We are having a piece of furniture delivered today so I decided that I had better “put my best face on”—naturally I didn’t want to scare the delivery men because there could be a chance of their dropping this nice TV cabinet down three flights of stairs.
This would be a great time to try my new purchase. The Revive Beauty Blending applicator. This little blending sponge is a much less expensive dupe for the iconic “Beauty Blender” sponge Beauty Blender is the makeup sponge that every beauty blogger, You Tube beauty vlogger, and “expert” raves about.
The original Beauty Blender is on the left. The Revive brand “make up Blending Applicator” sponge is on the right.
Beauty Blender has been around for a while and I’ve always been on the fence about purchasing it. My fingers and foundation brushes seemed to be working fine—until my skin started to age on the fast track and become all wrinkly, blotchy and creped! Yuck! And let me tell you something—it seemed to happen overnight!
It wasn’t until I had a free make up application at Sephora that I found out how really great the Beauty Blender really is! The foundation blended in really well and did not appear cakey nor did my skin look dry either. If you are over 50 years, you know what I’m talking about.
Anyway, I purchased the Beauty Blender and the special cake of soap that is recommended for cleaning this sponge. At $20.00 for the sponge and $16.00 for the soap, this was not an inexpensive purchase.
One ounce of this solid cleanser soap bar is $16.00. It works but only gets 95% of the makeup off. Look at the little photo on the right. That’s the actual soap and it has pink marks from the Beauty Blender’s dye and foundation markings as well. Also, it’s scented with lavender. So if you are allergic..beware!
But let’s “face” it old lady friends. Our old skin isn’t as supple nor is it as luminous or even as when we were young. We get redness and age spots along with those lines. And there is nothing worse than caked up foundation on an old face!
My naked old-lady face with no foundation. See how red and blotchy and freckled my face is? I have wrinkles and fine lines. My face is also creped the the mouth. Hey. It is what it is. At our age, we have to work with what we have. Especially if we cannot afford fillers or a face lift!
Believe me; I cannot count the times when Bonaparte has said:
“Cassee. Ou ‘ev too much mek-up on ou fez” “Eezzz all ceked up”. (Translation: “Cathe. You have too much makeup on your face. It’s all caked up”
So after taking my pricey Beauty Blender home and placing it under running water to expand and get nice and wet, I discovered the following:
- It does blend well.
- You don’t need a ton of product, but it is easy to build up layers
- Provided you have the special BB soap, it is relatively easy to clean
- The sponge doesn’t last a long time. I’ve had mine for over two months and there are tears in it.
- When you first clean the sponge, a ton of pink dye will wash out. A ton!!
- As much as you take great care of this sponge, black moldy spots can appear.
- If you do NOT use the BB soap, this thing is a bitch-and-a-half to clean
- It really needs to be cleaned after every use (that is if you are cosmetic OCD as I am)
- The price for the sponge—at $20 per, is expensive—especially when you need to replace. Add the price of the soap at $16.00 and it’s really pricey!
Listen. I’ve followed care instructions faithfully..and still managed to get a bit of moldy black spots on this expensive little sponge!
I did an online search for possible dupes and discovered there were multiple dupes for Beauty Blender but all the dupes had mixed reviews. I decided to find out for myself.
I picked up a dupe at TJ Maxx. At the price of $3.99 it definitely was worth the buy! The brand is Revive and the blender, in the box, looked very much like Beauty Blender. Outside of the box and comparing the two (after getting the sponge wet), the Revive expands more in size, but is incredibly dense—almost like a rubber ball.
Wow. From this view point, my little sponges look like little pink titties!
Closer view and you can see that the actual Beauty Blender is lighter in color, more porous and less dense in texture. There are a couple of rips and the tip–or nipple, just cannot get 100% cleaned of foundation.
The Beauty Blender is softer to the touch and more pliable too. But I was still eager to try the dupe out.
I primed my face and applied some eye makeup. Then decided to use Elf brand Flawless Foundation in Porcelain.
Elf brand Flawless Finish Foundation is a fantastic value for $6.00. And for more “mature” women who may be on a fixed income and want to look like a million bucks, may I recommend this?
One pump of the foundation. You can see the texture is very creamy and not liquidy–but that’s surprisingly a very good thing!
As a foundation junkie, I think I’ve tried just about every brand out there. Presently, I’m in love with my Marc Jacobs and Givenchy foundations. But when I’m just hanging around idly, I love to use the $6.00 Elf foundation. I’m telling you, this foundation is really a great value for the money. Medium coverage. Doesn’t oxidize. It is actually better than some of the high-end ones I’ve bought in the past.
Anyway, one pump of foundation and I was able to see how far this bit of makeup would go with the Revive applicator.
Oy, my eyes are crossing so badly–forgive me ladies, but I’m naturally cross-eyed! Anyway, although not as soft as the Beauty Blender, this Revive dupe worked just great!
Guess what? It worked like a charm. It
- Was not as pliable and soft as BB, but it still did a fantastic job of blending in the foundation
- BB may be easier to get into those little facial nooks and crannies by the nose, but with some maneuvering, the Revive worked just as well
- Revive applicator seemed to soak up less product than Beauty Blender and was pretty easy to clean!
In addition, I highlighted and contoured with the NYX highlight and contour crème stick applicator. The dupe blended everything in very nicely.
NYX Wonder Stick Highlight and Contour in “light”. This is another great highlight/contour product if you are a beginner at the fine art of contour. It blends into “old lady” skin effortlessly!
No. It isn’t dirt. It’s the NYX contour. And the Revive blender applicator sponge blended this in faultlessly!
Well, let me tell you. I had to run into the bathroom to get a tissue to blow my nose. When I got back to my makeup table, I didn’t see the Revive applicator. WTF? Where could it have gone? I was gone for a total of maybe 5 seconds.
Then I realized that Chippy was nowhere in sight. I looked out of the room and saw what appeared to be a little piece of something dark pink.
Chippy got the Revive Sponge. He must have thought it was a toy.
Oh. Chippy may LOOK innocent and he may beg forgiveness..but his little rescue pup is such a naughty rascal! He’s not interested in watching me apply makeup either. He’s just interested to see what he can put in his mouth and that Revive sponge whet his appetite!
Anyway, I found him hiding under the coffee table in the living room. The remainder of the sponge in his mouth.
Just in case you may be wondering what the dupe looks like from the inside. Surprise! I’m still using this until I get to T.J. Maxx for a replacement. I washed it. It’s fine. It will be used. Do. Not. Judge!
Let me just add another good quality about the Revive Beauty Blender dupe. AT $3.99, it is easily replaceable if your dog happens to snack on it!
Face it! The Revive dupe works! Look how nice my made up face looks after blending in the foundation, highlighter and contour. A bit of blush and a berry lippie complete the look.
Oops! My lipstick smeared. I look like Bette Davis in “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane”! Seriously–the Revive Dupe did a fine job at blending all the makeup into my Grand Canyon of a face! Another thing of note. Old Lady hair rules. It’s so much drier than when I was younger but that means I don’t have to wash it as much. Day 11 hair ladies. Day 11 dirty hair. I’ll wash it this weekend.
I want to tell you about another great bargain. Primark leggings. Primark is a fast fashion clothing and home goods store that has made the way from the UK and Ireland over to the States. Well—TWO states. Pennsylvania and Mass. Lucky me—I live ten minutes away from the sole location in King of Prussia! An additional store will be opening up in New York on Staten Island soon.
Oona asked me to pick up a pair of plush lined leggings—since I’ll be visiting her in a couple of weeks, I can act as Mom’s Courier Service!
In the meantime, I found leggings that suck and tuck the old lady’s body in–Primark Shaper Leggings. I gave it a go at $6.00—what did I have to lose of Bonaparte’s hard-earned cash?
These leggings are amazing. Thick, but not too thick. Nice and firmly constructed and they do hold all those higgly-jiggly bits of my thighs and belly in so nicely! I will be going back for another pair or three! The “Large” fit me perfectly. Remember, this store goes by European sizing so it pays to jump a size!
A better look than the pajama bottoms and hoodies I’ve been living in. Looks good with a J. Crew plaid shirt. These leggings are also the perfect travel bottoms. Paired with boots and a tunic sweater–so comfy and practical!
Since a large part of today’s post is beauty and the beauty blender and its dupe. Here are the Temptations. “Beauty’s Only Skin Deep” Yeah. Yeah. Yeah! “XOXOXOXOXO
Catherine-YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!!! I just love your posts. Now, is your hair styled they way you showed us using the rollers wrapped with the tp? By the way, what is the berry lip color? xoxo
Thanks Gail! Yes. I set my hair two Sundays ago with the Rollers and Toilet Paper. I know–I’m a total hair slob for allowing my hair to go 11 days without washing, but it looks fine and there is no dandruff–I checked! I can go another few days so on Sunday I’ll repeat the wash & set process! The berry color is a mix. First, I applied NYX “shy timide” matte lipstick on. Then I applied Ulta’s matte lip cream in passionate–a bright berry/red. Then I topped it off with clear gloss in a tube from Neutrogena. You likey? XOXOXOXO!
Catherine, me likey! Thanks so much for the details–just put the colors on my shopping list. By the way, almost peed myself over “importance of being sponge worthy”–one of my all time favorite Seinfeld episodes!!! You are so clever. Are there any colleges near you? You would be so great working in a college administrative office. Can’t believe that numbers are your forte because you are one hell of a wordswoman! xoxo
Hi Gail! OMG! I HAVE had interviews at Villanova and Immaculata. My guess is that they absolutely hatedme because neither hired me. I was really upset with the Villanova exclusion too. Universities need someone like me in their admin offices! Oh, the things people just aren’t aware of! LOL–about the sponge-worthy thing–I’m hoping that people DO remember that Seinfeld episode. It was one of the funniest! XOXOXOXO!
You look great, and thanks for the foundation/blender tips! BTW, you’ve got lots of hair and NOT what we affectionately call “wire lips,” so laugh and be happy…. P.S. I’ve actually been to the King of Prussia Mall…..I was back in that area for pharmaceutical sales training a long, long time ago…
Leslie! You’re kidding! What did you think of our KOP mall? It’s not bad, right??? But yeah, why spend a fortune on a sponge that is going to wear down quickly???? XOXOXO!
Catherine, in my eyes you are a hottie with or without makeup. Love the post! 🙂
Thanks Spear!!!!! XOXOXO!
Your GORGEOUSSSSSS 😘!! And those leggings!!!!!!!!!
Six bucks. Six bucks! I’m wearing these on the plane ride to visit Oona. They are unbelievable. The feel is so much better than the cottony ones too!!!! XOXOXO!!
You look great! Does it work better/differently than those little makeup wedge things?
Thanks jean! I’ve never had much luck with those little makeup wedgies so yeah. I’m gonna say these little sponges are definitely better than the wedges! XOXOXO!
OMG, I love your blog. You are funny and brutally honest! I am going to be a big fan. Thanks for all the helpful info!!!
Hi Wendy! Nice to meet you and I’m incredibly happy that you like the blog. Oh. Yes–if you read any archived posts you will find out that sometimes I can be too honest! LOL! XOXOXO
lol you really are too much!! Had me over here cracking up 😀
Hi Tasha! I’m always glad to make everyone laugh…and my post was a success because you got a good laugh out of it! That makes me happy ! XOXOXOXO!!!
Yeah, isn’t it is funny how one day you look in the mirror and “Damn!”, there’s an old woman looking back? I don’t know how that happens. It should be linear, just a little bit every day so it doesn’t smack you in the face like that. I hardly ever wear any makeup. If I do it is mascara and eye shadow. But, now that I’ve seen your before and after, I’m gonna go out there and get me some of that.
Dinata–it IS so true. It hit me one day while in the passenger seat of the car and I saw my reflection in the side-view mirror. It was a complete “WTF” moment. How DID I become such an old hag???????????????????? And that is why make up and a smile are my friends. LOL! Smiles are free and they make everyone look a lot younger! XOXOXO!!!
Beautiful look today! Thanks for the tip on the sponge – I’ll try to look for it! As a foundation junkie myself, it’s good to know about the Elf foundation! It looks beautiful on you – I’ll need to check this out myself. Lucky for me there is a Primark not far from my office. I will run out and pick up a pair of these leggins to try – I’ve been stocking up on the Assets brand that are sold at Target whenever I’m in the US and I love them! they Hold EVERYTHING in and are super comfortable – they are my daily “uniform” but at $30.00 a pair – It would be nice to find a cheaper version here! Thanks fo rthe tip!! BTW – Love your plaid today! 🙂 xoxo Suzanne
Oh yeah! Target is right up the street from where I live and I’m familiar with the ASSETS brand but they are a bit pricey–even for Target. I’m telling you the Primark leggings are incredible. I’m heading off to make another purchase in a bit. I need to get there before the big “snow” that the meteorologists are predicting! Being a foundation junkie, I first purchased the ELF foundation because I wanted something to mix in with my higher-end stuff. I figured for six bucks I wasn’t losing much if it didn’t work out–but it works like a charm. Let me know what you think after the leggings and foundation!! XOXOXOXO!
I get a little guilty pleasure out of reading your blogs about this stuff. Someday I’ll have to do a post about makeup that scarred me for life! 😀 Loved it!
Awww. C’mon! Now you’ve piqued my curiosity. Please do a post about the makeup that scarred you for life!! WE all have those stories..and when you look back on them-they can be quite funny! XOXOXOXO!!
Need the right “venue” for it. I suspect one of these days the Sandbox prompts will give me one.
You look marvelous, but I haven’t a clue about contouring and highlighting. If I can put a bit of blush and powder on I think I’m ‘made up’. Oh, gosh so much to learn, and I’m 73!
..and at 73 you are young!! I’ve been hooked on YouTube videos..and surprisingly, you can find a few “mature” women among the sea of the twenty-somethings! I’m telling you, you can get hooked! XOXOXO!
Catherine , you are the best 🙂 and you are Beautiful with or without makeup , you shine 🙂 but please keep writing on your best products and strategies for our benefit 😉
I was going to comment on how great your hair looked thinking you had just done it 😉
We have Primark over here too , I’ll look for the leggings 🙂
Turtle Hugs
Thanks Turtle. I will keep writing! OMG–I bought two pairs today. They had navy. I need to go back to get some for Oona! XOXOXOXO!
I will have to try out the Elf foundation. I read a tip in a magazine about Elf primer and tried it, It is really great and a whole lot cheaper than most. They have Elf products at Old Navy.
I just signed up to your blog and know I am going to be addicted very shortly!! Really enjoyed this post. Enjoy hearing about older lady stuff!! By the way, I am 69.
Hi Anne–and welcome to the world of Atypical60! I hope you will enjoy my other posts–this is a great group of friends we have here! I’m always on the snoop for a decent and inexpensive primer. I’ve spent a lot of money on the Hourglass primer and the Smashbox primers and found out that Maybelline and Hard Candy have primers that are far less expensive and do the same job. I’m going to have to check out the Elf primer. BTW the Elf brushes are fantastic and so inexpensive!! We old ladies HAVE to stick together! XOXOXOXO!!!
I’m a big fan of the Beauty Blender, but have been meaning to try some of the dupes. BTW, they now make one without any color. Found that on amazon. I wash mine every few days with dish soap, which I figure disinfects it, and am content with the fact that it will retain some makeup stains. You look fantastic!
Hi femme! Definitely give one of the dupes a try. The idea of a colorless BB is intriguing though! I DID try washing my BB and the dupe with both dish soap and olive oil (I read that in another review) and it worked really well–but I don’t want to use the GOOD olive oil–LOL! It’s funny, Bonaparte cannot understand why I can be so messy and slobery with some things but yet with my makeup tools I’m OCD about keeping them clean! Thanks for the compliment on my looks–I gracefully accept. You’re looking mighty fine yourself! XOXOXO!
Oh Catherine… You do realize that you are perfectly fine just as you are right? Now I’ve no right to tell you not to do something you want to do. I’m not saying that. But I am saying that you are beautiful as you are, prior to the make-up process. Why not take a moment and just appreciate those tiny folds and crevices? That’s a sign of wisdom truth be told.
Anyway, I enjoyed reading this. I do hope you don’t take offense to anything I said, because it is out of love.
Also, I’m wondering how you met Bonaparte? I’m really curious! Have a link to a post for me maybe?
Take care of yourself! 🙂
Hi Pineapple! Oh I don’t take offense at all! I love your kind and actually, wise, words! How Bonaparte and I met: http://atypical60.com/2015/05/13/move-over-josephine-bonaparte-is-mine-the-story-of-how-a-new-york-girl-and-parisian-man-met/
Enjoy the story!!!! XOXOXXOXO!
Thank you Dearest! I look forward to reading it 😀
I love your writing style! I found myself chuckle quite few times. Thank you for that! 😄
I haven’t used Revive one but I love Beauty Blender! Few days back I wrote a little review about it while also comparing BB with Real Techniques sponge. You might want to check that out 😉 Also it would be great if you followed me back so we could support each other on this road of blogging 😊👌
Hi Adryana! Thank you! Ohhhhh. I just purchased the Real Techniques sponge yesterday and literally threw it in my carry on bag for next week’s trip. I have to check out your review and I am now a follower!!! XOXOXOXO!
Thank you so much! 😊 I hope you have a nice trip ahead 👍