Neal's Yard Remedies... Chamomile Cleanser

I love it when a product surprises you and your opinion changes from one end of the spectrum to the other...

Neal's Yard Chamomile Cleanser was one of those. I received it as a gift for Christmas and eagerly used it for the first few days, waiting to get used to it and love it. It didn't happen. I didn't like the scent, the lack of "slip" when I massaged it into my face made me want to throw the pot, and it wasn't doing anything for my skin. Eventually I stopped using it and it was only after a break of a few weeks that I went running back to it with my arms wide open (think slow-motion romantic end of film) realising that I did in fact love it.

I've used it just about every day since then and it's wonderful. I recently found out from the website (a little video in the bottom corner of the page..) that you can use it with water rather than massaging it onto dry skin which makes a big difference to how much I need to use and how easily it moves over my face (this is totally missed out from the- reassuringly heavy- jar). The key for me is that once it looks like it's gone from my face, it really has gone; it's not possible to rub it in any further, as that just results in non-slip frustration.

I use it with a muslin cloth to remove it which makes sure my face gets a little exfoliation too and leaving it on for a few minutes results in baby soft skin. I still think that it's not the best for helping to clear congested skin, you'll need something extra too, but aside from that it removes make up perfectly, leaves my skin soft and smooth, the scent has definitely grown on me to the point where I really like it, and it's become a real favourite.

Neal's Yard Chamomile Cleanser costs £11.75 for 50g and is available from their website.

Have you tried anything from Neal's Yard?

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Fabulous February's Favourites!

I can't believe it's the end of February already! 

This month's favourites include....

Topshop blush in "Flush", No7 Exquisite Curl, Lily Lolo Flawless Silk Finishing Powder, ELF's cover up stick, ELF's Candid Coral blush, Distilled Witch Hazel and ELF Mist and Set spray.

Topshop Cream Blush in "Flush" and No7 Exquisite Curl mascara

After many months of seeing "Flush" on other blogs I finally popped this in my basket when Topshop had their recent free delivery offer, it's gorgeous and I love it.. full post of love to come!

I wrote about No7's mascara here and since then I've used it just about every time I've worn mascara. It's great for everyday and layered with 17's Wild Curls for more drama! 

ELF's studio line blush in Candid Coral

This was my first blusher from ELF and it's perfect, it's subtle but buildable and the fine gold shimmer works even with my pale skintone adding a very natural sheen to the skin. Total bargain too, as with all things ELF!

Lily Lolo's Flawless Silk Finishing Powder and ELF's all over cover stick

Flawless Silk is great for using all over the skin to keep oil at bay without taking your fact to a totally matte level, it adds a flattering glow and a very slight peachy colour that add to that flawless finish. 

I'm still using ELF's cover stick under foundation or alone just about every day, it stays put, lasts and matches my skintone. Definitely one of my essentials.

Distilled Witch Hazel and ELF's mist and set

Once again Witch Hazel makes the line up, see my full post here for more raving about it. Tightens pores, evens skintone, balances moisture levels and banishes oil. 

ELF's mist and set has been hailed as the poor man's fix plus.. I've never tried it, nor do I intend to! This is great for freezing make up where it's meant to be whilst leaving skin looking healthy and hydrated. 

Last but not least, Neal's Yard Chamomile Cleanser

I managed to leave this one out of the photo (there's always one) but this has become an everyday staple over the last few weeks after a rocky start! Full post on this to come but it's doing a wonderful job! 

Skincare routine: Cleansing

After I ran out of my beloved Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish a couple of months ago I decided I'd not go back for it straight away, simply because I get bored easily and fancied playing about with some other cleansers for a bit.

I received the Neal's Yard Chamomile Cleanser (I plan to do a proper review of this very soon.) as a gift for Christmas and got on with it relatively well, it's taken some getting used to as it doesn't massage into the skin as easily as some cleansers but it does leave my skin soft and smooth. I don't think it's the best at deep cleansing though so I was needing something more suited to that to add to my routine.


So with my £5 off No7 voucher in hand I went in search for the No7 Radiance Boosting hot cloth cleanser. I've only been using it for a few days but I'm really liking it, after use my face feels clean and soft without any hint of tightness. It is missing the scent of the Liz Earle one- the No7 one smells more.. soapy? and it's not quite as luxurious feeling, but then it's normally £9 for 200ml instead of £11 for 100ml, and with a voucher a bargainous £4 for 200ml!


Soap and Glory's Greatest Scrub of All is my current exfoliator and has been for a while. It's the perfect amount of scrubbiness but I just don't feel it's working for me anymore, so any suggestions are most welcome!

I'm using deep cleansing sponges as well as a muslin cloth to remove my cleansers at the moment, I find it's quicker and easier and something I can see myself sticking with. They seem to do their deep cleansing job well whilst still being really gentle too, they're from the Botanics range and they were around £3 for two.


The Body Shop's facial brush is another favourite accessory, it's great for transforming a normal cleanse to a really thorough exfoliation, it is something that's likely to make you break out at first though, as everything gets settled down and your skin gets a really good deep cleanse, so not one to start using right before a big event!


The rest of my skincare routine will be coming up soon!


What are you using for cleansing at the moment?


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