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

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

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

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

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

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

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipsticks

From L-R: Sloane's Plum, Berry Queen, Nude Delight, Notting Hill Nude, Aubrun Breeze

Rimmel's Moisture Renew Lipstick in Nude Delight lipstick is one of my favourite nude lipsticks and I have repurchased it twice already. As I love Nude Delight so much, I decided to buy up a few more of the Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipsticks on Fragrance Direct as they were a bargainous 99p!

I really like the formula of these lipsticks. They are easy to apply and are not drying on the lips. I find that they're not the most long lasting lipsticks, but I don't mind too much as I usually expect moisturising formulas to last a shorter time on the lips. The lipsticks have a strange smell. It's not that unpleasant, but it definitely isn't as nice as the vanilla-y MAC Lipstick scents. I am not a big fan of the packaging... While purple is my favourite colour, I find the packaging to be a little garish and quite bulky. That being said, the bright packaging does make it easier to find the lipsticks once they've been thrown into the abyss that is my handbag.

When I first opened Sloane's Plum, I was thinking that it would be a shade that would be relegated to the back of my makeup drawers as the purple hue of the bullet scared me! But on the lips, it becomes a really pretty plum colour. If you want to see what it looks like on the lips, I'm wearing it in my latest Youtube video. Berry Queen is your typical blue toned red. It's a lovely shade, which I think would suit all skin types and it also makes your teeth look super white! As I mentioned before, Nude Delight is a gorgeous peachy nude, which I looove. While I don't usually like pink toned nudes, as they make me look a little dead, Notting Hill Nude has the right amount of pink and brown mixed in to create this gorgeous 'my-lips-but-nuder' colour. It's fast becoming a contender for my favourite nude lipstick. Auburn Breeze looks different on the lips to the bullet. It's a nice 'my-lips-but-better' colour,  but isn't my favourite as it has a bit of a glittery sheen to it.

Have you ever tried any Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipsticks?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Review: REN ClearCalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser

I bought this REN ClearCalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser (Longest alliteration cleanser name ever?) a few weeks ago, as my skin was feeling a little temperamental and was breaking out left, right and centre. This cleanser is marketed by REN as a "purifying, antibacterial cleanser formulated to combat and help prevent breakouts and blemishes" (From RENSkincare.com) - which sounded like something my skin needed. I have been using this cleanser for the past few weeks and I thought I would share my thoughts on it.

The ClearCalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser is clay based, as the name suggests, but it is surprisingly creamy. I usually use one pump and massage it all over my face after I have cleansed with the Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm. It spreads around the face nicely and is easy to massage. The product has no fragrances, which I like as I don't like using perfumed products on my face. I've found this super gentle to use and I've put it around the eye area without any irritation. After washing it off, my skin doesn't feel dried out or tight. It leaves my skin feeling refreshed and clean. With daily use, this has definitely helped clear up my breakout and helped to balance out my skin, which I am so happy about. This cleanser costs £18 for 150ml, which I think is reasonable as you get a large amount of product. I bought mine from Salon Skincare, as they were selling it for 10% off (making it £16.20).

I really like REN, as their skincare is 'clean' and does not contain things like parabens, sulphates, mineral oil, synthetic fragrance and colours, etc. I don't know that much about deciphering ingredients, but you often hear that you should avoid products with parabens, mineral oil, etc, and my theory is the less, the better. I am definitely going to look into more of their products and I even came across a REN Skincare Masterclass, which is at Liberty tomorrow and managed to get booked onto a session, which I am super excited about.

Have you tried any products from REN?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Review: Indeed Labs Hydraluron and Pepta-Bright

I bought these products from Indeed Labs after they were given a thumbs up by Caroline Hirons, which basically meant that they were automatically added to my mental shopping list. I really like the fuss-free packaging and the tubes, as it's convenient and hygienic to use.

Hydraluron (£24.99)
After reading Caroline's cheat sheet about dry/dehydrated skin, I was convinced that my skin was dehydrated, as my 'symptoms' seemed to fit into the dehydrated category. So I thought: 'Brilliant, Hydraluron will be a much needed moisture boost for my dehydrated skin'. The texture is a gel, which sinks into the skin quickly and doesn't have a scent. Hydraluron has been raved about by a lot of people, but I was disappointed when I used this as I don't feel like it made any difference to my skin. I used it daily in the morning for about 4 weeks, but I haven't been using it for the past week or so and don't see any difference between when I use it and when I don't.

Pepta-Bright (£29.99)
My opinion of Pepta-Bright is the opposite of Hydraluron. I absolutely love this product and it definitely works. Pepta-Bright has a cream like texture and sinks into the skin quickly. I didn't find this broke me out at all. I've noticed that my post acne dark marks are not hanging around as long as they usually would and my skin tone is looking a lot more even overall.

Have you ever tried products by Indeed Labs?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

N.B. Please remember skincare is subjective. Something that may work for me, might not work for you and vice versa.

Review: Nioxin System Kit 2

My hair has never been thick, but it had recently been feeling really thin and damaged. I also felt that I could have made a wig using the hair that fell out when brushing or washing my hair! I have tried to combat this before by doing the '4 Week No Heat' Challenge and using products, such as the Lush New Shampoo Bar, but this time I decided to try the Nioxin System Kit 2, which is designed for fine, natural hair which is noticeably thinning. I'd read good reviews about this and it claims that '70% of users notice thicker, denser looking hair in 4 weeks'. I have been using this Nioxin Kit for over 1 month now and thought I would give you a run down of my thoughts on it.

The kit comes with a 150ml Cleanser, 150ml Scalp Revitaliser and 40ml Scalp and Hair Treatment - aka a shampoo, conditioner and leave in treatment. I felt that for the price of the system (Around £25), you don't get a lot of product, however the shampoo and conditioner have lasted for a month and half so far (I wash my hair with these products 2-3x a week) and I feel like there's still about half left in the bottle. I think the leave in treatment will last me ages, as I don't use much each time and I will continue to use it even once the shampoo and conditioner are finished.

The Cleanser is a green, gel like texture which kind of reminds me of a gel facial cleanser and the Revitaliser is a typical, white conditioner consistency. They both have a subtle minty smell, which isn't my favourite, but isn't too overpowering. The Cleanser lathers well and my hair felt clean, but not stripped and the Revitaliser gives the hair a nice amount of slip once applied. The Scalp and Hair Treatment is a foam-like texture, which you apply all over the scalp. I was a bit sceptical of putting it near my roots as I was worried it would make my hair greasy or feel like there was product build up, but it didn't. I was unsure how many pumps to use each time, so I generally stick to 2-3 and hope for the best. The instructions say that it "may cause temporary redness and a warming sensation following application", which scared me a little when I read it, but I have never experienced this.

During the use of this kit, I have also stopped using heat on my hair. I still blow dry my fringe, but I don't use my straighteners or curlers unless I'm going out. After using this system, my hair feels quite dry and I feel like I don't need to wash my hair as often. Every now and again, instead of using this every time I wash my hair, I have been using it twice a week and using another shampoo and deep conditioner the other time.

The Nioxin System claims to "deliver 5 effects for thicker looking hair":
1. Reduces hair fall due to breakage - I have definitely noticed that I have less hair around the shower drain after washing my hair.
2. Delivers denser-looking hair - I feel like my hair retains its natural bounce a little more and looks more voluminous. Due to less styling of my hair, I have found that my hair doesn't look as flat either.
3. Amplifies hair texture - I think that by making my hair feel drier, it has given my hair some texture. My hair no longer has that silky, slippy, first day hair feeling and instead retains my natural wave quite well.
4. Helps strengthen hair resilience against cuticle damage - In combination with using less heat on my hair, I have noticed that I have less split ends.
5. Cleanses excessive sebum from scalp - This has definitely happened, as I feel like my hair is quite dry and I feel like I need to wash my hair less often. I usually try to combat this by using a hair oil through the ends to try to help my hair retain some moisture.

I am happy that I have been using this kit. My hair will never be thick, but I have seen some great results. I am sceptical about what will happen once I finish these products and if I don't continue using them, as a lot of hair thinning products require constant use and results stop after stopping use. I will do an update a few weeks after I finish the products if there is anything to note. I can't see myself using this as my only shampoo and conditioner combination as I like to chop and change the products I use, but I would definitely repurchase the products. The kit is a great way to try these products to see if they're for you and I think you can buy each of the products individually in bigger quantities, which is also useful. If you're into SLS free and natural products, then this range will not be for you as you can see the ingredients list, above, is fairly extensive.

Have any of you tried this Nioxin System Kit?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Review: Botanics 100% Organic Face Oil

I bought this Botanics 100% Organic Facial Oil from Boots for £4.99 (half price, original price £9.99) after deciding that my skincare routine was severely lacking a facial oil, as it was feeling rather dry and flaky a few weeks ago.

I currently use a few drops of this face oil every evening and occasionally in the morning if my skin needs that extra moisture boost. I like that it comes with a pipette to distribute the oil, as you can choose how many drops you need with minimal wasteage.

The facial oil has a strange smell. It isn't offensive or overpowering, just slightly strange. I think it may be the smell of rosehip, however I don't know what rosehip smells like, so I won't assume anything... I found that I got used to it quickly and don't mind it that much now.

The oil is a little thicker and isn't as runny as the Vitamin E Facial Oils that I have used in the past. I find that it doesn't sink into my skin that quickly and sometimes sits on top for a while (leaving you looking rather glossy), before finally sinking in and leaving my face feeling soft and moisturised. I did not find that this broke me out at all. This has really helped to get rid of any dry, flaky patches on my skin and I have noticed that my post acne marks are lightening and going away quicker (I think this in combination with some of the other skincare products that I've been using lately).

I think this facial oil is great and it has become a firm favourite in my skincare routine. The price is brilliant, especially if you catch it on offer and I love that this is an easily accessible brand, so you can just pop to your local high street and don't have to wait for online deliveries.

What's your favourite facial oil?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

The Staples: Collection Extreme 24hr Felt Tip Liner

I have repurchased this eyeliner more times than I can remember. It's extremely easy to use and is perfect for eyeliner amateurs and pros alike. The eyeliner is like a pen, so it's easy to hold and the nib can give thick or thin lines (as you can see in the picture above), depending on how thick you want your eyeliner to be. The formula is super opaque and I find this lasts on me all day without smudging. This is also easy to remove with a swipe of Bioderma or a face wipe, so you're not left with a grey 'tattoo' after makeup removal. The eyeliner only costs £2.99 and Collection (I believe Collection 2000 dropped the '2000') is easily accessible to buy in the UK, which is great as you don't have to wait for online deliveries or go to special stores to buy it.

What's your favourite eyeliner?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Review: Elemis Rehydrating Rosepetal Cleanser

When I got back from China, my skin felt extremely dried out due to a poor holiday skincare routine and being on a 13 hour flight home. Throw in this cold weather we've been having in the UK and hey presto, my skin feels like the Sahara desert right now.

Ok, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but my skin has been so dry recently and this Elemis cleanser has been a bit of a lifesaver. It's a lovely creamy cleanser, which does not foam. I usually use it in the morning and for a second cleanse after the Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm, but it also works well to remove makeup. It doesn't leave any residue on my skin and doesn't leave my skin feeling tight after washing either. My skin always feels soft and moisturised after use. It has a subtle rose scent, which in my opinion smells slightly plasticky. I managed to break the top off the pump on my bottle by dropping it on the floor, but the bottle design is good and the pump dispenses a good amount of product. I usually use 1 pump in the morning and 2-3 pumps in the evening.

This cleanser is recommended for dehydrated, mature and sensitive skin, so if you skin falls into any of those categories, I really recommend this.

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Review: Lee Stafford Salt Spray

My hair after using Lee Stafford Salt Spray on damp hair and leaving to dry overnight

In a bid to use less heat on my hair, I have been using the Lee Stafford Salt Spray to give my hair a little texture and to enhance my natural waves.

This product has the distinctive Lee Stafford smell. If you've used Lee Stafford products before, you'll know what I mean. The bottle says to spray 50 times to towel dried hair and then blow dry or leave to dry naturally or you can use it on dry hair. I personally don't like to spray that many times, as I feel it makes my hair too dry. I usually do about 15 sprays all over damp hair, trying to avoid spraying it too near the roots, and I don't do anything else to it (no scrunching, blow drying, etc). This gives me a nice amount of definition to my wavy hair and doesn't make it too dry. It also gives my hair a little texture, so it's not too silky soft and fly-away after washing. I never apply this to dry hair. I tried it a few times to see if it could revive second day hair, but I was left with my hair feeling greasy and crispy and the product just sat on top of my hair.

This has gone up in price since I bought my bottle. But at £7.49 for 150ml, it's a good product if you are trying to use less heat or like the beachy, boho waves hairstyle. I had a quick look on the Boots website, and there are some other salt sprays which are cheaper and some that are more expensive. I think this is a good middle ground salt spray, which I really like and would definitely recommend. However I wouldn't recommend this to someone that likes their hair to feel silky soft, as this really gives your hair a matte finish.

Have you ever used a salt spray before?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Review: Boots Time Delay Daily Brightening Toning Water

For a long time, I have been a non toner user. I never really understood the need and had never found one that I really liked. I have been using this Boots toner for the past few months and I thought I'd share my thoughts on it.

This toner has a pleasant floral smell, but isn't overpowering or too artificial. It feels quite refreshing and cooling on the skin, which is especially nice in the morning and I think will be lovely for the summer. It is a gentle exfoliating toner with AHAs and I have never found it to be harsh on my skin or strip it at all. It is important to wear sunscreen after using this due to the AHAs. I have not noticed much difference in the overall tone of my skin and I don't find this gives much of a chemical exfoliation. The bottle design isn't great, as the hole is pretty big and there have been far too many times where I have poured too much onto my cotton pad.

The best way to describe this toner is average. This is a nice and refreshing toner, but don't expect miraculous brightening results. As this is part of Boots' Time Delay range, the price of this toner is affordable, coming in at less than £5 and is often on offer.

What's your favourite toner?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Revlon Photoready Re-Evaluated

I have had Revlon Photoready for quite a while now and due it's relatively poor staying power, it got relegated to the back of my foundation drawers. As I am constantly trying (and failing) to downsize my makeup collection, I dug out Photoready a few weeks ago. I tried it again, loved it and I have been using it everyday since. You can see it in action in the FOTD I posted a few weeks ago (here). I wrote a review about it in June 2012 (here) and while I still stand by all the points I made, I want to add a little more to the review.

Like I said, almost all the points that I mentioned last time are still the same. (To sum up: Good - Nice finish, good colour match, medium coverage, spf 20/Bad - Has glitter in it, clings to dry patches). I originally said that the lasting power of this foundation was very poor. However it has recently been a lot better, which has made me love this foundation now, instead of just liking or tolerating it. During the winter my skin balances out and is currently veering towards normal with dry patches (instead of combination-oily in the summer). This has meant the foundation lasts a lot better on my skin and adds some much needed glow to my complexion. I do find that it does cling to dry patches, but that's nothing a little exfoliation or extra moisturisation can't solve.

My opinion has definitely changed about this foundation and I would definitely recommend this foundation for people with normal or slightly dry skin. This has become a staple Winter foundation for me, however I would not touch it with a barge pole during the Summer again.

Have you ever experienced foundations that are better suited to different seasons?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy