Oh Liz, I love you...

Now, there are a million Cleanse and Polish reviews out there. EVERYONE seems to love this now cult beauty product, including myself. I have used it for quite some time now and enjoy how great it leaves my skin feeling and looking. So, you can imagine my excitement when I opened up an email from Liz's team about a new Cleanse and Polish product... I had to order some and try it out!




The new product is a limited edition version in collaboration with The Prince's Trust which incorporates rose and lavender and £2 from every bottle sold goes to the charity.

The publicity surrounding the product declares that the addition of rose and lavender makes it ideal for your evening cleanse. Oh my wow, are they right. Cleanse and Polish smells incredible as it is but the new additions almost make the limited edition version seem supercharged- as dedicated beauty fans, you should all know the calming benefits of lavender and rose! The scent is lovely for the evening time, but the properties of the lavender and rose also mean that it helps your skin recover from any irritations it has faced throughout the day.

As always, it leaves your skin feeling super soft thanks to the cocoa butter and the exfoliating action of the muslin cloths, and although it is scented, everything is natural so you sensitive flowers out there don't need to worry about turning red and puffy when using this.

My only concern about the product is this: the fact that it is limited edition. I love the fact that they have bought out a version aimed at a luxurious evening cleanse! It really does make me feel pampered when I use it!

As it is a limited edition product (Liz, we may have some serious problems if you don't incorporate this into your permanent line) there is special white packaging with a really cute design on the bottle. It currently only comes in 150ml pump bottles. Personally, I like this and would like to see the usual C&P sold in this form.

So Liz Earle products are luxurious, good for your skin and natural, but what REALLY stands out for me is the customer service- I've not heard too many people talk about it and I think it's so fab that the Liz Earle team deserve a moment in the spotlight...

Okay, so usually I would prefer to try a product in store and speak to the sales associate but I know some people are a little intimidated by this and would prefer to buy online. This is really when the team come into their own. I have so much to say that I actually had to break it up into bullet points!

1. Packaging and delivery.
Liz Earle is based on the Isle of Wight and so all their orders get sent from there (to my knowledge). You can choose extra speedy delivery or normal, yet I have ALWAYS experienced prompt delivery (if sent via the slowest delivery method it usually arrives before I expected-win!) and the parcel is wrapped impeccably so nothing has ever arrived in an unfit state. They also provide instruction and ingredient booklets.

2. Customer care.
Within the package, they include a customer satisfaction card that includes a helpline number AND it is signed by the person that lovingly packed your goodies along with the promise that if it isn't up to scratch, they will sort it. The personal touch makes you feel special and valued.... Aaaaaww!

3. FREE STUFF!!!
Okay, who doesn't love a freebie?!
My most recent order comprised of the new C&P and six new muslin cloths. Within my package there were two free muslin cloths, a travel size toner complete with 'Toning Guide' AND four samples of the new Sheer Skin Tint in varying shades which strikes me as rather thoughtful; usually companies just send out a generic beigey shade of sample foundation, designed to be the most universal but more often than not, they end up to turn you off the product in question rather than get you excited.
I took a picture of everything that arrived (with the exception of a packet of cloths and my freebie cloths) so you could get the idea of how much care goes into each package-




It's these simple personal touches that make ordering from Liz Earle a real treat. The experience really stands out from ordering from other retailers or from perusing beauty counters. For the record, all the girls on Liz Earle counters that I have encountered are charming and knowledgeable. Couldn't be further removed from the scowling dollies from other brands (which shall remain nameless) which surround them.

All this talk of the Liz Earle experience makes me want to call their customer services line just for a chat... I get the feeling they're all mega friendly!!!

So, all in all, well done to Liz and her team. Gorgeous products that stand out because of the quality, the price and the fabulous service provided!

Nails of the moment...

Currently got a big thing for Essie polishes. Recently launched to the masses over here and I have to go and have a look every time I go into Boots! This shade is 'Status Symbol'

Jumping on the band wagon...

So the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains have been out in the States for a while now and us Brits have been patiently waiting. Well... They're finally here!
I noticed them in Boots on my lunch break today. They didn't have a massive selection of colours and a lot of shades were sold out so there was only one that I would wear available to buy. I picked up 001 Honey.






These things are great. They look similar to the Clinique Chubby Sticks...






When applied they feel like a balm, but after the moisture disappears, a light tint is left behind! Nice for those who don't get much of a chance to touch up their lippie during the day.






As you can see, I didn't pick up the most inspiring colour but it was enough to encourage me to keep an eye out for more shades when they become available. Here's a sneaky lip shot to try and show you the colour (I have quite naturally pigmented lips- this shade is a 'my lips but better' kinda deal)






These babies have an RRP of £7.99 but they currently have an introductory offer for £2 off in Boots. Bargain. Get them while you can, ladies!

The Most Fun You Can Have Getting Naked... Nails.

Okay, nail polish removal isn't ever going to be fun, in fact, I see it as a chore. As a polish junkie, I change colours roughly every other day and frankly, removing it is a trial.

However, for all you nail polish lovers out there, there is a (acetone-free) solution. Apologies, I'm just getting excited...

THIS is Bourjois' Magic Nail Polish Remover. This is rather nifty, and it's so simple, I'm kicking myself for not thinking of this first! It's basically a bright pink pot, filled with nail polish remover and a sponge. The sponge has a hole in the middle and you simply push your finger in... (time for some horrific action shots)

Wait one second (this is not COMPLETELY true... I find that with a light polish one second is fine, but with a darker polish it's best to wait about 5 seconds)

Pull your finger out and...

Hey presto, a naked fingernail!! Excuse the paper cut around the edge- yes, it stung.

Simple, yet effective. At £4.99 it is more expensive than the usual nail polish remover, however when you factor in the fact that you don't need to use cotton pads with this, it is worth it. It smells of 'red fruit & vanilla' although, what red fruit is, I'm not quite sure... It does smell yummy though! It is also acetone free so it's falsie-friendly and it contains sweet almond oil so it nourishes your fingers.

I'm VERY impressed with this product, and I would definitely purchase it again. If you aren't keen on the formulation though, I don't see any reason why you couldn't refill it with your favourite remover!

It has shaved minutes of my nail routine, and there is next to no effort required so it's perfect for those pre-bed manicures. You know the ones; when you're far too sleepy to do anything yet you still do your nails in the knowledge that you will wake up with sheet imprints all over your fresh polish. Yeah, those.

And with that, I'm off to do my nails before my interview tomorrow!! Good night:)

Don't forget to follow me on twitter! @BeautGirlsGuide

Beauty Girl Economics: T K Maxx

As I am currently unemployed (boo!), I have recently been focusing on on getting more bang for my buck. Having spent the last three years as a student, I have developed some tactics which I'm going to share with you in a series called Beauty Girl Economics. 


Firstly, T K Maxx is a bit of a pain in the backside, I know. It is not a shop which I relish venturing in to. It is SO disorganised and due to the very nature of the store, you cannot go in with the intention of purchasing a certain product. T K Maxx has to be approached in an altogether different way: little and often. Last summer I worked in an office across the street from a T K Maxx and I found myself browsing in there about twice a week on my lunch breaks. This way, I was familiar with what was in stock and was able to identify what products were new in.

Looking for clothing in T K Maxx is a MISSION. In fact, I find that I only look for items which I think shouldn't be scrimped on, i.e knitwear. Some of you guys may remember me mentioning my bargain Fenn Wright Manson angora cardigan last year. I purchased that for around £20 and the RRP was around £120! The cardigan is still going strong and I have a feeling it will for a few more years yet!


T K Maxx is among my favourite places to score beauty products- more often than not, my local store stocks TIGI shampoos and conditioners. I never buy TIGI products from the salon as they are rather expensive. Instead, I look in T K Maxx as they usually stock something from the brand. Whilst you can't guarantee that your preferred product is in stock, I like it because it means I get to try something different without risking too much money. 


I have also seen St Tropez and similar high-end tanning products at a BARGAIN price in there! T K Maxx is one to avoid if you're on a really tight budget but I find it is good for trying new things at a lower price.


My most recent bargain T K Maxx purchase was a whole load of Stila products. I stumbled across a whole load of Stila goodies packaged in plastic bags, each with three products in. I have been meaning to try their Lip Glazes for a while now, yet I always forget and so when I saw that one of the bags included a Lip Glaze, I decided to get two bags!

 1st Bag: Lip Glaze (Apricot), Petal Infusions Moisturiser & Convertible Eye Colour (Onyx).

2nd Bag: Rouge Pot (Lotus), Perfecting Foundation Stick (Shade G) & SPF 30 Oil-free Sheer Colour Tinted Moisturiser (Light 03)


I am impressed with these products, but I am still trying them out so if I feel they are worth mentioning to you guys, I will review them and post more detailed photos.


So you're probably wondering why I'm talking about these if I'm not going to review them, right?
The below photos show you exactly why T K Maxx is the place to head for the economising Beauty Girl...

The photo is a little blurry, but the contents of bag one should have cost me £34. and I paid £7.99!!!! Stila's famous Lip Glazes retail at £15, so this was a total bargain!

Bag two cost me £9.99 and the RRP is £42!

Now, Stila aren't crazy, they're not simply giving products away... Having looked on the website, all but the Lip Glaze are no longer available to purchase. This doesn't bother me however, as the whole exercise was about trying a brand that I hadn't tried before! As I mentioned, I like these products, so (when I have funds available!) I would DEFINITELY be tempted to hit the Stila website and try some of their current products!

Have you ever found a bargain in T K Maxx or do you avoid the place like it is a breeding ground for the plague? (In some areas, the stores are exactly that... ahem.) Let me know :)

Forever Favourites

Hi guys!

Feels like forever since I've posted! I've been really busy job hunting and attending interviews etc. Yesterday I got my degree result- a 2.1! I'm really happy and cant wait to graduate next month!

I thought I'd introduce a new thread to my blog with this post. 'Forever Favourites' will be a series that enables me to talk about my all-time favourite products; those which are staples in my collection and would or have re-purchased.

My first Forever Favourite is Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream.

This product is one which isn't usually raved about on beauty blogs and YouTube but I have noticed that a few have mentioned it recently due to Elizabeth Arden releasing a scent-free version. I have the original version and I must admit, the scent IS rather strong. I'd describe it as a 'medicated' smell, but I'm rubbish at describing scents so it's best you try and figure the scent out for yourself! That aside, the scent doesn't bother me, however if you have very sensitive skin then I'd recommend that you try the scent-free version.

Before I continue, I must say that I would NOT use this as a daily facial moisturiser! (Elizabeth Arden have formulated a moisturiser version, however) The back of the tube says it 'soothes minor skin irritations. Also for symptoms of chapping, peeling or flaking due to minor burns, sunburn, windburn, scrapes, abrasions or cracked lips'. The 'cream' (I'd call it a waxy gel) is said to have healed the scraped knees of one of Elizabeth's loyal client's sons in eight hours, hence the name.

I wouldn't use this as a daily facial moisturiser as it is simply too sticky and it sits on the skin for far too long. I do however, use it during the winter when my skin needs a little extra TLC: I slather on my regular moisturiser and then I warm some Eight Hour Cream between my fingers so it melts, and then apply over the top. It acts in a similar way to petroleum jelly; it locks in the moisturiser and allows it to work to it's full potential. I wouldn't sleep with it on though, as you're guaranteed that you'd wake up with your hair stuck to your face.

It's this longevity that makes it a popular product with makeup artists. I like to apply a small amount on the 'high points' on my face during the day if I want a dewy glow without any shimmer. It's also great as a lip balm.

My main use for this, however is on skin irritations. It is lovely to use on sunburn; I like to apply aloe vera gel to sunburn and then use this on my face. I just find that it takes more care of my face than aloe vera or other after-sun products. I also apply it if my skin has encountered a product it doesn't like! It definitely soothes the skin!

A full list of Eight Hour Cream's uses can be found here.

All in all, this product is great to have on hand at all times. I like to carry mine in my handbag so it's there for all of life's little emergencies!!! Definitely something that I would purchase again and again!

Don't forget to follow me on twitter! @BeautGirlsGuide

Current Loves & Loathes

So I'm currently tucked up in bed watching 'I Don't Know How She Does It', feeling a little under the weather and I fancied doing a quick and easy post to get me back into this blogging business!

Love
- LOVING that uni is now finished. No more essays, obligatory reading or deadlines. Hooray!
- Now that I have plenty of free time, I'm really enjoying pampering myself by regularly giving myself a DIY manicure. (sad, I know)
- Following on from my manicure obsession, I recently bought some new Nails Inc. polishes. So good I may just have to write a post soon...
- Getting into the summery vibe by using cream blush/bronzer and liquid highlight. Can't beat summer skin!
- Real Techniques brushes. Just fab. Softer than my MAC brushes. Can't say enough positive things about them but there's so many reviews out there that I'm sure you've all heard enough about them already!

Loathe
- Seeing as I'm mildly obsessed with nails at the moment, I'm going to make this statement right now and I hereby vow that this blog will NEVER EVER mention the following beauty crimes EVER again: crackle & yellow nail polish need to disappear off the face of the planet. End of discussion.
- Job applications. Ugh. Just ugh.
- Serious lack of money which will not be resolved without the above. Double ugh.
- 'One-uppers'. You know those kind of people who always have to be that little bit better than you? Bore off, before the wind changes and the smug look on your face gets stuck there.

Proper post coming tomorrow, I promise!

A xo

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad