Holiday Beauty Heroes

You may have noticed my absence over the past few weeks. My holiday came around sooner than I expected and I hadn't planned any posts in advance (bad blogger, I know), so you can consider this my 'Weekly Loves' #21 through to #25. Now it is fair to say that my beauty stash which traveled with me was a little extensive, the handful of products shown above were the ones that I reached for most days and couldn't have been with out.

As for skin care, I really took it down to the bare minimum. It may have included two cleansers, but it was still the minimum. The Liz Earle C&P is no stranger to A Day in Beauty and it is the longest remaining staple product to my skincare line up. I used this as my AM and PM cleanser as it is a great all rounder. I could have easily used this to remove my barely-there makeup as well, but I did have my beloved Clinique balm for that. I also narrowed down my moisturizers and brought Origins GinZing along for the ride. Usually just for the mornings, I found this hydrating and light enough to use for the evenings as well, plus the citrus scent just screams summer holiday. Also, the fact that it comes in a plastic tub makes it weight-allowance friendly. 

I mentioned my makeup was barely-there. I meant this literally. I wore makeup three times throughout the whole of the two weeks and even then it was only for a few hours in the evening - that is what holidays are for... right?  The Bourjois CC Cream was the perfect match for the hot weather. Light and dewy but still with a good amount of build-able coverage. This applies and blends easily for a natrual looking base. My love for the Dior Creme De Rose Balm has been well documented over the months and it was at the top of my list of products to bring. Where ever I went, this went - hand luggage, pool, beach, day trips, shopping, water park... every where. My lips stayed perfectly hydrated and plump, with a beautiful soft pink tint that this gives.

My hair was my main area of concern. Having spent the past three years growing it and getting to a healthy state, I didn't want it to get damaged by the heat or chlorine. I purchased the Redken After-Sun Mask specifically for this purpose. I used this whenever I washed my hair in place of a normal conditioner. I definitely think that this made a huge difference as my hair was, for the most part, in good condition. I can't really say that this worked differently to any other mask but it conditioned my hair, stopping it from becoming too dry and unmanageable so it is a winner in my eyes. I also brought along a sample of the Philip Kingsley Elasticizer - the product that wowed me the most. After a couple of days in and out of the pool, tied up on the top of my head with out being brushed, my hair was in a bit of a mess (yep, that's an understatement). I slathered this on, tied my hair up and slept it in over night and some sort of miracle happened. I washed my hair the next day to find there wasn't any knots or tangles and my hair felt nicer than it ever had before. This is a product I now, never want to be with out and I plan on buying a huge tub of it when payday rolls around. 

As for the most important staples for a holiday - perfume and nail polish... One is an old favourite and one is a new favourite. Essie Fiji adorned my nails on both my fingers and toes and made for the perfect holiday shade. A milky-pink nude that looks fabulous with a tan. This is a universally flattering shade that every one will love, as I have done for years. I wanted a new fragrance for my holiday, something fitting that would always remind of mine and my boyfriends first holiday together. With my ever growing Jo Malone obsession, I opted for their Nectarine Blossom & Honey Cologne. A very fruity scent, with sweet yet almost warm notes running through. This is the perfect summer perfume, weather you're going abroad or staying at home. 

What are your holiday beauty heroes? 

Jo Malone Silk Blossom Cologne

Ok, so my love affair with Jo Malone is still going strong. My wishlist is pretty extensive but there is just something about the luxurious nature of this brand and their ever enticing scents that always have me coming back for more. As soon as I heard about the limited edition Jo Malone Silk Blossom Cologne I knew I would like it but once I saw the design of the bottle, I knew I had to have it...

The bottle is designed with silk blossom in mind. Pink and white in colour, perfect for an appearance on your dressing table, with an added tassel falling down the side of the bottle so when you turn it upside down it will actually look like silk blossom. The scent would be described as a soft powdery floral one due to heart notes of silk blossom, rose petals and jasmine. There are hints of sweet fruit notes from apricot and white pepper but there is also a noticeable earthiness to this cologne from base notes of moss. At first spray the scent comes across as quite sweet and fruity but once it has settled on the skin it becomes more green and floral. As with all Jo Malone products, the scent very strong meaning that only three to five spritzes of this feminine perfume will stay for the whole day.

In comparison to Peony & Blush Suede, I would say Silk Blossom is a more 'grown up' take on my favourite scent. Less floral, more musky, this scent is one that you need to try while you can. If you don't love Peony & Blush Suede then you might like this. If you love Peony & Blush Suede then you will love this too.

Have you tried this perfume?

Weekly Loves #13 & #14

Life has taken over the past couple of weeks, hence the lack posts (and by 'lack' I mean zero). I haven't had much time to do anything, falling asleep at 7pm most nights hasn't helped either. But with my YouTube subscriptions brimming with new videos to watch and a countless amount of posts to read on Bloglovin', I have finally set aside some down time - just me and my laptop. Oh and a little doggy. 

Vera Wang Princess has been my go to perfume for the past couple of weeks. Vanilla based, this scent also has sweet and fruity notes to it. With quite a distinctive, powerful smell, I find that this lasts for up to eight hours on the skin but it will need topping up if you are going from day to night. This is definitely an everyday scent rather than a evening one but it is perfect if, like me, you like your perfumes sweet and fruity. 

Up until a couple of days ago I didn't really get along with the Clarins Instant Eye Makeup Remover, it just never lived up to the hype. In a bid to get my moneys worth I tried using it with out a cotton pad and applied with my fingers. Now, I'm still not amazed by it but it definitely worked a lot better at breaking down my eye makeup so that it was easier to remove with a cleanser. 

A product that I amazed by though is the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. I have had this sample for a few months now and on a whim decided to give it a go, I fell in love instantly. It gave the most perfect, satin-like base to apply my makeup, my skin was glowing, my pores were reduced and my makeup looked flawless. I cannot get over what a miracle worker this product is and after seeing the price of the full sized bottle, I just wish I didn't like it as much. 

An old favourite of mine is the Batiste XXL Dry Shampoo. I may have mentioned this before, but I have really been loving this for the volume it gives to my hair. Not to mention the fact I can go two days between washing my hair, because it is becoming quite a chore. 

I found the BECCA Mineral Blush in Flowerchild in the depths of my stash a couple of weeks ago and have been wearing it ever since. Highly pigmented, yet lightweight this blush has been giving my complexion a spring like glow. A coral based pink with a hint of shimmer that immediately brightens up your look whilst still looking natural and lasting throughout the day. 

What have you been loving over the past couple of weeks? 

Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay Cologne

I have previously mentioned my recent love for Jo Malone - a brand that oozes luxury. From the products to the packaging, Jo Malone has truly got me hook, line and sinker. The newest addition to my line up, was a very well hinted for Valentines Day present last month...

Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay Cologne falls into the 'fruity' category. Not your typical sweet, fruity scent this perfume has more of a green base which comes from the mixed notes of bay leaves and cedar wood. Combined with the top note of blackberry, this makes for what I like to call my 'grown up' scent as it is much more sophisticated then anything else I own. Although this would make a great evening perfume, I love to wear this during the day as it has a crisp and fresh edge to it making it perfect for spring.

This is very powerful scent, meaning that a little goes a very long way. I have come up with an application routine; two spritzes on my wrist which I then press against the other one, three sprays onto the front of the neck/chest area (one from each side and then one in the middle), followed by one spritz to the nape of my neck. I find that by doing this my perfume lasts all day, ensures that the scent is not too strong and it makes the bottle last longer. 

What is your favourite Jo Malone product?

February 2014 Favourites

I know it is a bit cliche to say but seriously, how is it March all ready? After a bit of a whirl-wind month with lots of things going on I have discovered some amazing new and old products, even some life changing ones. Now that may be a tad dramatic, but it is true...

This month saw the return of the Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation in my collection. After living with out it for a couple of months, it was greatly missed. I have been using this every single day this month, the smallest amount gives me the perfected, natural looking base I strive for - along with a bit of concealer of course. 

Another old favourite that has made a return to my daily-makeup rota has been the Le Blush Creme De Chanel, in the shade Inspiration to be exact. A soft pale pink, that accompanies my pale skin perfectly and is super easy to blend. This also works great with any makeup look, just to add a flush of colour to your cheeks.

With February seeing in Valentines Day, it was only right that the best shade of red, in my opinion, made it into this months favourites. Essie A-List polish is a true red shade, not too bright nor too dark, just red. 

Speaking of Valentines Day... I was lucky enough to receive Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay Cologne. A deep fruity scent with fresh, almost crisp notes makes this perfume one that I cannot stay away from. Possibly a new contender for my favourite scent, I am having to ration myself so I don't use it up too quickly.

The Pai Rosehip Oil is the newest addition into my skin care routine, and something I was definitely missing. Applied after serum, I have found this to brighten up my skin whilst adding some much needed hydration. It is still early days yet but so far I very impressed with this little bottle of goodness.

If you have quite fine hair like I do, you know how much of a struggle it is to add some volume to it. The Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce Texturising Spray has been welcomed with open arms into my styling routine, especially where curls are involved. A few sprays throughout my hair and it has almost doubled in size, with a slight hairspray-like hold my hair has the volume I have always wanted and it lasts throughout the day. 

Now onto that life saving product I was talking about... the Unite 7 Seconds Conditioner. A leave in conditioning spray that works wonders for knotty hair. In only a few spritzes this stuff makes combing through unmanageable hair a breeze, how? I'm not quite sure, but this stuff is a hero product in my eyes and don't ever want to be without it. 

What have been your favourite products from the past month? 

January 2014 Favourites

I originally titled this 'January 2013 Favourites', it seems that it is still taking me a little while to adjust to the whole 2014 thing... However, with the new year in full swing now and some of my new years resolutions needing to be refreshed I can safely say that it has been a good month product-wise. 

I said at the beginning of the year that I wanted to step up my skincare game and that I have done with the biggest change being the addition of the Clarisonic Mia 2 to my line up. Something I have wanted for a while, I have been using this most evenings to thoroughly cleanse my skin and although I haven't gone through the dreaded 'purging' phase with this, yet , my skin is looking more clear and healthy. 

My cleanser of choice to use with this has been Origins Zero Oil Cleanser. This is a gel textured product with a refreshing minty scent, which has been working wonders to deep clean my skin and help to control my ever so slightly oily skin.

Fragrance wise, I haven't been able to get enough of Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede - so much so that I am already nearly half way through. A fresh, yet floral scent that just oozes femininity and receives compliments one after another. I really need to limit myself with this perfume but a full sized bottle will definitely be in order. 

Seche Vite is a favourite of mine every single month of the year, but with a very full work schedule this month I have really appreciated the lasting power is gives to my nail polishes. Some chips have appeared - that's retail for you, but nothing that has had me reaching for the bottle every couple of nights.

I also mentioned at the start of the year how I aimed to switch up my makeup products, so this month I am bringing you one old love and two new ones. Benefit POREfessional Primer is a product that I have used for a while now and wouldn't ever want to be with out. It helps in disguising my pores, gives an almost silk like texture to my skin and therefore creating the perfect base and gets makeup to stay put all day. What more could you want?

Probably the most loved product from the whole of January has to be the Dior Creme De Rose Lip Balm. A wonder product in my eyes, this little rose scented pot has made my lips softer than ever and has given them the more plump look that I have always wanted. 

The Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder has given my more rounder-face the definition it deserves. With only the tiniest amount of this super pigmented, ashy shade I have been given cheekbones - and great ones at that. This has also allowed me to have the slimmer nose I have begged my parents for... makeup can do wonders! 

What have been your top picks from this month? 

Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede Cologne

It is no secret that I am a perfume girl at heart, I currently have over ten in collection and love each and every one of them. I usually opt for quite 'girlie' scents, something quite sweet and fruity. However, the game changed when I was introduced to Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede Cologne. 

I find this to be a much more intense scent than most perfumes and rather than a blend of many, this has a few distinctive notes. Peony & Blush Suede is a very feminine, yet sophisticated fragrance. Although this is quite subtle on the skin, I find that you do not need many spritzes in the morning for this to make a lasting impression throughout the day. This would undoubtedly be categorized as floral due to the heart note being peony, however there is also a very fresh feel coming through from the notes of red apple. There is also a base note of suede which adds a slight musky tone. This seems to have all my attention lately and I find my self reaching for this for this day and night, any excuse to wear it if I'm honest! 

For me, presentation is everything. If something has a nice design or comes packaged nicely the chances are I will be coming back for more, and Jo Malone definitely delivers in this area. Each item is presented in a cardboard box, cream and black in colour with a bow tied around it which is then placed in a bag, stuffed with tissue paper and again tied with a bow. Although this is something I would expect from a high end brand, it really adds to the shopping experience as a whole, making everything a little more special. 

With a newly opened Jo Malone boutique where I live I find myself spending a lot of time having a wonder around and spraying all of the different scents. Blackberry & Bay and Nectarine Blossom & Honey are next on my list.

Have you tried anything from Jo Malone?

Marc Jacobs Honey Perfume

When it comes to perfumes; Marc Jacobs it where it is at. With an array of feminine scents encased in super cute bottles there is something to meet the needs of every girl. Daisy, Lola and Dot are just a few names that spring to mind when  thinking of perfumes by Marc Jacobs, but today we are talking about the new kid on the block... Honey. 

Let's address the bottle first, shall we? Sister to the well loved Dot perfume, Honey puts a golden spin on things with black strips and pearls, with white polka dots adorning the bottle. For me, this is puts the icing on the cake. It is all good and well having a delicious scent but when you add a charming bottle to the mix - then you have my attention. On to the scent... a definite sweet yet almost crisp scent fills this bottle. With top notes of pear and mandarin, Honey isn't too  honey. To make this perfume a little sweeter notes of orange blossom and honeysuckle have been added, along with base notes of smooth woods, vanilla and a bit more honey to create a warmer scent.

A sweet fruity/floral scent? Check! An adorable bottle? Check! A box that you just can't throw away so it is sat in a draw somewhere? Check! Does Honey sound like your cup of tea?

They See Me Haulin'...

Hi, my name is Emma-Louise and I am a shopaholic. Shopping is what I like to do, therefore it is what I do. Instore. Online. In my dreams. Any where. I thought I should put this out there as a warning to you all that you can expect a fair few hauls on A Day in Beauty. Usually at the beginning of a month, you know after I have spent all my wages with in a few hours... And this month is no different, except I have split it into two.

The first part of this haul, the one you are currently reading contains things that I have had on wish list for a while now. After seeing the press release pictures of Marc Jacobs Honey Perfume, I knew that I wanted it. Obviously I hadn't smelled it yet but the bottle on it's own was enough for it to be added to my perfume wish list (yep, I have separate wish list categories).So after seeing it in Boots and spraying it all over myself, and loving the scent my boyfriend, very kindly, purchased it for me. He is good like that. Something that I had picked up and put down many times before was the REN AHA Concentrate, but as you can see, this time I went for it and I haven't looked back. A full review will be coming your way soon because this stuff is pretty amazing. I also finally gave into the blogger hype and picked up the Laura Mercier Radiance Primer. I have been loving a glowing complexion lately and this primer gives you that and so much more... Being the candle obsessive that I am, I bought a Yankee Candle in Sicilian Lemon. The perfect sweet citrus scent to fill your house in the summer weather.

As I mentioned before there second part to this haul which will be going up next Wednesday, and just a little teaser for you... it's a MAC one.

July 2013 Favourites

July has been hot month, it has actually represented what summer should be like which is a rarity for the UK. So this month has been all about having a glowing complexion, giving my hair and skin a treat and having that perfect summer scent.

The Origins Out of Trouble mask is a newbie to my collection but it has been sorting my skin out over a couple weeks of break outs. Having used this every other day my skin was left looking clear and blemish free! Benefit's "That Gal" primer (a magazine freebie from months ago) has been giving my skin a healthy glow and helping me to fake a radiant complexion - radiance primers may be my new thing. Another new addition is a creme blush. Never have I owned a creme blush but this one from Bourjois has been hitting all the right spots this month by giving me a subtle flush to my cheeks. Humidity and my hair do not go well together. So in order to prevent dry, brittle ends I have been using the REDKEN Extreme Strength Builder hair mask once a week. If you want super soft locks, I would definitely give this a go! Finally that perfect summer scent I was talking about... Vera Wang Lovestruck Floral. Sweet and floral with a hint of musk, making it perfect for those summer days and nights.

What have you been loving this month?

Vera Wang Lovestruck Floral Rush Perfume

When it comes to perfume I am a sweet fruity/floral kinda girl, all the way. So when I noticed the words 'floral rush' on the prequel of the original Lovestruck perfume (a favourite of mine) I instantly knew that this would be for me.

Vera Wang Lovestuck Floral Rush has a champagne scent which is accompanied by notes of pink passion flower and apricot blossom, followed by base notes of cashmere woods. For those of us who this means nothing too *raises hand* it is a sweet floral scented perfume that has a hint of musk making it not too sickly to wear - always a bonus! This perfume has good lasting power, you may need to top it up if your are going from day to night but for your usual day either working or shopping  it will stick around.

Now onto the main attraction: the bottle. Let's face it, this is probably one of the nicest perfume bottles out there. The purple tinted glass with large plastic flowers as the lid, paired with a floral bow... perfection! This is definitely one of those 'dressing table' perfumes.

Have you tried Vera Wang Lovestruck Floral Rush? What's your favourite perfume?