February Favourites

I often find it hard to compile a list of products to mention in my monthly favourites, as my day to day makeup and skincare routine generally stays the same, but I thought I'd share a few products that really stood out to me last month.

I've used the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask before and while I liked using the product, I never really got how good it is and thought it was just a thick moisturiser... However I was really ill and sick at the beginning of February and my whole body (including my skin) became very dehydrated. My skin was looking very lacklustre and makeup was not sitting well on it. Enter the Origins mask and after a few days use, it left my skin feeling rehydrated and plump. It has a lovely citrusy smell, which reminds me of citrus polos (Does anyone else remember those?!)

I've also been loving the Superfacialist by Una Brennan Vitamin C+ Skin Renew Cleansing Oil (which is quite possibly the longest name ever!). I'd never used a cleansing oil before, but wanted to give one a whirl and decided to give this Superfacialist one a go after hearing lots of good reviews. It makes makeup removal very simple and leaves my skin feeling nice and clean, without any tightness or greasiness. This also has a nice citrusy smell, which I really like.

Chanel Lotus Rouge is a gorgeous deep raspberry red colour, which I have been sporting on my nails a lot recently. It's perfect for the colder wintery months, but is also versatile enough to be worn all year round as it's not too dark. Although the lasting power of this nail varnish leaves a little to be desired, the brush and application are top notch. I have a NOTD of this here.

I have been experimenting with cheek products this month, as they have been neglected for a long time. The Makeup Academy blush in Cupcake is a lovely matte peachy, pink which adds a natural flush to the cheeks. I find that even though it's a matte blush, it gives your complexion a glow and really perks up the skin. Another great thing about this blush is that it only costs £1! I have also been using the Soap and Glory Solar Powder bronzer from my Christmas Soap and Glory palette (which I plan on doing a post about). It has a darker shade and a lighter shade (which also has a little shimmer), which you can use separately or mixed together. I tend to mix them together and they give a natural looking shade, which isn't too dark or muddy for my pale complexion.

What were you loving throughout February?

Joy xx

Project Empties #25

I have been trying to downsize my product collection for well over a year now, but have never really had much incentive to do so. I recently saw Kat (from Tales of a Pale Face)'s Use it Up challenge and decided that it would be the perfect incentive to use more products up. It involves putting aside a little money every time you finish a product (I have decided on: 50p for samples, £1 for full size products and £2 for high end products). I imagine that it would add up after a few months and it can go towards something nice, which is always lovely!

We always seem to have a tube of this St. Ives Apricot Scrub lying around the house and even though it's super abrasive, sometimes I use a small amount to get some manual exfoliation. It is easy to overdo it with this product, so I think I might be on the lookout for a less abrasive scrub or I will try to use the rosehip seeds that came with my Emma Hardie cleansing balm more often, as when you add them to a cleanser, it gives a similar consistency.

I really enjoyed using the Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Facial Wash. It had a lovely scent and had a nice creamy consistency. It works really well with my Clarisonic and leaves my skin feeling as soft as a baby's bottom. I also really enjoyed using this Nioxin Cleanser for hair type 2. I have a full in depth review of it here, if you want to read more about the set I got.

I got this Origins Make a Difference Moisturiser in a store swap sometime last year. I gave in an old moisturiser jar and received this in return. To be honest, I didn't think much of the moisturiser. It was pleasant, wasn't too heavy and had a nice scent. But at the same time, I wouldn't say it was that remarkable. I thought the Clarins Hydraquench Intensive Serum Bi-Phase was nice. It has quite a runny, watery consistency, which I really liked. My skin felt soft and hydrated after use and I'm definitely considering buying the full size version of this along with some of the other products in the range.

Amount for the piggy bank: £6.50

What have you used up this month?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Project Empties #24

Over these past few months, I have been finishing less and less products. In May, I finished one and throughout June, I only finished two. What's worse is that my beauty stash seems to continually be growing! Argh!

I really liked the V05 Miracle Concentrate Elixir with Argan Oil. It's a great purse friendly hair oil, which smells lovely and doesn't leave your hair feeling too oily. I found this 50ml bottle lasted me ages as you really don't need a lot each time and the dropper allows for more accurate dispensing. I found that it made my hair feel softer if I applied it before blow drying and it was great for taming a little bit of frizz.

I loved this Tresemme Restructuring Deep Conditioning Mask. You get a lot of product for your money and the tub lasted me AGES. It left my hair feeling so soft and never weighed down. My only gripe is that it is in a tub and it isn't that practical in the shower. (Please say I'm not the only person that manages to get water in their hair product containers, even when the shower is turned off?!)

I forgot I had these Origins High-Potency Brightening Peel with Fruit Acids pads for a while and recently started using them again. They're super easy to use and I definitely saw some skin brightening as I was using the remaining pads twice weekly until they ran out. I have a full review of them here.

What did you finish throughout June? Can you believe it's July already?!

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

January Favourites 2013

Throughout January, I have been enjoying a number of products that have fast become staples in my routine.

This month I have been loving using Wet n Wild Mellow Wine blush. It's a lovely dark pink-red colour, which gives a lovely pop of colour on the cheeks. I have been in love with my MAC 266 and using the centre shade of the top row of the NYX Nude on Nude Natural Look palette. I would not have normally opted for a colour like this, as my hair is darker than the shade, but it somehow works. My lipsticks of choice for the past month have been Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Rivage and Wet n Wild Spiked with Rum. Rivage a pretty pink colour, which gives a natural rosy colour to the lips. While it doesn't last too long on the lips, I love the formula and the glossiness. I love the long-lasting formula of Spiked with Rum and the colour is great for Winter. The Sigma Precision Round P82 has been one of my favourite brushes for packing on and blending out concealer over redness and blemishes. It's bristles are super soft and leaves such a flawless finish.

For skincare, the Emma Hardie Amazing Face cleansing balm has been a dream to use recently, especially as my skin has been a little dry in this cold weather. I am going to do a full review of this soon. I have also had a few pesky blemishes, which the Origins Out of Trouble mask has been a godsend for. I normally use it twice a week, but recently I've been using it on specific big spots and leaving it on overnight. It really helps to minimise the size and redness of the spot. I have used Lush's Mint Julips lip scrub everyday since I got it and it leaves my lips soft and smooth.

My random favourite this month has been this Jasmine candle from ASDA. I don't like to spend too much money on candles, so I was happy that it only cost £4 and I would say it's definitely on par with Yankee Candles. The smell is gorgeous and really radiates around the room. The packaging is fairly simple, but neutral.

What have you been loving this month?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Review: Origins Out of Trouble Mask

I bought this Origins mask on a whim back in the summer, as my skin was going crazy and breaking out like mad. I try to use this once or twice as week and more often if my skin is feeling greasy, spotty or particularly lacklustre. As with all the Origins products I've tried, I have not been disappointed with this.

It has a very strong camphor smell, which I think is down to each individual whether they like it or not. This mask will last for ages, as a little bit goes a long way. If you choose to apply a thick layer, I find it almost feels a little cold on the skin. Imagine the kind of breath you take when it's really cold outside and you almost suck in through your teeth - It feels a bit like that... (I hope you know what I'm talking about!). The mask applies white and dries on the skin, but doesn't go hard like a clay mask and doesn't feel uncomfortable on the skin. I tend to leave this on for about 20 minutes and then wash it off with a muslin cloth. It's easy to rinse off and after use, my skin feels fresh and soft. Initially I don't find much change to any of the blemishes on my skin, but I feel like the blemishes do clear up a little overnight (I tend to use the mask in the evening) and my skin looks a lot clearer the next day. I also like to put this localised over any big whopping spots to try to dry them out overnight and it works a treat at helping to minimise them.

Have you ever tried this mask?

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 #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

Review: Origins Vitazing

This was featured in my June favourites, however I have decided to write a more detailed review as the reviews in the videos are very brief.

My skin has improved recently and as the weather has been getting better, I have been opting for a lighter base. I like to mix this with a little bit of La Roche Posay Effaclar M, because the mattifying features of the La Roche Posay work well to try to counteract oiliness.

Vitazing is perfect for those no-makeup makeup days. It leaves your skin looking glowy and dewy. It comes out as a white moisturiser, but as you blend it out, it releases colour. It's great as a pre-foundation base, adding a little colour to the skin. I prefer wearing it on it's own, occasionally adding a little MAC Studio Fix Fluid down the centre of my face if I want a tiny bit more coverage. I personally like to powder down my t-zone, as I get a bit oily there and don't want it to slide off. With powder, I generally find that this lasts well on my combination skin, although my t-zone gets shiny by midday.

From top to bottom: Blob, slightly blended (you can see the colour starting to change), nearly fully blended

It doesn't have much coverage, but it evens out the skintone a little, adds a bit of colour and conceals mild redness. I usually dot a bit of concealer onto big blemishes and under my eyes and then set it with powder. I find that this is a tiny bit too dark for me (I am an NC15) but once it's blended down my neck, it doesn't look too obvious. I have never found that it oxidises on my skin.

This has SPF 15, which is great. Obviously this isn't the highest SPF available, but it means I don't need to apply a separate SPF.

It does have a slight fruity scent to it, which is tolerable and isn't overpowering. This has never broke me out at all.

I really love this product and think it's a perfect summer product. Have you ever tried Origins Vitazing? What did you think?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Project Empties #14

This month has been quite a successful empties month. A lot of the products were products that were half full and had been hanging around for a while, so I am glad that I have finally finished some of them.

Starting from the left, going clockwise:

The Body Shop Brazil Nut Body Butter

Review: This smells yummy and the scent lingers, which is great. I hate moisturisers which smell nice in the tub, but the scent doesn't transfer on the skin. This left my skin feeling so soft and never felt greasy.

Will I repurchase? Yes

Impulse City Collection 'London'

Review: I love body sprays, as they're great to throw into your bag and use on to go. This one has a lovely sweet scent, which some may find sickly but I really like it.

Will I repurchase? I'm not sure if this collection was limited edition, but if it wasn't - Yes

Garnier Pure Active Spot Purifying Toner

Review: This was a nice toner that left my skin feeling fresh. It had a slightly clinical smell, which was a little off putting. I like that it has 2% salicylic acid in, as salicylic acid helps with blemishes. It claims to fight spots and fade marks. To be honest, I didn't notice any difference in my skin when using this.

Will I repurchase? No

Soap and Glory Face Soap & Clarity Foaming Face Wash

Review: This cleanser was alright. It was an effective cleanser and left my skin feeling soft. It foams up slightly, but never left my skin feeling dried out or tight. This cleanser had little pink beads, which get absolutely everywhere!

Will I repurchase? Maybe

Origins High Potency Brightening Pads

Review: Here

Will I repurchase? Yes

Garnier Body Tonic Sugar Scrub

Review: Here

Will I repurchase? Yes

Fade Out Active Fade Cream

Review: This cream has an awful scent and can feel quite heavy on the skin. However, it truly works. I used this on my body where I have some areas of pigmentation and it seriously helped lighten them and even out the skin tone. It does take time, but it's worth the wait.

Will I repurchase? Yes

Elemis Balancing Lavender Facial Mist (Free GWP)

Review: This smelt lovely and felt refreshing on the face. If you spray too much, it can leave your skin feeling a little sticky but I like having a small face spray in my bag to refresh my makeup every now and again.

Will I repurchase? Yes

Caudalie Beauty Elixir

Review: Here

Will I repurchase? YES

Tesco Cucumber Cleansing Wipes

Review: These are my favourite face wipes. I have repurchased them so many times now. They're great for the lazy days where you can't be bothered or after nights out.

Will I repurchase? Yes

Avène TriAcnéal

Review: Here

Will I repurchase? Yes

Phew! I hope my Project Empties progress continues, as I really want to downsize my skincare and make up collection. I have way too much stuff for one person to use!

What have you finished this month?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

June Favourites 2012

I can't believe it's the end of June already! These are my beauty, skin and hair favourites from the month of June. If you want to see my June Favourites video, where you can hear why I've been loving these products, then click here.

Every month I include a random favourite with my monthly favourites. This month, my random favourite(s) have been buying white items of clothing. I usually stick to dark colours and tend to wear black all year round. However recently every time I am in town, I am always drawn to white items of clothing, especially crochet or broderie anglaise items. The ones below are two of my recent purchases:

Top: New Look £12.99

Dress: Urban Outfitters £30 (Reduced from £65)

What have you been loving this month?

xoxo, Joy

Review: Origins Brighter By Nature High-Potency Brightening Peel with Fruit Acids

I bought this jar of Origins Brighter By Nature High-potency brightening peel with fruit acids pads from the CCO in Bicester Village last year for £29. (From now on, they will be referred to as High-potency pads as the name is one helluva mouthful!) I thought I was getting a good discount until I looked on the Origins website to find they usually retail at £30! The jar contains 40 textured cotton pads that are presoaked in the fruit acids. The High-potency pads are supposed to rival a professional glycolic peel without the redness and also claim to help restore clarity and improve evenness of skin tone.

The High-potency pads are super easy to use, as you just move it around your face in small circular motions. The raised texture of the High-potency pads almost feels like you are using a grainy exfoliator, so you are essentially getting two exfoliations (chemical and mechanical) in one product. Then you just leave the product on overnight to work its magic. As you use the High-potency pad, you may feel a tingle on your skin. This is just the fruit acids getting to work and I like that you can feel the tingle, so you know that the pads are working.

You are recommended to use the High-potency pads twice weekly, however I didn't stick to that. Some weeks I would use them twice, some once and some none at all. I wish I had used them on a more regular and organised basis, because I think my skin would have reaped the benefits sooner. However I have still seen an improvement in my skin.

After use, my skin feels so soft and definitely looks brighter. Over time, I have noticed some of my post acne hyperpigmentation and scars fading. I occasionally get a few milia around my right eye, but they have all disappeared and I accredit their disappearance to these High-potency pads.

I would definitely repurchase these again, as my skin feels great after using these pads and I can really see the benefits. The High-potency pads are priced at £30 for 40 pads, which is 75p per pad. If you use two per week, the product would last 20 weeks/5 months, so I would say that's pretty good value for money. I think these High-potency pads would be great for people who suffer from hyperpigmentation, dark/sun spots and discolouration.

Have you ever tried these pads?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Haul From Home

I'm sorry I haven't blogged in approximately a week, I was at home for reading week at the end of October and was either spending time with my family, babysitting my sister or revising throughout most of it, so I didn't get much of a chance to blog and then when I got back to the flat, our internet had decided to go kaput and we have only got it back today. Thank goodness for mobile internet!!

Somehow I always manage to bring back to Birmingham a lot more than I take home! So I thought I'd show you my 'haul' of the stuff I brought back from home to Birmingham.

Post

I get most parcels sent home because of a few issues I've had with Birmingham postal service in the past. I won a giveaway from Shadahada's blog, but there were customs charges to pay and the postman left a card at the beginning of October. Unluckily, my parents went to China and America throughout the whole of October, so unfortunately I missed that and I think it got sent back to her :(

I was lucky enough to win the lovely Aseya's giveaway a while back. She was generous enough to post the item and added a few other goodies with it. I love the nail polish! That will definitely be featured in a NOTD soon! Thank you so much, again, Aseya! :D

I bought teeth whitening bleach from a dental showcase in March, but the trays that came with them were crap. I bought these custom fit trays for £35 on eBay, which is pretty good as it meant I didn't have to pay extortionate amounts at the dentist and the service from the eBay seller was great. They send you 4 pots of impression material and you have to take the impressions yourself (Quite a hilarious feat!) and then send you back our trays and a little vial of bleach. I highly recommend the sellers if you need bleaching trays.

Duty free and America

I asked my parents to pick up a new MAC Studio Fix Fluid for me from duty free, as I thought it'd be worthwhile to save a few pounds buying it in duty free. If I'd known they were going to America, I would have asked them to get it America, but oh well!

When I found out my parents were going to America, the first thing I asked them to pick me up were some Crest toothpaste, as I've heard people rave about these and I wanted to give them a try! I hope they live up to my expectations.

Previously Bought

I went to Bicester Village with my mum and picked up a few things from CCO. The Brighter By Nature Pads have received brilliant reviews on the Origins website, so I persuaded my mum to treat me. I have used a few of the pads and unfortunately I am yet to experience the amazing effects that everyone else has. I will persevere and update you all. The set of the Vitazing, Ginzing eye cream and Drink Up Intensive Mask was a brilliant bargain at around £30! I've been using the Vitazing moisturiser and omgosh, it's love!

I hope this hasn't been too boring for you! Have you tried any of the products I brought back? What did you think of them?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy