Review: Nars Nepal Eyeshadow

With all the love surrounding the NARSissist Eyeshadow palette at the moment, I thought I'd dig out an old favourite - Nars Nepal. Nepal is described as a soft, sheer rose on the Nars website, however I would describe it as a peachy bronze-rose with a frost finish and it is the perfect everyday eyeshadow.

I tend to wear it on its own with a sheer wash all over the lid and then blended heavier through the crease for a one-shadow-look, but you can also pair it with darker browns or matte tans in the crease for a pretty eye look.

The eyeshadow is buttery and very pigmented. I tend to apply it dry, but you can use a damp brush to make the colour more intense.

What are your favourite NARS eyeshadows?

Joy xx

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

Beauty Wishlist

Over the majority of 2013, I realised that my beauty spending habits changed quite a lot, moving from makeup to mainly skincare. I currently have a some vouchers burning a bit of a hole in my purse and I feel like a makeup splurge is in order, so I decided to collate some beauty bits and bobs that I'm lusting after.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is hailed as an almighty foundation by many in the beauty blogging community. Apparently it has good coverage, good longevity, photographs well and comes in many shades. As a bit of a sheep and on a constant hunt to find the perfect base, Luminous Silk has made its way onto my 'to try' list. Amelia Liana recently posted about how L'Oreal True Match Foundation is a good dupe of the almighty, so maybe buying that will save me some pennies but give me a similar effect...

Another thing that has caught my attention is the Topshop Glow Highlighter in Polished. This is a cream highlighter, which has received a 4.4 out of 5 rating on the Topshop website and is many getting rave reviews about the beautiful highlighting qualities of this product. Coming in at less than £10, you can't really go wrong.

Tying in with trying to find the perfect base, I'm still on the hunt for the perfect concealer too. As a low maintenance makeup gal, I want a concealer that can cover dark circles, redness and blemishes. Enter the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, an all around concealer which can cover everything that you want hiding. Coming in 8 shades, you're bound to find the perfect shade for you.

I saw a picture of Essie Marshmallow on Pinterest and was instantly drawn to the shade. It is a sheer white shade, which can be your perfect French manicure base or can be built up to a jelly-like white. I like that it's not as full on as a pure white and can be used a base for glitters and nail art.

I've wanted the Naked Basics palette for a while as the matte shades in my Naked I palette are nearing pan and I was on the hunt for new matte eyeshadows. After being overwhelmed on the MAC website (anyone have any recommendations?), I thought this palette was a safe bet.

The Charles Worthington Texturising Spray isn't necessarily a makeup item, but it's something else I want to try. Currently being claimed as the cheaper alternative to Oribe's Dry Texturising Spray, the volumising and texturising properties of this spray sound like something my occasionally flat-looking hair can benefit from.

What's on your beauty wishlist at the moment?

Joy xx

Review: L'Oreal 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Water

As a loyal Bioderma Sensibio H2O fan, I was interested to see how this L'Oreal 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution compares as it is a fraction of the price. I use micellar waters daily to remove my eye makeup and the top layer of my foundation, before double cleansing with either a cleansing balm or oil to remove the rest of my base.

When I first started using the L'Oreal micellar water, I noticed it had a little bit of a plastic smell, but as I have used it more I don't notice it any more. I have quite sensitive eyes and have never found this to irritate them, unless there is too much on the cotton pad and some of the solution goes directly into the eye. After use, I don't find this leaves any residue on my skin and doesn't leave it feeling tight.

I find it removes the bulk of my makeup well, but occasionally leaves random patches of foundation on the skin, especially around the nose. This fares averagely on eye makeup removal, unless I'm prepared to rub with more pressure. I have never used this with waterproof mascara, but I imagine you may be there for a while trying to remove it. On the back of the packaging, it states that the micellar water "acts like a make-up remover, toner and skin soother", which is a little misleading as it sounds like they are suggesting that you can use this alone to remove your makeup, cleanse and tone. I have found that this doesn't leave my face completely makeup free after use, so this would never be a standalone cleansing product in my skincare routine and should be something to bear in mind if you're after a quick and easy makeup removal fix.

The packaging is extremely annoying, as the micellar solution flows out very quickly and you either end up with a drenched cotton pad or solution on the floor - both of which are super annoying and a waste of product. I've found the key to getting the right amount is to put the cotton pad directly on top of the hole (rather than a few cm away) and then just tip the bottle, but don't squeeze it.

While I remain a firm fan in the Bioderma camp, I would repurchase this again, as you can just nip to the shops to purchase this which is handy if you're running low and don't want to shop online and it's also well priced. I believe this usually retails around the £5-6 mark for 200ml, but I'd advise you to shop around, as it's always on offer somewhere. I bought mine for half price from Tesco!

Do you use micellar waters? I'm interested to try the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water, has anyone tried that?

Joy xx

Review: ELF Studio Cream Eyeshadow in Dawn

As a low maintenance eye makeup gal - eyeliner and mascara, that's me done - I'm always after something to add some colour to my lids, but without the effort of using multiple brushes, multiple eyeshadows and spending many moons blending, blending, blending. Enter the ELF Studio Cream Shadow in Dawn.

Dawn is a beautiful grey-taupe colour, which is the perfect everyday neutral shade. It has tiny gold glitters in, which are barely detectable in the pot, but show up very subtley on the eyelids. I tend to wear only this all over the lid for an easy everyday look, but this would also be lovely as a base for other eyeshadow looks too.

The texture is quite moussey and creamy, but never feels greasy on the lids. This is a great day to day product, as you can easily apply it with your fingers if you're in a rush or for a more intense colour, use the brush that comes with the eyeshadow. I have to admit, I haven't tried this with any other brushes as the mini brush that comes with the eyeshadow is really all you need. A little goes a long way, so I can see this 4.75g of product lasting a long time.

I have worn this all day for up to 8 hours and find it never creases on me, even without an eyeshadow primer (although I always powder my eyelids before applying eye products). I was seriously amazed at the longevity, as I can get oily eyelids. I have used this so much since I bought it in November and would highly recommend it. It is common for cream eyeshadows to dry out and harden after a few months, but I have had no issues with this yet.

What are your favourite cream eyeshadows?

Joy xx

Five Favourite Fitness-stagrams

I am an Instagram addict. There, I've said it. If I'm waiting for my train, waiting at the doctor's, or just playing around on my phone, Instagram will definitely be one of the first apps I check. Towards the end of 2013, there seemed to be a surge in fitness Instagram accounts (maybe there had been lots before, but I hadn't noticed...) and I found myself randomly stumbling across a few and following them. This year, in a bid to finally reach my goal fitness, I have followed even more and I thought I would share with you five of my favourite fitness-stagrams.

censkiii - Cenna has worked her way from being skinny to fit and every time I see her instagrams, they always make me want to go to the gym. I love her Instagram workout videos - They're short and sweet, but cover everything from working out in the gym or at home workouts and include abs, arms, legs, etc and they're great to tie into your current workout routine or to use as inspiration.

elle_fit - Elle taught herself Yoga throughout last year and her Instagram pics make me want to try it and attempt to become more flexible and improve my posture. She has some simple stretching pictures and videos for those wanting to get started in yoga, which is super handy for a yoga novice like myself. Her beach shots make me wish I was from Australia and could work out on the beach. I just need a boy to do the partner yoga moves with now ;)

kayla_itsines - Kayla was one of the first Instagrams that I followed. She has abs to die for and trains people to get a lean, bikini-ready body - now who doesn't want that? If I lived in Adelaide, I would be first in line for Kayla's boot camps. But for those of us living further away, Kayla has recently released a fitness eBook, which is on my to-buy list. She has also recently got the cutest husky puppy ever called Ace!

russellsbc - This is one of the newer Instagrams that I've followed this year. The Skinny Bitch Collective is a favourite with the likes of Millie Mackintosh, Daisy Lowe, amongst others and I can see why. Russell's classes in London have a waiting list longer than my arm, but I love the sneak-peek instavideos into his classes and routines, which give an insight into the intense workout sessions and you can use them in your own workout.

wayofgray - Sophie's Instagram has a bit of everything, from transformations, foodie posts, inspiring quotes and workouts. I bought Sophie's first eBook last year and recently purchased her second one too and boy do they break you out in a sweat. They are all based on HIIT and the second eBook is based on the Tabata format, which makes me want to die! You don't need fancy gym equipment, but just a little space, a timer, lots of water and motivation.

Who are your fitspirations? Do you have any favourite fitness Instagrams?

Joy xx

Review: REN Clarifying Toning Lotion

I had never heard of chemical exfoliation until it was mentioned by Caroline Hirons on her skincare bible of a blog. As a person who usually omits toner from her skincare routine, I was sceptical about whether adding that extra step would be worth it. I was using the REN Clarifying Toning Lotion daily when I bought it, but briefly forgot about it and stopped using it. Since starting using it again and slowly nearing the end of the bottle, I thought it was about time to share my thoughts.

The first thing you notice when using the REN Clarifying Toning Lotion is the smell. It has a very natural and fresh, herbal-esque smell, which I really liked. As the product is by REN, you're pretty much guaranteed that the scent of this product is due to the ingredients rather than artificially added perfumes, as they do not add synthetic fragrance to their products. Some people may not like the scent, but do not fear, it disappears shortly after application.

The toner is easy to use, as you just pour a little onto a cotton pad and swipe it all over your skin. I find this toner feels lovely and refreshing on the skin. It was perfect on those hot days we had during the summer and feels amazing on the skin after a hot shower, as it almost has a light cooling effect.

I love using this when my skin is breaking out, as its active ingredients include lactic, citric, tartaric acid and glycolic acid, which help to get rid of dead skin cells quicker and mayblossom extract which helps with oil control.

As an Alpha H liquid gold afficionado and as someone who uses AHAs fairly regularly in my skincare routine, this felt quite mild on my skin, but I liked that I was giving my skin an extra exfoliation kick by using this daily. Unlike many toners, this does not contain alcohol and does not leave my skin feeling tight or dry. Overall, my skin feels like it has less dry patches and I have noticed that my pores look minimised. I also feel my chin and forehead areas have less congestion, which is a miracle as they are my worst bits.

The Clarifying Toning Lotion is part of REN's combination to oily range, but I believe that people with sensitive, dry or normal skin would be able to use this due to how gentle the product is. But don't be fooled, as although the product is gentle but gives great results. It costs £18 for 150ml, which I think is reasonable and would definitely repurchase this again.

What toner do you use?

Joy xx

Hi (-atus No More)

Hello everyone! That doesn't feel like an adequate or enthusiastic enough hello after a long hiatus from blogging, but there you go... How have you all been? I hope your 2014 has started off swimmingly!

Back in September, I kind of fell out of love with blogging as I felt the blogging world was evolving faster than I could keep up and that my little space was lacking direction. I was also constantly comparing my blog to others', which is never good for your sanity.

Recently I'd been thinking about blogging again, and after a friend asked me why I hadn't blogged in a long time, I was compelled to start again... So, here we are - a few tweaks to my layout, new post ideas up my sleeve and a fresh start for 2014. I've decided to make up for my long hiatus by blogging as often as I can (hopefully 2-3x week) throughout February and see how it goes from there. Looking over my blog statistics, I've realised that there is no need to drastically change how I was blogging. My blog stats may not be millions of hits per day, but I don't care about that. I've realised that bells, whistles and fancy edits aren't needed - An honest and thorough review of products is the most important thing for a beauty blog and Dearjoy will remain as a way to share my opinions of products that I have tried in order to help other people that may be considering them too.

If you are reading this, thank you for you support and here's to a fresh start. Cheers xx

Review: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser

I don't know why my hands look so grey...! My original image has been distorted by Blogger :(

FOTD using Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser (No concealer)

I managed to bag the ultimate bargain when I bought the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser, as I got a 'bonus size' 200ml tube for an amazing £18 in the house of Fraser sale a few months back! This usually costs £33 for 50ml! I would have originally opted for the oil free version as my t-zone can get quite oily, but I couldn't pass up the bargain and thought I'd give this a go.

I absolutely love this tinted moisturiser for good skin days. It has low coverage, so I find it evens out my complexion but I can't get away without concealer. I was having a rare good skin day in the images above, but you can still see some of my blemishes on my chin and forehead and the redness around my nose is still visible. I have tried applying it using my fingers or my beauty blender dupe. Both methods work fine but I prefer using my fingers as I get slightly more coverage that way. It has quite a runny consistency and blends easily. It feels lovely on the skin as it isn't heavy and leaves you with a dewy finish, which makes your complexion look lovely. I always powder down the centre of my face, as I tend to get oily there.

My gripes with this product lie mainly in the longevity and coverage. On a work day, I need my base to last through the day for at least 9-10 hours with minimal touch ups. I wasn't expecting miraculous longevity, but even with powder this only lasts a few hours before I start getting shiny and it starts wearing away. I would also prefer if the coverage was slightly fuller. As this tinted moisturiser is pretty low coverage, it has to be reserved to good skin or non work days, which means it doesn't get as much love as some of my other base products. Occasionally after using this tinted moisturiser, I have noticed I get a few small whitehead type blemishes, so I feel that this may break me out slightly as well which is a bit annoying as my skin doesn't usually break out from makeup products.

I love this for non work and good skin days, despite the occasional breakout, and would definitely recommend this for less oily skinned gals and people who like dewy, light bases. I think it's a great product for summer or sunnier climates, as it has SPF 20. I may have to try the oil free version, as I've heard that has better coverage. Has anyone tried it and can vouch for the coverage/longevity?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Review: Nivea In-Shower Moisturiser

After reading tonnes of rave reviews for the Nivea In-Shower Moisturiser, I have to admit I was underwhelmed when I started using the product.

I really liked the concept of moisturising in the shower, as I thought it would be great for saving time and effort. However, when you think about it, you're cutting out one pre-dressing step but adding one in the shower... So in effect it doesn't make that make difference, however it does mean you can spend more time in the warm shower - score - and it somehow feels like less effort than moisturising post-shower.

The Nivea In-Shower Moisturiser has a moisturiser like consistency and is easily massaged around the skin. It smells a lot like Nivea Creme (The moisturiser in the blue tubs), which is a pleasant and clean scent. The smell doesn't linger too long once washed off, so you needn't worry about it mixing with other fragrances. Note: Be careful when stepping out of the shower/bath, as the base turns into your own mini ice rink and gets super slippery! I have quite dry body skin, so I find that I have to use quite a lot of product to get adequate post-shower moisturisation, which has resulted in getting through this 400ml bottle pretty quickly. After rinsing, there is a slight residue on the skin. It feels like a layer of moisturisation on the top of the skin and while I'm not a fan of residue leaving products, this is just about tolerable in my books. Once I have stepped out of the shower and dried off, my skin feels very slightly moisturised (mainly due to the residue left on the skin) but I always feel like it could do with more. That either means using even more product in the shower (which doesn't feel economical) or moisturising again post shower (which defeats the point of this product).

I wouldn't recommend this if you have dry skin, but I think it might be good for people with normal skin. I also think that it's quite a good product for men, as the scent and packaging are fairly gender neutral.

Have you ever used the Nivea In-Shower Moisturiser?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

September Wishlist

Clockwise from left: Yankee Candle Car Jar in Christmas Cookie, The Great British Bake Off Everyday Book, Charlotte's Magic Cream, Snake Upper Arm Cuff, Topshop Marnie Shoes, Soap and Glory Smooch Operator

With payday just gone and me being a busy bee, I haven't had a chance to mooch around my local shopping centre to spend some of my hard earned money. So I turned to the wonderful world wide web and have compiled a wishlist of things I want to spend my money on...

I passed my driving test in July and bought a car a few weeks back. I've been looking around online for a car air freshener, which looks nice and smells lovely. Yankee Candle Christmas Cookie is one of my favourite Christmas candles and I was surprised to see a few places still had these in stock. So I'm definitely considering buying one for my car, even though it's not Christmas season yet (Although I've seen some Christmas chocolates and mince pies start to appear in the supermarket...!)

With #GBBO on the tellybox again, I've been in the baking spirit. My baking skills are average at best, so I figure you can't go wrong with a bit of Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood showing you the way into the world of baking.

Charlotte Tilbury released her range of makeup, skincare and brushes earlier this month and I have been swooning at some of the range after seeing swatches online. However the thing I have been seriously lusting after is Charlotte's Magic Cream. It's definitely pricier than I would usually spend on a moisturiser, retailing at £70 but if I recall correctly, Charlotte refers to it as 'a pushup bra in a jar' - Now who wouldn't want that for their face? As the Autumn/Winter months approach, I know my skin will be in need of something to give it a boost and I think this might be it.

I really like the look of upper arm cuffs on nights out, especially if you're wearing something sleeveless. I think it's a great alternative to your typical wrist wear, but I haven't seen many to buy in store recently. I spotted this on eBay for less than £2 and managed to purchase this in less than 2 minutes.

These Topshop shoes look lovely for the upcoming Autumn months. I love the subtle nod to monochrome and animal print with the dalmation dots on the heels. I can picture these transitioning well into Autumn with a pair of skinny jeans or cigarette pants.

I am a complete lip balm junkie. I currently have about 4 in my handbag and am lusting after this Soap and Glory one. I haven't heard many people talk about this one, so who know if it's any good... But I gave it a sniff in Boots and it smelt bloody amazing!

What are you lusting after at the moment?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

(Images from Topshop.com, eBay.co.uk, Google.co.uk, Boots.com)

NOTD: Papaya

2 coats of Barry M Gelly Nail Paint in 'Papaya'

Papaya is a perfect muted creamsicle orange for summer. I've been wearing it lots recently on my fingers and toes over the past few weeks. The formula is easy to use, each coat dried quickly and this was fully opaque in two coats. I'm always impressed at how well these Barry M Gelly polishes last on my nails and this one didn't disappoint, as my nails remained chip free and shiny for a few days. These polishes are a bargain at only £3.99. I also have Greenberry and Prickly Pear, but I am definitely going to have to take a peek at some of the other colours in the range.

What do you think of the Barry M Gellys?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Project Empties #26

This month's empties consisted of a lot of skincare items - Hydraluron, Ten Instant Lifting Cream, Superdrug Deep Cleansing Mud Mask, Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm (the HUGE 200ml tub!) and Alpha H Liquid Gold. The majority of these products I loved and would definitely repurchase - some I already have - However, there are two items that I don't think I will be repurchasing. The first being this Superdrug Deep Cleansing Mud Mask. When I used this, I didn't feel like it did anything to my skin, let alone deep cleanse it. I've been getting into using masks more recently and I really like clay masks, so I will be on the lookout for a new one to try. I was thinking possibly the Origins Clear Improvement mask... I also don't think I will repurchase the Hydraluron, as I didn't think this product was as amazing as others seem to find it...

I also finished the Nioxin Shampoo from the System Kit 2, which I am definitely going to repurchase as I have noticed since I have stopped using the Nioxin system and the L'Oreal Studio Secrets Smoothing Resurfacing Primer, which I really liked when I bought my first tub, as it smooths out your skin making foundation application lovely, but recently I have been preferring a primer that has better mattifying and makeup prolonging properties, like the Body Shop one I reviewed recently.

Amount for the piggy bank: £12.00

What did you finish this month?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Review: The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser

From L-R: The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser, Partially blended

I ordered this online when The Body Shop had its 40% sale a few weeks back. The Tea Tree Pore Minimiser usually costs £7.50 for 30ml, which I think is fairly reasonable. When I opened the package, the tube was smaller than I thought it would be! Does anyone else find that happens when you order online? I think the packaging is great for travel though, as it's nice and compact. I also like that it's in a tube as it's more hygienic than a tub.

On use, straightaway you get a very strong whiff of tea tree. I personally really like the smell, but if you don't like the smell of tea tree, then this might not be for you. However the smell passes quickly. I only apply this to the places I get oily - forehead, nose, sides of my nose and chin and I find that I need approximately a pea size amount to cover these areas. It's easy to blend in and makes your skin look slightly paler over the applied areas, before settling to clear.

As soon as you apply it, the skin looks matte and feels soft. My pores look smaller and my skin looks smoother. By lunch, I usually have shine and my base usually wears away fastest on and around my nose. But after using this primer, I find that my skin doesn't get that shiny even 7 hours later! I still get some slight shine on my nostrils, but my forehead is fine. My make up lasts so much longer when I use this, which is a god send, especially when it's hot. I've never really been a big fan of primers, but boy am I glad I found this!

What is your favourite primer?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Review: Tresemme Platinum Strength Range

After hearing people rave about the Tresemme Platinum Strength range for months, I decided to pick these up on my weekly shop as they were on offer in Tesco. I bought the shampoo, conditioner and deep conditioning treatment. Before I get started, my hair type is naturally wavy and can be quite dry. My day to day hair care routine is pretty low maintenance and involves very few products and little heat. Every now and again, I will blow dry or straighten my hair but for the most part, I just leave it to dry naturally.

There isn't much to say about the usability of these products. They act like any other - The shampoo lathers well (thanks SLS), the conditioners give your hair lots of slip when applying and they all rinse out easily. These products have the typical Tresemme smell, which is pleasant and not too overpowering.

After using these products, my hair feels soft and manageable, even when my hair dried naturally and without any additional products (e.g. oils, leave in conditioners, etc). I feel like my hair doesn't get as frizzy either. When my hair is styled, I see even better results as my hair is soft, sleek and dare I say it, looks shiny and healthy. I have however found that my hair, especially my fringe, gets greasy quite quickly. And since stopping using Nioxin, I have noticed a lot more hair falling out when brushing and washing it.

The deep conditioner is nice for an extra boost of moisture. I found the consistency to be quite similar to the conditioner and I find I use quite a lot each time. I use this once a week and after use, my hair feels so lovely and soft. I really want to try the Instant Rescue Shots, which are also part of this range.

I'm really impressed with this range, especially as it's so affordable and easy to access (i.e. you don't have to buy online). I'm not convinced that it has repaired 2 years of damage, but it definitely makes my hair feel soft, healthy and swish-able.

Have you tried this Tresemme Platinum Strength range before?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Sinful Colors Nail Polishes (Easy Going and 24/7)

Sinful Colors was released in the UK a while ago and I hadn't heard much about the brand before, but was intrigued as they only cost £1.99 and the stand in my local Boots had so many pretty colours on it. I bought 'Easy Going' a while back, as it is supposedly a dupe of Essie 'Fiji' and then I recently bought '24/7' as the bright highlighter pink colour drew me in!

Easy Going

2 coats of Sinful Colors Nail Polish in 'Easy Going'

Easy Going is a milky, peachy pink colour. I read somewhere that it is a dupe of Essie Fiji. I don't own Essie Fiji, however from comparing swatches online, Easy Going looks peachier than Fiji, which has more pink. The formula is quite runny and thick and I found the formula a little difficult to work with, as when you apply too little to the brush, it looks streaky and if you apply too much, it didn't dry fully.   I've used this polish a few times and I've found that the number of coats required can vary between 1-3, depending on how much you have on the brush. I didn't apply a top coat and I found that the colour dulls a little after a few days. I tried a matte topcoat over the top to compare the dullness to a matte effect and found the dullness doesn't quite go as far as matte, but it definitely loses its glossiness. With a matte top coat, the colour is very reminiscent of calamine lotion! I found this lasted really well on my nails with minimal chipping.

24/7

2 coats of Sinful Colors Nail Polish in '24/7'

24/7 is an amazing bright highlighter pink shade. I couldn't stop staring at my nails when I was wearing it! I think this colour is perfect for summer, as it would look amazing with a tan. I found the formula of this to be quite thick and runny as well and on the first coat, the colour was rather streaky. This took two coats to become fully opaque and the polish dried quickly to a matte finish. Even though applying a white polish under neon shades makes the colours pop more, I didn't apply a white polish underneath and have still found the colour to be super bright and neon. I was disappointed as this had chipped quite heavily after two days (N.B. I didn't apply top coat, so that may be a factor in how long the nail polish lasted), but that won't stop me from wearing this colour as I love it.

I would definitely recommend checking out the Sinful Colors nail polishes if your local Boots has a stand. I don't think every Boots does though.

Have any of you tried Sinful Colors before? What other shades would you recommend?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Review: Beauty Blender Sponge Dupe

I bought this 99p dupe of the infamous Beauty Blender sponge from eBay (search beauty sponge) and I have fallen in love with using this to apply my base.

Before use, you have to run it under the tap and squeeze a few times in order to get the water distributed through the sponge and it increases in size by about 50%. I like to squeeze out any excess water and give it a shake before use. One disadvantage of this would be that you have to go to the sink before applying your makeup and if you and your family/friends/boyfriend/girlfriend/etc fight for bathroom time in the mornings, this may not always be practical. I imagine you could use a spray bottle of water, but I haven't tried this. When the sponge fully dries, it reverts back to its original size. Don't try to use it when it's dry, like I did, as it doesn't work half as well as when it's wet and it stains the sponge.

I pump out my foundation onto the back of my hand and apply using the sponge and a dabbing motion. The sponge is egg shaped, so you can use the round base for the majority of your face (i.e. the big bits of face like your cheeks, forehead etc.) and turn it over to the pointed section to get in under your eyes, around the nose, etc. If you want to see it in action, I use it in one of my recent Youtube videos. I find that I use more product when using this sponge and it can be a little more time consuming than using a traditional foundation or buffing brush, however I absolutely love the finish it gives. You are left with a flawless base, with no streaky lines or cakiness. I find that my makeup lasts longer when using this and I can get better coverage over my redness or post-acne marks, as you are essentially packing on the pigment into your skin, rather than spreading it out on top. You can also use this with powder, which I don't do regularly, but it gives a similar effect to using a powder puff and is great for setting concealer in place without moving it from the area you have concealed.

It's important to wash the sponge frequently, as sponges can harbour bacteria especially as the sponge gets damp. I usually wash this after 2-3 uses. It's super easy to wash, however I did find that it stains with foundation occasionally.

I am in love with this method of applying my foundation. I would definitely consider investing the £16ish for the Beauty Blender, however for now I am content with my 99p dupe.

How do you like to apply your base products?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Review: 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 TEN Instant Lifting Cream a whirl. Fast forward almost 1 year and I am currently working through my second jar of this moisturiser and I thought I would let you know my thoughts about it.

The packaging is nothing to write home about, but I quite like that it's simple and fuss free. I really enjoy using this moisturiser. It's got a light cream, almost gel like consistency and it absorbs into the skin very quickly, leaving my skin feeling soft with an almost satin-like finish. It has a triple hyaluronic acid complex, which I have found to really hydrate and balance out my skin. I find my t-zone gets less oily and I definitely have less dry patches on my cheeks. As I'm only 22, I don't have fine lines or wrinkles, so I can't comment on how well this works to lift my skin. But my skin does feel super soft and hydrated after use.

The only thing I didn't like about this moisturiser is the smell, as it's highly perfumed. I can't quite pinpoint what it smells like, but I'm quite fussy about fragrances in skincare and when I first started using this, I would limit breathing through my nose as I couldn't stand the smell. Eventually you get used to it, however the smell does linger a bit on the skin, so if you don't like fragranced skincare products, this might not be for you.

Have you ever tried any TEN products?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

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