Favorite of the Month: February 2014 - Konjac Sponge

Favorites of the month items is something new that I want to try to do and that way I would regularly update my blog. There are times where I don't write anything for a month and then there are times where I post regularly twice a week. This favorite of the month type of post would hopefully keep me consistently posting at least once a month, though I really want to do more than just that. Anyways onto my favorite product of the month is the Muraqi Konjac Sponge.

The first time I have ever heard of a konjac sponge was when Boscia introduced their konjac sponge last year at Sephora. It was advertised as "pillow-soft" sponge that was made from 100% perservative-free konjac root originating from the Jeju Island in Korea, and that the konjac root was staple in Japanese beauty ritual for over a thousand years. "It is naturally alkaline and balances the acidity of the skin’s impurities and oils while being enriched with protein, carbohydrate, iron, phosphorus, copper, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and folic acid. (Sephora)" And just recently Boscia released their Konjac Sponge with Bamboo Charcoal.  was very interested in trying the product if not for the $18 price tag. However I was determine to my it on my next Sephora Haul. Luckily I came across the Muraqi Konjac Sponge during my Sasa haul, which I will reveal at a later post. At only $4.50, how could I say no? There are 2 version of the Muraqi Konjac Sponge, the original and the green tea version. I regret at only buying the original and not both considering how much I love this product. It gently exfoliates without being too harsh and irritating. I feel like it really helps cleanse my skin.

Even though the instructions are in Japanese, the pictures indicate very clearly to first moisten the sponge before massaging the face in a circular motion, and to squeeze out the excess moisture prior to hanging the sponge up to let it air dry.

Product Links:

Boscia Konjac Cleansing Sponge: Sephora, Boscia

Boscia Konjac Cleansing Sponge with Bamboo Charcoal: Sephora, Boscia

Muraqi Konjac Sponge: Sasa

Muraqi Green Tea Konjac Sponge: Sasa

Ipsy February Bag

Items Received: (left to right)

• City Color: Be Matte Blush in Fresh Melon
• Retail: $2.99 for 0.314oz/8.9g
• Sample Size: full size - 0.314oz/8.9g
• Verdict: Giveaway - Even though it is a full size item and cruelty free, I am not a big fan of it's ingredients of talc, mica, mineral oil, methylparaben, propyleparaben, tocopherylt acetate, fragrance, tocopherol, red 6 lake, red 7 lake, yellow 5 lake.
• First Aid Beauty: Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser with Red Clay
• Retail: $24 for 4.7oz
• Sample Size: 1 oz
• Verdict: Keep - I'm always willing to try new cleansers especially if its a foamy gel cleanser that's ideal for oily/combo/problem-prone skin. And also on the plus side there's no parabens, harsh chemicals or colorants.
• Zoya in Odette
• Retail: $9 for 0.5fl.oz / 15mL
• Sample Size: full size - 0.5fl.oz / 15mL
• Verdict: Toss-up - Normally I would keep all Zoya polish but I already bought this during Zoya's annual three free sale. I have yet to try this color but if I really love it I just may keep both of them.
• 'Tinibeauty: Eyeshadow + Base in Ambrosia
• Retail:  $18 for 0.14oz
• Sample Size: full size - 0.14oz
• Verdict: Toss-up- I like the color and I'm curious but not really liking the smell.
• Popbeauty Plump Pout in Peony Petal
• Retail: $16 0.3oz/8.5g
• Sample Size: 0.14oz/4g
• Verdict: Toss-up - I'm usually not a fan of Popbeauty products and I do have a lot of lip products so I may just give it away. On the other hand, it apparently suppose to stay on very well and leaves a stain after. I probably would not ever buy it considering the size of the actually product is more than double the size of the sample, and I think that's just too big.

Overall, I think Ipsy did really well this month. The Zoya polish plus the FAB cleanser makes it worth it even though I already own the Zoya color.