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
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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.

Boots Oil-Absorbing Sheets Review

Excuse the lighting in this photo. Bad weather and the main light in the living room going out didn't help the situation.

This review would probably sound a lot more appealing if Boots had simply used the term "Blotting Papers" but kudos for saying it like it is. Many people will have used blotting papers with varying levels of success. Most of the time I found them to be tiny sheets of paper that smeared my makeup leaving a white powdery cast on my face. Which is why most people still use powder and brush to touch up, however, this past summer Boots Oil-Absorbing Sheets have become my handbag staple.

The purpose of the sheets is to remove excess oil, eliminating shine, and providing a matte complexion all without smudging any makeup you may be wearing at the time and boy do these sheets deliver! Any excess oil is absorbed quickly with no residue or white mask left behind, crucially any make up I was wearing at the time remained intact so no need for touch-ups afterward. Probably the best thing about them is that the sheets are impregnated with salicylic acid to help prevent breakouts and I've not noticed any excess dryness on my skin after using the sheets.

The sheets themselves have a light peachy colour to them but as individuals are a soft white and to use one you simply rip them out of the packaging. What I like specifically about these sheets is that they are larger than other brands I have used in the past. Past papers tended to be on the small side meaning you had to use multiple sheets to have any effect. At a whopping 3"x 2" (80mm x 55mm) in size, I find I can use one sheet and go.

In terms of packaging, the sheets are contained in a simple reinforced cardboard case no larger than a credit card. The sides are left open and to access the sheets you simply slide the tab out of its slot. Packaging style is basic blue and white providing all the product information on the outside. Word of advice keep these sheets stored away in a pocket in your bag or makeup pouch and not rolling around loose. My first pack met a sorry state when a pint was spilled over my open handbag on a night out.

Boots Oil-Absorbing Sheets would be a perfect addition to any gym bag, office desk and with the festive seasons around the corner your bag for all the Christmas shindigs. You can find Boots Oil-Absorbing Sheets beside Boots own cleansing brands in stores or you can purchase the items here.

New Beginnings

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It has been well over a year since the last blog post on Jute, Jam, and Joy. Why? Well, there are many reasons why with the main one being life. I will not bore you with the details, but a lot has changed, and I am still recovering from trying to remember then resetting all the passwords to the blog and connected social media sites. A new streamlined approach has been taken, so it was goodbye to our Facebook page, and the fate of our Instagram page is still to be decided.

The blog has also had a revamp, nothing major just a more uniform font and colour with a fresh new background. Things will most likely change as blogging becomes a part of life again and I reteach myself how to use Blogger.

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Looking forward now to new content Jute, Jam, and Joy was not solely about beauty. However, it was the largest component of previous blog posts. Beauty reviews will still be part of the blog combined with more culture and lifestyle posts. Experiencing more what's on our doorstep was a big motivation for starting the blog up again, providing a reason to say yes more and explore our surroundings.

Blog posts about new beginnings can ramble on a bit (and are never complete without motivational quotes) so I will round it up here. Thank you to those who checked the blog to see if it was still active it is very much appreciated. A goal has been set for one post a month so new content will be on its way soon. As always you can find us here on Twitter and please leave any comments you have down below. So now onward and upwards here's to a new chapter in the Jute, Jam, and Joy life. Cheers!

M

Under the Sea...

As the summer holidays draw to a close, thoughts often turn to new stationary. I may not be going back to school but with a new year of university drawing ever closer it was high time I purchased some new notebooks; and aren't these lovely.

The past year I have been very strict about not buying any new notebooks, I had piles laying around the house half used and it needed to stop. So far the ban has been a success and the pile has dwindled into nothing (Ok, I lie say 3, a girl needs options right? Right?) However when I spotted these beauties at The Range store I knew they had to come home with me.

At the moment I've been going through what I like to call the "Ocean Phase". Everything I'm buying whether it be plates or clothing has some sort of ocean inspiration behind it. Why I'm not sure; I find the sea calming and just now I'm loving all things aquatics big time.

For the price, these notebooks are top notch. The quality of the paper is as what you would find in a more expensive notebook, not the paper thin. You receive 60 sheets per notebook which is more than ample for some quick uni note taking. The books are thread bound which I prefer over gummed adding a nice little touch to the overall style. They are so lovely I probably would have paid double for them if they were in the stationary section of TKMaxx.

I can't find these on The Range website so it would probably be best to pop in if you fancy getting them yourself. Prices start from £1.50. The Range has a wide ranging stationary section and you are bound to find something exciting whenever you go in, I know I always do.

So have you purchased any new stationary recently?

Let us know in the comments below we love hearing from you!

Mish x

Disclaimer: Photographs copyright of Mish at Jute, Jam and Joy

I have no affiliation with The Range store, all views my own.