Big International Beauty Giveaway: Liz Earle, Ren, Origins, Benefit etc.

Reviewing Some of InStyle's Best Beauty Buys 2015

Earlier this month I received an incredibly generous package from John Lewis in the post containing InStyle's Best Beauty Buys 2015 magazine as well as a selection of beauty products from the many wonderful brands that they stock. I haven't yet had a chance to try out everything that I was sent, but I  thought I would start by trying out the products that I was sent that also featured in InStyle's "best beauty buys list", so I'll be sharing mini-reviews of these products.

I'm always in two minds about these sorts of magazines as you always see the same brands and products being mentioned, and there isn't much scope for smaller brands getting recognition. However, that being said, I always enjoy reading expert recommendations and I did spot a couple of products that I hadn't seen before, which I now fully intend to go out and buy! Although all the products that I'll be featuring in today's blogpost are featured by InStyle (all of which have been very kindly gifted to me by John Lewis), I just wanted to make clear that this isn't a sponsored post and I wasn't obligated to write this blogpost. All my reviews today are entirely based on my personal experience with the products, which I fully enjoyed putting to the test!

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish*
available form John Lewis for £15.50 for 100ml

I discovered this cult cleanser when I first began writing my blog. I initially thought - because it had the word "polish" in the title - that this would be an exfoliating cleanser. However, since having the opportunity to try it for myself (I've gotten through two 250ml tubes in the last two years!) I now know that it is a thick, cream cleanser that you remove with a muslin cloth. And it's the exfoliating cloth that offers the "polishing"/exfoliating element. I was very grateful to receive a handy 30ml travel size tube of this cleanser as it really is a fabulous skincare product, and I especially like reaching for it when I have a lot of makeup to remove! 

Ren Moroccan Rose Otto Body Wash*

available from John Lewis for £18.00

I'm already a rose otto fan but I hadn't actually tried this Body Wash before! I've been using Balance Me's Rose Otto Body Wash for months and months and this Ren Body Wash is really similar but has a slightly thicker more jelly-like consistency. I really do quite like this product from Ren, I'd definitely repurchase it as it gives my daily shower such a luxurious feeling.

Clarins Exfoliating Body Scrub*

available from John Lewis for £29.00

Holy moly... this is a really nice body scrub. Like, really nice. It has the smallest little exfoliating particles that really get down into your pores and cleanse and scrub you into an oblivion of smooth-skin goodness. It's really gentle but incredibly effective - and also super easy to use. I like to use this on my arms and decollatage, applying the creamy scrub to dry skin, buffing it gentle across my skin before stepping into my shower and washing it away. It might seem expensive but it is a great option for sensitive skin and it really is one of the most effective yet gentle scrubs that I've ever used. Incredibly impressed! I can totally see why people would rave about it - good for you Clarins.

Balance Me Rose Otto Hand Cream*
available from John Lewis for £14.50 for 200ml

I'm already a very big fan of Balance Me's Rose Otto Range - I've gotten through two of their Rose Otto Body Washes in the last six months - and their hand cream doesn't disppoint! It has a thick, creamy texture with that same delicate rose scent that I've come to love. I really like this hand cream and I think it will appeal to so many people. Balance Me is one of the few brands that consistently impresses me and I'd highly recommend investing in their skincare and bodycare ranges.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair*

available from John Lewis for £48.00

I haven't given this a "proper" try as I've only used it for about a week. However, what I can tell you is how it compares on first impression to the other skincare oils that I'm used to. Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair has a lighter consistency than my MyChelle Argan Oil* and a similar consistency to my Mount Purious Rosehip Oil*. However, it doesn't feel as nourishing as either when you first use it. Instead, it seemed to do more overnight and the results were noticeable the next day when I woke up with smoother, fresher looking skin. Overall, my first impression is that this is a really good option to incorporate into your skincare routine and I can see why it featured in InStyle's Best of Beauty Guide - but it's just too expensive to tempt me to invest as I'm a really big fan of the oils I already use.

GHD Hairspray*

available from John Lewis for £3.95 for 75ml

This is sort of "cheating" as the hairspray itself wasn't listed in the Best of Beauty Guide, but GHD's  range did get a prominent feature so I thought I'd try out this hairspray anyway. I have to say, on first inspection I'm impressed with the hold and finish that it gives my hair. However, I think I have found my true hairspray love in L'Oreal Elnett so I don't think that I would repurchase this. But it definitely isn't a bad product and it's reasonably priced (even though you're almost certainly paying more for the brand name).

Aveda Smooth Infusion Naturally Straight*

available from John Lewis for £21.50 for 150ml
This is another "cheat" because Aveda's haircare range got a mention, but not specifically the Smooth Infusion Naturally Straight. This is a really nicely textured liquid-cream product that you work into your hair before blowdrying to reduce frizz and help achieve a naturally straight looking style. I found that it offered decent hold and did help keep my hair looking neater and less wavy than normal. However, my hair is naturally quite straight so I can't say if it does a truly tremendous job. But that being said, I love the texture of the product and the way it left my hair feeling so I'd definitely reach for it again if I had the choice!

I have to say a big thank you to John Lewis for giving me the opportunity to try out some of InStyle's Best of Beauty picks - and you can view all the winners on John Lewis' website here. I'd love to know if you've tried any of these products and what you thought about them. And you'll be happy to know that I'm now trialling the rest of the products that I was sent so that I can share some more mini-reviews next month :)

Click here to enter my Steamcream Giveaway to win a limited edition tin of your choice

Removing Party Makeup

A first step…

If you get home from a night out and you're still in the mood for doing a full skincare routine then I'd recommend starting off by removing your make up with a product designed specifically to de-gunk your skin. I've been loving Gatineau's Floracil Gentle Eye Makeup Remover*, it's super effective at removing even waterproof eye makeup but it's still really gentle. I apply some product to a cotton pad, sweep it across my face until all my makeup is removed and then splash my face with warm water before using a cream cleanser. 

A one step wonder…

If you get home and you're not up to a full skincare routine but you can still be bothered to remove your makeup and cleanse your skin, this is when I'd recommend a one step wonder - a product that offers you a thorough yet gentle cleanse in just one step. My two current favourites are Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish and Skin & Tonic's Steam Clean. When I use either of them, I apply the product to dry skin, massage it for a couple of minutes and then I remove it with a muslin cloth soaked in hot water. They're both very effective cleansers, and they leave you with clean, smooth skin. 

A bedside saviour...

If all else fails, and you stumble into the house after your night out on the town too tired or inebriated to be bothered to do your full skincare routine, then this is when face wipes really come in handy. I've been keeping a pack of Yes to Carrots Gentle Cleansing Wipes on my bedside table for any makeup-removing emergencies. They're not miracle workers but they're good for removing the bulk of your makeup as they're very moist.

Best Makeup Remover: What to Buy

Best Makeup Remover for Sensitive Skin

My Pick: Bioderma's Sensibio H2O Micellar Solution

If you have sensitive skin then I'd definitely recommend Bioderma's Micellar Solution. I find that it removes all my make-up so easily and doesn't irritate my skin at all. It's on the pricier side but if you're a skincare junkie then it is definitely worth trying. It's puts a lot of other makeup removers in perspective!

Best Makeup Remover for Oily/Blemish Prone Skin

My Pick: Vichy's Normaderm Micellar Solution*

If you have skin that's still on the sensitive side but that is also oily or blemish prone then Vichy's Normaderm Micellar Solution is a great solution. I found that it wasn't harsh on my skin but it did work really well at combatting blemishes, not only removing my make-up but also helping to clear my skin.

Best Drugstore Makeup Remover 

My Pick: Garnier's Micellar Water

If you're looking for a drugstore micellar solution that will remove all makeup (even waterproof eye makeup) then I think you should definitely give this one from Garnier a try. It's very affordable and very easily available in the UK. I don't think it is as good for cleansing skin as my other recommendations, by I love it for removing my makeup.

Best Cult Makeup Remover

My Pick: Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish is a cream cleanser that you rub into dry skin and then remove with a muslin cloth soaked in warm water. It dissolves all your makeup upon application and makeup removal is so quick and easy. I find that it will remove everything - even tough waterproof eye makeup and lip stains. If you're looking for a makeup remover that also does a tremendous job of really cleansing the skin then this is my recommendation. When I use it regularly I find that my skin is left clear and bright and I enjoy reaching for it.


BONUS: The Makeup Remover I'm Currently Using
A-Derma's Sensifluid Micellar Water*

This is another really skin-friendly makeup remover. A-Derma's Sensifluid Micellar Water reminds me a lot of Bioderma because it is incredibly gentle on the skin and yet does a tremendous job of removing even waterproof make-up. It's designed especially for those with dry, sensitive or eczema prone skin.


I hope my recommendations have helped you find something new to try. I really like all of the products I've mentioned in today's post but I'm always on the look out for new makeup removers so I'm sure I'll have a follow up post with more recommendations in the future.

My Current Skincare Regime

I've had the roughly the same skincare routine since my birthday in July. I'm already in the process of changing around a few products (the Formula 10.0.6 is the newest addition) but before I completely change up my routine I thought I'd give you the low down on how these products have worked for me over the last couple of months. For reference I have sensitive combination skin - oily t-zone and normal/dry cheeks.

I usually begin by removing the bulk of my make-up with Garnier's Micellar Cleansing Water. I have found it to be the best affordable micellar water that I've tried, better than a couple of higher end brands, but in my opinion it is not quite as good as Bioderma's Sensibio Micellar Solution. I then follow up with a more thorough cleanse using Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, a product that I've been using on and off since last November. This is actually my third tube and I'm a really big fan of this cleanser. I find that it leaves my skin clearer, brighter and generally happier than other cleansers - I just wish it was a bit more affordable! I then (when I remember…) follow up with Pixi's Glow Tonic, an exfoliating toner that I do think helps decongest my skin but which is still more gentle on my skin than the Biotherm exfoliating toner that I was using previously. I don't know if it Glow Tonic deserves the 'hype' surrounding it, but I do like it and I would repurchase it. 

Once I've finished cleansing and toning my skin I turn my attention to rehydrating it. As I suffer from very rosy skin and frequent blemishes, I rely quite heavily on rosehip oil to fade dark marks left by spots and to help even out the tone and texture of my skin. Fushi's Organic Rosehip Oil is a more affordable option than other oils I've tried (Antipodes Divine Oil and Trilogy's Rosehip Oil) but it doesn't sink into my skin that quickly and the oil itself has a particularly strong odour which would definitely put some people off. I find that it does the job I want it to do and is so much more affordable than other options that I shouldn't really complain too much.

Once my facial oil has completely sunk into my skin I then apply a moisturiser. My go-to options for the evening have been Marlenha's Blossom Elixir* and Origins' Make a Difference Plus Mosituriser. Both offer the perfect level of hydration without overloading my skin and I've switched between the two depending on which one is to hand. In the day-time I usually opt for L'Occitane's Angelica Ultra Matte Fluid which I regularly repurchase, but recently I picked up Formula 10.0.6's Seriously Shine Free Moisturiser which feels like a good dupe of my high-end favourite. Again, the scent of this more affordable alternative doesn't live up to my high expectations, but it is nothing that would stop me reaching for it. 

Have you tried any of the products I've mentioned in today's post?

What skincare products are you currently loving? I'd love any recommendations for products that would be suitable for my combination/sensitive skin!

Follow me via: [Bloglovin] [Twitter] [Facebook]

March Beauty Empties

My Introduction to Liz Earle Skincare

Last year, I took part in a skincare project run by Sophia from Tattooed Tealady and as a result I got the chance to put some of Liz Earle's products to the test. I wrote about the three products featured in today's post over on Sophia's blog, but only very briefly. Now that I've been using these products for months and months (I'm actually on my second tube of the Hot Cloth Cleanser) I feel like I'm in a really good position to give some in-depth reviews and to let you know if these skincare products are really worth investing in.

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser*

Liz Earle's Hot Cloth Cleanser is often talked about on blogs. It is a thick, cream cleanser that has a slightly minty/herbal scent that I apply to dry skin and really work it in with my fingers before removing with a damp muslin cloth. This cleanser is quite heavy so it can be a problem for some skin types and I've read reviews where people have mentioned it breaking them out. For me, this was never a problem but I wouldn't like to use it more than once a day. I loved using it in the evenings to remove make up and give my skin a deep clean. The thick formula made it very easy to deep cleanse and Liz Earle's Muslin Cloths (which usually come with the cleanser) are fantastic quality and help exfoliate the skin as you remove the product. I was very impressed with this cleanser and I would happily keep it as a part of my skin care routine. I think it would work especially well on those with dry skin because the formula is very nourishing but I have combination skin and I still enjoyed using it. A 200ml tube (as seen in my picture) costs £24.75 but you can get a 100ml tube with a muslin cloth for £14.75 (link here) if you're a first time user, and I think it is definitely worth the price tag as my 200ml tube lasted me about two months. 

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritz*

I've recently gotten into toners in a big way - I think they're the best way to refresh and calm your skin after cleansing and they can actually make a big difference to the way your skin looks. This Tonic Spritz from Liz Earle is incredibly refreshing and I find it helps to both brighten and balance my skin. I'm always working to help give my complexion a little more radiance whilst also trying to tame how oily my t-zone gets. Liz Earle's products really help with both of these things and I've noticed a big difference in the look of my skin and in the way make-up wears on it. I love using this toner in conjunction with the cleanser, and would recommend trying them together. You can buy it in a variety of sizes, including a small 30ml bottle if you don't want to splash out on something expensive that you haven't tried before (link here).

Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate*

In my opinion this is the crowning glory of the trio. I have to admit, it took me a while to fall in love with this facial oil. At first the scent really put me off as it is very strong and quite 'herbal'. However, that aside, the effects of this facial oil are incredible. My skin is softer, smoother and brighter and I find that since I started using my Liz Earle skincare routine my skin has been less rosy and more even in tone. I've always struggled with very red cheeks and this has become less and less of a problem, something that I really can't thank Liz Earle skincare for more really. It is an expensive product, coming in at £40.50 for a 28ml bottle (link here), but I have come to really see the benefits of using it. I for one would definitely buy a bottle of this now I know how much it does for my skin and I would definitely recommend it.

Have you tried any of Liz Earle's skincare range?

My Favourite Facial Oils

Since first stumbling across facial oils in July they have very quickly become an essential element of my skincare routine. There is a facial oil for any and all skincare needs and I for one have become pretty reliant on them for quite a few reasons. I suffer from combination skin that still acts as though I'm in my late teens - I get oily patches, dry areas and frequent blemishes that leave behind dark spots that need help to fade quickly. I find that facial oils help balance out my skin (reducing the oil and re-hydrating dry patches) and they help fade the marks left by my blemishes too. I also know that they're good for dehydrated and mature skin because they're great at getting moisture back into the skin leaving it looking plumper, and often my general complexion looks brighter the morning after as well. I hope that I'm slowly convincing anyone who is still dubious that you should at least consider using a facial oil, but now I'm going to go on to talk about the three oils I've been really enjoying over the last couple of months.

Decleor Aromessence Iris Reujuvenating Serum* is the most luxurious product that I'm going to be talking about today. It contains 100% natural Jasmine Absolute, Iris Conrete and Manuka, Lemongrass, Geranium and Rose essential oils and it is designed to be used in the morning or evening. It is especially aimed at mature skin because of its intense hydrating and toning properties but used sparingly I find that it can work wonders on all skin types. When I use it on my skin it brings back the glow that all the late nights I've been spending in the library, and all my days spend away from daylight, have otherwise robbed me of. I use this in the evening when I want to wake up with glowing skin. Although this small bottle is only 15ml, because it is made up of pure essential oils it is important to only apply a little at a time. I apply two drops to my finger tips and then apply it in light stokes across my face until it is completely absorbed. I really enjoy using this product and I'm keen to try more from Decleor in the future.

Decleor Aromessence Iris Reujuvenating Serum is available from HQHair.com for £55*

Rosehip oil is famous for it's ability to tackle redness and fade marks in the skin. Trilogy's Rosehip Oil is really lovely as it does so much for my skin without any real effort being needed! All I do is apply a couple of drops of this facial oil onto my fingertips and then gently massage it into my skin and I find that with regular, continued application the pigmentation of my skin is evened out and my skin is left a lot smoother. I think this is a great product to pick up if you're new to facial oils, especially because it is very reasonably priced. Don't be fooled by facial oils small sizes, 15ml/20ml lasts a really long time because you only need a couple of drops of oil a night.

Trilogy's Rosehip Oil is available from HQHair.com for £16.50

Liz Earle's Superskin Concentrate* was sent to me as part of the MyLittleSkinCareProject which I've been part of for the last few months now. I found that it took a while for me to get used to the scent of this facial oil as its quite strong but it really does a fantastic job at balancing out combination skin. When I use this facial oil my t-zone is less problematic and I don't suffer from dry patches of skin on my cheek. My face is very evenly but intensely hydrated. Liz Earle's Superskin Concentrate contains Rosehip Oil as well as Argan Oil and a Neroli, Lavender and Chamomile essential oils as well as Vitamin E - it's ingredients list is really top notch. If you can handle the scent (which is all natural, not an added fragrance) then I would highly recommend it to anyone suffering from similar skin complaints to me. This is definitely a fix-all product that I now really enjoy using.

Liz Earle's Superskin Concentrate is available from LizEarle.com for £40.50*

Facial oils can be a bit of an investment in terms of cost but I find that a 20ml bottle will last me up to six months when used daily. I think they're definitely worth buying into and now that I've tried them I wouldn't ever stop using them as part of my skincare routine. Did you like the sound of any of the facial oils I mentioned? Do you use a facial oil that I haven't mentioned? As always I'd love to hear your recommendations! 

A New Holy Grail Product: Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

I was sent Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser* as part of Sophia's #MyLittleSkincareProject and if I'm honest I was really nervous to finally have the opportunity to try it out. I've read review after review about this cleanser and I was actually quite worried that the hype would leave me feeling a bit disappointed. I've been using Cleanse and Polish for a long time now, nearly two months, and I've finished one 200ml tube so I finally feel ready to talk about it in full.

The way you use Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser is described in the above photo (which is of the back of the tube). You apply it to dry skin (it feels like a thick cream), work it into your skin and then remove it using a muslin cloth soaked in hot water. The Cleanse and Polish cleanses your skin whilst the muslin cloth gently exfoliates and removes the cleanser. The result is very clean, very smooth skin. The muslin cloth I used came as part of a set, so it was Liz Earle muslin cloth, and using a muslin cloth with this cleanser really does seem essential. They work perfectly together because they were designed to do so!

I'm happy to say that Cleanse and Polish really didn't let me down, it hasn't disappointed me at all. Its hype is well deserved! I think that it is one of the best cleansers that I've ever used, in fact it might be the best cleanser I've ever used. It was so effective at cleansing my skin but it didn't strip it of any moisture and it didn't aggravate any sensitive or dry areas. It really did do my skin wonders, in ways that I didn't think a cleanser could. I'm very lucky to have been given the opportunity to trial and review this product and I want to emphasise that this is a product that performs (maybe even outperforms) at its price point, you really do get what you pay for with Cleanse and Polish. 

You can get a Starter Kit (100ml bottle of cleanser with a muslin cloth) for £14.75 or the 200ml tube that I've just finished costs £24.75* - there are also lots of other alternatives, all of which can be found on the Liz Earle website. 

Have you ever tried Cleanse and Polish? What's cleanser(s) do you love? 

Follow me via: [Bloglovin] [She Said Beauty] [Twitter] [Facebook]

Don't forget to enter my Christmas Giveaway - you could win two Origins face masks!