteria from producing, so most manufactures include hooks. None was included. Bacteria is bad enough for anyone’s skin and can be worse if you suffer from acne, where you may have open skin caused by pimples…….so maybe using such packaging is not the safest for the product or even user. You add that no hook is supplied and I’m willing to even make the leap that this is a refill as I use the hook I already was supplied by another company.  I was just not too satisfied seeing sponge dust at the bottom of the bag, the sponge is not well shaped/formed, and you have dead links when it comes to the companies Facebook, Twitter to the Website page they supplied as contact information.  The product did not perform like any other Konjac sponge I have used prior to this one and that is even trying to ignore the jelly like residue left on my skin.  You then take into account the price point that is identical to other manufactures where the sponges outperformed this one, so I can’t even say you pay 1/2 and get 1/2 the performance.  You still pay $10 and end up with what I call a sponge.  I just can’t recommend a product that is not consistent to what I have seen and used on the market.  Milagrous Beauty does offer a 100% Money-Back Guarantee, so this may be something to consider if you wish to try their products.

 

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Milagrous Beauty.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.