The Sample Save Up

It's no secret that I love anything mini. A mini lipstick, a mini donut, a mini dog, I love it all. And every now and then I come across the perfect beauty mini, an occasion far to special to be wasted on any old day. These perfect mini's go into my travel beauty bag, waiting for the perfect trip, and these days the bag is looking pretty full.

I checked into a hotel a few months bag and when scouring the room for forgotten socks, I found a little box that had fallen off the bedside table unnoticed. Inside was a dinky This Works Breathe In Rollerball & Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, two of my favourite products. I'm sure the squeal of delight was audible in the lobby. I'm holding on to these to keep me calm on my next flight and help me sleep when I get there!

Sometimes when you place a Beauty Bay order (ie, when you spend too much), they'll let you pick out a deluxe sample to go along with it. That was how I came to possess this adorable 10ml sample of the Pai Camomile and Rosehip Day Cream. I love everything I've ever tried from Pai, so I have no qualms about trying this, but it's so sleek and compact, it'll be perfect for a hand-luggage only trip.

Also on the skincare theme, I cannot wait to try the Ole Henrikson Brighten and Transform Kit* of deluxe minis. I've already cracked into the day cream, but the Truth Serum, The Clean Truth Wipes and Invigorating Night Treatment, have all gone into the bag. I've heard only good things about the Ole Henrikson brand so I'm excited to try these bits! They're all such a good size, and the 10 pack of wipes will be perfect for a holiday!

One last skincare bit, I picked up a mini bottle of the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water, to try out, but then I found a backup bottle of Bioderma in the cupboard. So the Garnier got cast aside, but actually, the 125ml bottle is super travel friendly, much more so than my giant Bioderma bottles! So this is being kept on hand for future trips!

I found the Korres Guava Body Wash in a goodie bag last month and I was so excited. I've already used up a full size bottle of this previously, and I loved the fresh zingy scent! This would be the perfect thing to wash away suncream, salt and chlorine on a sunny holiday.

Hair minis are a rarity, but finding a 30ml bottle of the Percy and Reed No Oil Oil in last month's Elle was enough to convince me to pick this up. Again, I've already used up a full size of this and I loved it, it's amazing for detangling freshly washed hair, but also for taming frizz and flyaways in styled hair. A little goes a long way too, this bottle will last forever!

And lastly, I received a few beautiful Victoria's Secret makeup bags for my birthday, and inside one was a rollerball of the Victoria's Secret Noir Tease perfume. I normally find VS scents a little strong, but this is delicious. Rollerballs are hard to come by in the UK, so I'll be keeping this exclusively for travel. 

All I need is a holiday now! 

Do you hoard beauty minis?

Beside the Seaside

 After events last week, I've become increasingly aware that I need to be making the most of all the good things. With that in mind, when my Dad asked me if I wanted to join him for a stroll along the beach on Saturday, I said yes. Despite living a ten minute walk from the most beautiful beach in England, I so rarely head down there, it's such a shame! 

The beach was packed with people attending the Wheels Festival, one weekend a year where the promenade becomes home to supped up cars, food trucks and a mini funfair. Now, I may have seen every episode of Top Gear, but I'm not all that fussed by cars, so I never would have headed down of my own accord. However, my dad's dad joined us, and watching him and my dad animatedly talk about the cars they used to have, and cars they'd love to have was quite sweet. I took my camera along too and amused myself by snapping pictures wherever I could! 

 I get to see a lot of my mum, as she's currently doing a course in London, so she's up pretty much other weekend, and we always try to grab lunch or a bit of shopping! However, my sister works full time and my dad works away a lot, so I see them much less! It was nice to just spend a chilled day hanging out with them, and catching up with my sister, who I probably see the least!

Even when it's really busy, or windy and cold, I love being at the beach. I'm definitely a beach girl, I can't see myself ever living anywhere that doesn't have a beach. I could spend hours just sat watching the waves, it's so calming. 

I didn't bother taking any outfit photos since I seem to have reverted back to my non-blogger wardrobe of skinnies, breton stripes and trainers. Sighs... I will never be a fashion blogger! 

A Budget Hair Texture Duo I'm Loving

I'm pretty fickle with shampoo and conditioner, the only thing I'm consistent with is my cleansing shampoo that I use every third wash. I tend to just pick up whatever is on offer, or something new to try.

I've mentioned over the last few months that I've been loving the mousse and texturising spray from the Tresemme Perfectly Undone range. The whole range is supposedly infused with sea kelp, and is supposed to leave your hair feeling tousled and undone, without feeling like it's crunchy or heavy with product, and I'd agree, the styling products have fast become staples in my haircare routine. So I spotted the shampoo and conditioner on sale and figured I'd give it a whirl. It was a pretty brave decision since I don't generally like Tresemme shampoo and conditioners, I generally find they make my hair greasy and heavy, but this was a pleasant surprise.

As a naturally curly-haired gal I normally opt for products to restrain my curls not enhance them, so this is a whole new world for me. The first thing to note is that these products are formulated without silicones, meaning it doesn't leave a heavy or greasy feel to the hair, which is always welcome. It's worth remembering that if you're not used to silicone free products they can be strange to get used to, and you may need to follow up with a leave in conditioner.

For me, I prefer to use clarifying, cleansing shampoos anyway, and I'd say this is something of a hybrid. It's light on the hair, and leaves it feeling really clean, but it definitely gives it a little bit more body.

The conditioner does everything I've ever wanted a conditioner to do. It moisturises the hair, without weighing it down at all, allowing the body that the shampoo gives to stay intact. My hair is quite dry at the ends but you'd never know it since I've been using this! 

I find that I can wash my hair with this stuff and just rough dry it for a cute tousled look with no effort. My favourite.

The verdict? If you like your hair to feel product-free, but you're after that beachy texture, you'll love this.

5 Things To Buy In June

Another month is upon us, and if the press is to be believed, we in England are in for a month of sunshine. Finally. Personally, I'm looking forward to spending a month relaxing, and spending a bit more time with my family!

This months product recommendations are a right old mixed bag. There's no excuse for that, it's just how it ended up!

So if you've been following the blogosphere at all you'll know that this month Makeup Forever finally launched in the UK, in Debenhams on Oxford Street, and online. I was lucky enough to attend the UK launch party and got to try out a whole host of products from the line. Out of everything, my top recommendation would be the Makeup Forever HD Microfinish Powder, a translucent lightweight setting powder that is essentially magic on the skin. It takes away shine, sets makeup in place, and allows the glow to stay in place.

My lovely friend Alexandra sent me a little package last month, and inside I found the Tarte Amazonian Clay Skintuitive 12 Hour Blush in Energy, a pretty soft pink blush that reacts to your skins PH to look perfect on your skin tone. On me, this is a pretty hint of pink, perfect for summer. I'm obsessed with this blush!

I'm currently obsessed with textured, beachy waved hair, and the key to achieving that look is the Tresemme Perfectly Undone Dry Defining Spray. This stuff adds texture and volume to the hair without making it crunchy, sticky or gritty. It's fantastic, I've already been through one can and I'm almost out of this one. I'm not a big fan of Tresemme in general, but I love everything I've tried from the Perfectly Undone line, and this is the standout product for me.

If bold brows are your thang, they you need to get your hands on Soap and Glory's latest drop, the Archery DIY Brow Bar. Two shades of soft powder that will cover all your colour needs, a wax to hold the lot in place and a gorgeous cream highlight that's not too full on or glittery.

And lastly, let's talk about the nail polish I can't stop wearing. Narrowing down which shade from the Nails Inc The New White collection was tricky, but I made a good choice with White Horse Street. A pastel white with just a suggestion of greigey-lilac. It's bloody beautiful, and the whole line is worth checking out!

What will you be splurging on this month?

Little Luxuries

Sometimes in life, you have to allow yourself a few little luxuries. Whether it's because you're having a bad day, you need cheering up, or just because you deserve a little treat.  We all deserve to be pampered, right?

A fresh bunch of blooms. There's something about having fresh flowers in the house that instantly lifts the mood. They don't have to cost the earth, in fact, I love buying flowers from Lidl. You can get a beautiful bunch for £2, and they always last me the best part of two weeks!

Getting my eyebrows done. I'm aware that having hairs ripped from your face might not seem like a treat, but I love it. I love the twenty minutes sat at Blink, twenty minutes completely for myself. I love the little temple massage I get at the end. And most of all, I love how my brows look for a month or so afterwards.

A new pen. As a writer, I've developed a small obsession with pens. My latest love is this weighty number from Paperchase. It makes writing everything from poems to the shopping list much more enjoyable.

A new magazine. After a long day in the city, I'll often pop into WHSmith at Marylebone, and pick myself up a new magazine to read whilst soaking in the bath when I get home. I love to pick up Allure, Elle Decoration, Frankie and Jamie Oliver's magazine.

Dinner from M&S. Sometimes, you've just got to treat yo'self to a delicious meal. I can totally recommend their Leek and Ham Hock Pie, and their lemon tart. And the White Chocolate Chip Cookies. Basically everything. Get everything.

A long, hot bubble bath. Preferably with candles, a Lush bubble bar and a glass of wine. You deserve it.