Holiday Beauty Heros!

Hey beauty belles! 

So I've recently just come back from an amazing holiday with my boyfriend in Cape Verde. For those of you thinking 'where the hell is that?' its a group of islands off West Africa, just below the Canary Islands. Its a really unknown and upcoming holiday destination and was absolutely AMAZING and SO beautiful! I managed to catch a pretty good tan considering that it was pretty much cloudy and windy every day :-) 

Whenever I come back from holiday, my aim is to a) stop myself from peeling for as long as possible and b) keep my tan for as long as possible... it literally becomes an obsession!

After 10 days of being home, my skin has finally decided to peel and I have to say that I think thats pretty impressive! A few people have also asked me 'how have you kept up your tan for so long?' so I thought I'd come on here and share with you all my tips and tricks on how to stop yourself from peeling, keep your tan for longer and my ultimate Holiday Beauty Hero's that I couldn't live whilst away. 

So lets start of with the Skincare...

1. Rituals Mild Eye Make-up Remover, £9.50

Please don't judge me for being so late but yes, sadly I have only just discovered how bad face wipes are for your skin... I know, I'm horrifically late! I never even realised how much alcohol they contain! So, in light of this new information I decided that I would get a make-up remover to take off my make-up instead of using a face wipe as I can only imagine that a wipe would practically strip my face of its tan!

Rituals Mild Eye Make-up Remover is AHMAZING. It feels unbelievably soft and soothing and takes off make-up like a dream. It contains Lotus Flower and Rice Bran Oil for extra moisturisation and yummy skin goodness. It doesn't sting and just leaves skin feeling ultra soft and supple. 

Changing this part of my routine has most certainly made a difference. I never usually get as tanned on my face as I have this holiday and if I do it starts to fade within a few days of returning home. Literally, my face has NEVER been this tanned before and it has stayed for ages so I am more than happy with the results! If you haven't done this already and bought yourself a good make-up remover instead of using face wipes, do it NOW! 

2. Palmers Cocoa Butter, £3.77

This cocoa butter is like the god of all cocoa butters in my book. Its creamy, smells good and makes my skin so unbelievably soft. This is my secret weapon whilst on holiday. I first apply my aftersun after tanning and then apply this badboy over the top for an extra veil of protection and moisture, just so it can lock my tan in even more. Always works a charm and keeps my skin tanned for ages. 

3. Origins Zero Oil Moisturiser, £23.00

I really hate having oily skin anyway, let alone whilst on holiday and I recently bought this to test out. (review here) I really really love this moisturiser. I'm a big fan of Origins anyway and just love the way this feels and finishes on the skin. It soaks right in and as expected, doesn't leave my face feeling oily. Perf!

4. Indeed Laboratories Hydraluron, £24.99
Staying moisturised is the key factor for keeping a tan for longer and to fight premature peeling. Hydraluron is the purest form of Hyaluronic acid available to buy and works as a complete base after cleansing - almost like a drink for your skin. It holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water and just completely sinks in to give dehydrated skin a moisture boost! It leaves your skin feeling, soft, supple and plump, exactly what you need after a long day of sun exposure! I literally can't live without this product.

5. Aussie Coloured Hair Protection + Shine Serum, £4.69

I colour my hair all the time so when I go on holiday it always ends up completely fading and drying out. I just really can't be bothered to cover it! Aussie Coloured Hair Protection + Shine Serum is the ultimate all-in-one haircare product whilst abroad. The size is perfect and it provides heat protection and shine in one easy formula... all you need whilst basking for 10 days in the sun! For those with coloured hair I would HIGHLY recommend this product. Just apply it and brush it through the hair each time after washing. 

6. Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Aftersun, £6.49

This newly formulated aftersun provides 24 hour hydration so with one application, your completely covered until the next day! It contains silk ribbon technology and has that signature yummy Hawaiian Tropic fragrance to help make you smell like summer as well as look like it! The formula is quite thick but you can feel it soak in on application straight away.

7. Rituals Aftersun Hydrating Lotion, £12.00

This smooth and silky aftersun contains 30% pure Aloe Vera meaning its AMAZING for sunburn. The Aloe Vera also helps to lock in your tan further and for longer providing deep moisturisation with natural ingredients. 

My body moisturisation routine on holiday usually starts with the Rituals Aftersun Hydrating Lotion followed by Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration and then Palmer's Cocoa Butter. A lot I know, but it works!

8. Banana Boat SPF50 for Baby, 

When I'm on holiday I have to be really careful of my eye area. I've got EXTREMELY sensitive skin around the eyes and they get really puffy if I don't put a strong SPF around them - its sort of like I'm allergic to the sun! This SPF50 from Banana Boat is great, its so lightweight it actually feels like its not doing anything! It completely protects, is waterproof and gives great coverage, you only need a little bit to coverage a large area! 

My final tip for keeping your tan and fighting premature peeling is to take a mini empty bottle and fill it up with your chosen moisturiser, in this case mine would be Palmer's Cocoa Butter, and put it in the bottle. Take this with you on the plane and keep applying everytime your skin starts to feel tight. The planes air conditioning is what actually completely dries out your skin on the way home, so don't let all your hard work sunbathing go to waste by not moisturising! 

What are your holiday hero's? Have you tried any of the above? Let me know!

My Winter Skin Saviour

Although I've been suffering with relatively oily skin, this dry, freezing weather is now making my skin look rather dry and lifeless. GREAT another skin problem! 

As I'm having to deal with being dry and oily at different times, I wanted to get something for my skin that was just going to instantly boost hydration and soak right in, without feeling and looking oily. Impossible I hear you say? WRONG. Say hello to Hydraluron by Indeed Labs. Possibly one of the best winter skin saviours on the planet? 

Hydraluron 30ml / RRP £24.99 / Boots

From the creators of the amazing Nanoblur comes Hydraluron. This little tube of amazing-ness is a moisture boosting serum containing the world's purest Hyaluronic Acid which holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water - that's a lot! 

Hydraluron 30ml / RRP £24.99 / Boots

This jelly-like substance squeezes out into a small ball of gel - almost like a drop of water which doesn't break. This amount demonstrated in the picture is all you need for your whole face.

The substance feels AMAZING on the skin. I'm usually not a fan of gels, but this doesn't feel like your typical gel. It covers the whole of your face perfectly and instantly soaks in, without feeling like you've applied anything at all. These kind of products are my favourite - I love feeling like I've put nothing on! 

After using this for the last week and a half, AM and PM, I can definitely notice the difference in my skins hydration. My skin feels smooth, looks healthy and there are no signs of patchiness or dryness at all. One thing I love also, is that you use it right under your moisturiser and as mentioned in a previous post, I'm currently using Origins Zero Oil which also feels like I've put nothing on as it soaks right too, RESULT!

If your suffering from dry skin, I would seriously SERIOUSLY think about purchasing yourself a little bottle of this stuff. Priced at just £24.99 it really is a complete bargain for what it is and does. 

Have you tired Hydraluron?

Origins Zero Oil Moisturiser

I don't know what it is but ever since I've been working in Central London my skin has suddenly become increasingly more oily - SO annoying as we all know oily skin usually means spots... and I never usually get spots at all. EVER.

I've always used Origins Make a Difference which has always worked wonders for my skin, but as its become more greasy I've had to find something that won't make my face break out or look like I've just dipped my head in a bowl of oil. So for Christmas I was lucky enough to have been given Origins Zero Oil and honestly... its amazing.

Origins Zero Oil Moisturiser 50ml - £23

This non-sticky cream soaks right into my skin, leaving my face feeling hydrated, fresh and baby soft without any signs of excess. What I like about it most is that it doesn't even feel like I've put cream on at all, my skin feels exactly the same as before it was applied. The best thing about it is that since I've been using it, I have noticed a massive difference to my skin - less break outs and my skin is clearing up. Hurrah!

If you're having trouble with oily skin, I would seriously recommend this beauty. At £23 it isn't cheap, however I believe its a good investment and will definitely work if you're experiencing the same problem with oily skin as I am. 

Have you tried the Zero Oil? What other products would you recommend for oily skin? 

November Skin & Haircare Favs

Having just started my blog, I decided to include a monthly favs post to show you guys what Im using at the moment and what I'm loving each month. 

1. Tangle Teezer / £12.25

As my hairs quite damaged and fine at the moment from colouring OVERKILL I've been trying EVERYTHING to try and make it grow and get its condition back. My friend recommended Tangle Teezer to me and it literally has made such a difference. Who knew that a good comb/brush can honestly help stop split ends and breakage eh?

2. Argan Secret Miracle 10 Leave in Oil / £8.99

I've been using this product for about a month now and can really tell a difference in my hair. It feels a lot smoother and cleaner after being washed. I really love the spray as it gives great coverage and has a lovely texture making hair feel silky smooth and extremely healthy after blow drying.

3. Kerastase Bain Bio-Recharge Shampoo / £15.99

I went to the hairdressers the other day and asked them what will help my hair grow and help its condition. They recommended Kerastase shampoo by L'Oreal, which I'd personally never heard of and as I'm desperate just really didn't care about the price!

I've only used it once and it has literally made my hair feel the softest it has in a ages. The shampoo claims to condition and improve the scalp which the hairdresser told me is the most important thing to concentrate on when growing hair. I usually struggle with good shampoos and find that a lot of them dont even wash my hair properly but this was truly amazing after the first wash and hopefully will make a difference and promote hair growth in the long run (I'll keep you posted)

4. Aussie Miracle Colour Insurance Leave in Conditioner / £4.49

I love Aussie products and have been using this for a while. I think its by far the best leave in conditioner and without fail, always makes my hair feel healthy, extremely shiny and conditioned properly - the price is right too!

5. Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Colour Deep Treatment Conditioner / £4.99

Can't really say much about this product apart from that its my favourite wash out conditioner. I love the smell, love the texture and it never lets me down! Most thorough conditioner I've used and actually really does what it says and conditions hair, unlike some other products! 

6. Origins Never a Dull Moment Face Cleanser / £17

This has to be my absolute FAV at the moment. I swear by Origins (as does all the women in my family) and this has to be the best cleanser I've ever used and that is a BIG statement! It literally does what it says on the tin - brightens up my skin. After every single wash my skin instantly looks so much brighter and feels incredibly smooth and clean. It doesn't leave my skin feeling dry at all and it really gets rid of blemishes in one wash. HIGHLY recommend! 

7. Dr Jart+ Up Tighten Serum / £6.50

I've never used Dr.Jart+ skincare and got given this serum to try out. Its AMAZING. The serum is not heavy at all and my skin immediately absorbs it, without feeling sticky or like I've even applied anything on. I'm usually not a fan of serums but I will defo continue to use this, its helped me skin to look and now even feel better. 

8. Dr.Jart+ V7 Turnover Boost / £16

My second favourite product at the moment. It feels just water but with gel like finish (if that makes sense!) I describe it as a drink for my skin. The texture is great and feels like a gel minus the sticky feeling. It instantly sinks into skin, making it feel like nothing has even been applied. As my skins not been great Ive been using this in replacement to moisturiser and its absolutely works a treat. It hydrates and brightens skin with just a few drops and has definitely made an improvement. Its filled with amazing, natural vitamins and I can say from experience defo improves the quality of skin if you struggle from spots. Because of this product, I now officially call myself a 'Dr.Jarter' and consider it one of the best skincare ranges I have ever tried.

Have you tried any of my November favs? Let me know!