Duke of York’s New Shop

What a treat today! My first day up in ‘the big smoke’ with Baby Isabel, and what a way to celebrate, walking into our wonderful new flagship store! I was full of anticipation as I walked through Eaton Square from Victoria station, and my excitement and expectations were more than satisfied. As well as a huge space to take in all that is our Liz Earle world, there are also many places to ‘escape’ into and play to your heart’s content – from the library area, stocked with health & beauty books, to the fun ‘real botanicals’ bar where you can see what our ingredients actually look, feel and smell like… to the exciting theatrical wrapping area! I also sneaked a visit downstairs with my colleague Paula, to see the stunning new treatment rooms. Even Isabel squeaked with excitement as we stepped out of the busy 'work-day' Kings Road atmosphere outside, and down into a totally chilled-out haven downstairs. What a dream – I leave for you to discover for yourselves, but it felt like stepping into an oasis of calm, with a feeling of our Isle of Wight home, ahhh dreamy. Can’t wait for my first facial in a few weeks! (Note to self: book Grannie to babysit Isabel so I can totally indulge myself for once!)

It was quite an emotional experience for me, stepping into our new flagship store, on many levels. So much is growing in our world, but our company heart remains true to our first, founding principles. It is very reassuring, as a new mum with new life-changing experiences and millions of hormones flying around, to find that – despite exciting developments – our Liz Earle world and core remains the same as it always was. Whilst my new life as a Mummy is always in flux and never the same, the Liz Earle people and all we stand for is constant. It’s incredibly reassuring, and I know that our customers feel the same way. In our busy, modern world with so little time to stand still, a little luxury that can make a daily difference is priceless. So thank you to our wonderful team, from me as a ‘customer’ for once…..

Post-baby tips

Baby Isabel is now four months’ old and I am now finally sitting down for a proper blog session, whilst Izzy is happily cooing from her playmat. (She’s just learnt to roll over onto her tummy, highly amusing to watch the delight on her face when she accomplishes this successfully). Life is very full nowadays, and I have been totally relying on my Liz Earle favourites to get me through the past few months. Initially, baby and I were in and out of hospital for about two weeks and I found that, as well as the sleepless nights and emotional exhaustion of getting used to our new baby, my skin was also totally ‘stressed out’ - dry and dehydrated with the high heat that they use in maternity wards to keep the babies warm. Whilst I hardly had time to think of me when my husband called me each morning to ask what to bring in – breakfast, clean baby clothes, a cup of home-made coffee etc, I would always remember to add a mini Liz Earle product onto the wish list. The new star in my life became Superskin Moisturiser (UK, US) – not only did this rid me immediately of any dry, tight skin sensations from the hospital heating, but it was also my godsend during those first few crazy weeks of motherhood. Even if I didn’t manage to have my daily shower until 4pm, I would enjoy the 3 minutes of ‘me time’ that was my cleanse, tone and Superskin Moisturiser each morning.

Now, four months into our wonderful new life, I still have little time to indulge myself with the long baths and skincare luxuries of my pre-baby days. However, I have actually found that I am relying on the range more than ever for its ease and simplicity – to give me great, immediate results time after time. (I’m sure this has been why my ante natal friends always say that, despite tired eyes, my skin always looked healthy in those early months). Since Isabel was born, we have experienced all sorts of weather – from the heavy snow on her first Sunday trip to Mass, to the heat of last Saturday night as well as balmy evenings in France, where we holidayed last month; but my skincare has remained the same – our three essentials, with a touch of Superskin Concentrate on days when I needed a bit of TLC. Though my routine is much shorter than it used to be (I finally managed to find time to use our Intensive Nourishing Treatment Mask (UK, US) for the first time on Tuesday evening!), I am still delighted with the amazing quick results.

I would particularly recommend our large size Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer (UK, US) for anyone in hospital, or as a gift for friends in hospital – more original than a bunch of flowers, but the same uplifting effects! You also get to take it home after your stay. All the midwives kept asking what the gorgeous smell in our room was, as I enthusiastically sprayed mine around to calm Isabel and I during the relentless night feeds – and, to their delight, they all received our handy mini 30ml versions as thank you’s when we left. I wasn’t surprised to discover that many of the midwives already use the range – particular favourites are Energising Hip & Thigh Gel for sore feet, Hand Repair to soothe their hands after applying the anti-bacterial gel after visiting each patient, and Superbalm for tired, dry skin on the nails and for lips. Thank you to all of you who helped us – I know that many of you already read our blog…

And now, time for a quick application of Hand Repair (UK, US) (I keep one in the kitchen, one in the bathroom, one by the changing table, one under my bed, one in the car, one in the buggy…. my husband also uses it, to help combat the dryness after multiple hand washes, post nappy changing!) and then it’s time to go back to Baby Isabel….