The Japanese Konjac Sponge: Green Tea Puff Review #KonjacSponge

I’m still on my Konjac sponge binge because they really perform so well. My skin has improved dramatically and I attribute it to being able to achieve gentle exfoliation on a daily basis, with zero irritations or adverse effects. Not all natural items agree with us, however the Konjac root really is so gentle and kind to the surface of my skin, that I can report less blemishes and just overall a better glowing complexion.

I learned this past week that not all sponges are created equal and a few days back had to unfortunately give negative remarks to a charcoal one that did not seem it was derived from what was noted. Not this time! I can easily report that I think I found the company to stick with. You know! The company that actually uses and makes a great product that is still 100% natural……that company is, The Japanese Konjac Sponge.

First, you will see just by how the product is made, stored and shipped to the consumer that this puff is on a whole other level. The Konjac sponge is nicely crafted and larger in circumference from the other brands I have tried. I have also learned through observation on how the “milling/grinding” of the vegetable root is done really makes the difference. Those air bubbles on this sponge are small and tight, just like I want the pores on my face to be! The Japanese Konjac Sponge company also has a huge array of sponges that are infused again with 100% natural ingredients to fit your needs:

• Bamboo Charcoal
• Cherry Blossom
• Green Tea
• Pure White
• Wild Mint
• Citrus Fruits
• All the above selections are also available in larger sizes for the Body.

I wish I found this company before because I was so happy with my first Konjac sponge, which I tried several months ago and that “Konjac High” started to fade when I noticed that respecting what you produce and make is not something everyone takes seriously. I started to feel the sponge was being treated as a fad and not really what it is, a product that works without gimmicks. You may see infusions to optimize performance but the base product has to be solid and The Japanese Konjac Sponge company produces one solid and great quality product that as of today, has outperformed all other brands I have tried.

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Retail Price Point: $11.65 for facial sponges and just $13.90 for the Body puffs via their website.  Visit Amazon and score this awesome sponge for $11.00!

Results:

I was kindly given the green tea version that is suitable for oily and combination skin types. My T-Zone has been acting up as the days warm up and my routinely normal skin areas have actually been more towards the dry side. On my first use, my skin is immediately evened out. The sponge feels solid in weight and balances nicely in my hand because of how well the vegetable root is packed and shaped. It’s soft on my skin and when I rinse my face, I notice I have an even skin tone and the green tea balanced my skin beautifully. I pat dry with a towel and 5 minutes later, my skin air drys and does not feel ultra-dry and stretched out, but just normal. Still soft to the touch and a nice glow but I can’t get pass the even complexion it left. I’m not blotchy and I remain like this for hours because I went with zero moisturizers to see if the green tea would dry me out. It did not!

Ingredients: 100% Konjac Glucomannan, Japanese Green Tea Extract, and Green Clay. The product is also handmade in Japan.

Final Verdict:

All these sponges orbit the $10 price point and some fluctuate up towards $12, with $18 being the highest I have seen. As most are $10, let me tell you that your face and safety of what you are using is worth the extra $1.65 here! The Japanese Konjac Sponge company takes care in production, they have a website that is full of information that is well written and easy for the consumer to learn how and what Konjac sponge will fit their needs. They have a web presence and coming from the girl that has tested all these 100% natural products, they are truly not all 100% equal so go with the best I have found so far, The Japanese Konjac Sponge Company.

Find the Konjac Sponge that fits your needs at:

• On-line
• Green Tea Konjac Sponge Link
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Amazon
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• Google+
• YouTube

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from The Japanese Konjac Company.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

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Milagrous Beauty: Natural Exfoliating Facial Massage Konjac Sponge #Review #Milagrous

I have been very eager to try new Konjac sponges from several different companies because trying is really the only way to know what’s the difference with all the infused additions like charcoal, green tea and so forth. I also get to learn what to look for in quality because you see some sponges ranging from $10 to $18. They all claim to do the same and let’s be honest, they look the same via the computer screen.

Konjac Charcoal sponges are usually formulated for oily complexions, acne prone to combination skin. The sponge is still like the original versions, made from the Konjac root, which is a vegetable. The vegetable’s fibers are perfect for gentle exfoliation and detoxifying the skin. The addition of charcoal helps clean out impurities that cause your typical skin problems like blackheads, clogged pores, blemishes to even controlling the oil (sebum) your skin may be susceptible to producing. Due to the product being natural and gentle to the skin’s surface, if you suffer from sensitive skin, this form of washing and exfoliating will not cause further irritation but actually calm your skin. You should see improvements in as little as 2 weeks with daily use.

I notice the Sponge is not formed well (dented)

Lighter in color and texture than other Charcoal Konjac Sponges

I have tried the original/plain Konjac sponges, Charcoal and also a Green Tea versions prior to using the Charcoal sponge from Milagrous Beauty. I first noticed this is the first sponge that arrived in a bag versus a box like most others. The sponge is also not pre-wrapped in a plastic wrap….just sort of dancing in the bag. I notice this sponge feels lighter in weight and density (in dry form) from my other Charcoal based Konjac sponges from different manufactures. I wet the sponge and begin gently exfoliating, using a circular motion and applying light pressure. I notice that the sponge has at the center a more dense portion that feels almost like a knot but 75% of the remainder of the sponge, is not very dense at all. The bathroom’s light reflects through much easily than with other charcoal sponges I have used and this one is more a gray in color as it furthers away from that middle knot I referred to before.

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Results:
My skin does not feel too clean, so I tried a second use and notice the sponge is leaving an almost jelly like residue. I understand the charcoal and root leave a residue but I have never experienced a jelly/sticky film. I have to be super delicate in how I hold the sponge because like any wet product, it becomes softer but this one dimples and collapses badly that I am afraid to poke a nail through and shorten the life span of the sponge.

Retail Price Point: $10.00 via Amazon

You can see here the fray ithe sponge came with

Once wet the fray becomes worse

I used a hook supplied from another Manufacture for proper drying

The product states a shelf life of 3 years on the packaging, which lists Qingdao Fujiale Cosmetic Products Co., Ltd as the manufacture and states to refer to the “sealing” for the date it was made. None was listed or written anywhere on the packaging. Like with all my Konjac sponges, they need to dry and air out to stay clean and reduce any bacteria from producing, so most manufactures include hooks. None was included. Bacteria is bad enough for anyone’s skin and can be worse if you suffer from acne, where you may have open skin caused by pimples…….so maybe using such packaging is not the safest for the product or even user. You add that no hook is supplied and I’m willing to even make the leap that this is a refill as I use the hook I already was supplied by another company.  I was just not too satisfied seeing sponge dust at the bottom of the bag, the sponge is not well shaped/formed, and you have dead links when it comes to the companies Facebook, Twitter to the Website page they supplied as contact information.  The product did not perform like any other Konjac sponge I have used prior to this one and that is even trying to ignore the jelly like residue left on my skin.  You then take into account the price point that is identical to other manufactures where the sponges outperformed this one, so I can’t even say you pay 1/2 and get 1/2 the performance.  You still pay $10 and end up with what I call a sponge.  I just can’t recommend a product that is not consistent to what I have seen and used on the market.  Milagrous Beauty does offer a 100% Money-Back Guarantee, so this may be something to consider if you wish to try their products.

 

Connect with Milagrous Beauty when they are up and running at:

• On-line
• Amazon
• Facebook
• Twitter
• #Milagrous

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Milagrous Beauty.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

Kiss Me Organics: Ceremonial Grade Matcha Tea #Review #OrganicCeremonialGradeMatcha

Not too long ago I got the opportunity to review Kiss Me Organics Matcha Green Tea. I liked it. A lot. Clean, not jittery, energy and overall a nice switch from regular coffees and teas. Kiss Me Organics decided to then send me the Ceremonial Grade Matcha. I’m more than game.

Ceremonial grade Matcha must meet specific guidelines. From only the youngest, brightest, most vibrant leaves, grown in the shade, from only the very tip of the bush. Streamed, air dried, and stone-ground, this highest grade green tea is traditionally harvested from specific regions of the Japanese mountains, and is reserved for special occasions or a special treat due to the unique conditions required for growing and harvesting. It’s taste is unique as well, delicate but also full bodied with high sweet notes and a touch of butter at the finish.

Kiss Me Organics Ceremonial Grade Matcha is also the most sensitive to light and oxidization due to it’s delicate nature. So it comes in a vacuum sealed foil pouch inside a sealed metal tin with a twist off top that seals airtight again after. Kiss Me Organics is serious about this tea, and one taste will tell you it’s worth the effort. Ceremonial grade is the highest in nutrients, antioxidants, chlorophyll and fiber as well, with no artificial flavors or colors. I didn’t think I’d notice so much difference from one grade to the next, but I did. It’s a whisked tea that’s thicker, richer, and with more range in the flavor than the premium grade. It leave s just a little sediment at the bottom, but that’s nothing to complain about. I just love this tea.

If you’re wondering if the higher grade is worth the higher price, I say it is. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and plan to save it for special occasions. It has all the same energy benefits I noted with the premium version. It also has the one big drawback too. It’s so finely ground that it’s nearly impossible to not drop a bit, and it stains almost instantly. So I’d advise preparing your tea over glass or something that is glazed and dishwasher safe. I hope my readers treat themselves to this tea and enjoy it as much as I did.

Retail Price Point: $28.00 via Amazon

Connect with Kiss Me Organics:

• On the web
• On Facebook
• On Twitter
• On Pinterest
• On Amazon

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Kiss Me Organics LLC.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Kiss Me Organics: Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder #Review

I was looking for some time for a way to incorporate a more natural approach when it came to replacing my caffeine pills. I love and enjoy drinking tea very much, but it’s not my main source when it comes to energy. In the morning if I have to run errands, the last thing I want is to drink more fluids than I already do!

I started reading about Green Tea and alternatives when it came to sources. Trying to think beyond the tea bag here and found Matcha. Matcha, is finely milled or fine powder green tea. So before you start just crushing tea leaves with a mortar and pestle, this is what makes Matcha distinctive and more nutritious. Matcha like other supplements has certain standards and qualities it must meet to carry the name. For one, the leaves must be grown in the shade to preserve their qualities and potency. Sun oxidizes the leaf and decreases the potency. A quality Matcha powder is rich with antioxidants (i.e. L-Theanine). L-theanine (also known as Suntheanine), is an antioxidant that helps with reducing stress and also aids the cardiovascular system. L-theanine, also minimizes the negative effects associated with caffeine; jitters, speedy effect, being jumpy/nervous is reduced. You still get that natural energy boost to help you get through the day, and may even assist with burning fat. Among the other benefits I read, Matcha can help with moods, liver cleansing, assist with sleep by allowing the state of “deep sleep” become more achievable to weight loss (balancing fat and muscle).  I even read where Matcha is attributed to better skin health, helping to detoxify and brighten your skin, which something I did notice change from just drinking green tea.

Kiss Me Organics Quality:

Getting a good source of Matcha is key and Kiss Me Organics delivers a finely milled powder that is not grainy, vibrant green in color, and it does not have that “hay smell” you get from the oxidized and less powerful Matcha out on the market. The packaging allows the product to remain in a dark environment to preserve it’s potency and you can easily seal it closed and remove much of the air as possible at the same time. I was very happy with the product and how easy it blended with yogurt to even my coconut and almond milk mixes.

Not in the Mood for Matcha?

Like with everything, you want to change it up to not get bored and this is why coffee, like tea is made in so many different ways even if they were born from a bean or leaf. For those days that I was not in a green tea mood, I resorted to just filling gel capsules. Just purchase those empty capsules and fill them with Matcha. I noticed zero changes from ingesting the Matcha combined with a food product to just taking the capsule. I got all the benefits!

Results:

I don’t miss my caffeine pill and I thought the no jitters claim was false but I must admit that I’m calmer but energized……..so let’s call it controlled energy that allows me to focus. I also do sleep better and I’m more on a regular pattern, where I wake up at the same time and need my rest and sleep around the same time everyday too. I kind of like that turning on when I need to and finally getting deep restful sleep that you don’t know you were missing until you get it. I have been doing more and getting more done, so that also makes me feel better and I guess that does lift one’s mood 🙂

Retail Price Point: Via Amazon $49.77

Kiss Me Organics is a company that really supports the products they distribute. They sent me recipes that helped change up how I got my Matcha for the day but was also making sure I was happy and satisfied with the product. That level of customer service is very appreciated now a days and Kiss Me Organics stands by their product with a zero hassle money-back guarantee!

Try Matcha via Kiss Me Organics and connect with them here:

• Amazon
• On-line
• FaceBook
• Go to their on-line page and enter your e-mail address to be alerted on promotions to even coupons
• #KissMeOrganicsMatcha

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Kiss Me Organics.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.