After reading an interview with Vicky Ewbank, the lady behind the brand, on Danny's Holistic Green Beauty blog, I bought a collection containing all three of the core skin care products in the range; the Essential Earth Exfoliating Cleanser, the Essential Mist MSM Toner and the Essential Woman Frangipani Fresh Moisturiser.
The Essential Earth Exfoliating Cleanser looks like mud mixed with oil, and has a somewhat earthy smell (which I like, but it might not be everyone's cup of tea). It is an absolutely brilliant gentle exfoliant and cleanser if you can get past the slightly weird appearance, and has converted me to being a morning face washer (I used to just splash with water in the mornings). You mix a dab (I use about a 5p piece size) with the same amount of water in the palm of your hand to make a smooth paste and apply using a pressing motion to a damp face. If you've used the cleansing creams from Dr Hauschka or Jurlique, you'll be familiar with the concept and the technique. I prefer the Live Native as it does not contain alcohol (none of the products in the range do) and the oil/earth/oats combination just works well for my skin. It's a bit odd looking, but I love it (which makes it the Iggy Pop of cleansers.)
A quick word of warning - when this first arrived and was full, some oil did tend to lie on top of the paste. It's not a product to chuck in an overnight bag when it is full - decant a little into a completely tight container, or seal the lid with some kind of tape when travelling.
Oat (Avena Sativa) Kernel Meal*, Rhassoul Clay (Montmorillonite)*/***, Chamomile Macerate in Sunflower oil*, Argan (Argania Spinosa) Kernal Oil*/***, Coconut (Cocos Nucifera) Oil*, MSM (Dimethyl Sulfone) from Pine Trees, Chamomile (Chamomilla Recutita Matricaria) Flower*, Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Root Powder*, Kelp (Ascophyllum Nodosum)**, Marigold (Calendula Officinalis) Flower Oil*, Vitamin E (natural d-alpha tocopherol), Glyceryl Caprilate, Grapefruit (Citrus Grandis) Seed Extract in vegetable glycerin, Acerola cherry (Malpighia Glabra) Fruit Extract*.
* organic | ** wild harvested | *** Fairtrade
The Essential Mist MSM Toner is a toner with MSM from pine trees (anti-inflammatory) and acerola cherry extract (very high in vitamin C). The dispenser gives a very fine mist, and the smell is beautiful - a gentle, exotic, but calming floral blend. This is more than just a toner; it calms and soothes the skin and acts as very light pre-moisturising serum.
Ingredients for Essential Mist MSM Toner: ( 93% organic )
Rosa damascena (rose) floral water*, Dimethyl sulfone (MSM from pine trees), Malpighia glabra (acerola cherry) fruit extract*, Rosa damascena (rose otto) essential oil*, Santalum austrocaledonicum veill (sandalwood) essential oil*, Plumeria rubra (frangipani) absolute, (*denotes organic) contains the following components of essential oils: citral, citronellol, eugenol, farnesol, geraniol and linalool.
* organic
The Essential Woman Frangipani Fresh Moisturiser smells so good you'd think you could eat it (you probably could, but it's too good not to put it on your face). It's a solid but easily meltable balm-cream texture, and it does become more liquid when the temperature rises over 24 C (as you can see from my picture below, taken on Sunday). This doesn't affect the performance of the moisturiser and if anything makes it easier to pick up and apply a small amount (I find I need a little more in colder weather and slightly less in warmer weather). This moisturiser feels beautiful on the skin. It doesn't feel at all heavy or greasy (if you can see or feel any oil a couple of minutes after applying you've probably used too much) and leaves my skin feeling plump and peachy soft.
Ingredients for Essential Woman Frangipani Fresh Moisturiser: (96% organic )
Virgin Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil*, Aloe barbadensis miller (cold pressed aloe vera)*, Butyrospermum parkii (raw shea butter)**, Rosa damascena (rose) floral water*, d-alpha tocopherol (natural vitamin E with mixed tocopherols in GMO free soy oil), Rosa damascena (rose otto) essential oil*, Santalum austrocaledonicum veill (sandalwood) essential oil*, Glyceryl caprilate (from palm and coconut oil), Plumeria rubra (frangipani) absolute, Sodium levulinate, Sodium anisate, Cupressus sempervirens (cypress) essential oil*, Citrus sinensis (orange) essential oil*, Aqua, Glycerin, Ascorbic acid, Xanthan gum. Contains the following components of essential oils: citral, citronellol, eugenol, farnesol, geraniol, limonene and linalool.
* organic | ** wild harvested
I bought and started using these products at the end of April, and I am extremely happy with how my skin feels and looks on this routine. I'm using the Oskia Perfect Cleanser in the evening as my night time cleanser and La Bella Figura Decouverte Serum as my eye product, but other than this I've been using Live Native products pretty much exclusively (apart from a couple of tests of the Nourish Skin Care I wrote about last week) for the month.
Live Native products are available from the website, www.livenative.com. As well as the full size set of the three products for £99, you can buy a smaller starter kit of the three for £50 to see how you get on with the range before investing in full sizes (the cleanser and moisturiser are about half the size of those in my set, and the toner is 1/5 of the full size). All products are also available individually (and it's £10 cheaper to get the three full sizes individually, although the set does come in a very nice and sturdy box).
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I love the look of that exfoliater
ReplyDeleteHello! My biggest challenge with this range is not licking the products :)
DeleteHello Grace, this is a really interesting post. I've always used products with the aim of making my skin feel nice and look healthy. Although I'm now in my mid 40's, I've never bothered with anti-ageing stuff (despite reading Beauty Mouth blog!) as I'm not convinced it makes much difference. Where do these products fall in the nice to use - full of things doing anti-slackening etc spectrum and did you notice any changes to tone and texture of your skin over the month? I'm v tempted by the Oskia range too. Thanks for your posts. Caroline
ReplyDeleteHi Caroline - Live Native is sort of in the middle. It doesn't contain peptides or glycolics, but the acerola, MSM and other botanicals perform similar functions as the more high tech ingredients in a slower and more gentle way. My skin is quite reactive, so I often get on better with the slower botanicals - my skin does better with rosehip oil than a more refined retinol, for example. A thicker, less reactive skin might do better with the more concentrated lab refined ingredients.
DeleteI believe that about 80% of skin health is in what you eat and your lifestyle.
My skin tone has become slightly less porcelain and warmer over the month. I don't think the texture has particularly changed from when I was using the 'anti-ageing' products. My skin feels plumper and less dry - I do suspect that using glycolics and zinc oxide sunscreen continuously was drying it out a bit.
Oskia is another extremely good range - the textures are a bit more typical skin care textures, they also use MSM in their formulations.
Thanks so much for the reply. My skin can be a bit on the touchy side so this sounds like a nice balance! Caroline
Deletethis sounds exciting! have you tried the new range at content too? seems like it's raw as well. I really like the oil. btw I was looking at the site -- I think buying these products individually might be cheaper actually... which is weird. too many delights! I've been really enjoying oskia and omorovicza as well :)
ReplyDeletebtw, what would you say is a good antioxidant serum to use underneath a light spf?
Hi Stephanie - Ambre? I have a review of the Hand Cream coming up this week. It is (pardon the language) bloody amazing. I had that as a PR sample, but I've just bought the Body Cream myself and I'm waiting for it to arrive.
DeleteYou're right on the price - it's £10 cheaper to buy each of them individually. Doh! I suppose the boxed set is really meant as a gift, but shame on me for not doing the maths. Will edit my post, thanks.
My favourite antioxidant serum is still the Skinceuticals C with Ferulic range. Not a natural one, but very effective. I've been getting my antioxidants from the Well Well Well supplements instead for the last couple of months.
yes Ambre heh I can't believe I forgot the name when I just got the oil yesterday. I think the oil is bloody amazing too :p maybe I'll try the hand cream as well!
DeleteI think once I finish my current cleansers I'm going to try the live native; thank you for the review! :)
I guess it'd be harder getting a very effective antioxidant serum out of natural products :) the well well well supplements sound fascinating; I shall give it a try!
These sound really interesting,, have never heard anything like them before. x
ReplyDeleteHello - they are lovely. A few raw brands are coming on to the market, it is great to see the cleaner brands giving others a run for the money!
DeleteI've been using the MSM toner for a week or 2, love it. The mist is so fine, other spray toners are like a facial assault in comparison!
ReplyDeleteI'm dithering over ordering the mud mask. I shall dither no longer!
It's the nicest, finest spray toner I've ever used - I know exactly what you mean by some other spray toners - it's like shooting yourself with a soda syphon!
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThis is not really related to the subject your doing, but I have read your blog many many times and feel you can help me with this matter, I'm 34 still getting spots and senstive dehydrated skin, my t zone can get slightly oily during the day, the skin under my eyes is slightly lined and dehydrated, with dark circles which are hereditary(nice), could you recommend any products, I would be very grateful.
Hi - what are you using at the moment? I'd give you three main recommendations:
Delete1. If you're using a foaming cleanser aimed at oilier skin, stop. Switch to a balm or cream/lotion cleanser. If you're stripping your skin with a cleanser, it'll get dehydrated and at the same time try to pump out more oil.
2. La Roche Posay Effaclar A I Targeted Breakout Corrector - just apply directly to the spot overnight. Really takes them down. Just treat the spot, not the whole area.
3. Less expensive eye cream - 100% Pure Organic Coffee Bean Eye Cream. If you're willing to really chuck money at it, La Bella Figura Decouverte Eye Serum (it's £80 though)
They all sound lovely. I've always liked the Jurlique/Dr. Hauschka paste cleansers but was allergic to the almond meal. Hmm...
ReplyDeleteBTW, I got the W3LL Narcissist. Thanks for your help on picking a shade. #11 was indeed perfect.
Hi Dain - I think you'd really like the Live Active cleanser and toner.
DeleteI'm so glad the Narcissist is the right shade for you.
HI ive been using liz earle hot cloth cleanser there tonic and skin repair moisturiser.
ReplyDeleteHello - I think you're the anon from above with the skincare question?
DeletePersonally, I don't care for Cleanse & Polish. The menthol/eucalyptus is in it in a concentration that makes my skin react badly - I got a red spotty rash on my forehead and cheeks from using it (I used it years ago when it was only on QVC and I tried it again about a year or so ago when the blogging world went mad for the brand). If you like the texture, I'd swap it for Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser. If you like what you're using, I'd try swapping out the Cleanser for the Pai or another one with less essential oils, and seeing if that helps.
I really really want to try Live Native and Ambre! both sound right up my street! Im saving up lol! They are both british organic/natural with amazing ingredients that I asume will work wonderfully with my skin.Im using Pai at the moment which fits into everything above but alway look for new brands to try!
ReplyDeleteHi Natural-Lily. I'm really impressed with both brands and I do like being able to buy local. Thanks for visiting my blog :)
DeleteThe cleanser is very middle-earth looking! I am intrigued by the unusual textures. I will definitely give the toner a go as it sounds heavenly and I know my skin likes rosewater based ones. Thanks for your review, very helpful as always:)
ReplyDeleteHi Meeta - it is! Cleanser for hobbits ;) The toner is really excellent.
DeleteOh, this line sounds incredible! Thanks very much for your review of the products. I have sensitive, dry skin and prefer all-natural products; I love the brands I use--Pai, Kahina Giving Beauty and Evan Healy--but these look so intriguing, especially the toner (I adore a good toner). You've created a lemming! ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Sam - oh, you use some lovely skincare brands already. I think you'd really like the Live Native toner.
DeleteHi - it's Vicky here from Live Native and I just wanted to say a big Thank You to Grace London for her really honest and enthusiastic review :) We do make slightly unconventional products that can take a little bit of courage to get used to (like Iggy Pop I think!) but are well worth the effort. We also give a 30 day satisfaction guarantee in case our products or ingredients don't suit your skin for whatever reason. And in our opinion living skincare has tremendous therapeutic benefit and crosses the line between organic but not-so-effective and lab engineered and not-so-natural! It is how your skin performs 10 years from now that really interests us.Vx
ReplyDeleteHi Vicky - thanks. Sharing the Iggy love is something I approve of :)
DeleteI think using products like yours is a better long term bet than more extreme skincare, particularly on fragile skin.
Great review Grace, I am going to try these products. How do you think the exfoliating cleanser would work for someone with very reactive skin? I usually cannot do any type of manual exfoliation, but maybe the pressing method is more gentle?? Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Anon - the pressing method is more gentle than rubbing, and the oil base of the exfoliating cleanser cushions the skin.
DeleteThis is probably going to sound really nuts, but try it with a little finely ground oats (the texture of something like Ready Brek) a dab of water and a splash of oil at home. If that doesn't bother your skin, you'd be good with the Live Native (which is more effective and less hassle than the DIY concoction, but at least that would let you see if the method agrees with your skin without buying a product.)
I can't absolutely promise it, but I will try to make a video showing the DIY version and how you apply soon - maybe this weekend.
This range sounds really interesting and I'm fascinated by that exfoliating cleanser! The idea of the raw products is not one I've come across before but I like the logic.
ReplyDeleteThanks MB :)
DeleteTerrific review! I am in the US, but have been eyeing this brand on a few UK websites I shop at for quite some time. They look really intriguing. Just out of curiosity, are you still using the de Mamiel oil in your routine? I'm down to the last few drops of my spring oil and was checking out the summer oil.
ReplyDeleteHello! I didn't use the De Mamiel when I was using these for the month in order to review, but I have slotted it back in in the evenings now. I cleanse and tone, then use the De Mamiel instead of moisturiser. I've pretty much used mine up too.
DeleteI'm not 100% sure I'll get the De Mamiel summer oil - I'm considering either the Live Native or Ambre oil/serum instead for evening use. I'll make a decision before June 22!
I think this is a brand I am going to investigate, thanks for the thorough reviews Grace x
ReplyDeleteHi! It's worth having a look at the smaller sizes to try out, and they do list all the ingredients so you can see if they contain anything you know bothers your skin. I've found the products really balancing.
DeleteGrace, this sounds like such a wonderful concept! I tried to find locations in the US but was unable to do so. Do you know if they have any?
ReplyDeleteRegardless, I may just head back to their main website and find out if they'll ship internationally. It sounds so unique, I'd love to give it a try!
Hi Shannon - there aren't any US stockists yet, but the website does say that they will ship internationally if you email them. The only brand in the US doing something similar is Dr Alkaitis, but I do prefer the Live Native formulations (Dr A does use alcohol in the toner and serum).
DeleteIt is really agreeing with my skin.