Sight For Sore Eyes

My major obsession with Liz Earle Skincare was obviously further compounded when the lovely Andrea offered to send me the Eyebright Soothing Lotion to test out; I jumped at the chance. Liz Earle is a brand that suits my skin so perfectly that the chance to try out new products I normally wouldn't pick out is really lovely. Their products are gentle on the skin and are the possibly one of the only brands where almost all the products I've tried have suited me. As always with LE shipping, the bottle arrived in beautiful packaging, wrapped in lovely tissue and contained the Eyebright lotion, the Summer guide, product guide and price list. 

From the day I received this eye lotion, I have been using it everyday. It is marketed as a product that 'cleanses and revitalises the eye area'. Containing witch hazel, organic aloe vera and cornflower, it leaves the skin feeling refreshed and awake. Every morning I sweep this quickly across my eyes to wake them up and get them ready for any make up. In the evening, you can gently soak two cotton pads and place them over the eyes for five or ten minutes. It not only refreshes and cools the eye, but removes any eye make up that may still be lingering after cleansing. Mascara, be gone! For an extra treat, if you leave Eyebright in the fridge, it works really well to keep your eyes in tip-tip condition, having a lovely cooling effect. Since beginning my make up course two weeks ago, make up has been applied and removed from my face and eyes about three times a day. Painful. But since using this lotion everyday, they aren't as irritated as they were. 

The 150ml bottle costs £9.70/11.25euro and lasts ages. Have you tried this product and what did you think? 

Skin Secrets

Even before I completed a beautician course last year, I had an obsession with good skin. Plagued by problem skin in my early teens (a bit like rosacea), when it finally began to clear I wanted to keep it that way and never go back to the embarrassment that was my old skin. After years of trying products that keep my dry skin hydrated and are gentle enough for my sensitivity; I've compiled a list of what has worked for me and that I'd recommend for people in the dry/sensitive skin category. 

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish

I have probably been using this cleanser for the past four or five years and genuinely don't think I will ever stray away from it. Not only is it gentle on the skin, but when it is removed with the muslin cloth not only does it leave your skin feeling clean, but it gently exfoliates without irritating. I can't recommend it enough and if you want to see my ramble on my love for it click here. 

£13/15e

Liz Earle Instant Tonic Boost

Again, this is a product that I've been using for years. It works as a toner and can be used after cleansing to close the pores and remove any excess makeup still left on the skin, leaving it ready for moisturiser; or it can be used throughout the day to freshen up (especially on planes!)

£11/13.25e

Oilatum Natural Repair Cream

This is one of two of the best moisturisers I've found for my skin-type. Not only does it instantly relieve any tightness but manages to keep the skin hydrated all day and is the perfect base for under make up. It contains natural ingredients and is free from fragrances, preservatives and emulsifiers. 

£8/10e

La Roche Posay 50+ Anthelios XL Melt-in Cream

My introduction to this product came when a woman in work told me that while she was waiting for her face lift, she was recommended by the plastic surgeon to wear this suncream everyday. Laughable? Yes. But she was bloomin' right. This suncream creates a velvety film on the skin, keeping it hydrated all day but also acts as an anti-aging product due to its high factor spf. It is free from perfumes and is paraben-free.

£14/17e

Estee Lauder Idealist Serum

This is a serum perfect for younger and those with dry skins. Its partner product Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair works well too, but is nowhere near as hydrating. This can be used in the morning for a burst of hydration under moisturiser and then at night to keep the skin hydrated. While it does have perfumes in it (citrus), it leaves the skin feeling velvety and has never caused a reaction in my skin. 

£38/45e for 30ml

Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator

Again, this a product that is extremely gentle on the skin. If you use the Cleanse and Polish, the need to use the exfoliator will be less frequent as you are exfoliating with the muslin cloth. But this is for days when your skin feels dull and needs a little 'pick me up'. It doesn't hurt the skin, and uses small granules to gently exfoliate. 

£11/14e for 70ml

Elave Intensive Cream Moisturiser

This is the second of my favourite moisturisers and is a lot richer than the Oilatum. It can be used in the morning and at night, but needs a few minutes to sink into the skin. It instantly relieves the skin of feeling tight and leaves it moisturised for most of the day. I prefer to use it at night, as it is thick and takes a while to seep in. 

£5/7e

Xen Tan Perfect Blend

While this isn't skincare, it is a tan that doesn't cause any irritation and doesn't dry out the skin at all. If you moisturise regularly it lasts about a week on the skin. 

£38/40

Have you tried any of these products? 

Liz Earle, How I Love Thee (Dublin Event)

Liz Earle held an event over the weekend to celebrate their third birthday in Dublin and to promote their products. Like the little Liz Earle fiend that I am, I jumped at the chance to make an appointment and learn more about the brand I obsess over and try out the few products I haven't already bought.

Since I have been using the LE products for years, I thought I would opt for a hand and arm massage instead of the skin consultation. Because, lets face it. The Liz Earle skincare range makes up the majority of products I will ever let touch my face. Not only did the women who work there create a lovely, warm atmosphere but they discussed the products used on me in a way that wasn't pushy.

My hand and arm massage was completed by the lovely Rosana, who talked to me about some of the new products in the range and the different ways to use them. She used the amazing Superbalm moisturiser on me, and although The Mother has it, I had never realised its different uses such as rubbing it into the cuticles to make them uber soft. Will be stealing that off The Mother so!

They passed around the most delicious cupcakes I've ever tasted, had beautifully fresh juice flowing and massaged my blues away. And if that wasn't enough we were given gorgeous goody bags containing a mini Cleanse and Polish, Instant Tonic Boost and even the Liz Earle fragrance sample, all perfect for travelling. A massive thank you to all the ladies who worked there, I had a fabulous time!

You can buy Liz Earle products at the Wilde and Green shop in Milltown or online here.

Oh, You Shouldn't Have..

These days after Christmas I find unbelievably tedious. The lead up to Christmas gets me all excited, but once it's over I become restless. With the snow here this year, this boredom has been even more prominent. However, I had a great Christmas and thought I'd quell my restlessness somewhat by doing a post on the gifts I received.

We don't believe in big presents in my family, but what I got makes me happy. I usually get money from my relations, and as I'm going to Paris in two weeks I need to save, save, save.

Liz Earle is my family's obsession and every year I get things from the range. This year I got the shampoo/conditioner set in a gorgeous box, a travel kit and their amazing toner from my parents.As I'm going away the mini set is prefect for me and the shampoo is amazing (they sent me a tester of it a while ago).




 The ultimate present they got me was Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair, which I've been wanting for ages. I've been slagged so much for wanting it, as I'm only nineteen but I love it..

Left: Liz Earle Shampoo and Conditioner Set.



Right: Liz Earle Toner and Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair.

Liz Earle Tester/Travel Set Containing: Muslin Cloth, Cleanse and Polish, Instant Boost Toner, Energising Body Wash and Gentle Face Exfoliator.

My sister has moved away, but sent us a parcel of presents. I got a Sephora Eyeshadow set and a mascara. The mascara is amazing, its patent black and has the face of a panther on top. Can't wait to use it!And lastly I got candles from my brother(in photo above, bless him) and a Nivea set from my cousin. Its in the design of a Christmas cracker and contains a mini body wash, body lotion, lip balm and moisturiser.

 

Did you have a lovely Christmas? What little gems did you receive?