LIZ EARLE: 28 Day Cleanse and Detox

Detoxing conjures up images of slime green smoothies and depriving yourself of the 'naughty' little things you enjoy the most, but Liz Earle aren't interested in that - they are taking a positive and (most importantly) achievable approach to detoxing this February with their '28 Day Cleanse and Detox' tips and tricks.

I was lucky enough to attend a little talk given by Abigail James (Liz Earle global skincare and treatments ambassador) at The Trafford Center at the weekend, who gave a bunch of super easy changes we could make day to day to start seeing improvements in our skin and general wellbeing. These were my favourite tips from her...

1. DRY BODY BRUSH. This is so easy! Using a dry body brush to buff your skin each morning (it only takes a couple of minutes) exfoliates and stimulates circulation. I've linked to one from Boots, but you can probably find similar for cheaper.
2. EPSOM SALTS. Epsom salts are minerals which you can add to your bath to help 'draw out impurities', apparently. I'm not exactly sure how this works, but Abigail promised it's pretty potent stuff. Apparently a well known blogger uses epsom salts in her baths in the weeks coming up to a bikini shoot as the difference it makes to her skin is incredible! Plus, they're mega cheap.
3. MASSAGE YOUR FACE. This is a super easy one and one you probably do without even realising if you cleanse properly. Apparently it will make your skin look much fresher and livelier. You can just use your fingers, or try a roller massager.

4. EAT RIGHT. This is obvious, but she did share a couple of ideas I liked the sound of. The first was to eat good proteins! This is one close to me personally as I have to watch my protein intake, being vegetarian. Proteins are your body's building blocks, how can you expect good skin when your body isn't getting what it needs to make it? She also recommended 'super food powders' like chlorella, which you can add to juices, sauces, anything really!
6. COLD SHOWERS. According to Abigail this has a similar effect as dry body brushing when it comes to circulation, but it also wakes up your internal organs (probably as they yell 'ARE WE DYING WHAT'S HAPPENING?!') but I guess a quick shock to the system never hurts! Start with 5 second bursts and work your way up. I've linked to a Dead Sea Minerals shower creme as their products are amazing for the skin. 
7. ADD A MASK. I've never been one for masks, but Abigail swears they are what your skin needs for some intensive care. She uses them before big events to perk up her skin (and after when after a few too many, it isn't looking too happy!)
I also asked her what skincare mistakes does she often see people making, and there were a fair few! 
AGE. First up - not changing your skincare as you age. Your skin's requirements when you're 60 will be very different to what they were when you were 16! 
CLIMATE. Secondly, not changing your skincare with the seasons/ climate - if you're moving from super cold Finland to mega hot Australia your skin is going to go through some changes, listen to it. 
MOISTURISE. She also said she was shocked at how many people don't full body moisturise, which I am too! It's one of the things I often see people saying they don't bother with - DO. I swear you'll see a difference and your skin will be so much happier!

'Cleanse and Detox' kits comprise of 'Cleanse and Polish' starter kit, 'Intensive Nourishing Mask' and 'Gentle Exfoliating Toner'. Included are four cards packed with tips from the pros at Liz Earle on how you can cleanse and detox this month for not only healthier skin, but a clearer mind too.
Unfortunately I can't seem to find the kits online, but I believe John Lewis is doing an offer where you get all three products for the price of a full size 'Cleanse and Polish Kit' (which I believe is £26, but don't hold me to it!)
Do you follow any of these tips already? Plan on adding any to your day to day routine? Let me know! Comments up top!
* Product received for PR purposes. All opinions 100% my own and 100% honest, as always! Bloglovin | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

REVIEW - Amie 'Morning Dew' Matte Finish Moisturiser

Using an average of 95% natural fruit and plant extracts, free from parabens, sulphates, GMOs and animal extracts, rejecting animal testing and perfectly fine for even vegans to use - Amie is certainly sat with the goody two shoes in the skincare class! Created specially for young, sensitive, unbalanced skin (just like mine), I was more than happy to try their 'Morning Dew' matte finish moisturiser on my combination skin...  

 The packaging is simple and to the point, the colour scheme and images look a touch more grown up than most teenage skincare lines. 
After washing, I'll apply 'Morning Dew' over my face and neck. Being oil free, 'Morning Dew' soaks in without leaving a greasy film behind or blocking pores. The scent is a bit soapy, but not strong enough to be off putting or linger on the skin.

  I find that after I've applied my make-up, my foundation stays matte for about two hours before oil starts to break through. For me, that's not bad going at all - if you have particularly oily skin though I doubt 'Morning Dew' would be particularly helpful in keeping it under control. However, if you have combination to normal skin, it's a nice, light everyday moisturiser.
All in all, a pleasant moisturiser which the majority of folk would quite enjoy! Available from Waitrose, John Lewis and a variety of online stores. RRP £4.95 (bargain alert!)
What's your favourite daily moisturiser? Favourite Amie product?  

* Product received for review consideration. All opinions 100% my own and 100% honest - as always! *

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REVIEW: Lush 'Blousey' Shampoo

The busy folk at Lush have been listening to our hair prayers and decided to try and unleash a little miracle for us in the form of brand spankin' new shampoo - 'Blousey'. 

 

Made with moisturising banana pulp (strange, huh?), nourishing cocoa and capuacu butters as well as organic cloves, star anise and pimento berries for shine - 'Blousey' is damaged hair's knight in shining (yet strangely scented) armour.

Let me just say - 'Blousey' looks and feels more like baby food that something you should be rubbing into your hair! Once you're past that 'Are Lush pulling my leg?' feeling, though, it's actually quite enjoyable! The scent is initially very strong, but washes out to leave just a hint of rose, blackcurrant, rosemary and juniper - a scent I rather like, but none of my family do! Give it a whiff in store before buying online.

 I've been using 'Blousey' for a month now and I probably have about three uses left in the tub - which at £18 a pop definitely makes it a product to buy for a treat! However, my hair does feel more resilient, smoother, stronger and I'm sure it looks shinier to. If 'Blousey' weren't so pricey, it would be a regular on my bathroom shelf.

Do you use any Lush products on your hair? How would you feel about having banana pureé on your head?!

Product provided by Lush Manchester Arndale store as part of the Arndale Student Night.

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REVIEW - Mini Naked 'My First Butter'

After whining endlessly about Naked discontinuing the most amazing body lotion ever, I accepted my loss (just about) and went on looking for a replacement. Nothing compared. Nothing. Not even Naked's regular body butters! So when Naked offered something they thought *might* compare from their Mini Naked range to try, I was rather curious...

Mini Naked is a range designed to take care of babies delicate skin, so Naked only use gentle, essential ingredients. My First Butter uses shea butter and coconut oil for lashings of moisturizing goodness, lavender oil and aloe leaf juice to soothe and various other things I can neither read nor pronounce to fill in the gaps.

Applied generously each day after a bath or shower, you'll soon feel how beautifully soft your skin becomes. And the softness doesn't last just a few hours, it lasts all day! Perfect! The only flaws are that it smells like plasticine and I can't see this tube lasting long for a fully grown human bean, but for a baby bean, there's plenty.

So, if you're after something sulphate, paraben, petrochemical and silicone free, vegan, 97% natural, light and effective, Mini Naked 'My First Butter' is most likely just what you need. Available from Boots, Superdrug and online at £3.99 for 150ml of product.

Product provided for review purposes. All opinions 100% honest and 100% my own - as always!

REVIEW - Honeybee Gardens Nail Polish Remover

You can't have missed my constant whining on both my blog and Twitter about my eczema (sorry, you're probably all sick of it now) but hell - it pisses me off! Long story short, I'm allergic to something in regular nail polish removers which causes painful, red bumps on my fingers. So far all I've managed to determine is that it isn't acetone I'm reacting to. After some research I found that the majority of removers have exactly the same ingredients, just a few have added conditioners, colours or fragrances. That means I'm most likely allergic to all standard nail polish removers. Fabulous.

[[ Honeybee Gardens Nail Polish Remover ]]

After stomping my feet and having a hissy fit, I decided to look into natural alternatives. I found that you ladies in the US and Canada have plenty to choose from...unfortunately, in the UK, we have a choice of about three. All three are ridiculously priced and can't be bought in any 'brick and mortar' stores (well, only dinky salons in the middle of nowhere). After having yet another hissy fit about that fact, I begrudgingly parted with £10 for 120ml of remover by Honeybee Gardens.

Ingredients: methanol, methyldiglycol, trimethyl hydroxypentyl isobutyrate, equisetum arvense (horsetail) extract, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), aloe barbadensis leaf juice, denatonium benzoate (bittering agent).

The only ingredient that this shares with my previous nail polish removers is denatonium benzoate, so I hoped and prayed that it wouldn't be that which I was allergic to!

The Honeybee Gardens remover feels quite oily to the touch and sinks in to your skin, unlike regular polish which tends to evaporate. It is a tiny, titchy bit less effective that regular polish, so removing layered polish, nail art and glitter can be a bit of a pain! Because of this, you also have to use a bit more remover than you do with the usual stuff, so I'm pretty choosy these days about when I wear polish because I still begrudge spending £10 to remove it. However, my nails are stronger and less flakey, tips whiter and my eczema hasn't flared up since I started using Honeybee Gardens natural nail polish remover, so I guess I can't complain!

I ordered mine from Mollycoddles of Rochester on eBay. Also available from Naturisimo, priced at £10 for 120ml of product.

REVIEW - EllaPure 'Wonder Cream' Rescue Cream

How could I pass up on the opportunity to try a product called 'Wonder Cream'? I couldn't! I was drawn to 'Wonder Cream' because it contains a base of carrot oil - high in vitamin A and excellent for skin diseases and ailments. I had stopped using hand cream due to eczema and didn't know where to start in finding an eczema friendly cream, so if a cream claims to contain a 'herbal healer' - I'm there! EllaPure 'Wonder Cream' also contains essential oils of tea tree, manuka and chamomile in a carrot oil base. This rich mix of ingredients promises to be anti-inflammatory, nourishing and moisturising.

[[ Glass jar, metal screw top lid. ]]

The packaging is simple and straight to the point - something I like in a product. It's also small enough to pop into your hand bag so you can apply it on the move. 

As soon as I unscrewed the lid, I was hit by a very familiar smell. Jim Beam whiskey. I kid you not - it smells exactly like it. I was so surprised that I couldn't help but keep sniffing it to try and detect any other smell, but it always came back to whiskey. Very strange, not something I would expect from a hand cream at all! I quite like it though, maybe because all of my 'whiskey stories' are good ones, though! The scent lingers until you wash your hands, so this probably isn't for you if you don't want to smell like you've had a particularly harsh night out. 

As for nourishing, moisturising and anti-inflammatory? Tick, tick, tick! Full points! My hands are soft and smooth, I usually rub this in about ten minutes before a shower so I can wash the smell away (it jars with my perfume quite badly). I do a lot of wood work so my hands usually have a few splinters and scrapes, thankfully 'Wonder Cream' did not sting them at all. My nails have seem stronger and have started growing a bit faster, my eczema has not flared up and my dry Winter hands are now a thing of the past! Excellent!

'Wonder Cream' and EllaPure's other 'Rescue Creams' ('Digestion Cream', 'Acy Body Cream', 'Breathe Easy Cream' and 'Working Hands' cream are priced at £5 each for 30g of product. Available here.

Provided for review by EllaPure's PR team.

* The company is called EllaPure, I was sent products from before the name change from 'EllePure' - hence the label.

REVIEW - EllaPure Wonder Wash

British, independent, products completely free from SLS, SLES and parabens, fresh, organic 'ingredients' from a sustainable source - EllaPure tick all the right boxes for me! When they contacted me to see if I was interested in reviewing their products, I was surprised I had not heard of them before - especially with how 'trendy' such companies have become in recent years.

[[ EllePure 'Wonder Wash' and lemon essential oil ]]

'Wonder Wash' is a thick, gel wash which can also be used as a body wash, bubble bath, shower gel or shampoo - talk about multi-tasking! It was designed as a 'base carrier' for essential oils, meaning that you add your chosen essential oil and 'Wonder Wash' will help it to evenly disperse through the water. I found it easy to combine the two and was delighted to find that the lemon essential oil smells of true, zesty, strong lemon. Nothing beats a citrusy body wash - so energizing and refreshing! Without the added essential oils, 'Wonder Wash' is entirely fragrance free.

Let's all just confess that by now we've all been conditioned to think that the more foam there is - the cleaner we are. I must admit that I was relieved when 'Wonder Wash' started to foam up a little, despite being SLS free. As a body wash it left me feeling clean and refreshed, without any oily residue or clammy feeling left on my skin. However, there were no moisturising benefits and my skin didn't feel smoother - the lemon smell washed away, too. As a basic body wash, 'Wonder Wash' was fine but lacked that 'Wow' factor which would make me purchase it in future. 

As a shampoo though, I really enjoyed EllaPure's 'Wonder Wash'! Lathered up a little, spread well through my incredibly thick hair, left it squeaky clean, there was no left over residue and didn't agitate my scalp. Not bad at all! It also worked well paired with my usual conditioner.

Priced at £9.50 for 250ml of 'Wonder Wash', it's quite economical since it could save you from buying shower gel, shampoo, bubble bath and hand wash. I imagine those without much storage space in their bathroom would love this multi-tasker! Larger 1ltr bottles are priced at £22. Essential oils cost between £5 - £50 for 5ml of product. Available from the EllaPure website.

Product provided by EllaPure's PR team.

* The company is called EllaPure - I was sent old stock before the name change, hence 'EllePure' on the labels.