High Street Sun Protection

Unlike my holidays last year I had a smaller range of sun protection to take with to Menorca and put to the test, including two products that were new to me and from less fancy brands. The first is from Soleil Suncare*, Tesco's own brand. I tested out the SPF30 which is an affordable £3.50 and can be thrown into the shopping basket with your milk and eggs.

This isn't a 'luxurious' formula and reminds me of your old and traditional types but it was inoffensive and did the job intended. Despite it's smaller price point it's still dermatologically tested and contains vitamin E, omega oil and green tea to moisturise the skin. More importantly it protects as you want and I didn't burn at all whilst using this. Because of it's slightly thicker formula I preferred to use on my legs, especially if I'd shaved them in the morning. There is a slight white cast that you need to ensure you rub in thoroughly but I can't complain. Ben also used this and I might suggest that this is one you can push into the hands of your gentleman friends who aren't too worried about what products they're using and save the fancy stuff for yourself.

Reimann P20 Once a Day Sun Protection Spray* is an old and familiar favourite that I enjoyed using last year, particularly as it's spray allows you to apply to your back if you haven't a friend to hand. It's major selling point is it's water resistant claims and that it protects for up to 10 hours. I'm always cautious about these claims but it is reassuring if you end up falling asleep in the sun or are spending the day walking around unexpected without a top up to hand. My only complain about this product, aside from a high price point is that it does stain clothing. I had a couple of white items on holiday that unfortunately will not make an appearance on my next holiday,

Of course it's important not to give some extra attention to the face when in the sun, and despite wearing a hat most of the time I wanted to ensure I was covered. On my recent trip I used Solero Facial Anti-Ageing Suncream* in SPF 30. Solero is the suncare brand from Lloyds Pharmacy which has been created to protect against Infrared-A(IR-A), a third of the sun's damaging rays which cause both short and long term damage yet often omitted from other brands products.

Whilst I have used Lloyds Pharmacy products before with success I was slightly dubious about how I would find their suncream. I used this in place of a morning moisturiser and it is certainly thicker than some products and a little heavier on application but it sinks into skin nicely and I was happy with it's appearance. The biggest concern with SPF is always that it can lead to breakouts, especially if it's not washed properly. Despite it being that time of the month during my trip, and when I'm most prone to hormonal breakouts I didn't experience one and this was a week I wasn't double cleansing or acid toning... and yes if I'm honest I'm sure there was a night or two I just reached for a face wipe.

Usually I would leave behind any sun care preferring not to use up valuable luggage allowance but this time I have packed away ready to use on my trip to Italy next month. Happy with the results I'm in no need to replace with alternatives and it's great to know that if I were invited on a last minute trip (if only!) then I could easily nip to my local high street and find products just as good as the more well known or fancier brands.

What sun care do you like to use on holiday?

*this post contains press samples and affiliate links

Duty Free Haul

I’m sure the reason I love airports so much is that they usually involve going on holiday and if that’s the first then the second is Duty Free. Once I’m through security I’m like a woman possessed acting like someone with a Khardashians bank balance, throwing anything and everything into my basket. Please tell me I’m not alone in thinking that Duty Free spending isn’t like ‘real life’ spending.

When I hit Duty Free last month the top item on my list was Estee Lauders Bronze Goddess. This is a very clichéd Summer fragrance but in defence of jumping on the bandwagon I did resist for a long time as this scent is wheeled out every year and bloggers rave about ‘summer in a bottle’. I must have given Bronze Goddess a sniff on many occasions over the years and decided it wasn’t for me. I tend to favour heavy scents so it’s no surprising this ‘eau fraiche’, the most diluted version of a fragrance didn’t spark any joy… until now. A few weeks ago I was strolling through House of Fraser and gave it the cursory spray and wandered off once again unimpressed. Hours later I would keep getting wafts of the scent and realised how much I loved it. Interesting Ben turned his nose up when I was making my purchase but later in the holiday he commented on how he actually now liked it so if you haven’t found love in first spritz do try it on your own skin and see how it settles later in the day.

There’s little I can tell you that every other blogger and fan has; sun, sea, sand, coconut, memories of laying on a beach, yes it is all true and all there. It’s a whooping 100ml, glass bottle which makes me wonder would they not have been more successful bringing this out in a more travel friendly option such as the Chanel Purse sprays. It was the perfect scent to wear on my Menorca trip but I’ll be slightly reluctant taking it to Italy with me next month due to my luggage allowances.

And if one bottle wasn’t enough my mum has just returned from holiday and given me another bottle, not realising I had already purchased for myself. Clearly I mentioned this a lot recently. At least I’m stocked up now for the next couple of Summers.

Elizabeth Arden Eight House Cream Lip Protectant was one of my most used and repurchased items years ago. If I was travelling through Duty Free I would pick up this and an YSL mascara but as my beauty blogging grew and I discovered other products this little ritual disappeared. Did I need another lip balm, and certainly a pricey one at that not really but sometimes you just think why not.

The Elizabeth Arden Lip Protectant is £20 on the high street (£16.65 in Duty Free) and available in clear, my preference, and sheer tinted versions which I’ve never tried but would perhaps lend themselves well to current trends. It has the same properties as the Eight Hour Classic products and if like me you don’t like to apply product with your fingers to lips then this is a better choice. Containing skin softeners, sunscreen and Vitamin E it works from Summer to Winter. Whether you need to protect lips from sun exposure or dry and chapped lips this product will see you through. I’ve really enjoyed this rediscovery and am questioning why I ever stopped using it, it really is one of the best products and is saving the day when wearing matte lip products.

No trip to Duty Free is complete without swinging past the Mac Counter, my usual purchases are make up brushes, often adding to my stash of Mac 217 and 239. This time I needed to replace my 266 Small Angled Brush which for some reason is the brush I’m forever loosing. I always have a list of lipsticks and eyeshadows that I’m keen to investigate but depending on time and how many others have the same goal plays a part in whether I explore further. Continuing with the blogger clichés my list included Velvet Teddy, the lipstick that received notoriety when it was rumoured that Kylie Jenner was a fan. I also had Whirl and Soar Lip Liners on my list. I asked the sales assistant which she thought was a better match. After confirming I preferred a pink rather than brown nude she suggested Soar.

I’m still ‘new’ to nude lip colours and I’m definitely finding that the more pinks suit me better than browns and Velvet Teddy is definitely on the browner side and it’s matte finish, whilst with a creamy edge, isn’t the most flattering I own. I also found that Soar was very similar to the shade Dervish which I already own and perhaps are brown liner would’ve been a more complementing match. I’m still experimenting with it and I’m glad it’s in my collection, just perhaps Summer isn’t the right time for it to come out to play.

Finally I returned home with a new perfume, YSL Black Opium which was available for an additional 20% discount on my Easyjet flight. I think the discount and lack of exiting Duty Free purchases on my outbound journey meant I was easy prey. Admittedly I had seen this scent doing the rounds on blogs and it was ingrained in memory after smelling in store and enjoy it’s scent. This is more of my traditional style of fragrance than Bronze Goddess with a sweeter hit for Summer. I can’t deny I love the look of the bottle too.

Rather a nice little Duty Free haul there for me, I just need to decided what I’ll be buying on my next trip now. What do you recommend and do you have any traditional duty free purchases you make?

Monthly Favourites June 2016 | Holiday Edition

Whilst I was only on holiday for a week, and for just a week at the that my favourites for this month were all from my recent trip. June as a whole was one of those months were I wish I had a YouTube channel as there was so much I could’ve talked about. Instead additional loves such as OrlyScenic Route or mysecond day hair duo were mentioned in their own reviews.

Speaking of hair duos a new one appears in this favourites line up; Bumble& Bumble Surf Spray and AVEDASun Care Protective Hair Veil. Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray is a much talked about favourite for many and I’m surprised that I’ve not shared this in a favourites post before as I’m pretty sure it’s my second bottle as I like to pick up the Bumble & Bumble Surf SprayTravel Set during Summer months. Admittedly my hair requires less assistance from salt sprays currently due to it already being dryer from the colouring process but I still wanted to have it on hand and would spritz a little in before hitting the pool to add some texture to the unruly, post sleep bedhead. My friend who I was holidaying with was glad I had it to hand as he loves a little salt spray and forgot his – beauty blogger to the rescue.

My hair has always been something of an afterthought where sun protection is concerned but with blonder highlighters I wanted to avoid any sun damage and fears that I’d wake one morning with green hair! I had a little search around and stumbled on the AVEDA Hair Veil and thought that’s something new to try. A simple spray bottle that ‘forms an invisible screen’ which protects hair from sun exposure for up to 16 hours and will minimise colour fading, damage and dryness. I was quite surprised that my hair remained in such good condition which I put down in part to AVEDA’s hair veil, wearing a hat and rediscovering Bumbleand Bumble Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner.  

My routine of a morning was to dampen my hair a little with the AVEDA Veil, brush out my hair and spray some salt spray, pop on my hat and then take up residence on a sun lounger – perfect. The AVEDA Veil is a little expensive than what I would usually pay at £21.50 for 100ml – I even thought I’d discovered a travel size when I picked it up in store and was shocked at how much it cost – but it’s hand luggage friendly and a little goes a long way. I’ll be able to use this spray on my forthcoming tips to Italy next month and Las Vegas later in the year.

Another favourite for my friends and I in Menorca was Vichy Ideal Solei Double Usage After Sun Oil* (what a name!). I had been using during the trip and a couple of days in when my friend commented on his peeling skin I passed him the bottle. By the end of the week everyone was stopping by to use it and as you can see from the usage it’s barely made a dent.

As the name suggests you can use one of two ways; apply directly to dry skin or in the shower to wet skin. I used both ways, for speed the shower worked well and stopped that slightly oily slip you get on hands with any oil products but if I wanted to give my skin something of a sheen and had a little more time and was not worried about any oil on clothing then it was post shower.

I mentioned the oily slip although this is not greasy, nor unpleasant, and only a bother on the hands. On the skin itself, legs, arms and the like it gave a lovely finish and skin drank it up after a day in the sun and felt supple and moisturised. Whilst I was using SPFs and I’m not something of a sun worshipper I had a little ‘burn’ from a morning out on the open seas but I can report that I didn’t peel at all nor experience that tingly tight skin which often occurs on holidays. I’ve packed this away ready for my trip to Italy next month.

It’s over two years since Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara appeared in a favourites post and here it is again, my second tube at that, making it fight for ‘holy grail’ status. Back in 2014 I said that this mascara made me want to ‘throw out all others I own’ and I feel no different now. This is the mascara at which I’ll benchmark all other mascara’s. It was the one I chose to pack for my holiday knowing that my lashes would look long, thick and volumised. I love it.

On our first night on holiday my friend commented how nice my make up looked (yay me!) and from that night on would join me to get ready and rummage through my make up bag to try out what I had. The two products she liked in particular were L’Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Amber Rush and Mac Extra Dimension Skin Finish in Magnetic Appeal and I agree she made good choices. I jumped on the L’Oreal Infallible hype when it did the blogger rounds and was able to pick up Amber Rush, a US exclusive during one of my trips. It’s had on and off usage and it was only the past couple of months whilst decluttering my make up that I realised how much I loved this make up. My eyelids aren’t my best feature so I need to be careful of heavily glittered lids but the infallible formula is heavily pigmented enough to work for me. I remember wearing to work one day and a colleague walked into find me admiring my eyeshadow as I had forgotten, or at best not fully appreciated how good this looks. Whilst I add some definition to the crease and liner when wearing Amber Rush it works just as well on its own making it a time saving for nights out when you’re in a rush. Amber Rush is a dupe of Mac’s Tan Pigment, and whilst I’ve never used that myself I’d still say buy the high street version. Mac Pigments last forever and they’re not the most travel friendly compared to the L’Oreal pressed pigments. This renewed love means I’m going to have to add a few more of these little beauty’s to my collection.

Magnetic Appeal is a limited edition product from the Magnetic Nude Collection that I picked up on something of a whim after seeing Jaclyn Hill raving about it way back in 2013. It was more ‘I love the look of that’ rather than knowing exactly how or when I would wear it and it has had sporadic use over the years. When it does come into its own is when I’m holidaying and I’m offering a darker skintone that lends itself better to the product. Like Mac Mineralise Skinfinishes this can be used as a highlight, blusher or bronzer depending on your skintone and Magnetic Appeal is certainly on the bronzer side for me. I use this as something of a do it all on my cheeks when on holiday and whilst it initially scared me using a lighter hand and blending it does look fantastic and will really make the skin glow which is just what we’re looking for on holiday.

Finally another unloved MAC product, Girl About Town Amplified lipstick. I’m pretty sure this was one of my first MAC lipstick purchases but I’ve been off bright pinks, this is a ‘bright fuchsia’, and it’s sat in my draw for I don’t know how long. Yes, yes it’s probably well past its use by date. It was Stacey I think I saw wearing this on Snapchat and thought that looks great, I have that and dug it out. I decided to take it on holiday knowing that much of my clothing for the trip would lend itself well to the colour. If you apply heavily this is very pigmented as the finish suggests but there’s a nice sheen to each which makes a change from the matte lipsticks everyone is tending to favour these days. I don’t normally bother with make up ‘round the pool’ but on the odd day where I wanted to liven my face up or perhaps we were heading to lunch I’d press this on to create a more muted stain which worked perfectly.

Well that wasn't quite the 'shorter' post I had intended, top marks if you reached the end!

*this post contains press samples and affiliate links

Currently Loving | June 2016

There are a lot of products and 'things' I've enjoyed using this month that a monthly favourites post would be too long. Instead you'll have today's currently loving and I also have a holiday favourites post coming up as long as some more detailed reviews.

Days before I flew out to Menorca for a week with friends I had a handbag panic. My dad would have said are you kidding me but there wasn't a bag in my collection that would compliment all my outfits and with an Easyjet luggage allowance I need to be strict with my packing.

Luckily for me my friend and travel companion Lewis Yates owns a shop and after a quick look around his website I had this Michael Kors beauty in Grapefruit on hold for me.  This was my first Michael Kors handbag purchase as despite eyeing up their bags before and with a price point that is 'affordable' compared to other higher end brands it was only now I was tempted to part with my cash.

Pouch, clutch, wristlet call it what you will but aside from the gorgeous colour this was a fantastic purchase and one I loved using on my holiday. When I use a clutch bag I want it to hold money, keys, lipstick, my iPhone and a pack of cigarettes - aside from health reasons I need to give up the bad habit as it limits my clutch bag sizes! The Michael Kors wristlet was perfect. Flying out I was able to put my passport and other travel documents here and then pop that in my larger bag, pulling out when I needed and/or popping on my wrist when I literally needed it to hand. I didn't need a purse as there are card slots and a small pocket for any loose change and it's fair to say this bag was hanging off my wrist morning and night. I could pop it in my beach bag and when we'd head out for lunch I'd just grab this rather than needing to take the larger bag filled with suncreams and books. We also travelled with two small children so having this bag on the wrist made having hands free for carrying duties. The only problem now is I want to buy them in every different colour and pick up the matching sandals.

Since dyeing my hair I've been able to enjoy the luxury of second day hair, something that was unheard of before (unless I wanted to look a greasy mess). Bastiste Dry Shampoo in Marrakech* and Palmers Manuka Flower Honey Leave-In Conditioner* have been the duo that have helped me achieve this. Firstly I'll spray some Batiste dry shampoo in my roots and brush my hair out and then I reach for the Palmers Conditioner and spray over my hair which is often a little wild from being tied up. Once my hair has been dampened I'm able to pick up the hairdryer, brush and style the unruly waves so that I am presentable. I've used a slightly different duo whilst on holiday which I'll be telling you about in another post but back home this was what I was using on a regular basis.

As a flamingo lover I happily jumped on the inflatable bandwagon and treated myself to the Flamingo Drinks Holder for my recent trip. I really wanted the larger inflatable but luggage allowance woes stopped me. Now I'm home and two months away from my next trip I'm thinking about picking up the Pineapple Inflatable as I'll be spending the week around my friends villa and as we'll in Italy I'm going to treat them to the Pizza one. Whilst I loved Florence the Flamingo (of course we named her) I was always a little too nervous about putting a drink in there although it was pretty sturdy.

*this post contains press samples and affiliate links

Summer Travel Essentials

What's that we see in the sky? Could it be the sun? Yes the past two days have been glorious sunshine and whilst there may be rain on the horizon I thought I'd jump in quickly and share with you a few Summer essentials whether you'll be chasing the UK sun or travelling abroad like I am in two weeks time.

First up is MonuPlus Beauty Balm* which I've been enjoying on my no make up days at weekends. The MonuPlus Beauty Balm is designed to 'energise and awaken the complexion' with Orange and Neroli Essential Oils to calm redness and broken capillaries - so perfect if you've enjoyed two many margaritas and late nights on your holiday.

Applied after your moisturiser this is perfect for smoothing out the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles so a great addition before heading to the beach if you need a little more confidence. You can even apply a thick layer and leave for 15 minutes creating a mask that leaves skin looking it's best if you have a big night out on your holiday when you know lot's of selfies will be taken.

If you're travelling long haul on your holiday or staying in an air conditioned apartment then keeping your skin hydrated will be important. Jojoba Hydrating Day Cream* is from an Australian brand using 100% natural ingredients such as Chamomile and Green Tea (to soothe and calm) and Pomegranate (to promote skin elasticity).

The perfect natural moisturiser which protects against dehydrating environmental effects it is easily absorbed in the skin and makes it the perfect addition to your in flight beauty kit.

When I am heading on holiday you could almost say I enjoy the packing and planning process more than the holiday itself. I love nothing more than putting together check lists and one of the things I always used to include was some sort of first aid kit. The reality was that beyond a few plasters and paracetamol for those hangovers the other bumph would be taking up unnecessary space.

That said I'm quite keen to make space for NatraSan First Aid Spray* in it's handy travel buddy size as I have a feeling it will come in handy. Whether you're backpacking or relaxing in a luxurious beach resort I think you'll find a use for this new first aid spray.

NatraSan First Aid Spray contains pure hypochlorous acid which is the body's own antiseptic. And what does that do? Helps our body to kill all manner of germs that can be found in planes (tray tables are apparently harbouring more bacteria than the toilets - yuk!) but its also effective against pesky bites, minor burns from that Summer BBQ.

This handy 100ml size is perfect to check the box for having something to tackle the chance of a bite but more importantly having a sanitiser on hand. Anything that says it kills 99.9999% of germs gets the thumbs up in my book. I'll be testing more thoroughly in a couple of weeks so stay tuned.

This Works is a brand that is far much more than their famous Deep Sleep Pillow Spray and recently I've had the opportunity to try out This Works Energy Bank Skin Glow*. Marketed as a 'battery pack in a bottle' this all in one serum and skin luminiser is great for those of us that find sleeping a challenge or perhaps are exhausted and sleep deprived with jet lag.

You can use This Works Energy Bank Skin Glow* in place of or in addition to moisturiser so it makes a suitable companion for the Jojoba Hydrating Day Cream* or MonuPlus Beauty Balm*. If you're looking to maximise your products on holiday and find those that can achieve multiple uses then why not try adding to your foundation or as an illuminating primer step.

Perhaps you're travelling for business and need to boost your mental and physical alertness then this formula that contains Ylang Ylang ticks the box as well as balancing Geranium and revitalising Rosemary. All these ingredients are there to uplift and leave your radiant for any day ahead even if it's just battling tourists on your City Break.

Another product from the brand is This Works Skin Deep Beauty Oil* which comes in a travel friendly rollerball. Applied to pulse points as either a fragrance or mood booster, thanks to the plant oil ingredients, during your flight or simply as on the go boost of hydration to your skin this is very much a handbag essential. It's a simple way to add a little first class luxury in even the smallest economy sized seat.

Moving on to more intimate products and the travel sized Femfresh Daily Intimate Wash* which I've blogged about in it's more traditional size here. No one wants their holiday spoiled by discomfort and irritation and all that sea and sand can cause havoc. Designed especially for 'down there' it's well worth sticking to your routine if you find regular shower gels lead to issues. I traveled with Femfresh Wipes* when I went to Florida earlier in the year and they really came in handy if you found yourself in a bathroom without toilet paper - and even for any handy cleans ups from sticky ice cream .

Finally it'll be no surprise that if I'm heading to warmer climates I'll be armed with Sure Maximum Protection* my everyday must-have essential. Yes I could find a smaller, more travel friendly deodorant but I'd rather not take the chance and like to stick with what I know. I might not be the most active person on holiday (I'll be watching beach volleyball rather than participating) I still like to ensure that the walk from the hotel to that beachside cocktail bar doesn't leave me a sweaty mess.

What are your Summer Holiday essentials?

*this post contains press samples and affiliate links

Summer Holiday Essentials

Two holidays and sunshine in the UK here's the line up of must have items you need whilst enjoying or suffering (for us underground commuters) warm weather.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Tinted Moisturiser*
Having made an appearance in my June Favourites post it's no surprises I'm highlighting this as a Summer must have. In fairness whilst I'm a big fan of the Caudalie tinted moisturiser and it is my current favourite it's symbolic of all lighter bases. Other favourites of mine include the Erborian BB Creme and Manuka Doctors ApiRefine CC Cream. No one wants to feel suffocated by their base at this time of year or certainly not on holiday and these lighter choices are the way to go.

Benefit The Porefessional
A primer is a must have whilst the sweat is on and if you're not against those with a silicone feel Benefit's Porefessional is the way to go. I have used other primers in the past but this remains my favourite and will be repurchased. I wouldn't go so far as to say that it makes pores disappear, as we all know that's not really possibly but I do find it gives me a smooth base to being applying my make up.

Percy & Reed Eau My Goodness Shine & Fragrance Spray*
This is a complete vanity product which I'm sure some will look at and ask themselves, Fragrance for the hair? Is this a step to far. I'm not going to disagree but I have to say I really enjoyed using this on my holidays particularly during the day. This would be when I'd pull hair up on to my head without washing and sitting round the pool I wouldn't be using perfume so a spray of Eau My Goodness would help me feel like I wasn't a completely mess.

Scissors
Random it may be but scissors are an absolutely necessity for me, and I don't mean fiddly little nail scissors either. From cutting tags off clothes to getting into difficult packaging a 'proper' pair of scissors always accompany me on holiday and this pair sits in my dressing table to be used as needed.

John Frieda Beach Blonde Range
Firstly I'm not blonde so anyone put off of using this range for that reason, cast your doubts aside. I'd seen the Beach Blonde range popping up on blogs of late and was intrigued how the Beach Blonde Sea Waves Salt Spray would fair against my favourite Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray. I have to say it's a pretty good and more affordable competitor - and the smell is holiday in a bottle. For coconut lovers this is one for you. I'm really into letting my hair dry naturally at the moment and a few sprays of this and I'm left with gently tousled hair that's office as well as beach ready.

I'm less enamoured with the Beach Blonde Cool Dip Purifying Shampoo and Beach Blonde Smooth Seas Detangling Conditioner although that isn't to say they're not good products. I rarely get excited about a shampoo and conditioner unless they leave with me with big bouncy hair and the these two products are designed to cleanse your hair and as such this can often leave things a little flat and therefore a frown on my face. This aside I realise the importance of using these two products when hair is piled with products, exposed to the sun and pool water and for that purpose they leave hair clean and in a far better condition.

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
I was pleased to receive a small travel sized edition of this setting spray many moons ago and was pleased to give it a try. Whilst I used to use for nights I rarely picked up on a daily basis so I never quite got to grips with it's worth. It really stood the test of time in Dubai when I experienced heat like no other. I couldn't believe how well using this setting spray kept things in place (with of course my primer and trusty Chanel Les Beiges powder). As such I repurchased prior to heading off to Ibiza and am using daily for work and finding my make up is staying in place far longer than it ever had. This is very much becoming a daily essential.

What products must you have to hand throughout the Summer?