Liz Earle Skincare Review, Routine and My Top Tips

The background

Throughout my late teens and into my twenties, the condition of my skin was a source of constant frustration for me. I had mild acne when I was about 16 then pretty frequent break outs and scarring. As you'll know if you've been following me for a while, I've tried pretty much everything over the years to clear it up - Soap & Glory, La Roche Posay, Sudocream, Simple, Clinique... the list goes on. I wouldn't say I was on the confidence lowering or extreme end of the bad skin scale. Because I discovered blogging and makeup tutorials around this time, I did a pretty good job of covering it up over the years. Also, I came round to the belief that it wasn't so much external factors (skincare, makeup) which affected my skin but internal (hormones, diet, stress etc). 

Fast forward to about a year ago, my skin was alright but I'd still get breakouts on a weekly basis. My friend who had been working at Liz Earle at the time told me while I was moaning that I should give it a go as it had transformed her skin. A lot of my other friends piped up at the same time saying its what they used and loved it.

To be honest, I was a bit sceptical.

I had tried Liz Earle when it first became a thing years ago when I was young. I can't remember exactly when, but to give some perspective, it was when it was all the rage among my mum's friends and she let me try hers. It stung my eyes. Because of this I then swerved the blogger blow up of 2012ish when everyone seemed to be raving about it. I just wrote the whole range off as overpriced and overhyped. Also, I didn't really understand the whole cloth thing. I mean, wasn't that really unhygienic?

So what happened?

I reasoned that if everyone was raving about it maybe it was worth another go. 

Basically, since I bought my first cleanse & polish in November 2018, I haven't looked back. 

Free With 2 Skincare Products in Superdrug...!

Until the 7th of March when you buy 2 skincare products in Superdrug you get a

5ml Versace Fragrance for free! I just had to share it with you all because it always seems to be only the high end beauty counters that do freebies but Superdrug is really upping their game lately. If, like me, your a penchant for Simple skincare, Garnier Micellar water or even Superdrug's own brand Vitamin E range, now is the time to stock up. 

Pixi Glow Tonic Review

I realise I'm a little late to the party when it comes to Pixi Glow Tonic. I've seen it recommended on countless blogs and Youtube channels over the last couple of years but with its heavy price tag and my set in stone skincare routine, it wasn't something I was desperate to try. When I realised it came in the Marks & Spencer Beauty Advent calendar though, I was so excited to try it. I've been using it for almost a month now and I'm really impressed with how long it is lasting for a sample- 100ml is pretty generous for a mini. I've been using it after my Garnier Micellar Water and Simple Cleanser, in place of my Simple Toner. 
First of all, I actually really like its packaging. When I first saw Pixi products online I thought they looked quite Disney-esque. I would never have put orange and pale green together but they actually work well and make the bottle look distinctive. It has a screw top and a well-functioning dispenser so you can easily control how much product you put on a cotton pad. I like the name 'Skintreats' too- who would say no to a treat for the skin? My skin feels fresh and squeaky clean when I use it. 
One thing I don't like about this product is the smell. I may just be used to the almost scentless Simple but to me, this smells like chemicals, or an industrial cleaning product. It also stings my eyes quite badly even though I avoid them when using it. I do think my eyes are more sensitive than most people's though as I remember the same thing happening when I tried out Liz Earle skincare.
Having said all that, I have actually noticed a vast improvement in my skin since using this. Usually changing one skincare product doesn't make much of a difference to my complexion but this definitely has. I am prone to spots and breakouts but this has kept them completely at bay. 
I'm now torn between wanting to incorporate this into my routine because of the improvement of my skin, despite the smell which I can put up with, and the scary price tag. I can justify having a few high end beauty bits and bobs that I repurchase time and again but I'm still a poor student!
Have you tried Pixi Glow Tonic? What do you think of it?

NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Review

I've never went in for the whole hair, face or body oil thing. I thought it would be greasy and I would be slipping about everywhere. How wrong I was. In the Marks & Spencer Summer Beauty Box, which I was lucky enough to receive for my birthday, came a 10ml sample of the NUX Huile Prodigieuse Dry-Oil. In case, like me, you're wondering what Huile Prodigieuse means, my friend Google informs me that it translates as 'prodigious oil'. As a 10ml sample, it's perhaps not the most prodigious in size, but it certainly is a remarkable product. 
It comes in elegant, square-shaped glass bottle with a gold top. It doesn't have any sort of dispenser so you have to be careful that it doesn't all run out at once. What I love most about this product is the smell. It's quite heavy, classic and womanly- it reminds me a little of Clinique Aromatics. I would wear it as a perfume it smells so nice. 
I haven't used it on my face as I think it might be a little rich for my temperamental skin. I've tried it on the lengths and ends of my hair and it was how you'd imagine an oil to be on hair- oily. I have quite thin hair too- it might have been absorbed better into thick hair. The next day though, my hair looked super healthy and felt sleek and soft. By far the best results I've had with this product is as a body oil. It isn't greasy or shiny and absorbs quickly since its a dry oil. It's a pretty thin liquid so a tiny amount goes a long way. Most importantly though- it just feels really, really nice on the skin: both light and luxurious. It does wonders for the skin on my hands- they're so soft and supple after using this. I think I love it all the more because I've never used a product like it before and its quite a novelty for someone who is so used to standard body lotion or body butter. 
With a price tag of £17 for 50ml, this is a splurge and I would only buy now and again as a treat but if I could, I'd buy it by the gallon and shower in it. (Ok slight exaggeration- but it really is amazing)!
Have you tried it? What other NUXE products would you recommend?

Superdrug Skincare Picks

When I first started blogging, I used to be amazed when I read other people writing 'I liked the look of this so I thought I'd buy it and give it a try'. I was a lot younger then and with my pocket money I could only buy the odd hyped product now and again after much careful consideration. Its been almost 2 years since I started my part time job and it means that every now and again I can treat myself to the bits and bobs in Superdrug that I just like the look of. 
I was always a Boots loyal when it came to feeding my beauty product addiction but over the past year I feel like Superdrug has really upped its game. There always seems to be promotions on and however sad it may sound, I think its so fun to go in and fill my basket. 
Today I'd like to mention a few skincare gems I've been using from Superdrug, all really reasonably priced and they all land top marks in my book.

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

You can find my full review here in which I absolutely raved about this product and said that I actually preferred it to the original micellar water Bioderma. The only issues I raised were its impracticability for travelling and that you couldn't remove the cap. Well, they've only went and fixed exactly those problems! The new 400ml design has a easily removable cap and the mini size is the cutest thing I ever did see. I always buy a few of the big bottles at once when they're 1/3 off in Superdrug as its the only makeup remover I use.

Bio-Oil I thought I'd throw this in as I was recommended it and decided to pick it up in the hope it'd improve the appearance of my scars. I have noticed a slight improvement to scars on my leg with sporadic use but I think for it to really work you need to use it consistently and for a good few months. Have any of you tried it and has it worked well for you?
Vitamin E Eye Cream I think Superdrug's Vitamin E brand is underrated. They have lots of different skincare items in their range (wipes, masks, body oil) and since its 'own brand' is is very reasonably priced. The skin around my eyes became really dry during winter and I needed a simple eye cream that would moisturise the skin without irritating my sensitive eyes. This worked wonders. It feels light, refreshing and absorbs really quickly. I also have the SuperBalm from the Vitamin E range and I've really been enjoying that too.
Simple Kind to Skin Light Moisturiser This is a classic that I've been using for years. I go between this and the Rich Moisturiser, sometimes mixing the two at once. This is excellent for sensitive skin and absorbs really quickly. I really like the fresh smell of Simple products (I also use their cleanser and toner). I buy this when its on 3 for 2 and always forget that I have like 6 bottles in my cupboard!
Superdrug's Own Brand 'Destressing' and 'Refreshing' Face Masks I vaguely remember reading a review of one of these ages ago and when I saw that they were 2 for £3.50 I thought I'd pick them up for pamper nights. I've never used a peel-off mask before and its been quite an usual experience. The first time when I was taking it off I felt like a creature out of Doctor Who taking off my flesh (although I didn't really of course) and the next time I didn't put enough on so it came off in tiny bits. The mud mask is more of what I'm used to- put the mask on, leave it for 10 minutes and then wash off to a refreshed complexion. I think for the amount of product you get these are really good value and are all I'm really looking for from a face mask. Word to the wise though- be sure to stick to the directed time- I left one of these on for more than half an hour and came downstairs to horrified looks from my family: 'wtf happened to your face?!' 'why's it so red and blotchy?' thankfully it went back to normal quickly. 

The best thing about all these products is that they are all very affordable, keep problem skin at bay and don't irritate it (with the exception of the face mask faux pas which was entirely my own fault). 
What are your top Superdrug skincare picks?

Bare Minerals Original SPF 15 Foundation

My skin hasn't been as clear as it is at the moment since before the hormones kicked in like 5 years ago. It has been getting better gradually over the last year because of a combination of things: drinking more water, seeing the doctor, improving my skincare routine etc but the cherry on the cake of late has been swapping my Rimmel foundation for Bare Minerals.
I always had the belief that good skin mostly came from the inside and therefore gave little thought to what makeup I used and how it might be adversely affecting it. I bought the Bare Minerals Get Started Complexion Kit on somewhat of a whim when I was in Brighton. I had wanted to try it for a good while and there's no better time to treat yourself than when you're away. I was colour matched to Fairly Light which the girl said was just between my own skin colour and the colour of my current foundation. The foundation itself was £26 and the kit was £34 since there was a promotion on in Debenhams so there was no question- getting 5 extra products for an extra £9 wasn't something I was going to turn down. 
In the kit you get: Prime Time Foundation Primer, Original SPF 15 Foundation, Matte SPF 15 Foundation, Warmth All-Over Face Color, Mineral Veil Finishing Powder and the Face Brush for application. I haven't yet given each one of these a proper test run although when I did try them I found that with the bronzer, less is definitely more. I plan to write a more detailed review of the primer alongside some others I've been trying lately.
The Original Foundation is the star of the kit. I didn't think I would ever consider using a powder foundation because it just seems like it wouldn't offer any coverage but I was completely wrong. After applying primer and concealer, I tap about half a pea size amount of product into the lid, swirl and tap the brush and then buff it into my skin. The girl at the counter explained this to me but there are also videos on the Bare Minerals website which demonstrate. It doesn't need blended and is invisible on the skin but provides good coverage. What's more, because its mineral, it allows the skin to breathe which in my opinion is the reason my skin is so great at the moment. I then use Rimmel Powder over the top - out of habit more than anything. It lasts a good few hours but definitely needs a primer and setting to see it through the whole day (especially if you're out and about/ working). As a powder, this is very buildable and you can just apply until you're happy with the amount of coverage. On a day to day basis, 1/2 layers is enough for me - especially since my skin is improving so rapidly with use.
Admittedly, this foundation does cost a lot more than my Rimmel Lasting Finish which I've used for years. While I'll still be keeping a bottle of that to hand, Bare Minerals is well worth the price. Not only does it work well as a foundation, it actually improves the skin. I only wish I'd started using it sooner.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo [+]

Hey Everyone!
Through the years I've always had a few spots; mostly in my T zone. But a few months ago my skin got to the stage where my whole face, especially cheeks, had exploded and were just really red and angry. After trying a whole load of spot treatments and home remedies, I splashed out on La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo [+]- swayed by the money back guarantee and the countless rave reviews I'd seen. 
For one product, it promises a lot:  'Clinically proven to correct the appearance of blemishes

• Unclogs blocked pores
• Helps to refine skin texture
• Controls the appearance of shine
• New - Fights against the appearance of marks.'

At this point I probably should mention that just before I started using this I also visited the doctor for acne treatment so the changes in my skin since then can't be put down solely to this product. However, in the same way that no one cause for spots can be identified, so too no one solution is completely effective (in my opinion). For example, drinking more water, a healthy diet and good skincare routine may not individually make a difference, but together could make a vast improvement to skin. So, I'm reviewing this as a kind of 'skin helper' rather than 'skin saviour'.

  First things first, I really love the packaging. Its not gimmicky just simple and efficient. I think the almost clinical design is appropriate for the product. I apply about half a pea sized amount to my whole face almost everyday. It has a gel like consistency and absorbs really, really quickly. It feels really light on the skin and smells like holiday. I don't know if that's a psychological thing because La Roche Posay is a French brand but its fresh scent has notes of 'abroad'. One thing I do notice is that my skin is softer after I use this product. As well as being used as a serum after cleansing, it acts as a nice base for makeup.
Now, I've been using this for 3 or 4 months now and about 75% of my acne has cleared. The redness has really been soothed and the skin surface is a lot smoother. As I mentioned though, I can't put this improvement down to just this product, although I definitely believe it has contributed.
Overall, I'd say that this is a good product and its a nice addition to my skincare routine. Perhaps its a brilliant product for mild breakouts but I think my skin was at the stage where it couldn't be fought by an external product alone and a trip to the doc was a good idea.

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water Review

Hey Everyone!
You have probably seen review after review of Garnier Micellar Water as its release has caused quite a storm in the blogsphere but I'm just going to add my tuppence worth and hope that the fact I'm now on my second bottle can provide you with more of an  insight than you have already. 

I originally bought this back in February as an affordable alternative to the amazing Bioderma. When I bought it in Superdrug it was on an introductory offer so was about £3.50. I've never delved into Garnier skincare before, in fact, until recently I hadn't really delved into any skincare besides my Simple Moisturiser. I finally realised that I needed to implement a skincare routine because my skin has went from bad to worse over the last few months, and an essential part to every skincare routine is makeup remover.
I use this with a small round cotton pad to remove my makeup at the end of the day. I usually use around four pads to make sure every spot of make up is gone. I've read on quite a few blogs that people find this a lot easier to pour than alternatives such as the L'Oreal Micellar Water. In my opinion, its actually pretty easy to pour too much onto the pad. I do really like the amount of product you get though- 400ml is pretty generous for the price. It claims that you will get 200 uses which, having now finished one bottle, I would agree with. Though remember, with four uses a day, you might have to repurchase more than you think.
I love that this cleansing water just grabs any make up it comes into contact with- even eye makeup, without much rubbing.  It does nip my eyes slightly but this is the case with every makeup remover I've tried so its not a big deal. I just need to remember to close my eyes tight. I really like the simple packaging and the fact that you can see how much you have left. It has a very clean scent which is pleasant but it doesn't seem overly natural to me- though the bottle does say 'No Perfume.' 
The one problem I had with this was when I had to take it travelling. I couldn't take the full 400ml bottle as I wasn't checking in baggage so I had to transfer it to a smaller bottle which proved to be quite the problem. The cap isn't designed to be removed, so in my attempts I broke a little bit off which made the bottle leak when it wasn't upright for the rest of the time I had it. The actual micellar water didn't fair too well in the travel bottle as it turned out- the liquid seemed to separate and form a white precipitate at the bottom. This gave me horribe flashbacks of the solubility problems I faced with my bio investigation. Not good. Moral of the story: don't attempt to transfer this to another bottle. I'm mighty relieved that now I have a fresh one. Perhaps Garnier should consider a travel size.
Other than that slight pickle I found myself in, I absolutely love this micellar water and I'm not even bothered about trying any other ones as I think this is the best dupe for Bioderma that I'll find. At the price of £4.99 a bottle, you definitely get your money's worth.
Have you tried it yet?

Current Skincare Routine

Hey Everyone!

Perhaps around this time last year you may remember me posting about my newly purchased skin care products and how I was planning on ditching the baby wipes and doing everything as it should be done. Well, that didn't exactly go to plan. I am pretty lazy: especially when it comes to skin care.

So up until the last few weeks my skincare routine had consisted of removing my makeup with baby wipes, using a face wash in the shower and moisturising. Admittedly not the best. Over the last few weeks however I have been putting the skincare products I bought all those months ago to good use, finding a happy medium between the ideal routine and lazy old me.

So without further ado, this is my current skincare routine:

Loosen mascara with cotton pad soaked in eye makeup remover

Remove makeup with one rinsed baby wipe

Remove left over makeup with another rinsed baby wipe soaked in cleanser

Use face wash everyday in the shower (using sponge to exfoliate every other day)

Moisturise after all that every night

I think the main difference is the cleanser, and although the product is seemingly insignificant, since I've started using it I have noticed such an improvement in my skin. It is definitely a lot clearer which makes me think the dirt is really being taken out. I think the exfoliating has helped a lot too as I don't have just as many blackheads although they're definitely not gone completely.

Overall, I think the only way I can enforce some sort of routine is doing it bit by bit- I'm not ready to say goodbye to the wipes just yet!

Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover Review

Hey Everyone!

Recently I've been dipping my toe into the realm of skincare- trying to move away from babywipes, or at least incorporate something else into my routine. I've had a sample of 'Clinque Take The Day Off Makeup Remover for Lids, Lashes and Lips' lying in my drawer for ages and I thought I'd give it a go since I had quite heavy eye makeup on.

Like all Clinique products, this has really clean, no fuss packaging and the lid is like a medicine bottle where you have to push down and twist. The liquid has two components- one sits on the other, like oil on water which I thought was really unique. I used Superdrug's own cotton wool pads and just applied 5 tips and rubbed onto my eyes. It was really silky and oily and firstly removed the eyeshadow then broke down the mascara and eyeliner. 

Frankly, I am bowled over with this product. It actually removed my long lasting mascara (in my opinion its harder to remove than waterproof) in no time at all- the oil just melted it away. When I went over with a wipe after- there was absolutely no makeup left. This will come in so helpful when I'm wearing waterproof or lots of eye makeup.

The only thing that puts me off purchasing this in full size is the price- its £16 for 125ml, which is way more than I would spend on skin care, so unless I come across a voucher or a winning lottery ticket- I'll just need to make this sample last.

Overall, this is the best eye makeup remover I've ever tried as it removes all traces of even the most persistent mascara but its price makes me reluctant to repurchase.

Have you tried this?

PS- Sorry the photo quality/ lighting isn't as good as usual- I took these pictures at night.

Review | Clinique Rinse Off Foaming Cleanser

My skincare routine is awful. In fact, its pretty much non-existent. After me buying a selection of products to get my skin into shape, those products are lying in a drawer and I continue to use wipes to take my make up off. However, when my face wash ran out a few weeks ago, I swapped a rinse off cleanser into its place. Not a drastic change but one that I will stick to.

I have had Clinique's Rinse Off Foaming Cleanser for ages and knew I would get round to using it. It does pretty much what is says on the tin (or tube)- you massage it onto wet skin and it will act as a cleanser (but without the hassle of cotton wool pads etc). 

The formula strikes me as being very 'pure'. It has no fragrance or colour which implies to me that there are no added nasties. I use a pea size amount and it foams fairly well. It has a really rich, creamy consistency which reflects its quality. What really really impresses me about this product is that when I rinse it off, my skin is literally squeaky clean. My skin feels really hoovered out and is ready for moisturising. I can't say whether or not it has helped my spots as I think there are too many factors (weather, diet etc) which influence your skin. However, I can confidently say that this really cleans my skin, and is taking me a step closer towards a skincare routine. This type of cleanser definitely suits me best as I can easily incorporate it into my daily routine.

What cleanser do you use?

P.S - whoopa gangnam style :) 

Skincare | New Products & Routine

Hey Everyone!

Like most people my age, my skincare routine isn't up to scratch. Heck- I barely even have a routine! On a daily basis, I will remove my make up with baby wipes and use a face wash in the shower then moisturiser after. Then once a week or so I use Soap & Glory No Clogs Allowed. 

Since being immersed in the beauty blogging world, I have learned that baby wipes just don't cut it and they don't remove your make up properly. So, I have decided to try and implement a consistent skincare routine to try and improve the condition of my skin.

I've always been a big fan of simple- I think its great for sensitive skin like mine and for those who are just looking for straight forward and basic products. Therefore, when it came to choosing what I thought would work best for me, I went for this! I have bought:

Kind To Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser

Kind To Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser

Kind To Skin Pore Minimising Toning Cleanser

Kind To Skin Eye Make-Up Remover

And I already had Clinque Liquid Facial Soap.

The plan is to remove eye make up with the Kind To Skin Eye Make-Up Remove, then cleanse and tone with Kind To Skin Pore Minimising Toning Cleanser. Then in the shower use Clinque Liquid Facial Soap before applying a mixture of Kind To Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser and Kind To Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser. 

To me, that is actually quite a performance and I expect I will struggle trying to stick to it religiously. However, I believe doing it consistently will really improve my skin so I need to just make the effort every night to fit this in. I will let you know how I get on as begin using them.

What does your skincare routine consist of?