Holiday Essentials 2014

So as you probably know by now, I just got back from a Summer holiday in Corfu, and I took along lots of cosmetics I haven't taken on holiday before, so I thought I would give you a little insight to my holiday routine!

(I realise now I write this, that photographing the products in the order of which they should be used would have been heaps easier but alas, we will have to make do!) 

Skin

When on holiday a lot of things tend to go slack, such as eating well, trying not to drink every day of the week, exercising less and not doing the usual makeup routine. One thing I do not let slack though, is my skin care routine. I do NOT want to look like a shrivelled raisin at the age of 30, so I took along all my usual skin care basics, just slightly more tailor made to the sun.

• Neal's Yard Facial Wipes - I don't usually use face wipes as they're packed with alcohol and dry the skin, but these Neal's Yard wipes are 100% natural and organic, and are made with rose water which is perfect for skin that's been in the sun. It is very soothing and sweeps away all traces of makeup, plus they're travel size friendly. Apologies for not having my own picture I threw away mine when it was finished!
• Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Correcting Serum - Usually at home I use the S.O.S hydrating serum from Caudalie, but the Vinoperfect serum adds radiance to the skin, as well as evening out skin tone and helping you tan more evenly. I applied this under my moisturiser every day.
• Caudalie Cleansing Milk - I used this little travel sized remover at the end of the day to remove all the grime from my face. I found it didn't remove my makeup very well with the Greek water (sounds ridiculous but it removes makeup fine at home!) but it was still nice to wash my face with, as it is lightweight and sweet smelling.
• Caudalie VinoSource Moisturising Sorbet - I love the name of this product! This was the moisturiser I used for the day on top of the serum, so my skin felt hydrated for the imminent drying affects of the sun. This is so lightweight so went on lovely under my sun cream.
• Caudalie Grape Water This fantastic little multi tasker is a great toner, skin soother, and general face cooler-downer. I had this next to me at night to spray over myself when the heat got to much.

Hair

I would never wash my hair everyday under usual circumstances, but on holiday it is a necessity! These are the products that kept my mane in tact.

• Aveda Smooth Infusions Conditioner - (This is exactly why I should have pictured the products in the right order!) This Aveda conditioner is a perfect little burst of moisture for the hair after a day of scorching it. This was a perfect travel sized and went on perfectly after my
• Aveda Sun Care Shampoo - I had never used a specific shampoo for sun and sea removal, but I am really glad I did. This made my hair feel normal again after a day of drying salt and chlorine. I would highly recommend a shampoo like this, especially if your a swimmer and need this kind of shampoo regularly.
• Number 4 Comb Prep and Prepare- This is the hair product I got in my Birchbox which I recieved the other day. I won't say all the same things again, but this was really good at detangling my hair before I used my Tangle Teezer on it, and it has UV protection in it which meant my hair was prepped for the next day of sun exposure.
• Aveda Smooth Infusion Perfectly Straight - I didn't use this product every night as I didn't want to waste it, but I have reviewed this product before which you can read here. This just took the edge off my naturally curly wavy hair so I could wear it down on some evenings without looking like a total nutter.

Makeup

Finally, my makeup routine is somewhat shortened, as it seems silly to cake on the foundation when its hot and sticky, and also not to take advantage of the sun tanning and clearing your complexion naturally anyway. I never wear makeup in the day on holiday, and I will only wear a minimal amount in the evening.

• Ren Satin Perfection BB Cream -  I used this as a moisturiser and face base in the evening. I used this as it still has an SPF 15 for when the sun is still out in the early evening. This cleverly adapts to your natural colour so will look right throughout the whole holiday, and is like a lightweight version of foundation.
• Eyeko Eyeliner Pen - I really love an eyeliner pen and will use this on its own in the evening for a easy to do makeup look. The pen means it easy to use and requires minimal effort.
• Clinique High Impact Mascara - This travel size is perfect for the makeup bag and lengthens and coats each lash making them natural but not too much.
• Cream Eyeshadows - If I really want to make a special effort, I will use some cream eyeshadows to make more of a statement with my eyes. The balmy consistency means they're easy to go on and don't take up much room in your luggage with brushes etc. Here, I used my 'Wild About Beauty' colour from my birch box as a base, and then added my 'Maybelline Colour Tattoo' on top for a pop of shimmer.

What are your Summer Holiday essentials?

Aveda NEW naturally straight

Aveda's latest addition to the 'smooth infusion' range is their heat activated, 'naturally straight' product. The product is worked into damp, towel dried hair, and allows the hair to naturally straighten when heat is used. A lot of people may argue that heat will always straighten the hair if that's what you intend it to do, however my thick coarse hair will NOT blow dry straight easily at all. Pictured below is my hair tied up after washing. This is the natural state of my hair, and as you can see it is frizzy and unruly.

My lovely friend Janine at Aveda demonstrated the product to me, as I was sceptical at first. She dampened my hair, and worked the product through in sections. With a round brush and hair dryer, she achieved the straight hair look pictured below with only a couple of runs down my hair. The great thing about this product is that it also progressively straightens the hair, so the more you use it the more manageable your hair will become. The plant fibres lock your style into place, and the Cassava root helps it deal with humidity.

This, as a result of a blow dry is a huge achievement in my eyes, as it saves a lot of time, plus a lot of damage to my hair when being styled with heat. I usually find my hair feels quite static after being blow dried, but this left my hair feeling naturally smooth and hydrated- not frazzled, and the product itself is not sticky or heavy. It leaves the hair feeling smooth, soft and bouncy, not slicked down like some high street straightening products can do.

I have used the Aveda 'smooth infusion' shampoo and conditioner before which I was impressed with, but I think adding this to my routine would speed up the styling process I have to undergo with my frizzy hair even more. This retails at £21.50, but you only need the tiniest amount in the lengths of your hair, so it would last you a long time. I think it is a great investment!

My 12 days Christmas Beauty Wishlist

It is getting so close to Christmas now and I thought I should share with you my top Beauty Christmas wishes!

Ciate Advent Calender

Image from 'SheSaidBeauty.com'

To start things off, I think it is fair to say that an apt advent calendar is needed on the countdown to a beauty bloggers christmas day?? That said, beauty advent calendars have rocketed this year, with a lot of brands bringing out a calendar with little goodies inside! However, as a nail varnish enthusiast, I have  had my eyes set on one calendar and one calendar only. The Ciate nail polish calendar is perfect! I am an avid Ciate fan, and with each window revealing either a colour, an effect, sequins or caviar, I think this would make me very happy for the whole of December! At £42.00, I would consider it a Christmas present in itself, but it really is quite exciting!

Aveda Curl Controller

Image from Johnlewis.com

I work opposite an Aveda counter, and as I have started to learn more about the brand, the more I love it. Aveda is a very earthy brand, very in to natural skincare (which I am now a great lover of) and also natural haircare. Not only do they strive to save the world, they also make great products. I have used the tester in the shop of this curl controller every day, where my hair has felt a bit wild.  It instantaneously lengthens the natural curl in my hair, but doesn't weigh it down, as the product contains no silicone. This product make my hair look less frizzy and matted, and more beach-hair and tousled. For only £19.00 it is an absolute must have for a mop head like me!


Kiehl's Soy Milk and Honey Creme de Corps

Image from Vickyb.tv

This Kiehl's whipped body butter smells so amazing! I had a luxury sized sample of the stuff and I love applying just after I have showered as I find the smell really comforting and soothing. The whipped cream makes it really light so it absorbs quickly, so I can put my pajamas on straight after. It is also really good for the eczema on my arms. I find this a perfect winter warming body cream. The large size (which I would need!) is £45.00.

Aromatherapy Associates Hydrating Mask / Eve Lom Moisture Mask

Image from feelunique.com

image from beautybar.com

Both these masks come in a gel form which you leave on the skin for about 10 minutes. In that time, your skin will soak up exactly the amount of moisture it needs, and you can wipe away the excess.

The Aromatherapy Associates mask is made from hydrating rose and soothing aloe vera. The Eve Lom mask uses moisturising coconut extracts. Both are beautiful products that do a similar job. The Aromatherapy Mask is £36.00 and the Eve Lom mask is £65.00.

Ren Omega 3 Serum

image from harveynicols.com

This serum is the re packaged Omega 3 night serum from Ren, which for some reason looks so much more appealing in it's diddy little blue label. This serum was described to me as 'a vitamin smoothie for the skin'. In other words, it will give your skin exactly the amount of nutrients it will need to look healthy and radiant as well as boosting radiance and help to fight ageing. This serum does NOT smell of fish considering it is packed with omega 3. It does in fact smell of peaches as it is not derived from fish so therefore can be used by vegans and is totally addictive to smell. This serum costs only £23.00.

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray

image from thisworks.com

This pillow spray is This Works' best seller. It absolutely flies of the shelves where I work and people absolutely swear by it. That said, I am a bit of a worrier and work myself up over small things, and due to this I find it hard to drift off sometimes. This spray uses Lavender and Vetivert - a natural sedative- to help ease you into the land of nod. At only £16.00, I think it is fantastic value for money, as a good nights sleep is priceless.

Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser

image from Lizearle.com

This is another product that flies of the shelves where I work on the Liz Earle counter. The hot cloth cleanser is a best seller, as the cleanser removes makeup, the muslin cloths provided gently exfoliate the dead layers of skin. The Cocoa butter and Eucalyptus leave the skin fresh and hydrated using only plant extracts. This cleanser is £13.25

Bare Minerals Starter Kit 

image from grace-beauty.co.uk

Bare Minerals is the most natural form of makeup as it uses only minerals (funnily enough!). This american brand uses powders and cleverly crafted brushes to allow really amazing coverage. As my skin tends to be slightly red and uneven, I want to give this mineral makeup a go as it feels lightweight, but has all the coverage. The Bare Minerals starter kit comes with a foundation, a finishing powder, a foundation primer and three brushes to help apply the products. It also comes with a DVD to show you how to get the best out of your products. For £50.00, I think it is quite a worthy investment into the world of Bare Minerals.

Nail Art Book by Helena Biggs

Picture from bloglovin.com

I am currently subscribed to Scratch Magazine which I LOVE receiving every month. The deputy editor of the magazine, Helena Biggs has also brought out this book, which I would like to have a look at. Some of the nail designs in here are more technical, like putting on super long extensions and doing crazy designs. Although I wouldn't have nails like it myself, I love seeing what other nail technicians can create on such a tiny canvas!  

Pantene BB Cream for Hair

Picture from dailymakeover.com

We have all heard off BB creams for your face, but one for you hair?!? Pantene have brought out this BB cream which claims to do 10 things in one bottle. I first saw this on another beauty blog, and the author said she really liked the product so I want to give it a try! On their website it has five star reviews, and it claims to repair, soften, protect, smooth just to name a few of it's talents! I quite like an unusual product and this is one I want to try!

Michael Kors Watch

Picture from selfridges.com

Now I know I said this was a beauty Christmas list, but the last item on my list is this gold Michael Kors watch, I have wanted for so long now! So much so that I have started having dreams where I am trying on a selection of different watches from him. I already have a beautiful Marc Jacobs watch I got for my 21st birthday, but that is silver and the strap has got a bit tatty and needs replacing. I love big chunky watches and want a gold one to wear with gold jewellery and special occasions. At £229.00 I would not expect to get it from anyone, but this is a wish list remember! Its not a beauty product, but it is beautiful!

So there is my list! Is there anything on my list that you are wanting this Christmas?