I've never used them, but now I want to
When you said "cold like wet paint" that interests me - I've found the best results mixing my paints with warm water. Also, when sponging, it's not even really wet, it feels more dry on the skin, only brushing should feel at all wet (I paint on my own face a lot to practice too).
Now, Starblend kinda tickles on me and on the kids I've used it on...