Beauty

Glowing Christmas Cheeks

Beauty | 16.10.2014 | Katja Kokko

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Since the new alcohol law makes it illegal to talk about w**e in blogs, I decided to write an article about cognac instead.

And since I’m sure cognac as a drink is a forbidden topic, too, I thought I would introduce you to an alternative that will give you an equally charming Christmas blush: the konjac sponge.

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Sponges made entirely out of the roots of the konjac plant have been around for a few years now, and they have gained a fairly magical reputation. When the French brand Absolution launched its own konjac sponge*, I decided I had discover its secrets for myself. Isabelle Carron, the founder of Absolution, had said that the sponge worked perfectly together with the brand’s micellar water*.

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Although the sponge is soft and smooth, and very gentle on the skin, it has enough texture to stimulate the micro circulation of the skin, remove dead skin cells and thus clarify the complexion. It can be used to remove masks and peels, but you get the most out of it when you use it with a cleanser. It can be used on all skin types, including sensitive, thin, and rosacea skin.

A good cleansing routine with the sponge begins with applying your cleanser of choice onto your skin, and then removing the cleanser by massaging your skin with the sponge. This is a nice way of boosting your cleansing routine once or twice a week, especially if you have sensitive skin – in which case you should be avoiding peels of any kind. For other skin types, you can use the sponge even twice a day, but especially before and after a Christmas party, to give your complexion a nice glow.

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Absolution’s micellar water and the sponge are brilliant combination – especially for all men, as they help to prevent folliculitis caused by shaving. Add a few pumps of micellar water onto a damp sponge and massage it against the skin to create a light foam.

I will be using this combo on an up-coming trip to a warm country (currently postponed to an as-of-yet unknown date), as well as mini-breaks and trips to the summer cabin. You could also throw it in your gym bag, as the ingenious packing of the micellar water makes it leak-proof.

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The micellar water is very caring, and the product would be more accurately called a cleansing and conditioning fluid. It was perfect as a moisturizer when I was in tropical Goa last February. The product a high content of hydrating and soothing aloe vera, brightening lemon balm and linden flower water, helichrysum italicum which regulates blood flow to the skin, as well sebum-regulating and pore-minimizing witch hazel water. It also contains potassium to improve cell metabolism, and zinc to prevent blemishes.

Softly glowing Christmas cheeks – before and after festivities!

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All that partying can leave the body and mind feeling a bit heavy, and you might long for something refreshing. May I recommend my favorite shower gel from Patyka (which is finally in finally in stock)? Whether you have stumbled home from a party in the small hours of the morning, or the polar night is making the call of your bed louder than usual, the peppermint scent of this shower gel will wake you up in no time.

Peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils are mild antiseptics, so this shower gel is an especially good choice if you have blemishes or congestion on your back.

Have you tried a konjac sponge? What did you think?

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*Affiliate link

Earrings Lily & Rose, Sofinah Shop, Uudenmaankatu 17

Photos Katja Kokko

Translation Katja Nikula

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