La Roche Posay Effaclar Anti-Blemish System Review

La Roche Posay Effaclar 3-step Anti-Blemish System* link

Last year there was a pretty large buzz around the launch of the La Roche Posay 3-step Anti-Blemish System and I was lucky enough to be sent one for review. The kit is designed for people who have oily and blemish prone skin which I don't really have but I do love the Effaclar Duo[+] and was interested to see how the 3-step system would work for me.

3-step systems are nothing new in terms of the cleanse, tone moisturise and we've seen them from the likes of Clinque and Liz Earle but dare I say they can be pretty basic in their method and with La Roche Posay promising to help reduce sebum levels, remove bacteria, reduce pore size, matte skin and improve the appearance of skin by reducing marks from old blemishes it was certainly more targeted.

The system is priced around £32.50 (I say around as you will always find offers in Boots etc) and contains Effaclar Purifying Gel Cleanser, the Effaclar Clarifying Toner which is new to the UK market and my favourite the Effaclar Duo.  La Roche Posay say that you will only need these three quick and easy steps to 'dramatically improve your skin'.

Step 1: Effaclar Purifying Gel Cleanser*
The Effaclar Cleanser is certainly not a luxurious cleanser compared to other items of my line up. Whilst I wasn't averse to using in the mornings, it wasn't enjoyable like my balm cleansers I prefer to use as part of my evening routine despite doing well against removing make up.

For me my skin just isn't oily enough and I found this vile tasting (it happens!) cleanser to be too drying so if you are in any category other than oily skin I would be mindful of using this. I persevered using, moving to only morning use but after a week I was developing dry patches and decided to admit defeat.

Obviously this isn't a negative towards the product because it wasn't suitable for my skin type and a cautionary tale that if you want to strip back your skincare regime ensure you are still using the right products for your skin type.

As an aside I'm currently using the La Roche Posay Physiological Cleansing Gel* which I much prefer. Targeted for all skin types it's much less drying than it's Effaclar cousin despite being very similar in formula and consistency. I tend to use this as a morning cleanse although found it just as effective of an evening when needing to remove make up.

Step 2: Effaclar Clarifying Toner*
In a nice bit of marketing from La Roche Posay they have included in this kit the Effaclar Clarifying Toner which is a new to the UK market and only available in this kit. As this type of cleanser is having 'a moment' in the beauty community and of course it's suitability to be used when needed rather than regularly it is the more favoured product from the kit but many reviewers (unless of course you're blemish prone and the full kit works as instructed).

Again like the cleanser this is too drying for me to use daily but is certainly a saviour during hormonal periods and when I'm having a breakout. This toner contains the 'favourite' acids Lactic and Salicylic both of which aid reducing breakouts and this toner will unclog your pores and smooth your skin.

Step 3: Effaclar Duo [+]*
The Effaclar Duo which divides opinion as much as marmite has been mentioned on Florence and Mary numerous times. Since my initial review it has appeared in favourites and been repurchased numerous times. I love it and it has holy grail status.

I use this ad hoc throughout the week during my serum step and find my outbreaks are significantly reduced. As part of the 3-step routine it is to be used to correct and hydrate so double duty if you will. The Effaclar Duo[+] will work to reduced the appearance of blemishes and unclog pores as well as reducing the appearance of any marks left from old blemishes.

Of course I know this product works but as I mentioned I use it in amongst my routine and as a moisturiser it just didn't feel sufficient. Again I mentioned my skin type isn't that which this routine is marketed for and as I steadily approach the grand old age of 36 my skin concerns require a little more attention.

Overall in summary whilst this routine wasn't for me and it's time to go back to my more than 3-steps routine I can see how it will benefit the oily and blemish prone amongst us. Of course with the exception of the cleanser I will still enjoy using the products in my more in depth routine but I think for teens it could be a hit. It's simple packaging makes it friendly to the males who suffer from skin concerns and again I think having only 3 steps to think about means that it would be used as directed without any tantrums. It's price point whilst on initial purchase can seem pricely for the 'only' three products you need and with an anticipated six weeks usage as well as factoring in your offers it's much more cost effective and time consuming than adding, trialling and using multiple wonder products.

How does this sound to you, are you an oily skinned blemish sufferer or maybe know someone who could benefit from this range.

*PR Sample

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser link

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish is the product that has won numerous awards and everyone has had in their cleansing routines at one time or another and sparked many imitations - and an obsession with muslin cloths.

I was introduced to Liz Earle via QVC and even when I was lax with a skincare regime, when I did have my moments it was Liz Earle and the famous hot cloth cleanser I reached for. Today I'm a little older and more disciplined with my regime and if I'm honest am no longer excited by Cleanse & Polish and haven't been since their Limited Edition Grapefruit & Patchouli version. That said whenever I travel it's my cleanser of choice and as I'll be packing it for my night away this weekend I thought it was worth a special mention.

The beauty of Cleanse & Polish is it's reliability and double duty. These days I would prefer it as a morning cleanse but it's ability to remove make up is second to none and therefore when travelling and with no desire to load up suitcases with multiple cleansing products I know that Cleanse & Polish will work for both purposes.

The packaging is perfect, I do love their full size products that dispense just the right amount needed for your cleanse and the fact that you can buy travel sizes makes life so much easier. There's a reason that Liz Earle only sell one cleanser and that is because it's designed for all skin types. Often you can't share skincare products with travelling companions due to different skin types but Cleanse & Polish was used by both mum and I when we went away last year.

If ever the time came and I had to pick just one cleanser to use for the rest of my life (oh the horror!) I think it's very likely this would be the one would be on the list for consideration. The beauty is in it's simplicity yet getting the job done. Often these types of products can be overlooked especially in a world where we're dabbling with all sorts of imitations and other cleansing products.

Are you a Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish fan?

Airline Approved Beauty

When a trip to Edinburgh was discussed I was naturally enthusiastic. Flights and accommodation were booked and then it came to packing and I realised that I was only allowed hand luggage and that meant a limited selection of make up and beauty products - cue panic!

All the products shown above fitted in this airline approved travel bag from Sephora as well as a few samples of moisturisers and serums to use from Kiehls. These products are also those I generally know work well and with better planning and more time (packing was somewhat last minute) I might have put more thought into double duty products.

Soap & Glory Clean On Me link
You can't go wrong with a Soap & Glory shower gel. The right size for travel, wonderfully scented what more can you ask for? Soap & Glory are great for offering many of their product in travel sizes and often on 3 for 2 offers.

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Blush link
My biggest worry was hair products. I'm so used to reaching for various products depending on whim but none were available to my in mini size nor suitable for decanting. I have since investigated and know that my favoured Bumble & Bumble Dryspun finish is available in travel size and have been testing Collab which I am loving and is also available in a handy travel size for forthcoming trips.

That aside I had a small can of Batiste in Blush available. As you will know I prefer the Brunette version which is only available in full size but the floral and fruity scented version did what I needed to give enough oomph to my hair.

Jo Malone Vitamin E Cream link
Adding this to the travel bag was something of a faux pas as I'd somehow read it was an eye cream, which it is not. I even used it as such and thought 'hmmm this is a bit greasy/oily/weird for an eye cream'. It was only the following day (when less cocktails had been consumed) I realised my error.

It's a shame I hadn't taken this along and used as intended it would've been just the thing. An oil-based moisturiser to treat dry, dehydrated or weathered skin would have been perfect after spending the day walking the cold windy streets of Edinburgh and battling snow storms. Likewise you can use on elbows, feet which I didn't benefit from during my stay. At least I'm informed for next time.

Avene Thermal Spring Water* link
The Avene Thermal Spring Water is fast becoming a travel essential for me having popped up in my beach bag and sightseeing essentials posts of last year. It was a no brainer to throw this handy can into my hand luggage. It's probably more suited to trips to sunnier climes but as a refresher from the biting wind we experienced this was perfect and suited my toner step in the regime.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish link
An oldie but a goodie. The cleanser of choice for me whenever I travel. I've little to say but a handy travel size cleansed that works in the am and pm and tackles make up as needed.

Nivea Men Aqua Cool Deodorant link
I don't know why I have this travel sized mens deodorant but I did and took it away with me. I don't mind using mens deodorants as I find they often have quite a pleasing scent and work a little harder than female equivalents.

Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil link
Whilst I had Kiehls Ultra Facial Moisturiser by day (in sample form) due to my drier skin over Winter I still wanted to enjoy the indulgent evening step of an oil. It came to Tarte and their Pure Maracuja Oil to do the job. I love this oil (as you will know if you read this post) and as I type this post I'm wanting to dig it back out and start using day to day again.

Bumble & Bumble Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner link
As I said products that travelled to Edinburgh were those that I rely on and enjoy using. Bumble & Bumble's Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner is a range that I repurchased almost immediately after sampling travel sizes (these are decanted as I kept the bottles for this purpose). You can read that post here. This duo was needed more than ever as I was travelling without my usual styling products and it gives me enough volume to get by.

I'd love to know how you manage to travel light when working with limited liquid allowances.

*PR Sample

The Witchery, Edinburgh

The Witchery by the Castle link

There were two restaurants that Ben wanted to visit whilst in Edinburgh for his birthday, The Witchery being one of them which we booked for our first night of our weekend break. I was quite excited to dine there myself as anyone I spoke to about Edinburgh recommended it. 

The Witchery is hidden down an alley in Edinburgh's Old Town, the entrance through an ancient 'close' below a guild heraldic sign. Unfortunately I have no photos from outside as it was very cold, dark and wet when we arrived for our reservation.

Despite arriving just five minutes before our scheduled reservation our table wasn't ready and due to the size of the restaurant there is no bar or area to wait. As mentioned it was a particularly grim evening so we had to make do with an offer of a drink whilst we waited and crammed into a small bench behind the host. Not ideal especially when the arrival drinks did not end up being complimentary (and I won't mention the incident with a selfie stick that resulted in aforementioned drinks ending up on the floor!). 

We were not left waiting and were soon sipping red wine whilst perusing the menu. If I'm honest I already pretty much knew what I'd be ordering as I always read menus in advance - anyone else do that? We were also told we were the last reservation for our table that evening so could enjoy our meal in leisure, more than making up for our short wait. 

Ben picked his favourite the steak tartare of seasoned raw prime Scotch Borders beef, with remoulade and raw quail egg and I went for the slightly less exciting but pleasing for my fussy taste Roast Arran Beets, Katie Rogers crowdie, toasted hazelnuts, smoked cauliflower puree. I must confess it was the only starter I thought I'd eat but wasn't sure I'd like it but was pleasantly surprised. I'm having something of a moment with beets of late. Lewis went for the Witchery Haggis which unfortunately I was unable to get a snap of.

After our starters it was time to do the obligatory photos before the main course arrived. Lewis and I both chose the Fillet of Scotch Borders beef whilst Lavinia and Ben shared the Lamb Wellington. Lamb Wellington isn't something I'd order but I was able to try some and can't deny it was delicious and melt in the mouth. We shared the usual sides of mash potatoes, greens and baby carrots which unfortunately we were not fans of an jokingly referred to them as sambuca carrots due the chervil butter.

Thankfully due to the wonderful service at The Witchery which allowed us to take our time before courses we were able to wait a short while before we ordered dessert. I had to pick the Pineapple Tart Tatin with rum caramel and coconut ice cream, the pastry was so light and Lavinia chose the Dark Belgian chocolate tart with orange marmalade ice cream which was rich but delightful

We gave our waiters the heads up that it was Ben's birthday and they added a candle to his cheese plate which was a lovely touch. Slowly the restaurant emptied completely but for us but there was no rushing  from the staff as they cleared up around us and left us to our evening. After one or two glasses bottles things started to descend into chaos so we made our leave and returned to our hotel for a few more cocktails.

The whole experience whilst off to a slow start was fantastic. The service was impeccible and I had some expectation that the evening would be stuffy and we wouldn't be allowed to talk and laugh as much as we would like but I was proved very wrong.

I can fully see why The Witchery has such a good reputation and I will be joining the ranks of people recommending it whenever I hear anyone is travelling to Edinburgh. 

Mary Greenwell and Me

As sad as it may be there's nothing that makes me feel happier than seeing products I own appearing in a magazine and you can imagine my delight when I saw make-up artist Mary Greenwell sharing the contents of her make-up bag and I noted that we had some favourite products in common.

Chanel Les Beiges All In One Healthy Glow Fluid link
Like me, Mary wears Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Fluid in the Summer months. This product accompanies my Healthy Glow Powder and appeared in my Foundation Favourites 2014 post.

As I discussed in that post this is a product I purchased after trying a sample and falling instantly in love and I will repurchase time and again. It's a light coverage and certainly one for good skin days but if you want that just stepped off the beach glow give this a try yourself.

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Long Wear Luminious Eyeshadow link
I only own cream eyeshadow from Chanel but Fantasme is a good one. I reviewed in in this post last year and even received a compliment from the sales assistant in Chanel on my eye make up so that's got to be a glowing endorsement. One or two new colours from this range appear in Chanel's limited editions and I often toy with adding a few more to my collection.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler link
Judge me all you like but ever since the Shu Uemura Eyelash curler was referenced in the Devil Wears Prada movie I wanted to get my hands on one. It finally happened in August 2013. It's raved by everyone in the beauty biz and is the must have beauty tool. What do I think of it? Well you'll have to stay turned for a forthcoming post on eyelash curlers to find out.

Do you recognise any products that you share?