February + March Beauty Favourites

I feel as though I haven't published a beauty favourites post for a while so for today's post I thought I'd share some of the beauty products that I've been loving throughout the months of February and March including: Freshly Cosmetics, Colab, Sond Skincare, Clockface Beauty, White Glo and more. I have found so many fantastic products recently, most of which are new to me but others, such as the Colab dry shampoo, are long term favourites.

*Freshly Cosmetics Rose Quartz Facial Cleanser (£16)

Let's start with the cleanser I've been using on/off for quite a month or so now and it's the latest cleanser from Freshly Cosmetics. We all know by now just how much I love Freshly Cosmetics and all of their natural products. The cleanser comes gorgeously designed and packaged, it contains plant extracts such as almond oil and aloe vera juice. It claims to deeply cleanse, reduce open pores and moisturise.

I love the texture of the cleanser, it feels quite luxe but gentle on the skin and I feel as though it does deeply cleanse my skin but it has never left my dry, sensitive skin anything but comfortable, smooth and clean, which is exactly what I want from a cleanser. I think this cleanser would work for so many skin types and it's definitely worth trying!

*Colab Dry Shampoo (£3.50)

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by the lovely people at Colab about receiving a little gift and not long after, I received a package with two bottles of the amazing Colab dry shampoo within it! I have been buying and using the Colab dry shampoo range for years, pretty much since it was released so it's definitely a long time favourite of mine.

Before discovering the Colab dry shampoo, I'd tried so many including the very popular Batiste dry shampoo but none of them worked for my hair! I don't know why none of them worked but thankfully the Colab dry shampoo is fantastic and I couldn't be without it. I always have at least two bottles in my haircare drawer so I don't run out as if that happened then I'd be stuck with less than acceptable hair. If you still haven't found the dry shampoo for you then definitely try any of the Colab dry shampoo options as they work SO well for me!

*Sond Skincare Midnight Feast Night Cream - For Sensitive Skin (£38)

One of my favourite skincare products from the past few weeks has to be the very nourishing Sond Skincare Midnight Feast Cream which contains organic argan, coconut and hemp seed oil as well as sunflower oil and olive oil. This is the first product I've tried from Sond Skincare and to be honest, I'm very impressed! From the packaging design to the product itself, I'm loving it.

I love the pump dispenser which makes it very handy, the lovely natural ingredients and the gentle but effective formula. It's specifically designed for those with sensitive skin and skin conditions such as eczema, which is what I've had for over ten years. The cream has a very rich, thick and nourishing consistency that leaves my skin feeling deeply moisturised, smooth and soft - the perfect night cream.

*Magnitone BlendUP Vibra-Sonic Makeup Blending Brush (£70)

My final makeup related favourite is one of my newest favourites but it's instantly become an integral part of my makeup routine and it is a product I've wanted to try for a while! It's the 'blendup vibra-sonic' makeup blending brush from the lovely people over at Magnitone. I've been lucky enough to work with Magnitone a couple of times previously reviewing their cleansing cloths (which I use every single day) and the fantastic XOXO cleansing device, both of which I cannot recommend enough.

With over 200 movements per minute, the brush vibrates to blend your base products effortlessly to give an airbrushed look. Firstly, I love the appearance of the brush, the bristles are very soft and while it felt strange initially, it is actually a lovely tool to use as it almost gives you a mini facial massage while you're applying your makeup. It has two settings, meaning two speeds but I just use the first and slower speed for applying my BB creams. Personally, I don't think two speed options is necessary.

I've only used it with my IT Cosmetics CC Cream and my Holika Holika Moisturising BB cream so far but it's working well and I love using it. Naturally the brush is heavier than 'normal' makeup brushes but that doesn't bother me. Sadly, it's a little noisy...but to be honest, that is my only complaint of the brush so far. The noise might be a deal breaker for some but it's not too bad, in my opinion.

Overall, the positives of this brush definitely outweigh the negatives! I love how quickly and easily it blends my BB creams and CC creams. It is fuss free to use, I like the design and I think it will be incredibly quick to clean as it has a self cleaning mode! Out of all the Magnitone products I've tried, I have been impressed with all of them and this one is no different.

*Clockface Beauty Cleansing Balm (£32)

Clockface is a brand I've tried a couple of products from previously and I've loved them so I was excited to try their new cleansing balm which is natural, organic and suitable for vegans. The cleansing balm contains chamomile, eucalyptus, coconut oil, vitamin E, avocado butter and many other fantastic natural ingredients. As with all Clockface products, I adore the packaging!

The cleansing balm has such a lovely 'green' scent to it and while the texture in the tub is very solid, it instantly becomes very oily, rich and luxurious on the skin. It definitely feels like a nourishing and luxurious cleansing balm so it's perfect for my dry and sensitive skin. It leaves my skin feeling very smooth, soft and moisturised without irritating my skin (although since the start of the year and becoming fully vegan, my eczema has almost gone!). If you are looking for a natural and vegan cleansing balm that is effective but also very gentle and indulgent, I cannot recommend this cleanser enough.

*White Glo Professional Choice Extra Strength Whitening Toothpaste (£4.19)

I've tried so many whitening kits and toothpastes over the past few years and very few of them have been effective but thankfully I do occasionally stumble across one or two that work well for me and this inexpensive option from White Glo is the one. It's very inexpensive and the one I have came with a free toothbrush too! Although I've been using the toothpaste with my regular electric toothbrush. It claims to safely whiten, protect from cavities and lightens discolouration, the latter point is the one I was most interested in as I do drink coffee everyday which takes it's toll on my teeth sadly. But I'm not going to give up caffeine so I'm very glad that this toothpaste is as effective as it is.

Life has been a little busy and anxious recently and this may sound a little ridiculous but I was using this product daily for a couple of weeks without remembering that it's a whitening toothpaste and a few days ago, when trying on a new lipstick shade, I realised that my teeth were a little whiter! The change isn't massive but it is definitely noticeable so for that reason I cannot recommend it enough, especially because it is also very cheap and seems to be very gentle.

Have you tried any of these products? Which products have you been loving recently? 

*Gifted 

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June + July Summer Favourites

Today's post is a little overdue and it is going to be fairly long as well so grab a cup of tea or coffee as I'm going to be reviewing all of the beauty and lifestyle products I've been loving over the past two months. I've been lucky over the past couple of months that I've received so many fantastic new products from haircare and skincare to drinks and SPF as well as my current favourite t-shirt!

*Dr Botanicals Cocoa and Coconut Superfood Face Mask (£9)

Let's start with the travel mini's I've received recently and that I've been using (and loving) over the past couple of months. I have tried quite a few products from Dr Botanicals and I've loved all of them so I knew I'd like this mask too. The mini size is ideal for travelling or if you just want to try something from the brand before potentially buying a larger size.

The mask is designed to hydrate and revive the skin with a tonne of natural ingredients such as cacao butter and coconut oil. Even during the heatwave we have been suffering through in the UK, my skin can still be a little dry at times so a hydrating mask is perfect - especially after sun exposure. It is a quick, easy and fuss free mask that is very hydrating and nourishing.

*Collossol Eau De Lait Water Milk Makeup Remover (£9.50, 100ml)

Another skincare favourite is this makeup remover from Collossol which is a French skincare brand - it's a new brand to me but this product has been available in France since the 1950's. It seems to be a combination of a traditional micellar water and a cleansing milk as it has a milky look but on the skin it is non-existent. It is cruelty free and vegan which is fantastic!

I've been using it on a cotton pad to remove my makeup and sometimes in the morning as a quick and easy no-rinse cleanser. It has a very distinctive scent which is very floral and powdery with a hint of citrus that I find quite dated and if you don't like scented products then it might not be for you but I don't mind the scent overall. It removes my base makeup, brows and powders easily and gently but it doesn't seem to be able to fully remove my waterproof mascara sadly, otherwise it would be my new go-to easy cleanser.

*Arbonne RE9 Advanced Overnight Face Jelly (£36, 50ml)

My final skincare favourite is from a brand I haven't really tried before, Arbonne. I've noticed other bloggers reviewing and liking their products but this is my first experience of their skincare and I'm impressed. The Arbonne Overnight Face Jelly is a night moisturiser crossed with an overnight face mask and as with most of the products within today's post, it is cruelty free and vegan!

It has the same packaging design as the amazing Ark Skincare Age Defend Replenishing Moisturiser - I love the packaging! It has such a refreshing gel like texture and it leaves my skin feeling not only smooth and moisturised but also refreshed and soothed so it's ideal after sun exposure or if your skin is feeling a little dry, tight or uncomfortable and needs a little extra TLC this summer.

*Joico K-Pak Conditioner and Colour Therapy Treatment 

Joico is a brand I've wanted to try since I started blogging back in the carefree days of 2012 (which now seems like a lifetime ago) and luckily I've been sent a few of their products over the years. I have tried the K-Pak range previously and loved it so I knew I'd like using the conditioner and treatment, the latter I haven't tried before.

The conditioner is designed for damaged hair which after colouring mine for ten years is definitely the case, although it doesn't seem to be too much of a problem now. The conditioner is ideal for my dry, thick hair and it manages to make it smoother, less frizzy (the humidity is making my frizzy hair even worse!) and softer which is always a good thing! I've only tried the treatment once and so far it's a great product that provides the same benefits as the conditioner but on a deep level. I cannot recommend Joico products enough, from their K-Pak range to their incredible colour butters.

*Leighton Denny Summer Dream Hand and Nail Cream (£9)

Despite the heatwave we've been having in the UK recently, my hands are still quite dry although not as dry as they were when I had eczema on my hands - rather than using hand cream countless times per day, now I only need to use it once or twice. I've been a fan of Leighton Denny polishes for years, since my aunties first introduced me to the brand in my teens but I haven't tried anything other than the polishes.

The hand cream contains essential oils to leave the skin protected and supple without a greasy residue. The scent is very subtle and to me, it is very clean and fresh. I've been using up a couple of other hands creams I've had in my bag before using this one and now I don't want to use any others as this Leighton Denny hand cream is perfect. It absorbs almost instantly, there is no greasy feeling and it leaves my skin incredibly smooth and soft. If you're looking for a hand cream for the summer, definitely give this one a go.

*Lee Stafford Keep It Clean Pink Clay Dry Shampoo (£5.49, 200ml)

I've already reviewed the shampoo and conditioner from the Lee Stafford 'keep it clean' range within my Latest In Beauty post but today I'm recommending the dry shampoo from the same range. I love the packaging and appearance of the entire range and as far as I know, the dry shampoo (and potentially the rest of the range?) is cruelty free and vegan.

I've been using the dry shampoo during the heatwave we've been having as even though my hair tends to be relatively presentable for three days before it needs washing, I've need to use dry shampoo everyday to make my hair look a little less...horrific during the summer. Unlike my beloved Colab dry shampoo, this one does have a white tint to it but when massaged into the hair, it isn't noticeable, thankfully.

The dry shampoo works wonders on my hair and it might actually take over from Colab as my favourite dry shampoo as the effects are instant and I only need one application for my hair to look far less greasy, whereas I might need a couple of applications of the Colab dry shampoo to have the same effect. One thing I noticed on the bottle is that it suggests to apply the dry shampoo at night and sleep with it in your hair; I tried it and it worked so well!

*Vitage Skin Defence SPF 30 (£26, 100ml)

I have to admit that I'm not the most diligent when it comes to applying SPF, especially as I live in the UK and we rarely see the sun, particularly in Manchester. However, since getting more tattoos, I want to protect them from the sun as much as possible as sun damage is one of the main causes of tattoo fading. I tried a few products from Vitage last year and loved them, especially their eye cream so I had high hopes for their SPF.

I think one of the main reasons I put off using SPF is because of my childhood memories of suncream as being sticky, greasy and thoroughly unpleasant but thankfully the Vitage Skin Defence SPF isn't greasy or heavy on the skin. It also absorbs very quickly, it doesn't leave a white tint or residue and it has the traditional sun cream scent which I have to admit that I love!

*Pago Cloudy Apple Juice 

Now onto a couple of my lifestyle favourites from the past few weeks! First up is the perfect healthy heatwave drink from Pago. A couple of years ago I reviewed their rhubarb and pear juice which I loved and included within a mocktail recipe post which you can read for summer cocktail or mocktail ideas for picnics, summer parties or BBQ's.

I was kindly sent a crate of their delicious juice in the cloudy apple flavour and it's safe to say that they didn't last a week...they are so delicious! Each glass bottle contains 100% cloudy apple juice with vitamin C. It is directly pressed and unfiltered so it maintains the maximum amount of vitamins and nutrients. I love fruit juice so I knew I'd love these and they turned out to be the perfect refreshing heatwave drink!

*Jesmundo Vegan T-Shirt (£15.99)

Last but definitely not least is probably my new favourite t-shirt! I was kindly sent a slogan t-shirt from Jesmundo and naturally I had to choose their 'vegan' t-shirt which I chose in a size Medium. I'm generally a UK 8 to 10 and an XS or S in clothing but I chose a Medium for this t-shirt and I'm so glad that I did as the sizes definitely seem to run small. If you want this t-shirt, I'd recommend sizing up, especially as the t-shirt is more on the fitted size already.

The Medium was the perfect size for me and I'm so happy with the fit! I find it very difficult to shop for t-shirts as most white t-shirts are see-through or the t-shirt is too long on my petite frame but thankfully this one is perfect. I also like the quality which is much nicer than other slogan t-shirts I have. Additionally, the simple design fits my style and even though you might not be able to see from the photographs, the colour is an off-white which I think it more flattering than a stark white t-shirt.

I couldn't be happier with my t-shirt from Jesmundo and if you're looking for a unique, simple slogan t-shirt then I cannot recommend them enough. They have such a wide range of styles as well as colours and sizes to choose from. I also liked the social media inspired designs. You can use the code: 4FOR3 to get, you guessed it, four t-shirt for the price of three.

Have you tried any of the products I've reviewed? What have been your favourite beauty or lifestyle items from June or July? 

*Gifted

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Best Beauty Products of 2018

2018 has been a fairly good year (check out my 2018 highlights post) and I've discovered so many new products that I've been loving for months! The products range from items I've bought, subscription boxes goodies and products I was kindly sent throughout the year. There's a variety of products to talk about from haircare, indulgent bodycare products, makeup, skincare and more.

Haircare & Bodycare 

Let's start with the most recent haircare favourite and that's the Percy and Reed Wonder Balm which I received in the gorgeous LookFantastic Advent Calendar (it was one of my favourite pieces of blogger mail ever!). I haven't tried much from Percy and Reed but this balm has been fantastic for my dry, frizzy and unruly hair as it manages to tame frizz (on the whole), smooth my hair and make it feel incredibly soft!

One of the most indulgent and divinely scented bath products is the Feather and Down Melting Shower Cream, I cannot recommend it enough. Feather and Down has to be one of my favourite brands of the year and it all started with my love for their gorgeous pillow mist which is another product I'd highly recommend.

I have a couple of other haircare favourites including the best dry shampoo I've ever used! I have tried so many dry shampoo options but none of them worked for my dark hair until I tried the heaven sent Colab Dry Shampoo which was created by Ruth Crilly at A Model Recommends (I love her Youtube channel, she's so down to earth and informative). The Colab Dry Shampoo helps to eliminate oil, boost volume and stops my hair from looking like I've dowsed it in hair oil.

My final haircare favourite of 2018 is one that I loved so much, I bought two! I previously had The Wet Brush in an animal print design but I've replaced it with this cute purple one and I cannot recommend it enough. As I said, I have dry hair and it's fairly thick so it is prone to horrendous, 'I might have to cut my hair' level of tangles but this brush makes detangling and simply brushing my hair so quick, easy and painless.

Now onto my body care and pampering products and let's start with the most luxurious and moisturising shower gel I've ever used, the Freshly Nourishing Shower Gel. Freshly products are natural and suitable for vegans which is amazing; they are also very gentle but effective. A shower gel might seem like an unusual and simple product to be raving about but this one leaves my skin so incredibly smooth and moisturised!

Another body product that has a very similar effect is the Lush Ro's Argan Body Conditioner which smells heavenly, leaves my skin so smooth and helps to keep dryness at bay. I adore Lush products, I need to start using them more as I used to use their products almost exclusively a few years ago and I need to get back to it.

There are two body lotions that I've been loving throughout 2018 and those include the most divinely scented body butter ever, the Crabtree and Evelyn Lavender and Espresso Body Cream (which I cannot get enough of) and the equally as gorgeous Rituals Magic Touch Body Cream, both of which I cannot recommend enough, especially for this time of the year. I am so lazy when it comes to using body lotions and creams, I don't know why, but both of these are so lovely to use. If you're looking for a body cream that smells amazing, leaves your skin super soft and doesn't leave a heavy or greasy residue on the skin then look no further than these!

Skincare 

Let's start with one item that mixes skincare and makeup to create an amazing BB cream for those with incredibly dry skin as I do, the Dear Klairs Illuminating BB Cream from Koja Beauty. I was kindly sent it months and months ago and I've been using it pretty much very single time I wear makeup as it's the easiest, no fuss option. Another BB cream I've been loving is the Skin 79 BB Blemish Balm which I received a sample of in a LookFantastic box and I had to buy the full size!

One of the most important skincare items, for me, is my moisturiser. Eczema has many awful 'symptoms' but one of the most inconvenient (as well as the burning irritation, flakiness, inflammation) is the perpetual dryness which makes finding a deeply effective and gentle moisturiser so important but this year I've found three that my skin loves.

The first, and my favourite of the three, is the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream. It is a brand I've wanted to try for ages and I'm so grateful to the lovely people at LookFantastic as this full sized cream was part of their advent calendar in 2018. I also loved the Advanced Moisture Boost from Vitage which came as part of an amazing blogger mail package and it's a cream I'm finally finishing now. The final moisturiser is the Rio Rosa Day and Night Cream, all three of which I'd definitely recommend especially if you have very dry and sensitive skin as I do.

Makeup & Tools

I love applying my makeup, it's such a relaxing process but removing it can be a little annoying especially as I have to wear waterproof mascara thanks to the ever drizzly Manchester weather but there's one product that I have used numerous variations of all year that has been helping me remove my makeup with just water in seconds! I utterly adore these microfibre cleansing cloths, the original being the Makeup Eraser one (I believe) but every variation I've tried has worked so effectively for removing every little trace of makeup, even stubborn waterproof mascara. My latest variation is the fantastic Magnitone Cleansing Cloths which I cannot recommend enough, particularly if you have sensitive skin as I do.

Another long term favourite of mine is the Essence Fixing Powder which I've bought at least three of so far as they are so cheap but so effective at setting my makeup, blotting oil and keeping my makeup looking fresh for longer without making my skin looking dry, cakey or overly powdered. Essence is probably my favourite cheaper makeup brand and I will definitely continue to use their products.

I've mentioned a couple of products that I've loved from the LookFantastic Advent Calendar and I have another, the Lipstick Queen Frog Prince Lipstick which is actually green in the tube but it transforms into a beautiful, berry pink on the lips that's fairly natural and gives the lips a very fresh, hydrated and youthful look. The longevity is far better than I thought it would be and I've been using it constantly since receiving it at the end of November. Another lip product I've been using consistently is the Dr Lipp Elderberry Tint which I think I received in a LookFantastic box a few months ago; it's a gorgeous berry tinted lip balm that's ideal for everyday.

For brows, or more specifically brow bone, I've been loving the Eylure Brow Luminizer which in one swipe adds a gorgeous natural, glowing sheen to the skin - it's perfect for an inner corner, cupids bow and brow bone highlight in seconds. Lastly for makeup is a newer addition from the French brand, Avril. As I've said, Manchester receives a lot of rain so I always have to use waterproof mascara but so many of them are incredibly difficult to remove; however, I've found the solution - Avril Waterproof Mascara. It gives me natural fluttery lashes that can survive an English winters day but it is easy to remove with my makeup removing microfibre cleansing cloths.

My final 2018 beauty favourite is one of the most long-lasting nail polish duos I've ever tried, the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Polish and Top Coat. I received a red shade and top coat from this range as part of my 'beauty guru' box from Latest In Beauty which I adored; so I had to buy another shade! I purchased the Frill Seeker shade from Fragrance Direct and it's the only polish I've been using for months. The polish combined with the top coat can last on my nails for over a week and after that it only had minor chipping which can then last for another few days! I will definitely be purchasing more shades from this range!

Have you tried any of these products? What were your 2018 beauty favourites? 

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Latest In Beauty - January 2021

I've been a little absent from my blog for the past few days and in the future I will be blogging a little less than usual so you can expect one blog post every week or every two weeks from now on. Today's post is my review of the January box from Latest In Beauty which you may have seen a sneak peek of if you follow me on Instagram. 

*Latest In Beauty Box - January 2021

The variety is fantastic for January and I was able to choose a great range of items from skincare, body care and haircare to hand sanitiser and an adorable sleep mask. Since I chose my items, many more items have been added to the selection including masks, skincare and wax melts! I'm really happy with the items in the box and as always I think the selection and value for money are fantastic. 

Foamie Papaya and Oat 2 in 1 Body Bar 

I'll begin with the most heavenly scented item in the box, the soap bar from Foamie which has the most fruity and fresh scent that's perfect to brighten up a dull wintery day. The design is quite unique and allows for a slightly massage when you use it because of the bumps on the bar. 

Smug Sleep Eye Mask 

Next up is the cutest sleep mask I've ever seen - this one isn't on the site anymore but you can choose the cherry blossom mask from the same brand. It's a blackout, padded eye mask that I think will be great for my sleeping problems. I love the design and it feels very soft, squishy and I think it is a great, unique addition to the January selection. 

Yardley Hand Sanitiser 

Hand sanitiser is one of the most essential items from 2020 and it's the same this year; we all need hand sanitiser so whenever I've seen it on the website recently, I've chosen it. This one is a huge 250ml bottle and it contains 70% alcohol - it will definitely be added to the car very soon for post-shopping sanitising. 

Colab Extreme Volume Dry Shampoo 

Colab is probably my favourite dry shampoo brand, I've tried so many of their scents but I haven't tried this specific one. It is the dry shampoo with a volume boost formula that helps to absorb oil, adds body and increases volume. I haven't tried it yet but I have high hopes as I've loved all of the others!

Skin Chemists Rose Illuminating Glow Peel Off Mask

I haven't used a peel of mask for so long (I've fallen in love with sheet masks in 2020) but I had to choose this item as it is one of their 'hall of fame' products - I always opt for their hall of fame products as they are usually quite special or well loved. I can't wait to try this mask as my skin has been very dull recently!

Oh K! Oil Controlling T-Zone Mask 

Lastly, a product from one of my favourite sheet mask brands - Oh K! I have tried many of their masks and love them all, especially the hydrogel and moisturising masks. However, as my skin has been oils and congested so I think that an oil controlling mask would be a great option for my skin right now. 

Have you tried any of these products? 

* AD - gifted item sent to me, not paid

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Summer Festival + Travel Essentials #1

I am lucky this year in that I'm visiting some lovely cities around the UK including Chester, Southampton and London and well as a cruise around the western coast of Norway, which I can't wait for so I've been going through my beauty stash looking for travel products as I like to be overly prepared and organised, probably too organised.

To help with my travel beauty needs, I was very kindly sent a load of products from chemist.co.uk, so thank you! They have a range of pre-prepared festival and travel kits that are fantastic as they contain lots of items you'll need in one package. I picked the *festival pack one (£7.99) which contains deodorant wipes, lip balm, plasters, vitamin C tablets and dry shampoo, all of which are perfect items for a festival, weekend away or camping. Now onto all of the other items:

Toiletries

There are some items we all have to take on holiday or to a festival including deodorant, the deodorant that I always use is the *Sure Maximum Protection Deodorant (£4.58) which is so effective. I also have the *Quickies Deodorant Wipes (£1.35) which will come in so handy as during the summer it isn't nice feeling too hot and sweaty and just using wipes can help if you're not able to have a full shower - they would be perfect for camping.

Hair removal is another essential and I love the *Gillette Simply Venus 2 Disposable Razors (£3.32), I've gone through a few packs of these and they are fantastic disposable razors that are lightweight, effective and I never cut myself with them! I also use the *Nair Facial Wax Strips (£1.65) for my eyebrows as they are easy to cut up, they are effective and they are so cheap - they are the cheapest mini wax strips I've found and they are well worth checking out especially as they are so easy to travel with as well as being very discreet.

Lastly for toiletries, toothpaste. I have sensitive teeth so I always need a sensitive toothpaste and the *Beverly Hills Formula Perfect White Black Sensitive Toothpaste (£4.25) is fantastic. Yes, a black toothpaste is quite gimmicky but I find it does help to slightly whiten my teeth and it helps with sensitivity so it's a great two in one toothpaste. 

Multivitamins & Tablets

I am a vegetarian and occasional vegan so multivitamins are a daily essential for me but when it comes to packing for the summer holidays or festivals where space is limited, it's always best to find multi-use or two in one products to save space. The *Centrum Vitamints (£5.99) are a combination of a breath mint and multivitamin tablet, why hasn't someone made them before now! They are chewable mints (without gelatine) and they are perfect as a two in one product to not only keep your breathe fresh but boost your vitamin intake too. Also in the festival pack there were some *Dextro Energy Orange and Vitamin C (69p) which are great energy boosters and they're so inexpensive!

Painkillers such as *paracetamol (49p) are essentials too as I do get lots of headaches, especially during the summer as I'm wearing sunglasses more and because of the stress of travelling. The *Disprin Direct Chewable Aspirin (£1.99) are also great, portable and easy option for headaches, migraines and period pain relief.

Lastly, for tablets are the *Phenergan Tablets (£3.99) which are tablets for hayfever relief and travel sickness so if you have both then these are definitely worth a try. I have tried so many hayfever tablets and products but I haven't tried these before and so far so good!

Haircare

Next up, haircare! My hair is usually fine with any shampoo or conditioner but since bleaching the ends of my hair, I have to be a bit more selective and the *Touch Of Silver Colour Care Shampoo (£1.86, 200ml) has been helping to keep my hair a bit less brassy which is amazing and it's so cheap!

Dry shampoos are also an essential, particularly during the hot summer months and while on holiday! I adore the Colab dry shampoos but I wanted to get a mini *Batiste Dry Shampoo (£1.40, 50ml) which is a easier size to travel with compared to the large Colab bottles.

Emergency Items

Whether you're going camping, aboard on holiday or to a festival (even just on a road trip), it's always a good idea to have some emergency items on hand such as a first aid kit, painkillers, *heat patches (£1.90) and of course, plasters! I have a couple of packs of the *Savlon Fabric Plasters (£1.99) which contains 40 plasters per box. I go through SO many plasters on holiday as shoes always cause my ankles to bleed so they are definitely an essential for me! Mini scissors, tweezers and nail files are also items to add to your makeup bag!

Skincare 

Lastly, onto skincare and one item that divides the beauty and blogging community - wipes! Some people hate wipes and others rely on them and I'm in the middle. For my heavy halloween makeup looks, I'll go through lots of wipes and I use wipes on holiday but of the rest of the time I'll use my regular skincare products and go through my full routine as I don't think wipes get the job done as completely and effectively as a full skincare routine. Although they are great for holidays and festivals. I like the *Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes (£1.94) and the *Nivea 3 in 1 Cleansing Wipes (£2.75) as they are pretty good and they're so inexpensive.

SPF is an essential during the summer months, even in the UK so I find the best way to get my SPF protection is through my skincare. The *Nivea Sensitive Day Cream (£4.99, 50ml) is not only a fantastic and gentle moisturiser for my eczema prone skin but it also contains SPF15. One area most people overlook when it comes to SPF is lip balm, the *Flava Craze Lip Balms by Chapstick (£2.86) contain SPF 10-15 which is fantastic and such an easy way to get some UVA/UVB protection.

Thanks so much to the lovely people at chemist.co.uk! Definitely check out their website if you are looking for essentials, toiletries, skincare and travel helpers as the prices are fantastic and they festival packs are great as a pre-packaged kit.

Have you tried any of these products? What are your summer travel or festival essentials? 

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Latest In Beauty: Festive Edit 2019 + Hall Of Fame Box

We all know by now how much I love the Latest In Beauty monthly subscription boxes and I'm forever grateful that I'm lucky enough to review their boxes every month. The festive edit is even better than usual (I didn't know that was possible) as you'll receive a few extra treats in your December box such as discounts, exclusive offers, a surprise gift and a mini box of Lindt truffles! Additionally, if you're a brand new subscriber then you will also receive a free makeup bag too.

*Latest In Beauty - December 2019 Edit 

The December festive edit is beautifully packaged as always and the selection of products for the month is very diverse, from eye drops, beauty tools and dry shampoo to body products, skincare, toothpaste and tea. The brands for the month of December are great too including Unite, Klorane, Nars and more! I am always happy with the subscription boxes from Latest In Beauty I receive; for more reviews, check out the subscription boxes link.

Systane Complete Eye Drops 

If you've been following my blog or social media since the summer then you might know that I underwent laser eye surgery in July and for a couple of months before then as well as for weeks after, I had to use eye drops religiously up to six times per day. Thankfully I don't need to use them as often now but I do still suffer with dry eyes occasionally, which is a common side effect of LASIK.

I have a few eye drops and gels that I've been trying over the past few months and they all work fairly well but I'm still looking for one that is better than the rest. When I noticed eye drops on the list of products for the December edit, I had to try it as it's something I use constantly. They're great drops so far, especially as they are a little thicker so they tend to be better for my dry eyes.

White Glo Extra Strength Whitening Toothpaste 

Another product I use constantly is whitening toothpaste as I am an avid coffee drinker so it's something I need. I have tried this brand before and loved their products so I'm happy to have a travel size version of their extra strength whining toothpaste. I find that whitening toothpastes can be very hit or miss and most of them for me have been disappointing but this one is definitely worth trying if you're looking for an everyday subtly whitening toothpaste.

Tario Bath Soaks 

Baths and pampering at this time of the year are essential! The dark nights can affect your mood and the colder weather can impact your skin so soaking in the bath and pampering yourself is important. I love Lush and Bomb Cosmetics bath bombs but sometimes I like the use bath salts as the scent tends to last longer. These bath salts smell heavenly as they contain lavender and we all know how much I adore any product that is lavender scented.

Unite 7 Seconds Detangler  

When I saw this products on the website, I was instantly intrigued and taken back a few years in time to when I watched Fleur's youtube videos constantly and I'm sure that she raved about this product quite a few times so I had to try it. Although my hair is shoulder length, it is still very thick and can become tangled easily but I haven't found a detangler that truly works on my hair. Thankfully this one is a great option and along with The Wet Brush, as it allows my hair to become tangle-free almost instantly.

Klorane Dry Shampoo 

Klorane is a brand I've only tried one or two products from over the years but this French brand has a range of simple but intriguing products. I am a constant dry shampoo user as I only tend to wash my hair three times per week at the most so I'm always on the hunt for the best dry shampoo I can find. My favourite so far has to be a tie between the Colab dry shampoo range (although I prefer the original version to the latest variations) and the Lee Stafford keep It Clean dry shampoo. This option has a gentle formula that contains oat milk to fresh the hair and add volume and so far so good.

The Vintage Cosmetic Company Duo Pencil Sharpener 

The final product from the festive edit is a tool from The Vintage Cosmetic Company. I recently discovered that in all of my makeup bags and drawers, I don't have a pencil sharpener. Thankfully this one is ideal for both eyeliners and the larger Nars velvet matte lip pencils that I was daily in my  makeup routine. As I've mentioned, with a subscription to the December box, you'll also receive a mini box of Lindt truffles as well as offers, discount codes and more.

Now onto part two of my mammoth Latest In Beauty post and I'm reviewing their newest limited edition box which is the Hall Of Fame box. I love receiving the monthly boxes, especially as I'm able to choose all of the items in the box but the limited edition collections are even better as they are incredibly value for money! I'm always very happy when a new collection from Latest In Beauty arrives as they typically contain a plethora of amazing products from a range of fantastic brands and this box is no different.

*Latest In Beauty Hall Of Fame Box (£32, worth £180)

The Hall Of Fame box contains twelve products from a variety of brands, many of which are more on the higher end of the spectrum, such as Marc Jacobs, Clarins, Aromatherapy Associates, Nars and Jurlique, among others. The collection is based around some of the best loved products of the year and some of the most coveted brands. I think it would make an amazing Christmas gift or a treat for yourself after dealing with all of the festive madness.

Jurlique Rose Hand Cream 

Let's start with one of the body products which also happens to be one of the nicest smelling items in the box too. I have tried a few products from Jurlique, including their rose skincare range, and I've loved everything so I knew I would love this hand cream too. I find that rose scented products can smell a little...old fashioned to be it kindly; however, I love this scent. The hand cream itself is lovely and I know it is an item I will use daily through the upcoming winter months.

Show Premiere Dry Shampoo 

I haven't heard of this brand before but I'm always interested in trying a new dry shampoo, particularly when it is packaged so beautifully. I love the bottle for this product and so far it has worked fairly well on my hair although I do prefer my Colab or Lee Stafford dry shampoo, if I'm honest.

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm 

As well as new to me brands, the box also contains a few products that could be described as cult classics or well loved products within the beauty industry and the Clarins Flash Balm is one of them. It is an instant pick-me-up for the skin as it brightens and helps to reduce the look of fatigue. I haven't been able to try it yet but I can't wait as it is such a well loved and raved about product.

Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Oil 

Last but not least for the body products is a gorgeously scented bath and shower oil from Aromatherapy Associates. They make some of the most luxury and heavenly scented bath oils out there and I cannot recommend this one enough.

Shiseido Ultimate Concentrate

Now onto a few skincare items and the first is from a brand I have wanted to try for a while but this is my first Shiseido product. The serum contains vitamins to help protect the skin against the effects of the environment, stress and blue light. This product has won so many awards, it's almost unreal!

Murad AHA/BHA Cleanser 

Murad is just another skincare brand that I've heard great things about but I need to explore it further. The cleanser is designed to be an intensive, deep cleaning product that removes impurities, exfoliates the skin and leaves it looking smoother and more youthful.

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant 

In the first few years of blogging Dermalogica was one of the only brands that everyone was talking about and I did try some of their sensitive skincare range which I loved - even with the horrendous eczema I had at the time but I haven't really tried anything since. I do remember loving this product and also finding it a little odd to use as it is a powder exfoliant that you mix with water to create an exfoliating liquid.

Lipstick Queen Nothing But Nudes Lipstick - Sweet As Honey

I have been loving the Frog Prince lipstick from Lipstick Queen for a year now so I was very happy to find a lipstick from the brand within this collection. Firstly, let's take a moment to appreciate the gorgeous box and packaging of this nude lipstick as well as the very satisfying magnetic closer. I have the shade 'sweet as honey' which is a pale pink nude on my lip and sadly the shade is too light against my skin. Although I love the packaging and the texture of the lipstick as it feels like a nourishing balm.

Nude By Nature Perfecting Primer 

Another item from the box that I haven't heard of before is this foundation primer from Nude By Nature. The primer combines natural active ingredients to help reduce the signs of visible ageing while helping your makeup last longer.

Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Primer 

The second primer in the box and one of my all time favourite makeup items, is the smudge proof eyeshadow primer from Nars. I have been using this eyeshadow primer for years so I'm very happy to have a new mini version as mine is almost entirely gone now! This is the only eyeshadow primer that actually works for my deep set/hooded eyes.

Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Mascara 

The penultimate item is a very exciting addition to the box as it's a luxe mascara! I have wanted to try the Marc Jacobs makeup range since I was launched a few years ago and while I have tried a couple of their eyeliners, I haven't tried anything else. This mascara is fantastic and a welcome addition to my collection as I recently had an end of the year sort out of my makeup!

Eyeko Eye Do Liquid Liner

Eyeko is a brand I've tried many liners and mascaras from as it's what they are well known and loved for so I knew I'd like this liquid liner. I've started to wear more eye makeup since my eczema has disappeared entirely from my face for the whole year and I'm loving using liquid liner again.

Have you tried any of these products? What do you think of the festive edit or the Hall Of Fame box? 

*gifted

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2017 Beauty Favourites

It's finally time to publish my 2017 beauty favourites post which was so difficult to narrow down but here it is! I have some brand new favourites and some from 2016 as well which have been consistently my favourite products so I couldn't leave them out even if they have appeared in other favourites posts. Let's start with the best category, makeup:

Makeup

I'm not going to rank any of the products but one of my very top favourites has to be the fantastic Temple Spa Concealer which was sent as a surprise blogger mail package and I've loved it since I received it. If you have dry skin as I do then you'll know how difficult it can be to use a foundation or concealer that doesn't emphasis dryness which this one doesn't so it's been perfect for the colder months!

I have two palettes that I've been loving in 2017, one of which is an old favourite and it's the Too Faced Semi Sweet Palette which has pretty much everything I need in one palette! I've also been loving TheBalm Meet Matt(e) Palette which is great too and I cannot recommend them enough. A mascara that has wowed me this year is the DHC Double Protection Mascara as it is so gentle and easy to remove with just warm water.

Lastly for the base products, the first is the Real Techniques Miracle Sponge (from face.co.uk) which is a great alternative to the very expensive Beauty Blender. My favourite foundation of the past couple of years as been the Bourjois 10 Hour Sleep Effect Foundation and I ran out of it while I was half way through my makeup for New Years eve! Now that I'm having to use other foundations, I'm realising how much I loved it and how wonderful it made my skin look. The final makeup is my much loved Essence Fixing Powder which has been a favourite of mine for the past two to three years.

Skincare 

I only have two new skincare favourites this year, the first being the Eucerin AtoControl Cream which I'm using now and I'm loving it for my eczema prone skin and secondly the Merci Handy Facial Mists which were essentials during the ridiculously how summer days we had last year. I've also been loving all of my Antipodes skincare and I cannot recommend their products enough!

Bodycare & Misc 

My final category is body care, haircare and miscellaneous products but I'll start with the most impressive semi-permanent hair colour I've ever used which is the Joico Colour Butters! 2017 was the year that I bleached the ends of my hair and dyed it a range of colours. The Jocio Colour Butters were the most incredibly vibrant, quick (less than ten minutes to develop) and long lasting semi-permanent hair colours ever!

For my other haircare favourites, I've loved all of the Colab dry shampoos I've tried and I've just bought a few more as they're fantastic. I was very kindly sent the GHD Ruby Styler last year and it's been one of the few few hair tools I've used and I cannot recommend GHDs enough.

Finally onto the bodycare products, a couple of essentials that I loved in 2017 include the Organii Lavender Liquid Soap which smells heavenly, the Cetraben Lotion that is a miracle product for the eczema on my hands and the Bomb Cosmetics Hand Treatment which is one of my favourite and creams ever!

Another heavenly product has to be the Crabtree and Evelyn Lavender and Espresso Body Butter which is the most relaxing and unique smelling body butter and one of the most moisturising. I also have to mention the Feather and Down Pillow Spray which I've been using for a while now and I cannot recommend it enough and finally for my favourites, the Lush Get Closer Dusting Powder which is a great multi-use talc.

Honourable Mentions

I obviously have to include a few honourable mentions in this post as there were so many wonderful products from 2017 such as the Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dolce Vita, the Antipodes Manuka Honey Eye Cream, the Essence All Eyes On Me Waterproof Mascara, Eylure Brow Gel and the Bumble and Bumble Pre-a-Powder.

Have you tried any of these products? What were your favourites from 2017? 

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