Tool Thursday: Dior Backstage Blender Fluid Foundation Sponge Review

Dior Backstage Blender Fluid Foundation Sponge
Dior Backstage Blender Fluid Foundation Sponge
Dior Backstage Blender Fluid Foundation Sponge
Dior Backstage Blender Fluid Foundation Sponge
Dior Backstage Blender Fluid Foundation Sponge
Dior Backstage Blender Fluid Foundation Sponge
Dior Backstage Blender Fluid Foundation Sponge
Dior Backstage Blender Fluid Foundation Sponge
Dior Backstage Blender Fluid Foundation Sponge
Dior Backstage Blender Fluid Foundation Sponge

Measurement

  • 6.4 cm H x 3.81 cm D (2.5 in H x 1.5 in D)

Review & Usage

Dior Backstage Blender Fluid Foundation Sponge has been well received since its launch a little more than a month ago and I can see why! It is indeed such a great little tool! :)

First of all, it has an uncannily similar tear-drop shape to the famous Beautyblender except for the flat circular bottom where it can stand up on its own. Based on online reviews, including Sunny’s, it is meant to be used dry but I did try dampen it to see if it would make a difference, and it did, but only slightly. The finish was a bit more dewy when the sponge was dampened.

The tapered tip is great for applying foundation in the hard-to-reach areas such as around the eyes, nose, and mouth; the side is for blending on the wider areas of the face such as on the cheeks and forehead; and the flat bottom is for going into the areas where higher coverage is needed.

It is very dense compared to my other makeup sponges so it doesn’t absorb the foundation too much. Compared to traditional foundation brushes, it provides much better coverage and flawless, streak-free finish. It blends my foundation so smoothly and seamlessly that I’ve been neglecting my foundation brushes altogether! :)

Now you may want to know how it compares to the Beautyblender.

  • It is slightly bigger. It has a flat bottom (instead of round). It doesn’t expand in size when dampened.
  • It is much denser so it is less bouncy. It also absorbs much less foundation.
  • It doesn’t bleed during washing (my pink Beautyblender does).
  • It provides higher coverage and covers problem areas more effectively. The Beautyblender offers a more skin-like finish.
  • It is generally a soft sponge but it is nowhere near as soft as the Beautyblender. The Beautyblender has a much lighter and bouncier feel. However, according to my reader Wendy Misener, it will soften up over time.

I personally like them both. I suppose it depends on the coverage I need. If I want a light, natural, or dewy finish, I will use the Beautyblender. If I want higher coverage, I’ll use the Dior Backstage Blender. :)

What about you? Have you tried both? Which one do you like better?

Purchase

US$20 at NordstromMacy’sBloomingdale’sDior

At Dior counters

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23 Comments

  1. I haven’t tried this one as I usually prefer the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush for liquid foundations and setting powders, but lately I’ve been using the Beautyblender and enjoying it. You definitely get a much more dewy finish with the BB than the brush. I think this Dior sponge sounds right up my alley. Great review, honey bear!

    1. says: Jaa

      Thanks, Kristen! I’ve been into sponges, too, lately for applying my base! Saw you IG pix, girl, you’re soaking some sun in Phoenix! I’m jel!!! >.< It's cold here. T_T

  2. says: Lily

    I have yet to try this one. I am still testing out the Beautyblender, for the second time because the first time, it just ripped after I washed it the second time. I was very unhappy. I should get this just to compare, but I nearly always prefer brushes to sponges :-P

    1. says: Jaa

      You ripped it?!! How did you rip it? LOL Too much force? This one is much denser and has a less “fragile” feel if you know what I mean. :D

  3. says: Erin

    GAH, I was hopping one would win over the other. I tend to prefer more natural coverage but this sounds like less of hassle than the BB. GRRRR.

  4. Thank you for this review ! I have this for a while but didn’t had time to use it.
    I find myself always pick my Dior foundation brush (the one which looks like the Shiseido foundation brush) in a hurry these days to apply my cream foundation.
    I didn’t had bblender before and i’m curious to use my BackstageBlender. How long does it dry after the washing ?
    What i like with the brush is that i dont have to wash it after every single use. And that i dont have the foundation on my fingers. That’s maybe why i didn’t try it yet.
    Xoxo
    Michelle

    1. says: Jaa

      Hey Michelle, I think both brushes and sponges have their own pros and cons! Brushes are much quicker just like you said but I find the finish is smoother and more natural with sponges. I usually wash my Dior blender before I go to bed and it seems to dry overnight. :)

  5. says: Sunny

    Hey Jaa, thanks for the shout-out! I’m glad to hear you love this, too. I haven’t looked at my foundation brushes much since I got this! Mine hasn’t really softened with time, but maybe I don’t use it enough (I don’t wear foundation every day). Anyways, it’s definitely something I’ll repurchase again and again!

    1. says: Jaa

      No? Well, if it gets softer, fine, if it doesn’t, that’s even better since I like it the way it is now! I don’t wear foundation everyday, either, maybe a couple times a week. :D Do you know if it is permanent? It’s out of stock on Nordstrom and Dior website and I’m not sure if it’s because it’s LE?

      1. says: Sunny

        You know what, I was washing mine earlier and I think your reader has a point: it IS softer now that I think about it!

        I’ve been told it’s permanent! I’m hoping it’s temporarily out of stock? I’d be so heartbroken if it isn’t!

  6. says: Liz

    I haven’t tried the Dior sponge but I have a sponge comparison post coming up as well. I like that the Dior seems different – maybe more resilient over time as well.

    1. says: Jaa

      Hey Liz! I can’t wait to read your review! Hopefully there will be the RT one included in your comparison since I’ve been curious to try it!

  7. says: Dee

    Ah another sponge blender..I did pick up the BB minis recently and have 3 other sponge type blenders so ill probably pass on this one, but I do love them and the concept in general ! Thanks for the amazing pics again xo

    1. says: Jaa

      How do you like the mini ones, Dee? I’m still a bit undecided. They are just so small and I have a hard time getting a good grip while using them!

  8. says: Sylirael

    I’ll be honest, I am really intrigued by all these egg-shaped sponges (including that Real Techniques one)! The only things that are stopping me from exploring them are 1) The price – I think beautyblenders are like $40 each here, and 2) the fact that I rarely wear liquid foundation – the only one I own is actually a BB cream, LOL!

    I find brushes give me a really streaky finish (probably my fault, LOL), so I ususally use my fingers for my BB cream. I do wonder how this would work with it though, and what sort of finish I could get!

    1. says: Jaa

      I tend to use mainly sponges to apply my base these days. Fingers are just too messy for me. LOL. I think this one works with BB cream as well and will give a higher coverage than fingers.

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