Project Empties #23

My empties for this month seem to be mainly skincare and haircare products. I always find that I finish way more skincare and haircare products than makeup - Probably because I'm fickle with my makeup and change it up fairly often, whereas I generally stick to the same products for my skin and hair. Does anyone have any tips on how to use up makeup items quicker? As I feel my collection will never decrease in size and the products seem to last forever!

Skincare Empties:
I got this mini sample of Bioderma Matriciane Rides when I bought my new bottle of Bioderma Crealine Micellar Solution. I really enjoyed using this moisturiser, as it was quite thick and left my skin feeling really soft. This is definitely a contender for when I have to buy a new moisturiser. I also finished another tube of my beloved La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo. I'm not crying too much about finishing this tube, as I already had a back up tube in the wings and I have started using it already.

Haircare Empties:
This bottle of John Frieda 3 Day Straight is my best friend when I heat style my hair. It really helps to keep my straightened style in place until my next wash and my hair feels sleek and soft. I have repurchased this already and will definitely continue to do so. Batiste is my favourite dry shampoo, however I don't think I will repurchase Batiste Boho again. The scent was a little questionable. I can't quite pinpoint what it smelt of, but it definitely wasn't fruity or sweet (even though it claims to have a 'heavenly sweet fragrance'). I personally still prefer the Tropical version, which smells like coconuts. I have had this Tara Smith Feed The Root Conditioner for ages. In fact, the packaging of this has changed and they have now started stocking it in Marks and Spencer. The scent reminds me of minty chewing gum and unfortunately, as I didn't really like the scent, lingers in the hair. I really like how this product has no nasty ingredients (e.g. SLS, parabens, etc) and that it isn't tested on animals. It doesn't have much slip when applying to wet hair, but it does leave the hair feeling super soft and not weighed down.

What did you finish last month?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

P.S. As a quick side note, I thought I'd let you know of the free mini Benefit 'They're Real' Mascara with the June issue of ELLE (the one with Miley Cyrus on the cover). The magazine costs £4 and you get a generous 4g sample worth £9.50. A full sized tube of 'They're Real' is £19.50 for 8.5g - You do the math.

Project Empties #20

I hope you all had a lovely new year. What did you all do? My new year is usually fairly quiet, as I like to spend it with my family and watch the fireworks on TV. But this year, I spent it helping my mum pack up the remainder of our house as we are moving at the end of this week. Since I've been helping my mum pack, I have found so much stuff I'd forgotten about, found lots of hilarious old drawings, made up stories and school things and conquered my fear of the going into the loft.

Last month I only finished a few products. Once you throw in being ill and cooped up in bed for a week or so and then spending a lot of time makeup less helping to pack up the house, not many products were used throughout the month. It also seems like my beauty drawers are getting full again after Christmas... Eek!

Of the products I used up, I would repurchase the majority as I absolutely love them. I really enjoyed using the V05 Ultimate Hold Hairspray, as it has a great amount of hold without leaving your hair crispy, flaky or hard. It's easy to brush out and doesn't leave much residue. I love the huge can and it lasts forever, even with daily use. I have recently been using Batiste Tropical more than usual. I think my last bottle lasted me around 1 year, as I barely ever used it because I hated the smell and the white residue it left. I love the coconutty tropical smell of this one. La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo is one of my favourite blemish products. I have a full review here and I am already on my next tube. I also love the TEN Instant Lifting Cream. I had never heard of TEN before, but when my dad brought some of their moisturisers home, I thought I'd give this one a whirl. I'm glad I did as I love this moisturiser now. It's quite a light cream, but really hydrates and helps to balance my skin as it contains hyaluronic acid. It sinks into the skin nicely and doesn't leave the skin feeling greasy. The only thing I didn't like about this moisturiser is the smell as it's highly perfumed.

I won't be repurchasing the Lubatti Deliciously Rich Body Lotion (Tuberose and Mimosa), because although it smelt nice and was easy to rub into the skin, I didn't feel like it left my skin feeling  moisturised enough. I also found that you needed to use a lot per limb, using about 5-6 pumps per limb.

What have you finished this month?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Review: La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo is everything I wanted LRP Effaclar K to be. I'd heard lots of people rave about LRP Effaclar K, but unfortunately it didn't work too well for me. Effaclar Duo, however, has become one of my favourite acne treatments.

Effaclar Duo has helped to reduce any blemishes I have and has also helped me to keep them at bay. It is recommended to use it AM and PM, but I only use it in the evening. This really helps to reduce the size of spots overnight and I like to use a thin layer all over my face and then a thicker layer over my most troublesome areas or the biggest spots. My skin has been much clearer recently and I am putting it down to this product.

The consistency is very similar to LRP Effaclar K. It's light and blends into the skin easily. It doesn't really have a scent, which is good for those with sensitive skin. The tube is made of plastic rather than metal, which I prefer as metal tubes can get tiny holes in them easily and I like that there is a nozzle, so it's nice and hygienic.

I would compare this product to Avene Triacneal, which I also love, but Effaclar Duo would be the gentler little sister. I like Triacneal for spot treating (haha, excuse the pun!) particular blemishes, as I find it more effective that way, however Effaclar Duo is great to use all over the face, almost like a moisturiser and is also great for spot treating particular blemishes.

I bought some back ups as my current tube is almost finished. The Effaclar range is currently on offer in Boots where you can buy 2 products for £15 - This is a serious bargain as one tube is normally £13.

Have you ever used La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

November Favourites 2012

This month, I have been loving a number of products. I uploaded my favourites video to Youtube and I think this may have been one of my longest videos. I have also forgotten to include a few items in the photo above that were in my favourites video. Oops.

I have been enjoying using a lighter base over November and my favourites were Origins Vitazing and YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat Foundation. Although the Origins Vitazing is very sheer, it adds a nice healthy bit of colour and leaves my skin looking even once a bit of concealer is thrown into the mix. The YSL foundation is lovely. With 2 layers, I feel like my skin looks glowy, dewy and healthy. I like to set my base with Collection 2000 Sheer Loose Powder (not pictured), as it leaves the skin looking mattified but not chalky or cakey.

I have been wearing eyeshadow more often lately. I love using NYX Walnut all over the lid with Urban Decay's Naked (not pictured) in the crease, as they add a bit of definition without being too dark and dramatic for day time.

For lips, I have been using the Eve Lom Kiss Mix lip balm a lot. It's a lovely minty lip balm, which is glossy enough to pass as a lip gloss and keeps my lips feeling moisturised and soft. I have still been loving the MUA Lipstick in Shade 11 and I have also been enjoying using the Body Shop Lip and Cheek Stain, as it adds a lovely pink tint to the lips which stays on for ages.

Ten's Instant Lifting Cream has been my favourite moisturiser of choice for the past few months. It has helped balance my oiliness and dry patches and has left my skin feeling so soft. La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo is a godsend and helps to keep my skin clear. I have a more in depth review of that coming.

I have been loving this Radox Shower Gel in Brazilian Fusion. It kind of has a unisex scent, which is slightly musky but also a little fruity. It foams up nicely and doesn't leave my skin feeling dry or tight. Lastly, I have been loving this L'Oreal Everstrong conditioner. I love the herbally smell and the conditioner has left my hair feeling so soft and less frizzy.

What were you loving throughout November?

Thanks for reading. xoxo, Joy

Project Empties #16

This month's empties contain a mix of products. I've been getting through a fair few products lately, but still have a long way to go before I achieve my goal of clearing my drawers and only having the necessities.

Vaseline Cocoa Butter Moisturising Body Butter

Review: This moisturiser was great. It left my body feeling soft and hydrated, without feeling greasy. Plus it smelt great! My main gripe was that it's in a tub, but I know you can buy this in a bottle, so I can get over that.

Would I repurchase? Yes

Garnier Anti-Dark Circles Concealer

Review: I really enjoyed this concealer. I know it's designed primarily for use under your eyes, but I also used it on areas with redness or discolouration (e.g. under my nose, on acne scars, etc.). It's a perfect lightweight concealer, which does not crease. I always thought the roller ball was a bit of a gimmick, but I have to admit it is nice and cooling under the eyes. 

Would I repurchase? Yes

Silvikrin Maximum Hold Hairspray

Review: I bought this as it was pretty cheap and the perfect size for my handbag. This hairspray had good hold once sprayed, but can feel a little crunchy. It also had a pretty strong smell, which isn't that bad, just very strong, but luckily it doesn't linger.

Would I repurchase? No

La Roche Posay Effaclar K Review: I'm a little undecided about this product. It left my skin feeling smooth and was a great base for makeup, however I don't think it lived up to my expectations with regards to blemishes. I didn't see hardly any differences with my skin when I used this. It isn't very moisturising, so if you have drier skin, then you would probably need a moisturiser over the top of it.

Would I repurchase? Maybe

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

Review: This is a nice and gentle, unscented cleanser. It's great for sensitive skin and I found it was a great cleanser for my morning routine as it's quick and easy to use. It isn't great at removing makeup, even after I have used Bioderma to remove the bulk of it.

Would I repurchase? Maybe

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair

Review: I absolutely love this. My skin always feels great after using this. It always feels soft and nourished the day after and I feel like it has helped even out my skintone a little. I can tell the difference on my skin between when I use it and when I don't. I've heard of people say that this has helped their blemishes, but it didn't make any difference with mine. It has a slightly funny smell to it, which doesn't linger once rubbed in. It's also pretty expensive, so if you're looking for an evening serum to splurge on, I would recommend this.

Would I repurchase? Yes

L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara

Review: Here

Would I repurcase? Yes

What have you finished this month?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Project Empties #15

Today's post is about this month's empty products. I am slowly working through the products that I own, however my supply never seems to go down! My drawers still look as full as ever!

Neutrogena Multi-Defence Daily Moisturiser
Review: Here
Would I repurchase? Maybe

La Roche-Posay Effaclar M
Review: This is a nice and light moisturiser. It never leaves my skin feeling greasy or heavy and as a nice fresh scent. It does a nice job of helping to keep the oil at bay, although I do still get shiny towards the middle-end of the end. I occasionally find that it isn't hydrating enough on the drier areas of my skin, especially my nose and cheeks.
Would I repurchase? Yes

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask
Review: I absolutely love this! I tend to use this overnight so that it has longer to work. It leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated. It never broke me out and doesn't feel heavy or greasy on the skin. Plus it smells amazing! 
Would I repurchase? Yes

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish
Review: Here
Would I repurchase? Yes

Palmolive Nourishing Delight Shower Gel
Review: This smells so yummy. It leaves my skin feeling soft and clean and never felt drying on the skin. It's super affordable and can often be found on offer for less than £1!
Would I repurchase? Yes

L'Oreal Touche Magique (Shade C1-2)
Review: This is a great concealer for under the eyes. This is a pink toned concealer, which really helped to brighten the under eye area. It never creased or felt drying around the eye area. Sometimes if I forgot to put on eye cream, I found that it sunk a little into my fine lines.
Would I repurchase? Yes

Eylure Naturalites 101 (I classed these as an 'empty' as they have unfortunately come to the end of their lives)
Review: These are my favourite falsies. They're super long and voluminous and look lovely on. They really open up the eyes and make them look bigger. They don't feel heavy at all. If you're after a dramatic lash, which isn't too thick then these would be perfect!
Would I repurchase? Yes
What have you finished this month?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Blog Birthday and May Favourites 2012

Hi! Today's post is primarily about my May Favourites, however before we jump into that, I wanted to make a quick announcement...

Image: Google

My little blog turned two earlier this month and I sincerely cannot believe how fast the past two years have flown by! Thank you to all the old and new readers for your continued support. I truly appreciate all of your comments and thank you to those who take the time to read my little blog. To celebrate my blog turning two, I have given the design an overhaul. What do you guys think? For some reason, I couldn't sleep last night and ended up working through the night to make the design perfect and personally, I am rather proud of it :)

Moving onto my May favourites. This month I have been loving a variety of things, ranging from make-up to nail varnish to skincare. I have also included a 'random' favourite of the month too. 

From left to right: American Apparel Nail Lacquer in 'Office' - Rimmel 60 Seconds Nail Polish in 'In Style Coral' - La Roche Posay Effaclar K & Solait Mattifying Face Sun Fluid - H&M gold hair cuff - Garnier Body Tonic Sugar Scrub - NARS Laguna

Sleek Life's a Peach

What products were you loving this month?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Collective Haul

I'm sorry I haven't been blogging very regularly lately. I have had writer's block for a while now, which ultimately made me post less as I didn't know what to blog about. I have also been super busy with uni, as I am in my final year (eek!). Hopefully posts will become regular again soon - Probably around March time :)

Today I have a collective haul from the past few weeks to share with you. I say it in the video, but sorry that some of the stuff has been worn! I think it's nice to keep the labels on for hauls, but I can never wait to wear new clothes! Is anyone else like that? Hope you enjoy :)


Thank you for watching. xoxo, Joy

Collective Haul

I've just uploaded a collective haul to Youtube, so I thought I'd also post it here. It does seem like a lot, but it was bought over a couple of shopping trips and over a few weeks.

I'm sorry if you're sick of seeing videos from me!

Thank you for watching. xoxo, Joy