2014 Travel Makeup Bag...

As you all know, next Tuesday my family and I are whisking ourselves off to Switzerland/ Italy for a week. The lead up to the holiday is always one of my favourite times, especially when I decide what beauty bits I'll be bringing with me. And of course, packing my travel makeup bag is the best part. So here it is, my travel makeup bag for two thousand and fourteen, the summer edition.

The weather will be extremely hot and sunny in Locarno, therefore I find it vital to wear a light base. This is always a struggle for me; suffering from mild acne is something I always want to cover up and therefore a light BB cream simply isn't enough. However, I've recently discovered in my makeup collection the M.A.C Studio Fix Powder Foundation. This is currently my holy-grail base option. It gives a semi-matte finish, buildable coverage and incredible longevity.

1. Mac Studio Finish Powder Foundation 
2. Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze
3. Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer
4. Body Shop Honey Bronzer 
5. Bourjois Blusher in Rose D'or
6. Rimmel Stay Matte Powder
7. Sleek i-Divine Palette (I use this for my brows)
8. Clinique High Impact Mascara
9. Smashbox Photo-Finish Primer
10. Korres Lip Butter in Quince 

There you have it! I'm keeping it fresh, simple and easy; I never like anything fussy or heavy on holiday, or during summer full stop. Perfected skin, a light blush on the lips and cheeks and a little definition on the eyes.

What's in your travel makeup bag? 

July Style Inspo...

The Makeup Edit: Prom...

It's my year 11 prom tomorrow and you all know me, the makeup was planned weeks ago. I'm not one for heavy makeup, or makeup to make myself appear older; instead, I opt for makeup that looks fresh, natural, and youthful. Therefore a light grey/brown smokey eye and a peachy nude lip is perfect, and compliments my dress wonderfully. Fluttery lashes, plump cheeks and a dewy finish is exactly the look I'll be going for.

To begin, I'll start with a light pat of lip balm to prepare the lips for products later. Then, for base, I will be using the Smashbox PhotoFinish Primer, and a mix of the Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation and the Origins CC Cream on top. While letting those products sink into the skin, I'll move over onto eyes.

The Urban Decay Primer Potion is much needed to keep eyeshadows in place; a light sweep of the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze will also help with longevity. Then, with the Naked 1 palette, pack on a light dusting of Sin all over the lid, with Buck and Naked in the crease. For the outer corners, I'll be using a mix of Toasted and Hustle, with a very small amount of Gunmetal packed on top all over the lid, and blend. Finish the look with a thin line of black eyeliner and mascara.

For brows, I'll be filling them in with M.A.C's powder in Charcoal Brown and brushing them through with Maybelline's Brow Drama Gel.

Going back to skin, I'll be perfecting my skin with concealer on blemishes and under the eyes, a dust of the Bourjois blusher in Rose D'or and Body Shop Honey Bronzer, a light sweep of the Dior Amber Diamond on top of the cheekbones to highlight, and finally, the Rimmel Stay Matte powder.

For lips, all that is needed is the Rimmel Moisture Renew lipstick in Coral Queen.

Done! It may all sound a lot on paper (or, in this case, on screen) but it's certainly not. This look is very natural, and with a few products taken out and tweaked, can be worn for an easy everyday look.

Holiday Outfit Ideas:

This year, instead of taking our annual trip to Zermatt, we're venturing ourselves off to Italy (but still keeping our Swiss roots solid with staying on the border). I will miss our little Zermatt but I've said for a long time I would like to discover somewhere different, hence this year we've booked our holiday to Locarno. We've already planned day trips to Lugano, Ascona and Lake Como and I’m sure they’ll be coffee and ice cream pit-stops along our way! As our holiday is only 3 weeks away, it's about time I began planning what to wear; therefore here are a few ideas I put together - enjoy!

Top - Topshop, trousers - Dolce & Gabbana, bag - Gucci, shoes - Charlotte Olympia, earrings - Topshop, nails in New Wave - Topshop

Trousers - Karl Lagerfeld, jacket - J. Crew, wedges - Paloma Barceló, bag - Chloé, lipstick in Red Lippy -  Topshop

Top - Splendid, sunglasses - Illesteva, bag - Victoria Beckham, shoes - Church's, skirt - Topshop

Where are you going this summer?

Summer Essentials...

As June officially marks the first month of summer, I thought it was only fitting that I create a summer essentials post - all you need to survive the long, hot summery days of 2014. The thing with the weather in the UK is if we do occasionally get a sunny day it is usually completely unexpected and comes out of nowhere after weeks of pouring rain. However, lately, we've had a few weeks of non-stop glorious weather; but I've certainly needed a few products to get me in that summery mood.

CHECKLIST:

1. SPF - We all know the benefits of using suncream so I won't bore you with more information but instead tell you a few of my favourites. I love the Hawaiian Tropic Protective Sun Lotion SPF 30 (and indeed, the whole range), Soltan Suncare Lotion SPF 15 and the Caudalie Face Suncare SPF 50.
2. Hand Cream - As our hands are one of the only parts of the body that is always exposed, the sun causes our hands to age over time. Hello wrinkles and sun spots. Make sure you always carry a hand cream, I like the Soap and Glory Hand Food, and even better, find one with an SPF in it. 
3. Lip Balm - The hot weather makes us dehydrated, making our lips parched. I swear by the Nuxe Reve de Miel one as it is the only lip balm that truly works.
4. Facial Tanner - If you're anything like me (i.e pale as a ghost) and never tan nor burn then a good ol' facial tanner is what you need to give you that summer, bronzed glow. Build up a honey-golden tan with the Clarins Liquid Bronze Self-tanning Lotion (which is also great for the skin and smells amazing).
5. Body Tanner - You can't have a bronzed face without a bronzed body, can you? My sister and I l.o.v.e the Garnier Summer Body Sun-Kissed Moisture Lotion and the St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse.
6. Perfume - Spray a good spritz of your favourite perfume to hide fake tan smell, sweat (gross) or when you just want to freshen up. I adore the & Other Stories Fig Body Mist but I love the smell of my sister's Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess perfume. 
7. Powder  - For summer, I hate to wear anything liquid based as my skin is too oily, everything just melts off! Therefore I swear by the M.A.C Studio Fix Powder Foundation as it gives great, buildable coverage, a semi-matte finish and feels as light as air. 

Where are you going on holiday this summer?! 

June Wishlist:

We may only be a week into June but I've already got a list as long as my arm to buy this month. As this is the first month of summer, it's vital that I invest in shorts, dresses and sandals - all of which I certainly don't have much of. But here is a little wishlist of a few items I've seen and hope to buy, enjoy!

• Origins Gin Zing Cleanser
• Topshop Grey Sandals
• Topshop Olive Green Dress
• Topshop Ripped Jeans
• Eyelure 031 Natural False Eyelashes
• Real Techniques Mini Brush Trio
• Zara striped shorts

Brand Review: Percy & Reed...

I've always favoured high-end hair products; my love affair with Tigi Bed Head has lasted longer than I can remember. There's something so much more luxurious about the packaging, the scent and of course, the results. I have no idea why, and needless to say this probably just applies to me, but normal drugstore hair brands such as L'Oréal or John Freida don't seem to work on my hair very well. There are some products from particular ranges that I like but very few. Then one day, after receiving a sample of the Wonder Balm in an issue of Elle, my heart turned towards Percy & Reed.

I love the Wonder balm (details below) and decided to go out and buy a few more of the P&R products; that's when I saw a handy little kit consisting of 6 products for £12.00 (a discounted price). So, I've tried quite a few products from the line; but I don't intend to stop there!

The loves:

• Wonder Balm - A miracle, weightless, leave-in balm that preps and primes your hair for styling (and makes following products work more efficiently). This balm is all you need for beautiful, healthy looking and flawless hair. It can be used on wet and/ or dry hair. 
• Dry Conditioner - My go-to product for when my hair is feeling dry, tangled or lacks shine. 
• Dry Shampoo - You can't go wrong with a good dry shampoo - I'd definitely say this is just as good as the Batiste one. 

The likes: 

• Texturising Spray - I think this is now continued but nonetheless, you may still to grab your hands on it. I like this product but I don't love it; it's really no different to any other texturising spray and if too much is used, it can make your hair feel a little dry and crispy. 
• Session Hold Hairspray - Again, nothing in particular that makes this hairspray stand out from others (apart from the incredible smell). 
• Bodifying Cream - This is a great product for an instant-look as it does offer great body to hair but I do find after a few hours it does leave the hair looking a little 'deflated' ha! 

The leaves: 

• Finishing Polish - Don't get me wrong, I still like this product and will continue to use it but it won't be one that I'll repurchase. It is a waxy cream that aims in giving a soft and flexible hold and moisture; which it does. However, I just find it leaves hair feeling a bit dry and matted; but this is a great product for every-now-and-then use to achieve styles like beachy waves.

On the 'to-buy' list:

• Intensive Treatment Oil
• Totally TLC Hydrating Mask
• Shine and Fragrance Spray  - (a hair perfume, yes really!)

Overall I really, really love Percy & Reed - it's my go-to hair line from now on (sorry Tigi). The prices are good, the packaging is lovely, the smell (in all the products) is gorgeous and above all, it's sold in Space NK (need I say more?).