…and she really, really does.
I rarely get really excited about haircare – it’s happened 3 times so far this year. First, with Pantene’s new Aqualight which I’d still be using now if my sensitive scalp hadn’t kicked up a fuss about it. Secondly with my mysterious high street deep conditioner (don’t get too excited, it’s only mysterious ‘cos I haven’t written the review yet) and thirdly, with this fabulous offering from Liz Earle.
If you’re a regular beauty blog reader, I know that you will have read at least 10 other reviews on these products seeing as they’ve done the ‘blog rounds’ in recent months and I wish I could bring something new and exciting to the table. But really, all I can do is offer up another rave on how lovely these products are.
Whilst I may not be sold on the powers of the original Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish (I prefer my Cleansing Oil routines), I have always been impressed with the philosophy behind it of finding a gentle but effective product to suit all skintones. The same philosophy has been applied to the Liz Earle Botanical Shine Shampoo (only for hairtypes) and for mine? It works like a dream.
On a completely superficial level, I adore the scent. I think it’s easy to underestimate just how big an influence scent plays in our bathing products. In my bathroom, it’s right up there with performance… my haircare needs to smell divine, or I’m just not interested. This smells… divine. It’s understated, fruity and most importantly… clean-smelling and non-artificial. It leaves my locks delicately scented without being overpowering.
The texture of the shampoo is almost slightly gel-like and the quantity shown above is about the amount I use to wash my hair. Adding just a small amount of water, I lather the mixture up between my hands before applying to the roots of my hair. Considering this is a SLS/SLES shampoo, I’m impressed with the amount of lather I can achieve. My hair rinses clean in under a minute and actually feels clean (though not squeaky). I only need one wash… none of that rinse and repeat stuff. It cleanses my hair effectively and leaves my scalp happy and calm.
I was also sent the conditioner for dry or damaged hair (one of the three varieties available) and it’s a very thick, almost masque-like opaque cream. Rich with shea butter and yangu oil (known for it’s inherent uv protection), the conditioner offers a deeply moisturising experience. I tend to keep this away from my roots and concentrate instead on the ends and main hair shaft. It lacks the tell-tale silicone slip that if I’m honest… I still miss but does prevent my hair from taking on a straw-like appearance once dry.
The scent of the conditioner is heavier than the shampoo and to my nose, I smell licorice which I’m putting down to the Rose-Scented Geranium essential oil… a scent that has always reminded me more of anise and licorice than roses! Love it.
Both shampoo and conditioner come in two sizes (50ml and 200ml) and are priced at £4/£7.50 respectively. Despite a full month’s use… I’ve only used half a bottle of the shampoo and will absolutely be repurchasing. The conditioner tube is nearly empty and I’m not quite in love with it enough to repurchase.
Liz Earle’s new haircare ranges can be purchased online. I’m not sure if they’re available from John Lewis, which would be my preferred source (I know the candles/bath oils aren’t) – I’ll check and get back to you on that one.
Sounds lovely. I’m enjoying Liz Earle’s Energising Body Scrub and Wash combo at the moment, so will have to get my mitts on some of this! Anything that goes down the ‘naturally derived cleanser’ route has got to be a good thing!
Can’t wait – am off to shop right now!
I read sooo many stuff about her products that I’m sorry I bought a hair treatment yesterday without remembering about Liz Earle’s stuff :-<
i wait until you do your reviews of the ‘it’ product anyway :)! xxx
Haha yes I’ve read all the blogger reviews (but still reading them, evidently!). I love the shampoo! I’ve never used anything like it before. Definitely a keeper for me. Glad it’s keeping your scalp happy too.
You can definitely get them in my local John Lewis (Liverpool). I’ve been eyeing them up for a while and think I’ll buy the shampoo soon!
I might have a look for that next time I’m in John Lewis in Cardiff. I like that you can get tiny sizes of it; they’d be great for travel!
Shame I’m on a “no poo or condish” rule until my collection takes up less than one drawer…
Yeah, you are absolutely right. I always take care of my hair and I used to go to the Liz Earle Beauty Clinic. I am 35 years old lady but still I have good dark brown softy hair.
Hi, only just spotted this review. Have been using the LE shampoo for a few weeks now and not actually that impressed with its lathering…also had terrible problems with the container…which hubby has now sorted for me…
shame really, as love LE cleanse & polish and all her other skincare 🙁
Hi Maria,
SLS Free shampoos don’t really lather… SLS is a detergent… and without it, brands usually have to look to using the essential oils and other ingredients to actually clean the hair. It’s the one thing I miss when using anything SLS free. We’re so ‘conditioned’ to believe that it’s the bubbles that are ‘cleaning’ our hair when it really isn’t!
I’ve heard other people have problems with the container too, I hope it’s something the brand looks into fixing/replacing!
I’m not a huge fan of C&P but love the shampoo! x
there appears to be a serious problem with the Liz earle botanical shampoo – eithher the packaging or ingredients – I cannot be the only person to have had to return the shampoo because it does not deliver shampoo. there is some kind of a blockage. this is the second lot I’ve had and the same fault has occurred. liz earle dont seem to be taking this seriously as yet. it took a while for them to recall their cleanse & polish cleanser when there was a problem. the conditioner packaging/ingredients seem to be OK. I’ve been a user of their products since they started business and have never had cause to complain about their products before. generally their stuff is lovely
Hi S,
That’s a shame, you are the 2nd person I’ve heard of who’s had an issue with the packaging – so it looks like you might be right. I haven’t experienced any problem with mine but another lady ended up sawing the top from her tube. I hope they look into it!