What beauty products can you really pack in your hand luggage

A couple of months ago I headed out to Ibiza for a couple of nights, hand luggage only which caused no end of concerns as everything I needed beauty wise in liquid, gel, cream form (so basically everything) had to fit in a 20cm by 20cm clear plastic bag.

So what beauty products you can really fit in your hand luggage? Or specifically one of those small plastic bags is what I'll be answering today.

Travelling light is not something I'm good at and when it comes to beauty even less so. Yes I could settle for face wipes but I'd still want a moisturiser so I think I might as well use a regular cleanser. And then there's the make up, from mascara to your favourite liquid lipstick it all needs to go in 'that bag'. You've seen some My Holiday Essentials so how was I going to reduce that further?

Often types such as this will show a selection of products that I don't believe would fit in on of these tiny plastic bags and often suggest decanting which just doesn't make sense to me. You often end up with bulkier bottles and pots that once empty you have to return home and clean for reuse. At least with various tubes, sachets and smaller sized bottles once they've been used on your trip you can throw straight into the bin.

Firstly I use the Sephora Beauty on the Fly Travel Bag. This is actually my second as perhaps the fact I have been known to and can overstuff this is the reason why. These TSA friendly bags are zipped which stops products falling out when going through security and more importantly you can plan ahead and have all your products packed and stored without a scrabble at the security desk. For $4.95 this bag is essential for all my flights.

Starting with skincare, I took along AEOS Dew Facial Wash* which worked for both day and night cleansing. I didn't wear too much heavy make up or SPF on my trip so this facial wash was great to use.  I paired that with AEOS Refreshing Hydrating Mist* which has been tagging along to all my trips. I'm not a big fan of it's botanical scent but it's hydrating qualities have worked well, especially on long haul flights.

I probably would've forgone serum for two nights but mum handily had a sample of the Clarins Double Serum which you may remember from my Pycnogenol Challenge. Eyes were covered by Dermalogica Intensive Eye Repair*, another in flight favourite thanks to it's hydrating qualities. The biggest concern was SPF and I was saved by the new release of Garnier Moisturise Bomb 3 in 1 Day Cream and it's appearance in sachet form in a number of magazines. I gathered them up and they saw me through my trip.

Another sachet I did have and enjoyed instantly was L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Magic Blur Instant Skin Smoother Finishing Cream. I found it thicker than I expected and did see my skin smooth out. I'd definitely be interested in purchasing this in full size to use regularly and see if it continues to meet my expectations.

Moving on hair, an area I could've settled with simply shampoo and conditioner but I refused to be without my Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray or a volumising dry shampoo, in this instance Percy & Reed Big, Bold & Beautiful Dry Instant Volumising Spray* which is great to add a bit of oomph to my hair between washes although perhaps more than I'd like to spend in full size. Handily I had some sachets of Bedhead by TIGI Volume Shampoo and Conditioner which with my short hair and being conseravative I was able to use for the three days and two nights and had no need for the back up from L'Oreal.

When it came to make up I returned to an old favourite, Erborian BB Creme Au Ginseng Dore. It's tube was a travel friendly size, it had SPF and was a light enough coverage for in the sun whilst adequate for a fuller face. I added the Maybelline Eye Eraser, again as it's packaging slotted nicely into the travel bag although I have to admit what was once a favourite is not evoking the love any longer. A handy Chanel Mascara in mini size was the perfect accompaniment and lipsticks, the hardest part to edit came from KIKO, Revlon and Benecos.

Other items I couldn't do without were Liz Earle Hand cream, my Diptyque Rollerball, Arm & Hammer Toothpaste and of course a Soap & Glory shower gel and spare contact lenses.

I think you can see I managed to pack quite a lot into my hand luggage beauty bag and all that was left for me to do was pop to the supermarket and pick up some disposable razors. Anything you think I missed or was unnecessary?

Let me know how you would pack your hand luggage and hope this helps if you're heading off for some Winter sun.

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Products I've Used Up | Skincare

I love to see a pile of skincare empties as a reward to myself that I have been regularly following a skincare regime although it is sad to say goodbye to some of these products.

Let's start with cleansers and first Eloquence Beauty Purifying Cleanser*. I was newly introduced to the brand and enjoyed all of the products I was able to test. As a cleanser I preferred this for my morning cleanse and the packaging definitely makes it a product I would think of when looking for a cleanser to travel with as it ticks all boxes and would work well for removing make up.
You can read a full review of Eloquence Beauty here.

Next is an old favourite that I'm sure I've had far longer than I should it's a worry my face didn't drop off. Cleansing Balms are something of a 'thing' in blogger circles and I like to think I was unintentionally ahead of myself when I discovered Rodial Glamtox Cleansing Balm. I initially saw this in Space NK, balked at the £50 price tag and then managed to purchase from QVC for half price. The problem is now I would happily pay the higher price because I really loved this cleanser. Whilst I enjoy using cleansing balms in there more traditional solid form found in pots which you 'dig out' and rub in, this is a balm 'liquid' which is dispensed via the pump. Far less faff in my opinion.

A pricey serum which I used as part of the Pycnogenol Challenge was Clarins Double Serum - Complete Age Control Concentrate*. We're told that if we're to spend our money on one particular skincare product it should be our serum and I would happily spend my pounds on this Clarins Serum. As I explained in my original post on the challenge I used this serum alongside supplements and couldn't deny that my skin was in the best condition it had been for a while, I feel that was down to the products I was using, namely the serum.

Transformulas Marine Miracle EyeZone* was the right mix of a light formula whilst packing a punch with its powerful ingredients which you can read about in my full review here. My eye area is the one I have most 'concern' for and I'm always conscious of keeping any fine lines in check and I can report that this product helped to do this.

A more affordable and subtle primer than say Benefit Professional is Nip+Fab Viper Venom Micro Blur* which I enjoyed using. I am using up my collection of primers which is made harder due to finding I've taken a step backward and am skipping the step! You can read a full review here.

I enjoyed the Nip+Fab Kale Make Up Removing Pads* for those nights when all I could manage is falling into bed. That said sometimes my eye make up would be irritating me and I'd reach for these in my bedside cabinet. My only major gripe is that they're quite small and I'd find I'd have to use a few before my face was clean. There's a full review here.

I wasn't particularly excited about F.O.Y Moisturising Day Cream* but nonetheless I used diligently that its made it's way into this post. Initially lacklustre about this day cream on use it did its job well and was a perfect cream for my mature skin whilst still wanting something light enough to combat the heat. You can read my review of the F.O.Y range here.

AEOS is a new to me brand that I've had an opportunity to try via their travel try me kit. I have a mix of the products in my travel minis draw and you will have seen the Hydrating Mist in my holiday skincare regime. Two products I used up swiftly were AEOS Gentle Cleansing Lotion (Blue)* and
AEOS Energising Conditioner*. This is a pricey brand with products around the £50 mark and whilst they have been nice to use I'm not sure if there's anything about them that makes me want to repurchase at that price. The cleansing lotion was akin to the usual wash off formulas and the Energising Condition whilst a nice step, was an extra one I don't think I want nor need.

Finally is the AVENE Micellar Water which I have little to say about other than it's handy size was perfect for nights away. It removed make up easily and I would repurchase but more than likely I'd go for a 'cheaper' option.

What skincare products have you been using up?

*this post contains press samples and affiliate links

Holiday Skincare Regime

A holiday can often be the perfect opportunity to abandon a skincare regime and reach for the face wipes but for me, despite the odd night at home when I forgo an evening routine on holiday I'm never more diligent. I don't know if it's the opportunity to work my way through the extensive stash of minis I have or the minimal luxury bathroom to pamper myself, but whatever the reasons I thought I'd share with you what accompanied me to Italy last month.

Disclaimer, I did take some face wipes with me, the Australian Bodycare Tea Tree Wipes* because despite the diligence sometimes that luxury bathroom is too far away. These tea tree wipes were more for freshening up on days sat round the pool or first thing in the morning. As a face wipe the tea tree is quite overpowering and for make up removal they're not the best.

Moving on to 'proper' cleansing, when travelling I like to use a cream cleanser or facial wash to serve as double duty for morning and evening routines. This trip I was trying out Gatineau Melatogenine Refreshing Cleansing Cream which is a 'triple-action formula' as a cleanser, toner and exfoliator so perfect for travel. Apparently its Gatineau's patented youth molecule, Melatogenine which helps remove make up, impurities and provide anti-ageing benefits and whilst I don't know if I look any younger at the end of the week away I can report that its make up removing capabilities were great. I'd liken this to the older sister to Liz Earles Hot Cloth Cleanser and for those who are looking for some more intensive ingredients.

Whilst Gatineau Cleansing Cream claims to offer toning I still took along AEOS Refreshing Hydrating Mist*. I was sent a travel size kit of the AEOS skincare regime and almost immediately on testing I liked the products and decided that I wanted to have them on hand for my travels due to their petite size.  Perhaps an unneeded step in my skincare regime and more suited for my long haul in flight make up bag I'll need in October but it's a product I've liked to use no doubt due to it refreshing and balancing the skin 'and mind' with its blend of essential oils and other premium ingredients.

The next step, again from Gatineau and the Collagene Expert Ultimate Smoothing Serum. I'm pretty certain a week is not long enough to speak to whether a serums is working it's magic but it did claim to plump up skin and smooth out wrinkles and I did find I was reaching for a primer of an evening less so than normal so I was happy with what was looking back at me in the mirror.

Dermalogica Intensive Eye Repair* is an oldie but a goodie that I reach for whenever I'm travelling. Whether it's to be applied in flight or during the trip due to one too many late nights it tackles my fine lines perfectly. Many nutrients combine to create a hydrating cream that is light to use, doesn't interfere with make up and ensures that my eyes doesn't give away how many late nights I may have had.

For moisturiser I was using Algenist Power Advanced Wrinkle Fighter Moisturiser which had a lovely whipped texture that was neither too light nor thick for the weather. For mature skin, it is designed to diminish fine lines and wrinkles providing a plumper looking skin. Again a week isn't long enough to really give a thorough review and this little pot didn't last the full seven days but the combination of skincare I was using all worked well to ensure my skin was still looking great during my holiday. In fact since my return, being ill, tired and general suffering from post holiday blues my skin has been a mess!

My trip to Italy was in part to attend the christening of my friends son so the morning of I dished out sheet masks from MaskerAide*. I often take a long a hydrating mask when flying long haul but it's not something I think of when short haul but that will change. I chose the MaskerAide Pre Party Prep Hydrating Sheet Mask* to ensure my skin would look hydrated and be in perfect condition for piling on the make up. As sheet masks go these are fun to look at, perfect for a girls night in, and work a treat. I enjoyed the 10 minutes of bliss when I lay on my bed wearing the cooling mask even if Ben said I scared him!

Do you follow a skincare regime when you're on holiday?

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