Hype can be a very scary thing when it comes to shopping for beauty products. Beauty gurus will often rave about something until it reaches 'Holy Grail' status, inspiring you to run out and get it thinking your life is about to be changed. Now, I am definitely the kind of person who likes to wait a bit to buy something so that I can see whether or not it's getting positive reviews but I'm also hesitant to try something when it's the 'It' product of the moment. I like to wait a bit for the hype-gasm to wear off and see if it's something people are still dedicated to. Although there doesn't seem to be as much hype surrounding the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser in the U.S. as in the U.K., it's a cleanser that gets its fair share of love. It's been around for decades and has surpassed that sort of  'general hysteria' hype and moved right into 'Cult Classic' status. I decided to pick this baby up after repeatedly hearing a couple of my favorite (and most trusted) British bloggers swear by it and it's been a total game-changer for me. Here's why.


Unlike most of the cleansers I've tried in the past, this one is specifically meant to be used with a muslin cloth to get a really thorough, deep clean. I picked up the starter kit from the Birchbox store in Soho which included a full-size (3.3 fl. oz.) bottle of the cleanser, two muslin cloths and a carrying case, all for $25.50, which is normally the price of just the cleanser itself. Plus, I was able to use my Birchbox points so the whole shebang came out to just $15.50. Win!







I've been using the cleanser for about a month now, only in the evenings, and I've really been loving it. It has a thick, creamy formula, with a good amount of oils to break down stubborn makeup and get deep down into your skin. I love that I can rub this over my eyelids to remove any excess mascara and eye makeup and it doesn't sting one bit! You apply a pump or two of the product to dry skin, really massaging the cleanser into your face and neck. Once that's done, you soak the muslin cloth in hot water, wring it out, and gently scrub the product from your skin, rinsing the cloth as needed to get everything off. You finish it all off by splashing some cold water on your face. The whole process is actually pretty soothing and relaxing and leaves my skin feeling smoother and softer.

As dumb as it sounds, your skin really does feel cleansed and polished. This was my first experience using a muslin cloth but I would compare it to a thinner, slightly scratchier wash cloth. Not as high-tech as a Clarisonic but it does a great job of exfoliating dead skin cells for brighter skin. I feel like my face has cleared up a bit since beginning this routine and I'm especially loving the cleanser now that the weather is so hot and humid. This stuff really takes off the oil, sweat and grime after a long day in a muggy, polluted city. The cleanser has a strong eucalyptus and herb scent which might be a downside for some people but has become really addictive to me. I also love that the pump packaging is super hygienic and allows you to dispense the perfect amount of product.

For me, this cleanser is an all around winner. I usually don't like to spend this much on cleansers as I think the extra money is often better spent on targeted masks or treatments, so it's definitely the priciest cleanser I've ever purchased for myself. But I feel like I've seen a change in my skin for the better and think the money was well worth it. I would happily repurchase the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish, though I won't need to for a couple of months since I still have quite a bit left in the bottle. If you're looking for a creamy cleanser to step up your skincare routine I would definitely recommend this starter kit. In my book, this was definitely a time where the product lived up to the legend.


Have you tried any cleansers lately that you absolutely love? Any hyped up products that you think are totally as good as everyone makes them out to be? Any fails? Let me know in the comments below!