St Lucia | Inside My Shower

One of the exciting things about heading off on holiday, apart from the sun sea and sand of course is heading out to pick up all your toiletries in dinky travel size and I have a pretty healthy stash of travel minis I could reach for. That said I always panic, will I have enough for the duration of my trip, what if I run out before departure and then there are the products I already own in full size, is it worth duplicating with their smaller counterparts?

Over thinking aside when I headed to St Lucia last month my travel allowance was not something to worry about and as I continue to enjoy working my way through products I actually own or have been sent all concerns were allowed to be ignored and it was full size ahead in my shower.

During vacations there's a lot of showering, shaving of legs and prepping for a night of cocktails so I decided that Champneys Citrus Blush Enlivening Shower Mousse* was a perfect travel partner. I can't believe it's still going as it appeared in my August favourites last year as a Summer favourite so I thought it was ideal for my trip. From the Champney's 'A Little Pick Me Up' it designed to add zing to your shower routine with it's lemon scent so fitted nicely whether it was used following an early morning call for a boat trip or to liven me up for a night of cocktails after a lazy day poolside.

As a mousse rather than a gel it's perfect for regular shaving duties required during holidays yet still adds a pampering feel to a monotonous task. I also paired the shower mousse with the matching scrub which became a 'house favourite' and found it's way into my empties pile so keep your eyes peeled for that post coming up soon.

During the Summer months, or indeed those I'm holidaying in the sun Bumble & Bumble Surf Shampoo and Conditioner are my go to products, and they did travel to St Lucia with me but went rather unloved thanks to the Totally Bleachin' duo from TIGI Bed Head*.

I'm sure I've said this before as there are a lot of TIGI Bed Head products I'm working with at the moment but the always smell amazing and the Totally Bleachin' range is no different with it's totally tropical mango and tangerine fragrance.

TIGI Bed Head Totally Bleachin' Cleansing Jelly Shampoo* and TIGI Bed Head Totally Bleachin' Mellow After-Sun Conditioner* are will both maintain colour vibrancy thanks to their protective UV complext and use Vitamin E to target signs of damage and leave hair soft and nourished.

As my hair is coloured and dryer in recent years I found that just using a salt spray was sufficient and was conscious of drying out further with salt shampoo formlas. Using the Totally Bleachin' shampoo and conditioner ensured that my hair was left looking soft and shiny, even after a day travelling by boat at high speeds left me resembling Worzel Gummage and barely able to run a brush through.

Every time I'm on holiday I'm reminded I really should look into laser hair removal, spending too much time keeping my legs hair free. For this trip I was sent the updated Wilkinson Sword Hydro Silk Bikini razor* which has the new added benefits including Pro-Vitamin B5 and Shea Butter to protect the skins natural oils and add a boost of hydration - no one wants scaly, red or bumpy legs on holidays do they.

I have used the earlier version of this 2 in 1 trimmer with adjustable bikini trimmer with success and was once again pleased with it's use. 5 'curve sensing blades' provide closeness will reducing irritation and I do find this a gentle and more subtle shave. I wouldn't favour this for a heavier shave but for daily use it's perfect.

I'll also give a nod to the replacement blades I purchased which come in handy travel sized packets so you can throw one or two into your make up bag without finding all sorts clinging to them when you go to use.

What products must you have in your shower on holiday?

*this post contains press samples and / or affiliate links

Haul for holidays

I was quite proud there had been minimum pre-holiday purchasing and then it seemed like the weekend before I had a very blogger/YouTube led purchasing spree as well as one or two regular essentials. 

Wilkinson Sword Quattro Bikini Razor* link
Many of you may switch to a leg and bikini wax before holiday but after my recent waxing disasters you will know I'm sticking to shaving. As I would need to keep up the maintenance on holiday I turned to my Wilkinson Sword Quattro Bikini Razor knowing that it would perform in 'both areas'. You can read my original Wilkinson Sword Quattro Bikini Razor review here.

OGX Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner link
OGX is a brand I knew little of but had seen often. Through the powers of YouTube seeing this shampoo brand spoke highly by the likes of Caroline Hirons it was very much on my radar. When I popped into Superdrug for my toothpaste (see below) and it was three for two I decided that despite not needing any more shampoo's and conditioners these would travel with me to Dubai.

I have used during my trip and it's a thumbs up. So much so I will be buying more, in larger sizes on my return.

Colgate Max White Toothpaste link
Regular readers will know I'm not a 'toothpaste fan' and since discovering The Breath Co have been far happier with teeth brushing duties. I considered decanting but realised that was ridiculous and didn't really want to bring the full sized tube. Instead I picked up the small tube of Colgate thinking I'm sure I can manage for a 10 days with some intense mint tasting toothpaste. In the spirit of first world problems I can't stand it and cannot wait to return home to my favoured brand.

Travel Containers link
I picked up three of the round tubes from Superdrug, again on offer but only ended up using one for my body scrub. As I reach my last day in Dubai I would have benefited more from using two of the tubs so I will make a note for my trip to Ibiza next month.

Seventeen Eyeshadow Monos link
More eyeshadows than necessary and in hindsight many shades to compare to Rose Quartz I still couldn't resist purchasing after watching one of Fleur De Force's videos. I had the full intention of taking advantage of the 'buy one get one half price' and sending one to Rose in America. Then I saw Viva Diva and decided to treat myself instead. Despite also being armed with my two Lorac Pro Palettes and a few Mac Eyeshadows which accompanied I have used both of these shades. Rose Quartz was a disappointment. Not as pigmented nor sparkly as I would like, especially when I have Mac Rose Pigment but Viva Diva. That was possibly my favourite make up look of my trip.

Bourjois Contour Clubbing Eyeliner link
Hoping to get a little experimental on holiday and add some colour I decided to pick up three of the Contour Clubbing Eyeliners from Bourjois. I chose Purple Night, Loving Green and Blue Neon and have used all three since away. I think I still need a little practice to get the wear right but they certainly added a little something to my eye make up looks of an evening.

Finally the most unexciting but the one thing I do every holiday is buy a new toothbrush. I don't take that one on holiday with me. That's the one I will leave at home, taking the old one and leaving it behind. That way I return home to a nice toothbrush that hasn't tackled the 'rigours' of travel .

What have been your last minute holiday purchases?

*PR Sample