Last Chance Picks

You know those products that you just don't fall in love with... but don't exactly hate either? Or the ones that you had such high expectations for, didn't get on with, but can't face admitting your distaste for? This post is all about those guys... being give one last opportunity to hold their own, or else move on out to pastures new.

First up is one that many, many bloggers seem to love, but my face just didn't seem to get on with. The Clarins Exfoliating Toner contains tamarind fruit acids, which are meant to brighten, exfoliate, and even reduce the appearance of pores. For some reason, I felt like this was just doing the opposite - my skin felt unpleasantly tighter, duller as opposed to brighter, and I swear to you, my pores just looked more noticeable than ever... I gave it three weeks to prove itself and my skin is now looking significantly better now this guy is no longer in my skincare rotation. I am gutted.

Another fail, even on the second time around, was Benefit's Porefessional Primer. I have mentioned previously that the first time I used this, my cheek decided to celebrate by breaking out spectacularly. It was not pretty. Quite the opposite in fact. Prior to testing this primer again, my skin had been a blemish free zone for at least three weeks... A day later, and a few little beauties had erupted on my chin. Thanks for nothin', Benefit. It also failed to win me over with amazing primer power. It's not a keeper for me.

This post does have a happy ending; all this facial abuse, courtesy of last two products - most especially the Clarins toner - meant that my final pick, Liz Earle's Brightening Treatment Mask, was at last given a chance to shine... and shine it did. It's not a Whoa-there-you're-glowing-like-a-disco-ball kind of product, but if your face is looking a bit drab and dour, a minute or so of this might add a little life to your skin. I had considered hoofing this guy, but for now he's passed the test and will be on reserve for duller days and maybe even hungover skin.

Are there any products that you just can't fall for, no matter how you try? I'd love to hear about them in the comment section!

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish vs. No7 Radiance Boosting Hot Cloth Cleanser

Hello everyone!

Today I'll tell you my thoughts on Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish and No 7's Hot Cloth Cleanser.

I have used Liz Earle for about two years and am definitely a complete convert. As a teenager with very teenage skin (I have acne, but also patches of dry skin, which is excellent) I had long struggled with finding the right kind of product on my skin, and Cleanse and Polish was the answer to my prayers: it was gentle, but so very effective, and could take off my makeup so easily. I loved going to bed knowing my skin was clean but in no way irritated.

The only problem with Cleanse and Polish, as far as I'm concerned, is its price. Though there are deals to be had that make it cheaper (like buying three pumps of 100ml at one time, for example), the fact remains that one 100ml pump will cost you £13.75, and one of these pumps will usually last me roughly six weeks (maybe more or less, but I've never fully checked). For a student without much income, it's become a luxury I now struggle to justify, for all its amazing benefits.

So I looked elsewhere. I wanted another hot cloth cleanser, but with a reasonable price tag, and No7's seemed to be the obvious choice.

The Radiance Boosting Hot Cloth Cleanser costs £10.00 for 200ml (twice as much cleanser as Liz Earle!)

In principle, it does all the same stuff as the Liz Earle one: my skin always feels soft, it takes of my makeup (no matter how stubborn) without too much difficulty, and it's a creamy texture.

Naturally it's not perfect - as you'd expect with such a difference in price. Its texture is wetter and less creamy than Liz Earle's, and the smell is that No7 pong that I hate so very much. I do find it ever so slightly irritates my eyes, and my eyes aren't the most sensitive in the world. Furthermore I do have to work for a bit longer to shift my makeup, where as Liz Earle's seemed to almost melt it off effortlessly.

However, these are all things I'm willing to live with. If you want a hot cloth cleanser, do please try the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish. If you want a hot cloth cleanser on a budget, No7's Radiance Boosting Hot Cloth Cleanser is a fairly good substitute. As cleansers go, it's not the cheapest, but as hot cloths go it's not bad.

So guys, do you have any cleansers that are melting your hearts (and your makeup)?! Let me know, I'd love to try another after No7 runs out.