Natural Konjac Sponge Review

Sorry, what? I hear you cry! Yes for the past few weeks I have been using a sponge to cleanse my face, a Konjac sponge to be exact. 

The Konjac sponge is an import from the ever wonderful Asian beauty market. The sponges can vary in size and originate from the Konjac plant, also known as the devil's tongue, voodoo lily, and snake palm. 

The Konjac Plant
Source

Last month, the skin on my face became very temperamental and sensitive, my rosacea flared up and my skin became heavily congested. I am putting it down to the viral bug I had over Christmas/ New Year’s seeking its final revenge but nevertheless, it wasn't fun. Reverting to a simple cleansing routine coinciding with wearing minimal helped significantly but my face still needed something a little stronger but still gentle to really clean it out.

The Konjac Sponge

Enter stage left, Spa to You Natural Konjac Sponge. I received this sponge in a Glossybox last year and it has been sitting on my beauty shelf waiting for its starring role. As the sponge is more gentle than regular scrubs it's ideal for daily exfoliating and is PH Balanced so it won’t throw off your skin's PH levels. As it's made from natural fibers it doesn't contain any preservatives, chemicals, and no added colours. Being 100% Biodegradable means no worries when you dispose of the sponge nor will it linger in the water system like Microbeads.

Hard to show the difference but this is what the sponge looks like wet, without any cleanser on it

How to use a Konjac Sponge

Step 1: Soak the sponge in warm water for a few minutes, the sponge will only slightly expand, unlike the beauty blender. Gently squeeze out excess water before use. The sponge will then take on a spongy gel like feeling. Don't let this put you off!

Step 2: Splash your face with warm water then using a cleanser of your choice (I’ve been using the Olay Refreshing Facial Cleanser) or on its own, use the sponge to massage your face in gentle circular motions. Use the pointed end to really get into those nooks and crannies around the nose.  

Step 3: When finished, rinse the sponge out thoroughly and squeeze till dry. Let it hang out in a well-ventilated area when not in use. 

                                                                  

Only one sponge comes per pack.

Results

I found after the first use my skin looked more radiant than before and it really was effective in getting rid of those horrible little bumps I get on my chin and jawline. My pores were more refined and the dry skin I suffer from on my forehead was greatly reduced. As the sponge helps create a rich lather I found myself using less cleanser which is a plus. Bonus points also for it being really gentle and rather relaxing to use.

Many brands have brought out their own Konjac sponges and there is a big market with sponges containing French Pink Clay or charcoal. I can't attest to the benefits those would bring to your skincare, however, the original Konjac sponge has worked wonders on my skin at a time it really needed it. On a side note due to the gel-like texture the sponge takes on when it becomes wet you can use it without a cleanser. However, I would suggest using either a cream or gel-based cleanser rather than an oil based one. I just feel it would be harder to clean the sponge after using an oil cleanser but I could be wrong.

I've found it difficult to get onto the Spa To You website so I am attaching a link to The Konjac Sponge Company on Feel Unique here. This is where I will purchase my new sponges from in the future. Furthermore, you will be able to see the various types of Konjac Sponges available.

Will the Konjac sponge take over from my regular exfoliating regime? No, however it will have equal billing and when my skin does flare up I know I have something to rely on to gentle exfoliate my skin when it needs it.



All photos copyright of Mish @Jute, Jam, and Joy.
I am not affiliated with any companies mentioned in this post.

Nails on Monday: NCLA I Only Fly Private Review

Every so often a nail polish comes into your life that is so perfect for that moment in time it adorns your nails as soon as possible. NCLA's I only Fly Private is that polish. The day it arrived the first sun of spring had broken through the clouds and all was good in life. NCLA was a new brand to me before this bottle came with March's Glossybox, and here is what the brand has to say for themselves.

"We're a proudly "5 Free" luxury nail lacquer, meaning we are not only 100% free of DBP, toulene, and formaldehyde, but also of camphor and animal testing. Because we love our furry friends and toxins aren't fashionable."

Could it be any more perfect?

I Only Fly Private is described by NCLA as a bold, no apologies Bright Orange. Although the colour is bright, I wouldn't say it was in your face unlike my Pop Orange polish reviewed here: Link.

The colour is bright with a pastel tone to it, a creamy peachy/orange if you would. It stands out but isn't in your face; perfect for people who wish for a splash of colour.

The bottle itself is a lovely square design which is comfortable to hold during application, and the handle is smooth allowing a secure grip. Inside is a medium length brush where the bristles fan out towards the end. After two coats you are left with a glossy, nearly opaque base, however, three thin coats would be best, as I could see some nail base peeping through near my cuticle after two coats.  The polish did take longer to dry than other formulas which I'm putting down to the fact it doesn't contain any quick drying chemicals. As always I apply a top coat just for that extra protection.

Now I managed to smudge my nails once I painted them so after one one day, minimal chipping did appear which disheartened me a little, however, after four days my nails still looked acceptable; a quick application of top coat would tidy your nails up nicely if you were in a rush.

The nails after 1 coat. My camera battery died before I could take a shot once I painted the second coat but I like to see the initial colour when I'm looking at nail swatches.

To conclude I Only Fly Private is becoming a staple in my collection, something to fall back on when I can't decide what to do with my nails. The formula is lovely, the application is easy, the colour is fantastic, and the polish lasts on the nails. Now if only I could find a way to fly Private all the time...

 Have you heard of NCLA before?

Discovered any new nail polish brands you think we should hear about?

Leave us a comment below we love hearing from you!

 Mish x

Disclaimer: All photographs copyright of Mish at Jute, Jam and Joy.
I have no affiliation with any brands mentioned in this post.

Glossybox February 2015 Review

As Valentine's Day is this month Glossybox have given February's box a "LOVE" theme. In this month's box we have 3 full sized products and 2 test size and a mini packet of love hearts where a nice touch. I will review some products in more detail later on in the month, as this post is just a review of the overall box I received.

Yes I ate the Love Hearts before I took the photos. woops

Wilkinson Sword Hydro Silk

I'm not the biggest fan of razors with built in shaving cream bars, they become so messy after a couple of uses and I need to change the cartridge. Saying that in a previous Glossybox I received a Wilkinson Sword Intuition Plus Hydra Razor and loved it, due to the fact I could get more decent applications from it. Razor's not the most exciting thing in the world but always handy to have a few spare. This was a full sized product.

MARSK Mineral Eyeshadow

Sticking with the "ahem" Love theme we have MARSK eyeshadow "Fifty Shades" and what you recieve is a small amount of grey shimmery eyeshadow surprising me as this was classed as being fulled sized. Nevertheless what I enjoy about Glossybox is receiving products from companies I have never heard of and Marsk joins the club. MARSK is based in Sydney and England and aims to create natural and organic products. The product is talc, paraben, fragrance and GM free and they don't test on animals. Win, win. Will be intrigued to see how it wears.

Royal Apothic Tinties

Firstly the box is a little cutey and the liptint container is a throwback to the old Apothecary days to which the brand have based their products on. I received the colour Coral which is bright in the jar but mellows once applied. I have heard of Royal Apothic before and was keen to try their products, first impressions is that the Tinties seem lovely and light creating a nice, even tint across the lips. This was a full sized product.

So Susan - Rose Quartet Lip & Cheek Palette in Warm Rose

I am aiming to use more palettes this year and this lip and cheek cream one ticks the boxes. Another brand I haven't heard of but another gorgeous box.  The actually packaging of the palette is horrible cheap plastic and rather oddly contains no mirror even though there appears to be a space for one. The four colours are a good mixture and appear to apply well to the skin. I think this would really do well on a night out instead of lugging about your lipsticks.

got2be - All Star 10 in 1 styling

This product promises to create (deep breath) shine, fullness, strength, thickness smoothness, suppleness, protection, anti-frizz, anti-humidity and shape to your hair. A big promise, but I am keen to try it as I am a sucker for multiple treatments in one easy to use product. Time will tell if this actually works. I will say this does smell like peaches which frankly makes the item shine in my eyes.


So February's Love themed Glossybox is a hit with me, as all products will definitely get used within the coming weeks, however I did feel the Tinties and So Suan Lip & Cheek cream where too similar. Maybe Love themed nail stickers would have been better instead? February's box was a nice mixture between practicality and a little sweetness in time for Valentine's Day. What more could you ask for?

From L to R:
got2be, Wilkinson Sword,
Royal Apothic Tinties, So Susan Lip & Cheek Palatte, Marsk eyeshadow

Do you subscribe to a beauty box?

 Have you tried Glossybox?

Leave us a comment below we love hearing from you!
Mish xx

Disclaimer; Photographs copyright Mish at Jute, Jam and Joy.

I have no connection to Glossybox, the box was my own purchase.