The converted | Liz Earle Add-ons

8/31/2015 06:00:00 am
Any skincare junkie worth their weight in gold knows not only the benefits of a regular, basic routine, but the inherent value of the add-ons. There are a plethora of reasons why one would need add-ons - take this week, for example, and the flare up of my eczema, which brings with it the need for a slathering of coconut oil on the skin. Dehydrated? How about a little hyaluronic acid? Spot issues - salicylic acid for a thorough to-the-root clean. And so the list goes on, never-ending.

After my wonderful (re) experience with Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish, a little deal on their website spurred me on to purchasing the Gentle Face Exfoliator and the Brightening Treatment Mask, both of which, I have to say, have earned their place as add-on (or slightly more frequent than is needed) treatments. 
First to the Gentle Face Exfoliator - I'm normally all about the regular acid exfoliation, but for some reason, I've been slacking, and the turnover of my skin has therefore not been so efficient, leading to the need for a good manual exfoliation to allow the preparation of the skin for a good old chemical exfoliation that I plan to embark on! Containing eucalyptus, cocoa butter and fine jojoba beads the combination of which gently buffs away dead skin cells and impurities. The scrub itself it housed within the creamy cocoa butter base, and the particles are super fine, and not in the least bit scratchy (yes, they have made their way around my eye area and I can attest that my eyes are fine!) The beads themselves provide such a gentle, yet thorough exfoliation, that the skin feels soft to the touch, and almost brand new in its texture. It is recommended that this is used as often as needed, and to be honest, I have been using it approximately every other day - beautiful product that does just as it says.

Now let's move onto this little hero product - the Brightening Treatment Mask with aloe vera, witch hazel and purifying white clay for a reviving, fast acting mask for instant radiance. The instructions say to leave on for 30 seconds to 2 minutes - me being the sceptic that I am, I tried 30 seconds and oh my goodness, the results were rave-worthy. I did actually rave about this. Skin instantly was brightened, slightly tauter, and provided the perfect base for make up. I loved it so much that I actually used it every morning for a week. The thing is, I just love this - I have calmed down on my usage, but anything that calms, nourishes and brightens all at the same time is a little miracle.

I am really looking forward to trying more Liz Earle products!

Much love,
Ani

Triple Threat | Lips

8/29/2015 06:00:00 am
I love me a good lip. Mine are pretty good, albeit they have had a little bit of injectable help! I do adore the plump, defined, slightly pillow-esque lipped look that is currently doing the rounds. Thankfully I have found the most fail-safe combination of products to easily achieve this.
Line
Fully line the entire lip area with Rimmel’s East End Snob. My liner of choice for nigh-on five years now, it is the perfect mix of edgy and ladylike.
Lippy
Mac’s Snob wins every time for me. Not quite Barbie, not quite classiest woman in the world, this definitely puts the pout in your lips.
Gloss
Newest, most favourite find – L’oreal Paris Infallible Mega Gloss in Protest Queen. A milky, but creamier version of Nars’ Turkish Delight. Just try it. 

Much love,
Ani

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish | Revisited, Reviewed

8/27/2015 06:00:00 am
I tried this, once upon a time. Things did not quite end happily ever after. Then I tried it again, recently, and the angels sang a little bit. What changed? Well, quite a lot, truth be told. In the first instance, I used this at a time when my skin was in a volatile phase. I imagine, therefore, that the Cocoa Butter, and plethora of essential oils just didn’t sit well with my skin. Fast forward a good five years, and this substance is the bee’s knees. Thick, unctuous, substantial, sumptuous, this is everything I envision in a cleanser. The mere experience of pumping the dense cream, distributing between both hands – a quick snuffle before the mechanics – and the sensation as it hits the skin, is just delightful. Massaged in, it delivers a circulation boost, eliminates super-heavy eye make-up, as well as a whole face of make-up, sunscreen, and daily pollution.


As a second cleanse, equally as wonderful on my oily skin. The consistency segues into the perfect facial, with skin left purified, plump and hydrated.

In my eyes, a multitude of use for this lovely green bottle. 

Much love,
Ani

p.s. in further news, I love the stuff so much that I've repurchased twice, and also managed to get my hands on the limited edition triple tin and am currently using the Grapefruit & Patchouli, as I thought this would be my least fave - but for a least fave, it's pretty darn good!

@Instagram