Let’s be real—the OG Beauty Blender is iconic, but dropping $20 on a single sponge hurts. Enter the BEAKEY 5-pack sponges, which promise similar performance at a fraction of the price. After testing them for weeks, here’s the tea.

The Good: These sponges are *surprisingly* soft—like squishing a marshmallow. They expand nicely when damp (though not as dramatically as some reviewers claimed) and blend liquid foundation decently. The teardrop shape is versatile: rounded side for cheeks, pointy end for under-eyes. Plus, they’re latex-free and didn’t irritate my sensitive skin.

The Meh: Blending isn’t *seamless*—you’ll need extra patting to avoid streaks, especially with cream products. They do absorb some foundation (RIP my Fenty drops), but less than other cheap dupes I’ve tried. Also, they feel slightly firmer than high-end sponges—not a dealbreaker, but noticeable if you prefer cloud-like squish.

Pro Tip: Wash them before first use! Mine had a faint chemical smell that disappeared after rinsing. And don’t expect miracles with powder or thick creams—they shine best with liquids.

Verdict: For $10-ish? A solid 8/10. They won’t replace your holy-grail blender, but as budget backups or travel staples? Totally worth it. Just don’t buy if you want *identical* luxury performance.