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

Project Empties #22

This month I have finished a fair amount of my daily skincare items. I always find that the products I use on a daily basis always seem to finish around the same time - Does anyone else find this happens to them?

I was a little saddened to see my Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm (Review here) come to an end, as I absolutely love this product. I decided to invest in the giant 200ml tub from QVC as it seemed better value for money and would last me longer. I also finished my bottle of Bioderma Sensibio H2O (Review here). This 500ml bottle has lasted me ages and it works a treat to remove my eye makeup. I used up the last dregs of this Lubatti Super Firming Face Cream earlier this week. It's a lovely light moisturiser, which has a green tea-esque smell to it. I found it sunk into my skin quickly and never left my skin feeling greasy. It generally moisturised my skin well and left it feeling balanced across my t-zone, however I didn't feel that it was moisturising enough on some of my dry patches.

I also finished off the Asda Nail Varnish Remover. I always buy the cheapest nail varnish remover and there isn't much to say about this, apart from it removes my nail varnish well.

The last thing I finished was the Collection 2000 Extreme 24hr Felt Tip Liner, which is my holy grail liquid eyeliner. I have repurchased this countless times and will continue to. It is easy to use and gives a very opaque black line.

What did you finish this month?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Review: Emma Hardie Professional Cleansing System

I bought this famed cleansing balm after hearing pretty much everyone rave about this product. I decided to buy the cleansing system, as I was intrigued about the little pot of rosehip seeds. I bought it from Beauty Bay on sale for around £30, down from £42.

The Emma Hardie balm is super gentle and breaks down and removes all traces of makeup easily. I find that you don't need a lot of product each use and my current jar has lasted me a few months now and I still have about 1/3 left. The instructions say to add a few drops of water to the product. Initially I found this to be a little trial and error, as if you add too much water, the product ends up being too thin and watery and if you add too little, it's hard to massage and work the product around the face. The smell is lovely. When I first started using this cleansing balm, I thought it smelt a little bit like Savlon, but I was wrong - It has a fresh, citrus-esque smell, which I really like.

The cloth that came in the set is a delight to use. As you can see from the picture above, it has a flannel side and a muslin side. Normally I would opt for the muslin side, but I have been really enjoying using the flannel side. It's super soft and keeps the heat from the hot water nicely, so I like to put this over my face for a minute or so to open up my pores before I remove the balm.

When I want some extra exfoliation, I add in a few shakes of the rosehips seeds. You don't need a lot of rosehip seeds, otherwise it can end up being too abrasive and feel like you're rubbing sand all over your face. They're a nice option to have and I think they could be used with other cleansers (I haven't tried this).

My skin always feels so soft after use, whether I use the balm by itself or with the rosehip seeds. Even though the balm has an oily texture, it never leaves any greasy residue on my face and has never broken me out. My skin is usually dehydrated, oily through the t-zone and has a few dry patches here and there. Recently, it has felt more balanced and I'm finding that I am experiencing less oiliness and dry patches than usual. I have been loving this cleansing balm and my favourite bit is massaging it around my face as I feel like I'm giving myself a mini facial every day.

I would definitely recommend this product. I have already purchased a back up, even though I have approximately 1/3 of the jar remaining. I think this would work for all skin types and if you give it a go, I hope you like it as much as I do.

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