Fragrance Direct Bargains

Sally Hansen Greige Gardens (£1.49), Dainty Doll Blush in 004 You are my Sunshine (£1.99), Essie Off the Shoulder (£1.99), Essie Bikini So Teeny (£1.99)

I recently managed to get some great bargains on Fragrance Direct. I could have bought way more, but I restrained myself and only allowed myself to spend £10. I even had some spare change, as my order came to £9.45 including postage and packaging.

I was so excited to see Essie Bikini So Teeny for only £1.99, as I wanted it last year when it seemed like the 'it nail colour' as everyone seemed to be wearing it, but I kept putting it off and ultimately forgot to buy it. After googling swatches of the other nail polishes, I settled on Sally Hansen Greige Gardens, which I think will be lovely for Autumn and Essie Off The Shoulder.

I was quite surprised to see Dainty Doll products on Fragrance Direct for only £1.99, as they're full price at their other stockists! I was contemplating buying more of their products (such as the concealers and foundations), but I couldn't find any good swatches online and didn't want to buy a product that would end up being unloved. So I decided to get a blush and I am so happy with my choice! You are my Sunshine is a beautiful rose gold blush. It kind of reminds me of something along the lines of NARS Orgasm or Sleek Rose Gold.

Have you got any bargains from Fragrance Direct recently?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Life Lately #2

Pandas at Changsha zoo - The pandas are brown and black, rather than white and black as apparently they're in need of a bath! Haha.

Changsha, Hunan, China

Shaoshan, Hunan, China

1) I'm back from China! I got back on Sunday, but I've been ill and working so I haven't had the chance to blog yet. It was a bit of a whirlwind trip of visiting family, eating far too much, going to the zoo and a theme park, trying to improve my Chinese and doing a spot of shopping. But I really enjoyed the trip and I definitely won't be leaving it eight years until I visit again.

2) I was featured on the Sigma Affiliate Blog in a UK Global Focus post, which is pretty exciting! I was asked to recreate my favourite look and write a little about it. I decided on a classic red lip, where I kept the eye makeup fairly simple so that the focus could be on a bold red lip. I would say my makeup application skills are average at best, so it was really an honour to be featured on the blog among other more talented bloggers and youtubers. It did, however, make me realise how much I hate taking self portraits!

3) When I got back from China, I found out that Google are retiring Google Reader. I'm quite saddened by this, as I use Google Reader to catch up on all the blogs I follow. However, Bloglovin' has made it super easy to import all the blogs I was following on Google Reader to Bloglovin by going to www.bloglovin.com/import, which is a godsend. If you want to follow Dear Joy on Bloglovin, you can do so here.

I hope you're all well! :)

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

30 Day Shred Level Two Review

This level is a killer. I found this a hell of a lot more difficult than level one and did a mixture of the beginner and advanced moves. As the week went on, it did get easier, however I still found it difficult, especially on some of the plank based moves. This level also made me sweat a lot more than level one (Sorry, if tmi!).

I did not do this every day for the past ten days. Due to starting a new job and having other commitments, I started this level late and then didn't do it every day. I did add on the missed days at the end, so I still did a total of ten days.

I felt level one worked my legs more and didn't feel like it did much to my arms, however I found that this level had more emphasis on arms and legs. The strength section in circuit 3 is a killer on the arms, especially as I am a weakling. There is also a lot of emphasis on the plank position, which works the arms, shoulders and legs, but are hard!

I definitely saw more of a difference in my body this week. I feel like my stomach has more definition, and while I don't have abs of steel (ha), I have lost 1/2 an inch from around my waist and 1/2 an inch from my hips (in comparison to measurements from day 1) and my jeans now fit a lot better. That's purely from doing the 30 Day Shred, as I haven't changed my diet recently. I feel like if I had improved my diet, my results may have been more, but who knows. I haven't seen much difference in my arms and legs, but I am pleased with the results from my middle section, as that's one of my problem areas.

I am going to China today for two weeks, which I am so excited about as I haven't been in 7 or so years. I don't think I will be able to do the 30 Day Shred while I'm there and I have a feeling I may end up eating my weight in food... But I will definitely be continuing on with the 30DS level three when I get back, as I am pleased with my results so far.

Have you done the 30 Day Shred before?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Project Empties #21

Recently I have not been finishing as many products as I would like, especially on the makeup front. I really want to start working through my makeup, as I have more than enough. However, my makeup items never seem to finish! They always seem to last forever.

I have had this Murad Clarifying Cleanser for ages, as you only need a little bit of product each time. I bought this from a blog sale, but the RRP of this cleanser is £25 for 200ml, which is fairly expensive for a cleanser but you do get a generous amount of product. I found this cleanser dried my skin out a little, so I only used it a few times a week or more often if my skin had broken out. I really liked it with my Clarisonic as it foamed up nicely, although if you use too much, the bubbles go up your nose and into your mouth! It has a strange smell, which I can't quite pinpoint, but you get used to it after a few uses. I find it difficult to gauge how well it helps with my blemishes, as I use other spot treatments. However my skin has been relatively clear over the time that I have been using this cleanser, so I would say this works well in combination with my skincare routine.

I also finished the L'Oreal Everstrong Conditioner, which I love, as it leaves my hair feeling soft and silky. It has a strong herbal smell, which I really didn't like at first, but grew to like.

I love the Boots Expert Build Up Removal Shampoo. I have repurchased this a number of times and will continue to. It's great for removing build up from styling products and dry shampoo and it leaves my hair feeling clean, without leaving it feeling stripped. This is one of those great products that truly work and don't cost a bomb.

Lastly I finished this Johnson's Dreamy Skin Body Cream. I have had this for ages and am a little glad to finally have finished it! It's quite a light body moisturiser, which blends into the skin easily. I found it moisturised my skin enough, without leaving it feeling greasy or sticky. This moisturiser also has a pleasant smell, which lingers on the skin but isn't too overpowering.

What did you finish this month?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy