Current Foundation Routine With Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

My skin has given me a lot of trouble over the years. It ranges from being very dry to very oily and spot prone. To top it all of its also sensitive and very red. So needless to say I've struggled to find a foundation routine that suits all of my skin's problems. The last few months however I've found a routine that not only makes sure redness and blemishes are covered well, but also keeps oil at bay and doesn't disturb or show up any dryer areas. 

As you can see from the photo above - in which i'm wearing no other make up than foundation, concealer and a touch of powder - I end up with flawless skin and you really wouldn't know from the picture that my skin is awful underneath!  I thought that it was time to share my routine as it may help others who are unfortunate to have skin like mine!

A few months back, I bought myself a Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge as I have always wanted a Beauty Blender but could never in a million years justify paying €20 on a sponge! After reading reviews online and convincing myself that I really needed to try it I took the plunge and ordered the sponge and instantly I understood why other bloggers were raving about this Beauty blender dupe!

Top: Dry sponge  Bottom: Damp sponge - it nearly doubles in size!

It's perfect for use with all bases, and I use it with my foundation and concealers and I honestly can say my foundation has never looked so good before, I can honestly say this sponge is what has changed how well my foundation routine works for me.

The sponge seamlessly blends foundation and leaves your skin with a really natural finish and it's hard to tell if you're wearing any make up at all. There are different sides to the sponge which is pretty handy as it cuts out the need for a ton of different tools for your base. The rounded edges are great for all over application of foundation, the flat edge is great for concealing larger areas and can also be used for contouring, and the pointed tip is great for getting into small spaces like under the eyes and around the nose.

The way I like to use the sponge is by firstly applying primer if I'm using it, sometimes I skip this step, currently I'm using Nivea's Express Hydration Primer - a new purchase for me and one that I'm really enjoying! I then dot foundation on my face, I'm currently using Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in shade 51. Then with the damp sponge, I stipple (bouncing the sponge off the skin) the foundation into my skin, when i come to my jawline I use the rounded edge in a kind of rolling motion to make sure everything is properly blended. This step takes less than a minute with the Real Techniques sponger rather than 5+ with my hands or a brush.

Next I take my under eye concealer which is Maybelline's The Eraser in the light shade. I apply it directly from the tube to my under eye area then taking the angled flat edge of the sponge I again stipple the concealer until it has completely blended into the skin.

Lastly I take the best concealer in the world which is Collection's Lasting Perfection Concealer and I place it over any blemishes or redness (which I always have around my nose) and again like the last two steps I just use the stippling motion until the concealer has blended in. I finish things off with a dusting of whatever powder I'm using and then apply blush and then do the rest of my make up. 

And that's all I do, it takes 2-3 minutes with the Real Techniques sponge, and I'm left with skin that looks pretty much perfect, which I have never had with any other method I've used to apply my base make up with before. I also find that wear time seems to be better when applying base products with the RT sponge over brushes, I get through the whole day only having to reapply powder to my t- zone if I get oily but everything else is fine. I'm so happy with the sponge that after the first few times I used it I ordered a spare in case my original wore out or got lost - I will always have a back up one of this ready to go!

I honestly can never see myself using my fingers or brushes again, and that is saying a lot as I loved my Sigma F80 and F84 for applying foundation but since this amazing sponge came into my life my old favorites have been shoved aside.

I have never tried the Beauty Blender so I cant compare the two to each other, but I'd urge you all to try Real Technique's version first as it really is a little gem and also it's a fraction of the price at between €5 and €7 depending where you get it from, it really beats shelling out €20!

Have you tried the Real Techniques Sponge yet? Or does anyone know how it compares to the Beauty blender?