Back in October, Birchbox did a partnership with Liz Earle skincare, letting subscribers sample the cult favorite Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser in their monthly boxes. I was lucky enough to be sent samples of the full-size products to try as well, but since I was trying so many new skincare products at the time the review got wait-listed. The products were put in my beauty cabinet for future use, and forgotten about.
Seriously guys, I am so mad at myself for not trying these little gems sooner.
Let's rewind. During December, when I was filming Vlogmas, I was pretty much broken out on and off all month. I had one break out on my cheek and another on my jawline, and they would go away and then come back, repeatedly. I wasn't using anything new at the time, so I knew it wasn't a product breaking me out; it was just that my skin wasn't balanced or healthy in general. Part of the problem was that I took very few skincare products home to Tennessee with me, thinking I could be a minimalist, and my skin got upset with me. My skin is one where more is definitely better; the more I layer, the happier it is, especially with hydrating products.
After Christmas, I came back to LA, and decided to give my skin some extra attention. I knew that what I was currently using on my skin wasn't working, so I thought it was time to try something new. I thought, "Well, it doesn't matter if I break out more right now because I'm breaking out anyway." So into my beauty cabinet I ventured and I came out victorious - holding brand new bottles of the Cleanse & Polish*, Instant Boost Skin Tonic*, and the Skin Repair Moisturizer*.
I used all three products that first night, getting a little nervous as I stared in the mirror at the 3 angry pimples on my cheek. "I hope I don't wake up with 20 more of you mad little guys," I thought as I wandered off to bed. (Apparently it's story time now. Hello, Sophia London, I have missed you.) New skincare products are always tricky for me, since I have sensitive skin and am allergic to a few ingredients commonly found in skincare, so I definitely felt a little uneasy (but hopeful!).
The next morning I woke up to find all 3 of my angry spots calmed down, with no new ones forming. As I continued to use these products over the course of the next few weeks my skin got clearer and clearer, and yeah, I'm sold on this one guys. You need to try it.
The Cleanse & Polish is an all-in-one makeup remover and cleanser. It's full of naturally active ingredients like eucalyptus, beeswax, rosemary, chamomile, and cocoa butter for softer, more radiant skin. It's gentle enough even for your eyes, and does a good job getting every last smidgen of mascara.
I apply two pumps of this to my dry skin, doing my eyes last, before wiping it off with the included muslin cloth. I have been a fan of these muslin cloth cleansers for awhile now, but this one was different than any other I have tried. It is less oily/balmy than the Eve Lom Cleanser; more of a thick lotion consistency. It doesn't irritate my eyes at all, and like I said, it got off all my eye makeup every night with the exception of the one night that I was wearing waterproof mascara. That night I had to follow up with a little bit of eye makeup remover, but it was not even a big deal. Oh, and this cleanser is mineral oil free, which is a bonus for those of you sensitive to mineral oil!
The Instant Boost Skin Tonic is a hydrating toner that I apply on a cotton pad after cleansing. It's full of chamomile, cucumber, and aloe vera to calm irritation and brighten the skin. Glycerin adds hydration to your skin and helps lock in that moisture all day (or night), and hops extract tones the skin and swipes away bacteria without stripping your skin. It feels very light and soothing, and has a nice cooling effect that I quite like. My skin does not feel tight afterwards, which is key, and it has a pleasant, herbal scent. I am a big fan of toners, both chemical and hydrating, so I enjoy this step. Plus, this baby is alcohol-free, and it has a nice little twist up top (it's the little things, guys).
The Skin Repair Moisturizer is marketed as a lightweight moisturizer that locks in hydration while providing a barrier against free radicals. It's packed with good-for-your-skin ingredients, but I'll be honest, I'm not in LOVE with this product. Now, this might be because I was sent the "Normal/Combination Skin" one when my skin really needs the "Dry/Sensitive Skin" one, so you'll have to take this review with a grain of salt, but I feel it is really thick and hard to sink in, especially when being marketed as a "Normal/Combination Skin" moisturizer. Plus, it has a slightly white tinge to it once applied to the skin, which I find really odd and something I have never encountered with a non-SPF moisturizer. I'm not loving the application, but my skin is looking hella good, so for now I am going to continue using it. I definitely want to try the Dry/Sensitive Skin version in the future though.
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| The deluxe sample given out in the October Birchbox. There was also a muslin cloth in the box! |
While the Cleanse & Polish and the Instant Boost Skin Tonic are must-tries, the moisturizer is still up in the air.
P.S. I'm eyeing the Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion - I have heard it's amazing stuff. If there are any other Liz Earle products that you guys love or are curious about and would like me to review, please leave them in a comment below, as I will be placing an order soon enough.
You can only find these products online, either through the Liz Earle website or through the Birchbox website, unless you are located in the UK. If you have some Birchbox points burning holes in your pocket this is what I recommend trying out!
These products were also featured in my January Favorites video! Check it out to see what else made the favorites list :)
These look so amazing! I really want to try the cleanser! :)
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I LOVE that you're doing reviews again. I have missed this blog! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I've been wanting to try this skincare for awhile now.. might have to splurge a little on myself soon :)
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Awesome review! This will be so helpful for me and my troublesome skin! I'd love to try these someday...
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ReplyDeleteI love the LIz Earle cleanser! I also got it in my birchbox and loved it!
ReplyDelete-Sisi
Modern Beauty Girl
PS I'm running a MAC giveaway on my blog!
I really want to try out the toner! It seems really amazing! I am also on the look out for a new moisturizer. I have normal-dry skin. Do you have an recommendations??
ReplyDeleteLove you Elle! our blog is my favorite!!
I use Liz Earle products all the time there amazing.But I dont like the moisturiser either my skin had a reaction to it,but all the other products are great you should try the eye bright eye lotion and the super balm lip balm I have a review on my blog www.jadesjoys.blogspot.co.uk
ReplyDeleteI love the LE cleanse & polish and the toner. I've been using them for over a year bow abd I find as soon as I stop using them for a few days my skin gets worse. The moisturiser is ok, I mix it with one that is for dry skin and a very different texture. Together it's the perfect consistency.
ReplyDeleteI love the LE cleanse & polish and the toner. I've been using them for over a year bow abd I find as soon as I stop using them for a few days my skin gets worse. The moisturiser is ok, I mix it with one that is for dry skin and a very different texture. Together it's the perfect consistency.
ReplyDeleteSnap I just done a blog post on this :) great minds think alike;) I love this stuff :) I haven't broke out at all since I started using it:)
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i absolutely loved this until recently when istarted to break out and when i changed my cleanser my skin got alot better
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Thanks for the review!
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Great review! Probably I need to give them a try! ;)
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I really must try ASAP. I wish we had birchbox ect in aus
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xx
E
All of these sound so amazing, except I tried Cleanse and Polish and it didn't quite work out for my skin. The Instant Boost Skin Tonic sounds amazing, though. xo
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Sounds like amazing skin care products!
ReplyDeleteRay | Obey Ray
my mum bought us our first bottle of cleanse and polish when i was 6.... 19 now, never ever without it. i have honestly tried about 90% of liz earle products, we have very similar skin and the only moisturizer from liz earle i like (love) is their superskin moisturizer, their superskin concentrate oil is my favourite skincare product of all time, you will love it! xo
ReplyDeletelove the LE cleanse and polish during summer - its too cleansing for my combo skin in winter though
ReplyDeleteOh Elle! How I've missed your blog post! Great review by the way. I will defiantly be on the lookout for this products, mostly the moisturizer because my skin has become awfully dry and I can't seem to find the right product. Thanks for the review!
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Great review. I will definitely try to get my hands on those!
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Really want to try some new skincare. Great review! :)
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I just got the cleanse and polish sample in my January birch box and I love it! I was so excited to get it too
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Great review.
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Love Liz Earle's cleanse and polish, and would definitely recommend Eyebright it is so soothing for tired eyes.
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Beautiful photos! I received the Liz Earle Cleanser in my Birchbox back in October and I really like it. It gets all my makeup off and doesn't strip my skin. I tried it with the muslin cloth, but I actually prefer using it with my Clarisonic. Maybe I'll look into the toner sometime in the future.
ReplyDeleteI would love to try this now! I just bought a lot of Elizabeth Arden skincare so I will use that up first, but this sounds so good! I'm really having problems with my skin especially around my mouth.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, I hope I can get my hands on this in Europe (outside of the UK) :)
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ReplyDeleteGreat review. As a professional skincare company we get to talk lots about the importance of finding the right products for your skin and you're certainly not alone when it comes to fearing a change of products in case your skin reacts (or goes completely into orbit!). We hear really great stuff about Liz Earle and, as with all good brands committed to great skincare, it's getting access to advice and information that is vital in knowing whether any product will work for you. Our advice is talk and then talk some more, do your research and get to know your brand personally to help keep skin in tip top condition and radiant health.
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I have to try that Liz Earle Products...
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I also got the Cleanse and Polish in my January Birchbox! Now I am in love. Good to know the other products are also worth a try!
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Great review Elle! Love those products. x
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I've just started using the cleanser and so far I really like it!
ReplyDeleteI really want to try the moisturiser, too.
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Great review. Thanks!
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Really want to try these!
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