Travel Mini Me

   

As the weather heats up, we embrace the spring.

Throwing off the layers of winter, our wander lust kicks in. Long weekends, mini breaks, city breaks, girlie holidays, the travel chatter begins. With  many people (like myself) opting to travel light i.e no checked luggage. Finding suitably sized products to keep you looking, as fabulous as you  would at home can take the joy of of preparing for a holiday/vacation. 

 Here enters the travel mini. 

One unlikely source of travel minis is your local chemist. 

There are many items sold in our  everyday high street (Boots / Superdrug)  which do not require agonizing over which items are best suited for us to use our 3 for 2 offer. 

This Astral cream is lightweight and very suited for the super hot temperatures. It is also 100ml and falls within the airport liquid requirements for flights. Any 30ml fragrance (with a sensible cover) is suitable travel mini in my book. Avene thermal water 50ml perfect for a spritz, to refresh your makeup or a cool down. A bar of soap like this Dove bar is a great way to save liquid space (weight in your handbag), pop in your carry on, zip and go.

Spf, should have a top spot in all summer travel kits and so should an effective remover. Soap and Glory Ultimelt (recommended to me by the skincare goddess Caroline Hirons) and Botanics Hot cloth cleanser are two travel (sized)  products you can find in your nearest Boots. 

  which are always suitable for travel. 



Christmas gift sets are an overlooked  source of great travel  minis.
The Boots Extracts mini body butters set, (the Soap & Glory body butter wheel gift) and the Ren Mini Travel set are great Christmas buys which make great travel minis. 




If you follow my blog, dropped in here and there, said hello occasionally, you know that I am a lover of a magazine freebie. Now I love a magazine (3 cheers for the revamped Cosmopolitan UK, it was long over due, doing very well so far). However I like a magazine with free stuff especially if it  is a magazine that I read all the time. The photo below shows the travel minis, I have collected from magazines over the last 6 months.  

 The last source of unlikely travel minis are samples. Do not over look a sample. Those little tubes of toothpaste at the dentist, The 5ml of foundation sample. The free hair shine / moisturizer/ hair gel in the relaxer kits. Even the little sample sprays from the fragrance counter. Samples are a great addition to your travel mini beauty kits.

Safe travels my lovelies.
xx

April Favourites

Hey lovelies, I am tucked up in bed with a cup of hot chocolate, it is raining cats and dogs outside. 

So I have decided to share with you what were my favorite products for the month of April. 

Some of these products you might have seen before, some of them are new. 

Everyday Favourites: 

Armani shades - between low glare in the mornings and the dazzling sunlight in the afternoons, having these bad boys in my hand bag have been a necessity. 

Jack Wills umbrella - did you know umbrellas are pricey? Like seriously this umbrella was "12 and it was half price!!!!. I came to the rude awakening, that I have never actually purchased  an umbrella, (when I bought this umbrella).  I mean for an every day product, they are pricey, especially if you want a sturdy one to hold up against these hurricane rains /tornado winds we seem to be getting these past few months. 

Body Favorites:

Garnier 7 day Intense moisturizing lotion - good moisturizer not to light and now to heavy  perfect for the fluctuating temperatures of Spring. 

 Dove Hibiscus and Almond shower cream - has been keeping my skin clean as well as soft. Sanctuary body spray - great for spritzing on the go, as well as topping up during the day, the scent is very light. I know you are wondering why I have two body scrubs/exfoliators as well as exfoliating gloves. Exfoliating gloves are the business, I use them every day, with my Dove Almond and Hibiscus shower cream.  

There is a method to the madness with the 2 body scrubs. Gigi No Bump Scrub - is for use in delicate areas such as the bikini line and decolletage.  The Body Shop Raspberry Body Scrub this is for use every where, but I moistly focus on the back of my thighs and arms with this. 

Face Favourites:

 Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer - medium coverage plus spf, this has been my regular base not that the morning have been lighter. 

 Garnier Micellar water -this has been a great makeup remover, plus at 400ml for £4.99, this has been great value for money. 

MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural - great face powder on its own as well as topping up my Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer. 

 Murad perfecting day cream with spf 30 - it goes on and gives my skin a grey  tinge, which does not last. My skin totally absorbs it  and it leave no residue, plus it doesn't interfere with the application of my Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer which contains spf 20.

 (I am all for the spf, I am going to be as well preserved as possible, no leather face here. Moisturizer, water and spf are my friends) 

Hair Favourites:

ORS Oil Moisturizing Hair Lotion - I've been using this for years. It works great as a hair moisturizer I just continue using it. 

Almond Oil (decanted into the Tresemme liquid gold bottle) - this is what I use to seal in the moisture of the Olive oil hair lotion. 

There you have it my April favourites,

xxx

New stuff - Shop it, shop it up, look at all these bags

      A beauty blogger on a spending ban is not a good thing. As soon as I implemented my project 10 pan, (which turned into 20 lotions and potions pan) companies started dropping new releases left right hand centre. The one release which I was most in angst about was the arrival of the L'oreal Micellar water and cleanse off oil. I love a cleansing oil, I have reviewed the Origins Cleansing oil previously on this blog. I also love a Micellar water (which lead me to review my Bioderma Micellar water twice, can you say blogger faux pas). 

    However Project 10 pan is now over, like any good beauty blogger I have been shopping it up. There are some lusts, some necessities and the odd shower gel in this line up. What can I say I am a sucker for a good scent and some lather. 

Nivea Shower oils in Lemon, Water Lily and Melon

Nivea shower oil in Hawaiian bliss

River Island Nautical Earrings 

Zara Geometric Print Scarf

Laura Mercier Tinted moisturiser Oil Free sfp20

Sally Hansen No Chip Acrylic  top coat

Origins GinZing moisturizer

L'Oreal Skin Cleansing oil

L'Oreal 3 in 1 Purifiying Micellar Water (someone thinks they are fancy huh)

PIXI Glow Tonic 

Wonderbra Ultimate Strapless Bra

Dove Blue Fig and Orange Blossom Body wash

 

ORS Hair Mayonnaise 

There is is my  haul,

 not to worry I did it the Kanye way --> 

I did not spend what I did not have.

 xx

Summer Fragrances

 When you are contending with a 9-5, (job for those not clued up on Miss Dolly) fragrances can be a tricky thing to learn. How much is to much? How often should I reapply? Should I even reapply? Is that person really allergic to scents or are they just being annoying?  I personally love a perfume that I can apply once and they keep going and going and going hence my love for the CoCo Madmoiselle by Chanel and Romance by Ralph Lauren fragrances.

Some might find the idea of making such a pricey purchase for ever day wear not cost effective. However there are alternatives to  perfume for those who would like to indulge in a spritz or two of scent here and there. Body Sprays laced with essential oils and eau de toilettes ( a lighter version of perfume) can be cost a cost effective way of keeping you spritzed up during the warmer weather.

My current summer fragrances are:

Dove go Fresh Cucumber and Green Tea body mist

Sanctuary Spa Body Spray - They make a shower oil which I am dying to try, along with the eau de toilette to match this body spray.

Zara White Eau de toilette - I have spied 2 summer fragrance offerings from Zara, at first sniff they were very lovely. I will investigate further. The Zara fragrances have quite good staying power. 

Which fragrances are you wearing my lovelies? 

Comment below and let me know.

xx

Current Bath Time Routine

Dove Creme Mouse Body Wash 

Dove Original Anti -Perspirant Deodorant

Vaseline Cocoa Radiant Body Butter 
Soap and Glory Mist You Madly Body Spray

Zara Rose Eau De Toilette 

The Body Shop Raspberry Body Scrub 

These are the bath products I currently have in rotation. With the weather still behaving crazy, snow/hail/sleet,  the cold air and fake heating it is too easy to fall into the trap of not taking care of the skin on your body. To combat this I am trying to use as many moisturizing products as possible and exfoliating regularly.


Stay warm my lovlies 
xx

Haul

      These are just a few things which I have picked up over time between December/Christmas/January sales/February, nothing fancy just mostly life's essentials 

Dove body wash l-r Go Fresh Nectarine and White Ginger, Shea butter and warm vanilla, Almond with Hibiscus, Creme Mousse Body Wash  Brightening, Nourishing

 Dove body washes these were all on 50% off so I stocked up on the scents which I had not tried before. (There is a new go fresh one I spotted in Sainsbury's, cannot wait til these are used up to get my mitts on that one!!!)

l-r Garnier Clean Sensation, Sure Radiant, Linen dry, Dove Invisible dry, Original

Superdrug were selling the Garnier Deodorants for 50% off so I purchased 1 to try, do not sleep on these ladies and gentlemen they are really lovely. Boots were selling the Sure 150ml at £1 per bottle in the last 2 weeks of December so I purchased 2. These dove deodorants I was gifted by lil sis for Christmas.

Garnier wipes l-r Rose, Sensitive, Aloe 

 I originally bought 6 packs of face wipes  during the half price sale at Superdrug. If you read this blog you know I love Garnier face wipes. I think they are the best ones on the high street. I bought these in December, this post is going live in March, lol some of them got used up along he way. 

 I love love love body butters. These are a selection from boots which they  bring out every year with the Christmas Gifts. I just love them because they are so handy, small and portable. The set is usually £10 but I purchased it in the after Christmas sale in January for £5, £1 each, can you say bargain. This would be ideal for anyone who is planning to travel or go away for a long weekend. 

Body butter Selection from Boots 

No7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Brush

The High Street Clarasonic. This I bought in February while it was on offer for £15 (original price £24.99).  I have never used a Clarasonic but after using this I would def invest in one. Comment below if you would like me to do a review. 

l-r black, navy, mocha, moss and chocolate

Primark Body Shaper leggings -------> 3 things 1. these have a very high level of elastic, 2, they keep you very warm, 3 they keep your body very firm and smooth. These have been keeping me warm while I bum around the house. On very chilly days I layer them up under my sweat pants or lounge pants. 

xx 

Current Favourites

     Since it is too late for January favourites I have made an alternative list. These are the things which have been getting me through the month of January.

My godson  (yippie, yahoo, yay yay)

Longchamp le Pliage Tote 

MAC Studio Fix + powder in NW45

Leggings (the are not pants but they do keep me warm)

Merlot

Sanctuary Brightening facial hot cloth cleanser 

Sleek blush in Flushed

Mascara

Brita Fill and Go water bottle/personal filter

Joules Wellington boots (great for combating the snow)

Vaseline Cocoa Radiant Body Butter

Jergens Oatmeal Body Cream 

Dove Go Fresh Grapefruit and Lemongrass deodorant

Ralph Lauren Romance perfume (Birthday gift)

Emporio Armani Sunglasses (Birthday gift)

Chanel CoCo Mademoiselle perfume (Birthday gift)

Chai Tea 

Amaretto cake 

Nivea essential care lip balm (dark blue cover) been using this since 2001 and still going strong. been going through this like nobody's business, due to the horrible weather we are having in Nottingham. 

Rizzoli and Islies (these two women are a hot mess incorporated, but the show is great, lol)

Scandal (you just need to watch, too much to explain)

 Flashpoint (cute men who do police work, good show I got drawn in by the eyecandy *shrug*)

Blue Bloods  It's about a family of Irish Americans who have made Police work the family business family, fun, love and old fashioned family values. (I remember when this first came out I though ANOTHER show about New York City REALLAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY. I have been getting into it and I just love the family lunches on Sunday.) 

xx
Miss Mai

Perfect Pairings - Plum

     Unlike my last post BOTH of these items contain Plum in the scent. This will be a high/ low pairing, the scents compliment each other very well. 

 L'OCCITANE's Plum Blossom skin moisture gel - though it was the Garnier moisture gel which sent me scurrying to the loving arms of Cocoa Butter in February. I quite like this moisture gel, for one thing it actually moisturises and does not disappear within two minutes, leaving my confused as the whether I had moisturised my skin. It has a light consistency and spreads well, but it is not watery. 

Dove Go Fresh Plum and Sakura Blossom body wash - one thing I have noticed about Dove body washes which I have never noted, they lather really well. For products which contain 1/4 moisturiser they have alot of bubbling action going on. However even with the bubbling action, this body wash will eave your skin feeling clean and moisturised but not tight as you would from soap. 

Perfect Pairings - Berry Berry

This paring is a little more on the fruity side, but it is gorgeous. One thing I love and hate about Body Shop products is the lasting smell. However the love I have for lotions and potions which smell great far outweigh the hate. 

The Body Shop Raspberry body Scrub - gorgeous berry scent, a jelly like formula and the Raspberry seeds are not too harsh on the skin. 

     
     Dove go Fresh Pomegranate and Lemon Verbena scent body wash - to my nostrils this is the best complimentary body wash for this body scrub (unless you count the Raspberry shower gel from The Body shop) The body wash itself is gentle on the skin, especially in these harsh Arctic temperatures we will soon face. Like all other Dove body washes it is made with 1/4 moisturiser and in my opinion is a great low end substitute for shower cream.