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? 

April 2014 Favourites

This past month, it has really started to fell like spring. The nights are getting lighter, the days longer and not to the mention to ever so slight warmth in the air. Today a bring you my select few products that have really stood out to me over the recent weeks...

I love my Clarisonic month in, month out, but this month I switched the basic head for the Deep Pore Brush Head and that is when things changed. I did go through a mini 'purging' phase but it only lasted a week or two, however since then my skin looks much clearer and brighter and I have noticed a difference in the size of my pores. This is a pricey investment, but I wouldn't want to be without it.

Every month a new Essie polish steals my heart. April's Essie Polish Award goes to Lilacism - the perfect spring shade. Soft, feminine and oh so cute.

Illuminating powders are now my thing. Once upon a time I wouldn't give them the time of day but they are now a firm fixture in my makeup routine. I go through stages of which I love the most, and this month the crown definitely goes to the Bourjois Java Rice Powder. A translucent powder that gives your skin a photo-shopped effect.

Newest to the skin care line up is the infamous Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum. I have been using this most evenings lately and although it is too early to say about any definite results, I love how it makes my skin feel. I wake up with clear, plump and just generally happy skin. 

Not technically a beauty product, but it is a beautiful product in my eyes is the Jo Malone Sweet Almond & Macaroon Candle. Easily the most delicious, 'good enough to eat', candle I have ever come across. If you like cherry bakewell and all things sweet, then you will like this.

What have you been loving this month?

March 2014 Favourites

Yep, I'm a little late to this last months favourites party. March was a bit hectic and all over the place, hence the quick but effective products that make up this months round-up. I always found myself looking for the simpler option that would cut down the time it took to do my routine so that I could have that extra five minutes of sleep.

The Clinique Take The Day Off Balm has to be my number one product from March. A miracle product that makes taking makeup off a dream, even stubborn mascara. Scentless and hard it texture, this balm melts into an oil which it turn melts off your makeup. 

Talking of stubborn mascara, Benefit They're Real has become a holy grail product of mine. No other mascara gives me lashes like this does. Long, full and blacker than black this mascara has compliments pouring in. I have been popping on a couple coats of this stuff most days and just leaving my eyes at that. This stays all day long, but it can be a pain to remove - unless you have the Clinique balm in your stash that is.

Another no-faff product comes in the form of the Jemma Kidd All Over Radiance Creme. Simply patted onto the tops of my cheeks using my ring finger, this makes for the perfect dewy glow to see in spring. Unfortunately this is no longer available, but I would love to know if there is any dupes out there?

Soap & Glory Smoothie Star Breakfast Scrub has been my favourite shower companion this month, not only does this smell delicious, even good enough to eat,  it works amazingly to buff away dead skin, leaving a soft and silk-like feel to your skin.

Anytime that my skin has started to play up over the past year, it has been due to the fact that I have ran out of the REN Clear Calm3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser. A clay based cleanser that I use only in the morning to help keep oil at bay during the day. I find that this really helps to purify my skin and keep it clear, it also works wonders for maintaining good skin. 

Another product that I always reach for when my skin is misbehaving is the Origins Out of Trouble Mask. A 10 minute solution to spots and blemishes, I use this every other night whilst having a breakout or once to twice a week when I'm not. 

Better late than never, eh? What products did you love last month?

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? 

Best of Beauty 2013

2013 was an amazing year beauty-wise. I discovered so many products and brands that I know will remain in my collection for years to come, and some that I don't know how I survived with out them before. I think it is safe to say that Origins was the brand that most stood out to me over the past year and if you haven't already tried their products, go and do so right now - I promise that you will not be disappointed. 

Makeup.

This was a year of firsts for me when it came to makeup as I found myself falling for products that I thought I wouldn't even like. The Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation (review) was one of my favourite discoveries. Usually I am a matte girl, but this foundation gives an luminous glow to the skin that I found myself lusting after, the best bit about this product is the amazing coverage it gives but still with a gorgeous natural finish.  To go with my cravings for a glowing complexion, I tried out the Bourjois Java Rice Powder (review), a illuminating translucent powder that not only gives the skin a radiant look but also makes your skin looks almost airbrushed and flawless. Another first for me was cream blushes, something a matte-finish lover doesn't tend to go for, but with my quest for radiance, and the hype that surrounded them, the Chanel Le Blush Creme De Chanel (review) also won my heart. These give a bright pop of colour to any makeup look, while still looking natural and dewy. After months of wanting them, I finally purchased some of the KORRES Lip Butters (review), not usually one for lip balms, these tinted, non-sticky pots of loveliness are amazing that get used on a daily basis.

Skincare.

It's no secret that I love skincare and for me, cleansing is the most important step. The Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm (review) has changed the way I cleanse my skin every night. It removes every last trace of my makeup while still nourishing the skin, it is a little on the pricey side of things but this luxury product is worth every penny. It was unintentional that three of four of my skincare favourites were by Origins, but I really do love that brand. The Out of Trouble Mask (review) is a life saver if you have skin prone to blemishes and breakouts, it not only prevents them with continual use but also helps to get-rid of them when you have a break out. This product is probably the best discovery of 2013 and I will not be with out one in my stash, and one as a back-up. Origins Drink Up-Intensive Overnight (review) is a wonderful product that I would recommend to anyone who wants to put a little dose of hydration into your skin for a plump and glowing complexion. 2013 was the year that I discovered serums and my top pick from the bunch has to be the Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Bright (review). I mentioned before my journey to getting radiant skin and this brightening serum does the job perfectly, I noticed such a difference in the appearance of my skin form the first use and I like to use this whenever my skin is in the need for a little pick me up. 

Hair.

I have spent the past two years trying to get my hair in much healthier condition after destroying it with bleach during my 'experimental' phase. My hair care routine is now almost as complex as my skincare one, but I love each and every step! One thing that has definitely helped my hair this year is discovering dry shampoo, in particular the Batiste XXL Volume Dry Shampoo. I used to wash, blow dry and style my hair every single day, but now I can happily go one to two days in between washes which has changed the condition of my hair to no end. Less heat is always better for hair, plus this product gives huge amounts of volume. The L'Oreal Mythic Oil is a step that I never miss out of my hair care routine. I apply this pre-blow dry to smooth over and tame any frizz. I find this really helps in whatever style I decide to have my hair, whether it be curly or straight. The Redken Extreme range are probably my favourite hair products of 2013, especially the Extreme Strength Builder Mask (review). I use this once a week alongside the shampoo to give my hair the most deep conditioning treatment for silky smooth locks, with continuous use I have found this to re-build my hairs strength that has been broken down due to heat and dying. 

Other.

One other product that has stood out to me over the past twelve months has to be the infamous Seche Vite top coat. This stuff adds a super shiny gloss effect to your nails and drys in about a minuet, which is fab for those late night nail painting sessions. 

This is just a small selection of my favourite products throughout 2013, the products that stood out to me the most, the creme de la creme if you will. Other wise we could have been here for hours. What were your favourite products from the last year? 

November 2013 Favourites

Another month, another lot of favourites. However I seemed to have gone back in time by a few months as all of these products seem to have a summery feel to them...

Summer complexion: bright and glowing. I have been loving the Origins Mega-Bright Serum (full review here) to give me a smooth and more radiant complexion over the past few weeks. I also find this to give a great base for applying makeup and helps to improve any redness in the skin. The Laura Mericer Silk Creme Foundation (reviewed here) has been another favourite of mine for giving me a more glowing look. 

Summer colours: pinks and corals. The Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Tipsy was my go-to blush over the warmer months and it has definitely made a return this month for days when I feel like my skin needs a little pick-me-up as it brightens up my makeup look, no matter how simplistic it is. A lip combo that just shouts summer, but has been adorning my lips in November is MAC Lovelorn and KORRES Lip Butter in Jasmine (read more here). This duo gives a bubblegum pink colour to the lips which I have been wearing almost everyday. 

See what I mean by a summery feel to this months favourites? It's OK to mix it up though - right? 

October 2013 Favourites

October was a good month for me, not only was it my birthday month but I discovered a load of new beauty products that I have fallen in love with. The products featured this month are all new to my stash and are the ones that have stood out to me most throughout the month.

Now I have raved about these before (here) but the L'Oreal EverRiche Shampoo & Conditioner have been giving me silky smooth hair all month. They have that 'unable to stop touching my hair' effect which I love. Another product that I have already reviewed (here) and sang it's praises is the Bourjois Java Rice Powder, a brightening powder that has been giving my skin the perfected look that I have craved for so long. Something that every beauty lover has been instagramming the past few weeks is Essie's After School Boy Blazer and with good reason. A navy so dark it is pretty much black adorns nails perfectly for autumn. The final two products are both from NARS, and both presents from my boyfriend - heavy hints were given . Gaiety blush is one that I have been after for a while, being a pink kinda girl, for both lips and cheeks, this bright pink shade gives a gorgeous glow to my complexion. The Fairy's Kiss Palette is probably the perfect palette to see you through the autumn/winter months as it is filled with plumy shades to create every day and evening looks and I have been using this nearly everyday.

The leaves have started to fall, meaning all of my berry toned products are coming out, and my wishlist of berry toned products is ever growing... you can probably expect a haul sometime soon.

September 2013 Favourites

September has been a good month product wise, meaning that picking my monthly favourites was super easy. Most of these products are some of my more recent purchases that have stood out, wowed me and have had me reaching for them every day.

First up is Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation which I have been reaching for day in, day out, over September. I went almost a year with out using this but with work being more hetic with Christmas coming up I needed something to stay put all day - and this foundation is the one  that will stay in place for a sixteen hour day. Something that I have repurchased lately is the REN ClearCalm3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser, a mouthful - yes, but it also an oily/blemish prone girls best friend. This is my go to morning cleanser to reduce oiliness throughout the day. The product that has stood out to me most over September is the Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me. A perfect pink/plum shade that has a glossy finish and hydrating properties to see you through the day. You will need to top this up through the day but I find it to last through a four hour shift at work. This has been adorning my lips every single day and I absolutely love it!

Something else that has stood out to me is the CHANEL Creme Blush in Affinite. A super hot pink shade that I like to use with a more simpler makeup look to add a pop of colour. The finish of this is a gorgeous velvet texture which is bang on trend for the autumn/winter seasons. A cult favourite in the beauty community, which has now become a favourite of mine is the Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm. A lovely nourishing cleansing balm that removes every last scrap of makeup. I picked up the Revlon Grow Luscious on a bit of a whim when I saw it on offer in Boots, however I have to say that I am loving it! If you want long, thick lashes then I definitely recommend that you pick this up!

I don't think I will be putting down these product any time soon but I am looking forward to seeing what October brings me beauty wise... It is my birthday month so I am hoping for some good'uns.

August 2013 Favourites

It is that time again, where beauty bloggers unite in gathering a small collection of products that they have been loving for the past month to share with one another and this is normally the time that wish lists grow. You will probably hear/read 'I can't believe it is September already' more times than you would like but seriously... September? Already?  So who would I be to break tradition? This month has been super busy for me so I only have a handful of products to show you, but it is okay because they are little beauty gems.

The main thing I have been using throughout the whole of August is my MAC palette. Although I have a couple slots to fill, I have been loving creating different looks especially ones using my newer shades featured in this MAC haul. As smokey eyes are a favourite of mine, I need a strong brow to go accompany it. Benefit Brow Zings in Medium has been giving me full, Cara Delevingne esk, brows - something that I am a huge fan of! Another Benefit product that has caught my fancy lately is the Rockateur boxed blush. This mauve, rose gold shade goes perfectly with any makeup look giving you a warm flush to the cheeks. To go with the smokey eye, strong brow and flushed cheeks I have been faking my way to brighter, more glowing skin by using the Laura Mercier Illuminating Primer. This has been apart of my routine for a quite a few weeks now and I just can't get enough! Not only does it give you a glowing complexion it also helps to keep my makeup in place throughout the day.

What have you been loving lately? I am much more of a autumn/winter kinda girl so I am looking forward to the next few months, or if you are in the UK like me - eight months...

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?

June 2013 Favourites

Another month has passed which means there is a new little group of favourite products on the block. Each month I change up my products, either in-stash or by buying new ones. Some times they can be a bit naff but others they can be gems that will remain in my collection for years to come and this month I have a mix of both new and old products that have made it into my favourites.

An oldie but a goodie; MAC Hue lipstick. I think this is one of those staple products that I will never be with out and this has certainly been the case this month - I actually cannot remember a day where I have not worn this shade. Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation is one that has made it's way from my stash to my everyday routine. Now reaching the end of it's life, this product has given me the dewy glow that I have been after just by mixing it in with the chosen foundation for that day. Seche Vite is classic product in the beauty but a newbie to me. Nails dry super quick and last for week - what more could you want? Seche Vite, welcome to the holy grail club. Another newbie to me is the Sinful Colours nail polish which went straight to the monthly favourites list. At only £1.99 these are a bargain to be had; great formula, great lasting power and great shade range. I am ready and waiting to pick up some more. The warmer weather calls for a brighter blush and MAC Stereo Rose has been ticking all the boxes this month. A warm coral shade with pink under tones and a subtle shimmer to add some extra glow? Check! New to my make up stash is false lashes. Only a month ago did I try my first pair and I now have three sets, with a wish list of many more. What can I say, it was love at first sight wear.

July is already bringing me some products that are 'favourite' worthy so I will have to try and whittle them down to a smaller selection. Same time next month? See you then.