The Staples: MAC Studio Fix Fluid

When I was updating my new 'Product Directory' page, I noticed I rarely do reviews of products that are staples in my makeup collection and part of my day-to-day essentials. There are items that I have repurchased multiple times, but have never mentioned on here. So I decided to start a new feature about 'the Staples' in my collection.

Today, I'm going to start off with an oldie, but goodie - MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation. I have repurchased MAC Studio Fix Fluid a few times now and can't seem to let it go.

FOTD with only MAC Studio Fix Fluid as a base. No concealer or powder.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation is a matte finish, medium to full coverage foundation that is buildable. I use the shade NC15 and it's the perfect colour match for me. It applies and blends into the skin easily, whether you're using a brush or your fingers. Sometimes if I want a more dewy look, I have mixed in Benefit High Beam or a dewy foundation and it works a treat. This is one of the most long-lasting foundations in my collection and I like to use it when I have long days at work or times where I need my foundation to last. This foundation has SPF 15 in it, which is great for daytime, but I have found that it does not photograph well in flash photography. I know some people have had bad experiences with MAC foundations, but it has never broken me out. It has a strong paint-esque smell to it, which I don't notice when applying to my face (only if I unscrew the cap and sniff). The foundation costs £20.50 for 30ml, which I think is a fair price. However you have to buy the pump separately, which is a little annoying but once you've bought one, you won't need to buy another.

As you can see, I have hardly any bad things to say about MAC Studio Fix Fluid. I think I would as far as saying that this might be my holy grail long lasting foundation.

Have you ever used MAC Studio Fix Fluid before?

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

NOTD: Bikini So Teeny

2 coats of Essie Bikini So Teeny

I'm late to this bikini party, as this was last year's much raved about nail polish. However, when I saw it for £1.99 on Fragrance Direct, I rapidly snapped it up and painted my nails with it as soon as it arrived. I was really impressed with the formula, as it only needed 2 coats to become fully opaque and dried quickly. The colour is a gorgeous cornflower blue with subtle silver glitters in, which I think I will get a lot of wear out of once Spring finally gets here. The new Essie brushes are also a dream to work with, as they're wide and flat. I experienced a little tip wear after a few days, but nothing too obvious and would probably have been prevented if I'd used a topcoat.

I may be late to the party, but I'm glad I finally got there!

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

Book Club: The Girl You Left Behind

Before I go into the book review, I just wanted to let you know that: As we are now officially in Spring (even though it feels like Winter), I decided to give my blog a bit of a spring clean. I changed my layout a little using a fantastic tutorial from Gillian (here), which was easy to follow and great for html novices like myself. I feel like it's now more aesthetically pleasing and less 'blocky' after getting rid of the black header backgrounds. I also made a new header using a font that I recently downloaded (and am obsessed with) and rejigged a few things around. What do you think of it? I hope you like it as much as I do!

Moving on to the main blog post: Today, I am reviewing "The Girl You Left Behind" by Jojo Moyes. I finished this in a few days, which is a feat for me as it usually takes me ages to finish a book. Like the other book I read by Jojo Moyes, I absolutely loved this book.

The book is split in two parts. Part I is written through the eyes of Sophie in occupied France in 1916 and tells the story of Sophie and her family working in their hotel, while their husbands are at war. The story has a nice pace to it and leaves a bit of a cliffhanger at a crucial point in her story, which made me want to read part II quickly to see whether or not you find out what happens to Sophie. I personally really liked Sophie's character and thought all the characters were well written.

Part II is set in modern day London and we are introduced to young widow, Liv, and Paul Cafferty, her new love interest. I found the story dragged a little in the middle of this section, but the story reaches a point where you can't read it fast enough as you want to find out what happens. The last quarter of the book leads you to a satisfactory conclusion and I felt rather emotional reading through the last few chapters of the book.

The two parts of the book are tied together by a portrait of Sophie, which was done by her husband before he left for the war and hangs in their hotel in the first portion of the book and is owned by Liv in the second portion.

I thought this was beautifully written and I enjoyed the dip into WWI history in part I. I have loved both of the books that I have read by Jojo Moyes and am looking forward to starting the next one.

RATING: ★★★★★

Have you read this book? If you haven't, read it!

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy