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!

Review: Stila One Step Correct

So I've been on the look out for a good primer other than Benefit's Pore Professional. A challenge yes I know. But whilst on my holidays last year I came across this little bad boy in the duty free magazine on the plane and it instantly caught my eye; not only because it was Stila but the way the three ingredients intertwine and helix really intrigued me. Pretty and taxfree? I was sold. 

Stila One Step Correct, £24.00 Stocked in Boots stores nationwide & www.boots.com

The triple swirl helix make it work as a skin tone correcting brightening serum and primer which helps to even out skin tone, illuminate and cover skin perfections all in one. The Green tone works to instantly neutralise redness and conceal blemishes, the Lavendar tone counteracts sallow undertones for a vibrant energised face and the Peach tone helps to illuminate.  

Stila One Step Correct, £24.00 Stocked in Boots stores nationwide & www.boots.com

The feel of the cream on the skin is lovely and soaks right in. You don't need a lot at all to completely cover the whole face and I did feel that my skin was instantly lifted and brighter once applied. 

The colour that comes out does look a little bit odd and the sort of bouncy/foamy texture can be off-putting, however I like the product and its intention. It works, looks pretty and is multi-tasking. 

Stila One Step Correct, £24.00. Buy here. 

Have you tried any of the Stila One Step's? What was your fav? 

It's been a while...

So as you can see its been about 2 months since I wrote my last blog post. BAD, YES I KNOW. But life just seems to takeover without you even noticing... how is it APRIL already? Where did February and March go? 

A lot has changed in the last 2 months, I've landed myself my absolute dream job and am no longer interning, I got a puppy, I've booked two holidays and one of my best friends has got engaged. In the mist of all of that, I've had to help organise about 5 events - from LFW, to The BRITs to a trip to Amsterdam, so time really hasn't been on my side. 

Having said this, I am now going to make a conscious effort again to make sure I keep up to date with my blog - I mean no ones interested in a blog where you only post once a month? Consistency is key and I am now BACK. 

YES, BACK. 

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?

Collection 2000 Shimmer Shades: Way-To-Glow

Apart from blushers and bronzers, my favourite make-up product has to be highlighters and illuminators, I absolutely LOVE them. As outlined in my 'Whats in my make-up bag?' post, I use Benefit Girl Meets Pearl for a gold/pearl finish on my cheeks. 

In the search for a new highlighter, I was recommended Collection 2000 by a friend who said, and I quote, it was the best highlighter she had ever used, and for £4.19 I was not about to complain! 

This shade, Way-To-Glow, of Collection 2000's Shimmer Shades compromises of 4 shimmery shades that work as a highlighter and blush quad allowing you to highlight and contour. 

My favourite shades of the palette are 1 and 3 which do make a great duo when using for highlighting and contouring. For this look, apply shade 1 on the cheek bones and then 3 on the apples of the cheeks, swiping diagonally towards the mouth - think Kim Kardashian. 

Although it takes a good few swipes to get a decent amount of coverage on your brush, let alone your face, I do quite like this palette and do use it quite regularly as a quick daily fix for work etc. However as I don't feel the coverage is that great and doesn't last the whole day, I think I'll stick to my Benefit Girl Meets Pearl for a night out.  

Collection 200 Shimmer Shades in Way-To-Glow / £4.19

Have you tried Collection 200 makeup? 

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? 

New Year... New Camera!

Happy New Year all! 

Sorry I am SO late with posting this year, work has completely deaded me out since Ive been back from Christmas break. 

So I'm sooooooo happy to announce that I finally got a new CANON 650D CAMERA!! I am SO SO SO excited, its absolutely incredible and the whole reason I wanted it was for this blog. 

The features are amazing and I haven't stopped snapping since I got it! 

Talking of which as well as getting my new camera, me and my boyfriend welcomed a new member to our family... KAZ! 

He's a Pomeranian Yorkshire Terrier cross and the most beautiful, loving puppy EVER. He will probably be making a few more appearances on my blog so I though it be best to introduce him now. Isn't he cute?