When comparing prices, I wouldn't consider the sponge. It's not really usable. [SEP] I was looking for a combo pack that had the make up sponge (being 1st priority) and a mat to clean brushes with (2nd priority because I already have a small one that works just fine).  Anyhow when I saw this pack I was excited at this price you usually can only get a sponge alone but instead this company is offering both. I was excited that is until I received the item. Not only did the sponge smell so bad that it took me 3 washes to get rid of the terrible smell (not only chemical but another gross smell with it either way I washed it with gloves out of curiosity to see if the smell would come out) and to be honest I am not comfortable using anything that smells like that especially on my face.  The funny and a little annoying thing about it is that the sponge is literally 3 quarters the size of a chap-stick no joke and I am being generous. I did however like the brush mat. That is the reason for the 3 star and since the sponge was the other half of this item and small I took off 2 stars for it being a big fat-FAIL.  Which at this price for a brush mat doesn't seem that big of a deal considering how many great mats there are on Amazon at the same price or less with 5 stars and that is what this should be compared to not as a mat w/ a bonus.