If like me you have some seriously combination skin you'll know it's a constant battle to keep it under check and those blemishes at bay, today I'm reviewing a product which helps me do just that.

Liz Earle Deep Cleansing Mask  (prices from £6) is a concentrated clay mask that specifically targets oily and combination skin and helps to draw out impurities and restore balance. When ever I suffer a break out this is one of the masks that I reach for as it does an amazing job of getting down any redness and leaves my skin feeling more comfortable.

This mask is not advised for use on sensitive skin due to some of the ingredients. The main ingredients include green clay, rose-scented geranium and (the most prominent scent) manuka honey. The only let down for this mask is the formula, it's a lot more liquid than I have experienced with any other clay mask which means you can move it around your face quite easily, I have found the best way to apply it is with a brush. The sponges that come with the mask are great for effectively removing the mask and exfoliating it at the same time and really gives the whole process a spa feel to it.

The Glamour Beauty Power List 2014 Box From Latest In Beauty

I absolutely adore Latest In Beauty's collaboration boxes with Glamour magazine, they are always excellent value and packed with a great variation of branded products that would each get used. Needless to say when they emailed me two weeks ago releasing a new box 'The Glamour Beauty Power List 2014' I ordered it straight away and waited impatiently for it to be delivered. When it arrived on Thursday although I already knew what the contents were I still let out a little shriek as I unboxed it. With a whopping value of over £80 but yours for £15.99 here's the contents...

• Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish  (30ml with muslin cloth) rrp £5.50
• Eyeko Mascara Off Wipes (10 wipes) rrp £6
• Philip Kingsley Daily Damage Defense  (60ml) rrp £7.50
• Laura Mercier Foundation Primer (30ml) rrp £19
• James Read Sleep Mask Tan (25ml sample) rrp £12.50
• Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara (fullsize) rrp £9.99
• Maybelline Coloursensational Lipstick (fullsize) rrp £6.99
• Annual subscription to Glamour magazine (digital version for iphone/ipad) discounted by 62%

I'm already a huge fan of Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish (although I can't use it everyday due to my temperamental skin prone to hormonal break-out's) and I adore everything by Eyeko. The products I've most wanted to try from this box were the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer and James Read Sleep Mask Tan, the concept of an overnight mask that gives you a gorgeous glow in the morning is a winner for me.

I've purchased a few of the Glamour collaborations with Latest In Beauty and this has to be my absolute favorite as I genuinely will use every product! I imagine these boxes will go quite quickly so head on over to Latest In Beauty and buy yours today...you wont be disappointed!

  

Sunday Night Skincare Saviours

Keeping my skin clear from time-to-time can seem like a real battle. Now I have established a skincare routine that works for me I really only have to deal with the occasional hormonal flare-up.  On a Sunday night I like to have a deep cleanse, really clear out those pores and buff away those dead skin-cells dulling my complexion. I thought I'd share some of the products I'm really enjoying using at the moment...

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish rrp from £3.25

I did a post briefly touching on Liz Earle's iconic Cleanse & Polish yesterday. I've been using it for around a week now and whilst I have suffered a break-out along my jawline I am persevering with this product as I love the texture and the way it leaves my skin feeling. I mainly use this product as a make-up remover, really working it in to the skin, buffing with a muslin cloth and following up with my Premae Balance Rescue cleanser. I suffer from hormonal break-outs so I'm hoping it's just a coincidence that I've broken out and not the cleanser itself that's caused it.

 Twice a week for extra exfoliation I like to follow up with Premae's Mild Dermabrasion Pro. It's a mild exfoliator thats quite milky in texture with Olive granules in it, it gently buffs impurities from skin without stripping it of moisture.

Once or twice a week I like to use Premae's Plush Therapy Masque. I like to leave this masque on for about half an hour, the masque almost melts into the skin leaving it rejuvenated and pores feel less congested. This masque has fast become one of my favourites as it helps remove excess oil from my skin but doesn't strip my skin of vital moisture.

Jodie

xox

Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish Review

After hearing so many people absolutely rave about Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish I decided to purchase a bottle to see what all of the fuss was about. Funnily enough my Liz Earle order came on the same day as my Birchbox did and there was a 30ml sample in there, luckily I'm really enjoying using it so that will keep me stocked for a while.

I'm more than happy with my current cleanser but I wanted to see why this product had such a cult status and had won more than 100 awards...now I see. I've been using C&P as a make-up remover/cleanser, I remove the majority of my make-up with make-up remover and then rub one pump of C&P over my face and then polish it off with a hot muslin cloth. The texture is very creamy and leaves skin feeling very moisturised yet squeaky clean.

Now it may just be a coincidence but I broke out quite badly the day after first using C&P, it's all cleared up now and my skin is looking pretty darn good! Like I said I am more than happy with my current cleanser so this is perfect for me for removing the last traces of make-up before having a deep clean.

I love everything about this product. The expensive feeling yet practical packaging, the texture and the scent. Suitable for all skin-types and ages I can see why this product has such a huge fan base. The formula includes ingredients such as cocoa and eucalyptus and has the gorgeous aroma of rosemary. Everything about this product screams luxury and is a real skin treat.

May's Edition Of Birchbox

Rather excitingly Birchbox collaborated with Sophie Bloomfield the Beauty Director from fashion and beauty magazine Harper's Bazaar with their must-have beauty picks for Spring/Summer. When Birchbox announced their collaboration it caused quite a stir on social media with beauty enthusiasts eagerly anticipating May's edition and quite rightly so as this box has some fabulous products in it! Let's take a look into my box and the items I received...

One of the products everyone wanted was Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish. This award winning (100 awards to be precise!) cleanser lifts dirt and makeup from the skin's surface with a little help from two of nature's best astringents- eucalyptus oil and rosemary, polishing the product off with their 100% cotton muslin cloth it leaves skin radiant, smoothed and soothed. Gentle yet effective it can even be used to remove eye makeup. Funnily enough I placed an order for this very product earlier in the week and it came the same time as my Birchbox! Whilst I am more than happy with my current cleanser I was intrigued to know why this product has such a cult following...I will pop a post up once I have tried it this evening.

I was hoping that I would have one of the polishes in my box after seeing the spoilers and I was so pleased when I opened the box to find the shade Persimmon by expert salon brand Soigne. This gorgeous coral shade, leaning more on the orange side, will be the perfect Spring/Summer shade for fingers and toes! The packaging of this polish makes it feel a lot more expensive than it is (rrp £11). It comes in a gorgeous Chanel-esque black and white box with the polish being hugged firmly by black foam inside. I only did my nails yesterday evening so won't be trying it out tonight but it's next on my list!

Another great sample-sized product from Benefit this month. I have tried their 'They're Real!' mascara before and it's really good, it gives lashes both length and volume with a natural looking curl. The formula is jet-black and the special brush is definition enchanting, easily layered to take you from your day-to-night look. I find the best application is to wiggle the brush from lash base to tip, giving you volume without clumps.

I do love a good bath oil, although I tend to shower more I do have a lovely little collection in the bathroom for when I do decide to take time out and indulge. I have tried Aromatherapy Associates Morning Bath & Shower Oil before, containing grapefruit, rosemary and juniper it's a great energy booster for use in the morning or after travelling. There's enough for one bath in the sample, I will add this to my collection to indulge in soon.

Last but not least in my box was Beauty Protectors shampoo and conditioner. I rarely stray from my usual shampoo and conditioner but I do have a little box of samples which are great to pack if I'm going away for the night. Beauty Protector's range is designed to revive heat styled hair, guard against further damage and hep heal any that's already been done. The formula contains honey pearl powder which is rich in conchiolin which acts like the hair protein Keratin.





Overall I think this was a fabulous box full of a good variation of great quality products. I have only been with Birchbox for 3 months and I haven't been disappointed yet.

Jodie

xoxo