HOLIDAY BEAUTY ESSENTIALS

When you read this post, I'll be on holiday, hopefully basking in the sun and catching a nice tan to show off when I go back to sixth form, and of course that means it is warranted a dedicated post to the beauty products coming in my bag this year.

Of course, this is honestly in nearly all holiday posts I do, but it is the La Roche Posay Anthelios XL SPF50, a facial SPF I have used for the past year and a half above any others. Although my family don't tend to be as bothered about the world of skincare, I much prefer to buy myself a bottle of this to prevent breakouts and get a much more facially targeted protective base. The Burts Bees Lip Balm might be coming with me if I don't get the chance to get an SPF lip balm before we go away, but this will do if not, because I genuinely cannot stand the feeling of burnt lips. I don't think I've ever been sunburnt apart from on my lips, and I plan to keep it that way whilst minimising the latter too.

I've also got the Bourjois Bronzing Primer because my face is always slightly paler than the rest of my body when tanned, so this'll help even everything out for that. The last base item is the Benefit High Beam mini - not only the best for travelling, but also a super glowy and natural looking highlighter that'll look so nice in the evenings with a light base and some mascara, and the Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Paint in Golden Bronze - something a little more gold than I would usually go for but with a tan (you see how I've actually factored in a tan to each item?!)

Of course, I thought it'd be nice to have the option of a bright lip, and I chose the Wet n Wild Lipstick in Purty Persimmon. I mainly chose this because it is seriously long wearing - we are talking 8 hours or so, and I'll probably be eating at an almost constant rate on holiday, and paired with the summery coral red shade, this is the perfect option to take with me. On the theme of colour, I've also got the Illamasqua Nail Lacquer in Lament, a nearing neon pink but not too stand out, and one that'll be coveted on the fingers and toes this holiday.

What are your holiday essentials?

A BEAUTY BLOGGER'S BEST FRIENDS

A little less of the pretty products in today's post, and I'm putting a little more focus on the basics - the things we all use and own but don't actually talk about. It's about time to give them some loving.

The first is a compact mirror. Okay, I'll admit, this No7 one actually looks rather nice (and comes with a protective pouch too), but I do have another from Poundland which I use as well. Another thing is Bobby Pins/Hair Grips and hair bands. These are the guys that help you out on a windy day when your hair is in your face, and we really should appreciate them handing around in the bottom of our bags more often.

Nail Wheels. I bought mine in bulk from Amazon, coming in at a couple of pounds for some clear ones and some cream ones. Whether you have bought a new polish and want to test out the consistency and colour when your nails are already painted, or for swatches in blog posts - they really are helpful.

Hand gel is a must, and I love the Cuticura Passion Flower and Mango Gel which smells good and leaves your hands feeling clean. I like to use this once before and after I do my makeup to remove any dirt or excess, or if any of you use public transport, this may be a good one for you.

I went through packets of the Kleenex Blotting Sheets like water in the summer, as I was blotting my face when I was hot, as well as handing them out to friends so that they could blot their faces too. I have a stash of 6 packs of these so I will certainly not be running low anytime soon, but they are hard to find at times so I guess I'm in luck at the desperate times.

Finally, eye drops. A lot of people are scared of using them, as was I, but once I got contact lenses and they totally dried my eyes out, I had no choice but to use eye drops otherwise my lenses would be too drying for me to wear. I use either the Blink ones or the Optrex ones that are suitable for contacts.

What are your unheard of beauty essentials?

PAMPER EVENING ESSENTIALS

I'm sure nearly all of us love to pamper ourselves, but a lot of us also don't have time to go for the full whammy on a regular basis. I like to dedicate my Sunday evenings to pampering myself, but it isn't a regime that takes hours away from you.

The first thing I do is paint my nails so they are ready for the week ahead (or the first half of it perhaps), and I do this in the late afternoon early evening so that they are dried before I have a bath/shower - trust me I have made the mistake before and they didn't look too great. I have currently been loving Greenberry from the Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine range.

Having a bath is the next step, but if you want to shower (I often do when I'm washing my hair), use a nice shower gel so you feel like you are still being pampered - Soap & Glory rule for this. But, when you're bathing, Lush offer the best items, from bath bombs to bubble bars. I still have some of my Christmas Eve Bubble Bar left from when I got a bunch of products in the sale, so I'm using that up. For something a little more interesting, I love the FUN Range.

After a bath or shower, using a body butter is the best way to make your skin love you. My current favourite is the Soap & Glory Righteous Butter, but I also like to use the Sugar Crush offering. The Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Cream is also something I enjoy using, as my feet often go unloved (I hate feet, writing this is making me feel a little uncomfortable), but seriously this is a thick balm which massages in like a cream/oil - I love it.

Finally, what is a pamper evening without a face mask. For something cleansing, and the one featured in the image, I reach for the Super Facialist by Una Brennan Tea Flower Deep Clean Mask which really helps my skin and the difference is noticeable for me. Another one not shown is the Origins Drink Up 10 Minute Mask which hydrates my skin so well and allows it to look plump in the morning.

So, once I press 'publish' on this post, I think my evening will be dedicated to having a pamper...

BLOGGING ESSENTIALS

Through personal preference, there are a lot of things that I like to have desk-side when I am writing a blog post, or planning one, which includes a few beauty bits, some stationery and the technology bits and bobs.

Technology: When I am writing a post, I will always use the laptop, as this is just easy to type on (I'm sure the space is running low with the amount of photos I have on there), and makes the whole process easy. This is a family laptop which we have had for a good possibly 5 years and I have kind of inherited it now as a new one entered the household. It has been through a lot; smashed screens, viruses, and some of the keys have even gone faulty, but for the time being it serves me well enough.
My iPad Mini is something I always have nearby in case I want to do some quick research, have an Instagram check-in, or watch all the videos from the current youtuber obession - this device comes in pretty handy.

Water, lots of the stuff. Remember my New Year's resolution to drink more of the stuff, well I have been sticking to it. A pen and my blogging book are always nearby, so that I can flick through the notes I have made for an upcoming edit, or just to write down my blog's current stats. Whichever it is, they are a must have for me.

Of course, being a beauty blogger and all, I like to have a few products nearby. Maybe the one I am reviewing at the time, or I like to have a lip balm, and some hand cream as recently my hands have been so dry. Also, I like to paint my nails whilst either typing, editing photos, or watching youtube videos. What you see here is the Burt's Bees Beeswax Lipbalm, the Rimmel 60Seconds Nail Polish in Rose Libertine, Burt's Bees Hand Salve, and my current obsession which is Soap & Glory Hand Food. 

What are your blogging essentials?

 

THE BROW MAINTENANCE

Eyebrows. There's been the over plucked, the bushy, the 5 shades too dark, the non existent brows (shaven off), and the invisible brows, and many people struggle to find the level in between, but I think I have found my brow preference. As seen in Bazaar Magazine, strong, slightly masculine brows are in now, and after having my brows a little too thin for a while, they are looking a tad thicker, and I am liking it.

It is a question of finding the right colour for your brows, whether this is a powder shadow, a pencil, or a gel. There's the whole 2 shades lighter, two shades darker statement, but for me as a individual, I would much prefer the trial and error method, and my preferred shadow is ELF Pebble, a slightly ashy, dark but still a little warm toned brown, that it isn't too red, nor too dark and grey. It works fabulously in the crease too, so it is a win, win.

Secondly, whether you have a stray hair here and there, or a full on bushy mess, a brow gel is your best friend. This £1 MUA Clear Mascara keeps the bushiness at bay, whilst also keeping all the colour from the last step in place. Beware, it'll get a little murky throughout it's life, so not one for displaying on the vanity I'm afraid.

Throw in some tweezers, I opt for the budget friendly Boots Tweezers and they seem to do the plucking job okay. Also, a handmade spoolie-comb to brush through them is an essential, and whatever else you choose. Darn, I wish we had mini eyebrow razors at easy access like you US ladies...

 

BEDSIDE TABLE BEAUTY

Most of us fellow beauty bloggers will have at least one beauty product located near us at all times, one of the main destinations for me (in second place after the handbag) is the bedside chest. 

Monochrome furniture - what a surprise. This little chest is the Argos Sywell 2 Drawer Bedside Chest in White Gloss and Black and I have the wardrobe, desk, and drawers to match, which is lovely. Alongside that, I have the purple lamp from The Range, and the matching purple wall in the back, which I loved when I got it decorated, but since then I realised that you could create a white, girly, floral, Cath Kidston esc. room...

In this little pot from Ikea (the mothership of furniture and storage - especially for beauty purposes), I hold all of my bedtime beauty essentials. 
Of course, we have the deep sleep must-haves, one of which being the This Works Sleep Balm, which has cracked and the lid doesn't attach anymore, but I should hope to get another when this runs out anyway. Also, I have the Le Mas des Collines Pillow Spray, which unfortunately leaked when I traveled on holiday, so I am on the hunt for a replacement. 

We then have the OPI Avojuice Vanilla Snowflake Hand & Body Lotion, for a pre-sleep moisture boost, so my hands are plumped and nourished in the morning. Alongside this, we have the classic Vaseline, but I don't use this often. I also have the Nivea Soft Rosé Lipbalm which smells like Play-Doh but is always a downside I guess, but it definitely is thick and nourishing. 

Throw in some throat sweets, a mini nail file and buffer, some tweezers and some decorative stones at the bottom of the pot, place an Eiffel Tower decoration and a purple heart shaped rock on top, and your bedisde beauty display is complete. 

  

 

HANDBAG BEAUTY ESSENTIALS

We all have those heart stopping moments when you have forgotten a must have product in your handbag, and most of us will panic and buy a new lip balm, or sanitizer. I have gathers my must haves, and put together a little handbag beauty edit in the hope that I won't be wasting money in the future.

Hand gel. The number one product that will always be in my bag. Always. This particular one is the Cuticura Passion Flower and Mango offering, a big ol' bottle that smells good too. If you live in London, you will need this when commuting, and need to go on the dreaded, bacteria infested transport option which is The Tube.

Blotting sheets are essential if you have oily or combination skin, or are just unlucky some days in the T-Zone. My favourite are the Kleenex Oil Absorbing Sheets, but they are tricky to track down, pretty much discontinued in my eyes. Anything to banish that shine will do.
A mascara is a nice bolt-on to the essentials, for if you might be going out for dinner straight after work or a meeting, just whack on some of this to add some more oomph to those lashes after a day of business. My chosen lash oompher upper is Maybelline The Rocket Waterproof, as it doesn't really clump, so it is safe to layer.

Throw in your lip product from the day, in this case it would be a Gosh Soft n Shine lip balm, and also a lip balm to banish the chapped lips you might be greeted with in the Winter. This one is the Maybelline Baby Lips in Mint Fresh, lovely.
Equally, you blush might wear off a bit. Annoying huh? I always opt for a cream offering, for quick application, and in this case, it is the Dainty Doll Cream Blush in Paper Roses, very natural, very blendable.

Hand cream. My hands basically have rocks falling out of them when they get dry in the winter, boulders even, so to keep them as full of moisture I can, I will carry a mini hand cream or two. My favourites are the OPI Avojuice Quenchers in Vanilla Snowflake, and the Lush Charity Pot - this one doesn't smell the best, but it does it's job well, and you donate to charity when you buy, even better.

Finally, concealer. For hiding those pesky blemishes that may appear throughout the day, or if you are like me, and your makeup tends to slip and slide throughout the day when you get a little shiny and oily. My go to for camoflauging any obstacles - the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer.

I think 80% of the weight of my handbag is due to the whole other makeup collection I have stashed in there, but a blogger can never have too many products....

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NIVEA 'DAILY ESSENTIALS' DOUBLE EFFECTS EYE MAKEUP REMOVER

Being a waterproof mascara kind of a gal, I am always on the hunt for an eye makeup remover - a cheaper one that is. I can't afford Clarins, bareMinerals, or MAC, so I'll settle for drugstore for now.

Nivea have a consise collection of mascara removers, some better than others (I will opt for the 'one sweep' option when there is one), and I much prefer some with some sort of oil base in them, to really melt away the product, I try to avoid morning panda eyes as much as possible.

It costs about £3.59 if I remember rightly, and you get half of an oil solution, and half aqueous.

The best way for me to use this is to shake, pour onto a cotton pad, and then hold onto the eye for a few seconds, wipe away and the makeup is pretty much gone.

There is a little bit of an oily residue left over, but nothing I can't handle at all, if anything barely noticable - besides, you cleanse afterwards.

For a cheap drugstore one, I can't sing it's praises enough. One reason I love it? I am secretly fascinated, no matter how you move this around, the different solutions don't mix - I do know the science side of things, I just think it looks cool.

A short and sweet review, but overall, for the price you pay, if you want something drugstore based, and something that will get all that stuff off those lashes, this is the one to go for - and I have tried quite a few solutions which haven't worked in the same way. This is good, I recommend it.

You can even get this cheaper in places like Savers for £1.69, an even better deal, and it wasn't even going to break the bank in the first place!

LEE STAFFORD BLOW DRY YOUR HAIR FASTER 'WONDER SPRAY'

With a mop of thick hair like mine, you can appreciate the time I have to take styling/looking after it. I am one for this 'heatless hair' thang, and blow drying isn't my favourite thing to do. But I realised after waking up with a bushy head of hair, because it hasn't dried fully, I needed something different. When I went to the Graduate Fashion Week, I got a goody bag from Company Magazine, and one of the goodies was this.

Besides the typical harirspray aroma, this could be staple item potential. I tend to spray it 4-5 to each side of the head liberally, I thought it was compressed at first to be a continuous spray, but it is more like a spray-bottle situation. 

Basically, the spray is designed to reduce the time it takes to dry your hair, detangle, and also heat protect for blow drying (up to 220'C to be precise). Everything I need fresh out of the shower. 

Some people have had claims this has damaged their hair? Not mine, I am loving it. 

If you have thinner hair, then it may not be worth the £6.19 for a 200ml bottle, but if it is any thing like mine, run, run to the shops now, and grab it. I think it dries my hair quicker, and I am very enticed into buying another when it runs out. I must admit, the huge barcode right on the front is a little... off putting, shall we say? But that aside, this will be sprayed a lot.

It is easy to get stuck into a simple hair care routine, but when you sit down and think about it, it is nice to try out new things, and more times than not, you will find something you like. 

 

Back To School Skin Essentials: for Face and Body

Hi guys!

So, the back to school date is lingering, for some earlier than others (mine is Monday...You heard me, Monday!), and so I thought it would be a good idea to give you a post on some of my essentials for that perfect back to school skin, on the face and the body. I will also be doing a back to school locker/bag essentials post at some point too - so let me know if that is something you would like to see. 

Remember, the collage thing isn't my idea, I was inspired by Megan from TheBeautyPier and thought they looked amazing, so don't give me credit! I'm currently obsessed with it, so go and leave a lovely comment on Megan's blog saying 'Lauren sent me here, I love the collage idea!' Thankyou! :)

So, I am not one for body lotions and I must admit these aren't my favourites. I don't suffer from any kind of dry skin, but if your body turns into prune mode the minute the climate changes, these will be for you. Designed to intensively restore the moisture in your skin, these will be great for the drier days. These are for dry and very dry skin types from E45, and although in this weather, I feel a little sticky with them on, I can imagine that in the winter I will grow to like these a little more. 

No matter how oily your skin is, or even how dry your skin is, it is essential to use a moisturiser. I have combination skin, and I find these work well for me, and I will try to guide the dry/normal skinned viewers out there as to what might work for you as much as I can. 

Simple Light Moisturiser: This is a daily staple in every skincare collection. This is such a simple product (ooer, didn't even mean that one!), but is great for many skin types. I think this will suit from oily-normal skin, and then if you have a dry skin, it is worth looking at this moisturiser in the rich formula. It's a little going a long way with this one, but if you were to squeeze out too much, then no worries! This will still soak in, without a greasy feeling at all. This is a product I will repurchase for a long time!

Nivea Regenerating Night Cream: This is also one I love. I put this on at night, not every night, but maybe 3 nights a week, when my skin needs that little bit more moisture, and a good pick-me-up. Thick in texture, but fast absorbing, this is a moisturiser I recommend for pretty much all skin types. I even find that if I haven't used this for a while and I use it one night, I will wake up to a much better complexion, and I feel like it soothes redness, and even a few blemishes fade!

LANCÔME Hydra Zen 'Neurocalm' Soothing Anti Stress Moisturiser: It has a big name, and a big price tag. Luckily I didn't buy this, as my mum got it in a goody bag and kindly gave it to me, but I am more than tempted to get a full size, although I don't think that will be happening any time soon. This is a lovely product, similar to the simple moisturiser, just a little more hydrating and that bit more soothing when you apply it. I find this to really calm the skin, and I love it! It was a little risky putting this one on here, as it is a little too pricey for a student, but some of you may be interested anyway!

I cannot stress enough how important it is to cleanse your face. No matter how much of a rush I am to get ready morning and night, I will always make sure to go through my skincare routine. The two I have picked are designed to target blemishes and imperfections, or enhance the skin,  as I am not sure about you, but when I am under stress and panicking about sorting everything out for school, I get some pretty nasty breakouts, and I want to prevent them as much as possible, or my skin will lose the glow I want for the back to school season. 

Garnier Pure Active Fruit Energy - Daily Energising Gel Scrub: This doesn't do anything special on the scrub side of things, the little beads are ever so small, I find them to refresh and add radiance to the skin rather than exfoliate. But as a daily wash, I am obsessed with this, and a repurchase will probably be coming my way. Firstly, it smells incredible, infused with grapefruit, pomegranate and Vitamin C, this really wakes me up in the morning, but isn't too uplifting to use a night. I love this so much. It has helped my skin a bit, but nothing too much that I can rave about really. 

St. Ives Fresh Skin Invigorating Apricot Scrub:  Instead of getting the blemish fighting version of this scrub, I chose the Fresh Skin one, which is designed to revitalize dull skin, and give you a radiant complexion. Boy is this exfoliating, andf I would advise using this 3-4 times a week, as using an abrasive scrub daily will do more harm than good to the skin. This one also smells delicious, like apricot, you guessed it. I love this, as not only does it banish my dull skin, it also gets rid of those pesky blackheads. 

Last but not least, it is always good to have a more intensive treatment for those stubborn blemishes you may encounter. This is the Clearasil Ultra Blemish and Marks Treatment Cream, which when I first got sent, I absent mindedly shoved it to the back of my skincare basket, and then I began to use it more and more, and loved it more and more. I have trouble with blemishes, and then branching on from that, scarring and hyperpigmentation, so if I get a blemish, I will pop this on a night time, and by the morning it will have slightly faded, not only that, but when the blemish says goodbye to me, I won't be left with an annoying scar, so it's one less thing to cover. I wouldn't say this really helps with the scars I already have, but preventing them is where this badboy comes in. 

So, that was a very long post of all my back to school skincare and body essentials. I hope you enjoyed this post, and let me know in the comments what your essentials are! Make sure you go ahead and click the link to leave that comment for Megan, and follow too - She would like that a lot!

Thanks for reading, 

Lauren x