June Favourites

Well guys'n'gals, we are now officially halfway through 2014, how terrifying is that?! I don't know when time started going so fast but it's a little scary.

I'm keeping the favourites short and sweet this month, there has been no shopping, so nothing new to fall in love with, and to be honest, I've mostly just been loving the products from last months favourites! There were a few things that deserved a mention though, so without further ado, my favourites from June 2014. 

The star of the show for me this month was the Bourjois 1 Seconde Volume Waterproof Mascara, the first waterproof mascara I've ever fallen for. It's got the most bizarre wand I've ever seen, a combination of little balls and spikes, but it just works, and really gets every lash from every angle, coating them in product. The formula itself is infallible, it's jet black, doesn't feel heavy on the lashes, but it lasts all day without smudging or flaking. It does take a decent balm cleanser to remove, but it's totally worth it. 

Another product that has really impressed me is the Max Factor Face Finity Primer, one of the most heavy duty, longwearing primers I've tried. Smooths the skin, makes makeup last impossibly long, and feels really lightweight on the skin.

I won the amazing Alexandra's giveaway this month, and amongst the prizes was the Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Captivating. A gorgeous matte peach, this adds colour and dimension to my cheeks, sculpting them to just look so much better. This blush lasts so long on the cheeks, and has definitely made me want more Tarte blushes! 

Over the last couple of months I've fallen back in love with the YSL Touche Eclat. I've owned one of these for years now, and it really is an awesome product. I've been applying it on top of my under eye concealer to counteract the dark circles, and it really brightens my whole complexion.

I finally picked up the Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot setting powder last month, and I've used it pretty much every day since. It's a gorgeous translucent, lightweight setting powder that takes away the shine from your skin, without taking away the glow. It really helps makeup last, and doesn't look cakey at all.

And lastly, a little retraction. I previously included the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge in a disappointing products post. If I'm honest, I stand by what I said in that review, because I still don't know who has the time to use this to apply foundation. However, I've been using this to press my concealer in under my eyes, and blend out cream blush, and I really like it. It definitely gives a more natural look to the skin than you would get with a brush.

What have you been loving this month?

What's in my Carry On Bag?!

Today is my first day in LA! I'm so excited to be back in my favourite city, so have a rifle through my carry on bag with me! 

Also, I'm a notorious overpacker, no normal person would take this much stuff I'm sure!

I hope you've enjoyed travel week! Let me know what you would like to see next month on the blog!

 WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Packing for a Beach Holiday

For all you lucky ducks heading out on a hot Summer holiday this year, this one is for you. I will try to control my jealousy long enough to write a few tips on packing for pool lounging and beach bathing. Not. Jealous. At. All. 

I don't know about you guys but when I'm on a beach holiday, makeup is not my concern throughout the day. If I'm by the pool then I'm going bare faced, if I'm going out exploring a little concealer and mascara will do me, but I like to have a few options for the evenings! 

The theme here is lightweight, minimal makeup, and a lot of cream products! 

For base, I like to go with a lightweight BB Creme, my favourite is the Diorskin Nude BB Creme. I then pack a high coverage concealer too, in case of breakouts, the MAC Studio Finish Concealer is my go to. I'll also chuck in a good under eye illuminating concealer. 

Cheek wise, cream blushes were basically made for beach holidays. They also double as lip colour, so that makes the packing a little easier. I also like to pack a good bronzer, that can add a little glow to the skin and help bronze up my skin! My pick is NARS Laguna Bronzer. A good golden highlighter is a must too, I love the Benefit Sunbeam Highlighter, which gives a beautiful golden glow to the skin. 

For eyes, keeping it simple with the MAC Rubenesque Paint Pot for all over the lid, and a pretty bronze liner (the Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Liner is awesome). Waterproof mascara is a must, I'm obsessed with the Bourjois One Seconde Volume Mascara. No panda eyes by the pool.

Other necessities, a sun protection spray for the hair, the sun can really dry it out, SPF, for face and body, a clarifying shampoo, to get sea salt, sand and SPF out of your hair, and a good salt spray, or styling spray, because who has time to style their hair when there's tanning to be done?

What do you pack for a beach holiday?

Packing for Carry On Only

Whatever kind of trip your going on, packing carry ons only is definitely the hardest of the lot. When I know I have to do it, I really dread it, and generally end up leaving it til the last minute. However, last September I traveled to Italy for a week and managed to pack only hand luggage, and get it just right, so here's the low-down on how to do that...

First off, this really comes down to battle of the smallest product. Depending on the number of days I'm headed away for, I'll usually pack a couple of foundation samples, much easier than lugging around a 30ml bottle of foundation. I always try to pack a primer too, because your makeup's no good if it's not staying on your face. A good concealer that does under eyes and blemishes, and doesn't cake is a must, I'd recommend the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer. A setting powder to help keep things matte and in place, and to double as a compact mirror is a good idea too, I like the Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder, because it gives a little coverage, and it's a super slimline compact. 

A small palette for eyes is a good idea, you'll want a good highlight colour for browbone, inner corner, and even cheekbones, an all over lid colour, and then a good crease colour to smoke things out that can double as a liner. The Wet and Wild Colour Icon Palettes are great for that, or a customisable MAC Quad would work. Mascara samples are given out by the bucket load at high end counters, so now is the time to whack one of those out!

I have quite a few mini sample sizes blushes and bronzers, so I tend to reach for those, a nice every day blush with a hint of shimmer to perk up the complexion, and a matte bronzer to use as a contour or to warm up the face. If you don't, a blush/bronzer duo is a good idea, NARS do great ones, or Elf if you're after something more bank balance friendly. 

Lip wise I usually just pack a tinted lip balm, kill two birds with one stone, I love the Maybelline Baby Lips and the Kiko Kiss Balms.

Other beauty bits, you're obviously gonna want to pack deodorant (duh), I try not to pack shampoo and conditioner if I can help it, if it's only a few days I'll use what's in the hotel, and if I'm staying longer, I 'll just buy some cheap stuff out there and leave it behind. Skincare can basically be whittled down to two products, an oil that can be used to cleanse, hydrate, on your hair or on your skin, and some kind of spot treatment, since flying sends skin haywire. I usually just decant some coconut oil and take a small tee tree oil. Job done.

How do you pack for carry on only flights?

Packing Beauty for a City Break

I am something of an expert when it comes to packing for city breaks. Besides being a massive fan of them myself, I live in London, the epitome of crowded, humid and antisocial. I've got all your city break beauty packing picks covered.

When spending the day pounding the pavement in a new city, you're gonna want a base that's long lasting, got a little SPF protection, and not gonna feel heavy or cakey on the skin. I'd recommend packing your favourite long lasting primer (I love the Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer), and a matte base with buildable coverage, like the Jouer Matte Moisture Tint. Concealer wise, you want something long lasting and multipurpose, with good coverage, like the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. You're definitely going to want a setting powder, and I'd even recommend decanting a little makeup setting spray into a smaller spray bottle, to help keep things fixed down (I've decanted some of my Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray into a Muji bottle and it's super handy). 

Since heavy makeup isn't the aim of the game here, skip packing bronzer and highlighter, and go for either a good illuminating blush (NARS Daydream or Orgasm are both great) or a long lasting cream blush, like the No7 Pop and Glow Blush. 

For eyes you're gonna want a small, slimline palette with a few options, something like the Bare Minerals Power Neutrals Palette, and your favourite mascara. Just keep it all simple. An easy brow product is your friend here too. 

For lips, pack a long lasting everyday shade, I love the Lipstick Queen Pink Sinner lip colour, and a bold lip pick with a sheer formula, so you can wear it sheer or build it up for something bolder. The MAC Lustre finish lipsticks are good for this. 

Skincare wise, you'll want a good cleanser to shift the city grime from your skin, The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter is a good one, and a spray toner that can double as a skin refresher throughout the day. Moisturiser with SPF is a good idea too. Hairwise, resign yourself to hairbands and dry shampoo, and rock a messy bun for the week. It's worth packing a heavy duty deodorant, and some blotting sheets too.

What are your city break essentials?