BeautyBlender dupe and little GIVEAWAY!

when Wayne Goss a.k.a. GossMakeUpArtist reviewed this little sponge on youtube some time ago, i was really curious about it since he stated it as a good dupe to the BeautyBlender sponge. since i'm a big fan of the quick and easy foundation application with the BeautyBlender that also gives me a flawless finish, there was no chance that i would pass this affordable alternative from love-makeup.co.uk.
at 3.99£ these Makeup Blending Sponges are only about a third of the price of the BB, and because you would want to replace your sponge every few months, it would be a nice saving if this cheaper dupe would perform as well as the original. although i still have two new BBs left as back ups and even bought the MAC Pro Performance Sponge to see if it might even be superior to the BB (well, it's not), i still wanted to try it.
you could choose from a black or hot pink version, but i bought the pink one.
now, is this a dupe to the BB or is it even better? the facts:

* obviously both the BB and the dupe sponge are hot pink, they work the same way meaning you should wet the sponge and use it slightly damp in bouncing motions to apply your liquid/cream (or even powder) foundation or cream blush/highlighter/bronzer with the rounded bottom part of it.
* although the dupe sponge has an oriental bottle shape and not a tear drop/egg shape it works the same way with the pointed tip that helps to reach the nooks and crevices of your face/apply concealer and the rounded bottom for general application. however this shape (which is reminiscent of the foundation sponge by Sonia Kashuk or Sephora) is easier to hold than the plain egg.
* the love-makeup sponge also gets bigger when it's damp, just like the BB, but it has a much finer foam texture than the rather porous antetype.
* it washes easily without bleeding pink dye like the BB initially does.
* it's latex-free.
*when it's damp, it's rather soft and bouncy (although not as soft as the BB) and is nice and effortless to use, unlike the very firm MAC Pro Performance Sponge.
* as the texture is so very fine, it initially seems not to soak up much product and applies the foundation very fine and evenly. it feels great on the skin.
* but if you don't work fast, after a few minutes the foundation will bind with the moisture inside the sponge and it ends up absorbing more of your foundation than the BB sponge. so make sure to squeeze it really well before usage.
* it creates a flawless and very refined finish but with rather light coverage. application is just as easy and quick as with the BB.

i think this is a very promising and affordable alternative to the original BeautyBlender, i will enjoy having this around when i like a sheer finish. it's the better alternative to the BB when you consider this or the MAC sponge and at 3.99£ not to beat.

dry BeautyBlender next to dry Makeup Blending Sponge

size difference of Makeup Blending Sponge damp and dry

top: MAC Pro Performance Sponge, bottom: dry BB - damp BB - damp dupe sponge - dry dupe sponge

surface of Makeup Blending sponge, very fine

surface of BeautyBlender, rather porous

luckily i'm pleased with it, because i ordered 2 of these. but not to keep for myself, but to share one with you! you need to try it ;) one of you can win a little set, containing a foundation sponge and some samples/minis.

Lolita Lempicka "First" perfume mini (7ml) - Makeup Blending Sponge - Biotherm SkinEnergetic sample set - Bourjois tiny mini lipgloss (isn't it cute?!)

of course everything is new. i'm not affiliated with any of the brands in this set.

very easy to win:

1. you are a GFC reader.

one person will get the whole set, each person can only take part once.

2. this giveaway is open internationally.  

3. comment under this post that you want to win.

4. if you are under 18 years old, please get the admission from your parents that you can take part and are allowed to give me your address in case you win.

6. this giveaway will end on sunday, july 31th 2011, 23:59 central european time.

7. i will choose the winner randomly and will announce her/him on the following days on my blog. make sure to check back if you have won.

(8. if i notice you are a contest-blog or give-away-hunter, you'll be disqualified.
9. if i can't tolerate the content of your blog, you'll be disqualified (such as racist, unethical, discriminatory, offensive, glorifying violence).)

hope you'll like it :)