Summer Holidays!

Finally, the Summer holidays have arrived and after attending a wedding in Manchester over the weekend, I will be flying off to Istanbul tomorrow morning! I've been to Turkey before, but visited Bodrum which is on the South coast. There's a lot to see and do in Istanbul, which I am looking forward to. And I'm especially looking forward to doing some shopping (especially at the Grand Bazaar) and eating Turkish food (which I love!).

I'll be back next week with a blog post about my holiday =)



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You Beauty Discovery - July (Travel)

As the Summer holidays approach, I think it's a good thing that this month's You Beauty Discovery Box theme is travel. The products in the shortlist are all travel-friendly sizes and give you the chance to try something new as the weather gets warmer.

From this month's shortlist, I chose the Philip Kingsley Moisture Balancing Shampoo & Conditioner Duo, and the Vichy Purete Thermale 3 in 1 One-Step Cleanser & Idelia Life Serum Duo. As I'll be going away for a few days to Turkey next month, I chose these products as they'll be perfect to take with me. It'll be a good opportunity to try out new products whilst on holiday and it means that I've got my hair and skincare already sorted (partially anyway). All that's left to get is some sun protection and pack away any other samples I have lying around. The extra products this month include a St Tropez Gradual Tan in-shower lotion, a sachet of Emma Hardie Protect+Prime SPF30 and a taster pack of Nairns Muesli Breaks Oatcakes.
I haven't quite worked out the retail value of this box, but I'm sure it is worth at least the cost of the box (if not more!). What do you think?



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Valencia 2015

Last week, I spent a few days away in Valencia. Aside from going to visit my sister, it was just really nice to have a break from the never-ending pile of work and just enjoy the sunshine. I'll start off by saying that the weather was amazing in Valencia, averaging 29C during the day. There's something about Valencia that makes you relax. It might be the sunshine, or the local people strolling along (no London rush here!) or even just the lack of sirens that makes you want to sit back and simply enjoy the moment. It's easy to spend a few hours just sitting on the beachfront doing absolutely nothing (which is something we did!).

Of course, I couldn't leave Valencia without any shopping, but I'm glad to say that I didn't pick up a crazy amount from Sephora (haul post will be up soon). Other than a few rings and postcards, the rest of my money was spent on food, (which isn't really a surprise) and I got to enjoy Mojito Bubble Tea, Churros, Macarons and Gelato.

Anyway, here are a few of the photos I took. Enjoy =)

 Relaxing on the beachfront with this view

 

Bull ring near the train station

Some of the buildings and sights we saw while on the bus tour. Those pretty purple flowers were everywhere!

 

Gelato!

Valencia Nord Station - The main rail station (think King's Cross)

 

Watching the sunrise at the beach

 

I'd definitely recommend visiting Valencia if you're looking for a mini break away =)



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Time for a Mini Break

I'm off to Valencia today for a little half term break with one of my best friend's (and to see my sister). I'm looking forward to the warmer weather and of course, some shopping. Although it's kind of restricted because I've only got hand luggage, so I can't buy too much!

Hope you all have a lovely week! I'll be back on Friday, so keep an eye out for a blog post full of pictures over the weekend =)




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What's in my Travel Bag? [Flight Essentials]

As you probably know by now, inshaAllah I'll be going on holiday to Dubai in a few days. I'm one of those people that tends to pack well in advance so that everything is ready to go on the day (none of this last minute packing the day before!). I also love making lists and tick things off as I've packed/done them. Anyway, here's what I've put in my hand luggage ready to be used during the flight or once I've landed. My carry on bag isn't very big, so I needed to be extra picky about what to put into it. Also, thanks to the restriction on liquid products, all the items that I've packed are 100ml or less =)

1) La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water (50ml) - I know it's just a water spray, but I know that this spray will help keep me awake during the flight as well as make the heat in Dubai a little more bearable. It definitely will be staying in my bag throughout my holiday.

2) Bioderma Atoderm Nourishing Cream - This little 8ml tube is from the rather large set of Bioderma Samples from Escentual. It'll be mostly used for making sure my eczema doesn't flare up during the flight.

3) Impulse True Love Body Fragrance - This was a last minute (well, a week in advance) addition to my travel bag. The smaller 35ml size means that it'll take up less space in my bag (originally I had a Bath and Body Works Fragrance Mist which was bigger).

4) Lanolips Lip Ointment with Colour SPF 15 (Rose) -  As my usual EOS lip balm is a little bulky, this tube of Lanolips will definitely keep my lips moisturised during the flight and throughout my holiday. The added SPF is a bonus and will protect my lips from any sun damage while I'm out and about. It's the only lip balm I'm packing in my luggage for my holiday.

5) L'Occitane Shea Butter Honey Hand Cream - Another one of my handbag essentials going into my travel bag. L'Occitane hand creams are 20% Shea Butter and keep the skin moisturised without leaving any residue. I also love using this for a mini hand massage, which is something I can do whilst on the flight =)

6) Wet Ones Sensitive Wet Wipes - In case of any emergencies, I do like to keep a packet of wet wipes in my bag.

7) Bioderma Photoderm Max SPF 50+ cream - Another little Bioderma miniature for my hand luggage. I know that once we land it'll be around 10am but it'll be pretty warm and bright outside, so I'll definitely need to apply sun protection before heading out of the airport.

8) Optrex Eye Drops (for dry eyes) - Pretty self explanatory this one. I usually get dry eyes during the flight, and because I'll be wearing my contact lenses when I'm actually in Dubai, these eye drops will be my saviour in all the air conditioning!

9) MAC Prep+Prime Transparent Finishing Pressed Powder (not pictured)- The only makeup that I'll be carrying in my hand luggage will be pressed powder (and a powder brush to go with it). I'll only need to apply this after my sun protection just before leaving the airport. Big sunglasses will hide everything else =)

I think that's all my flight essentials. Obviously I'll have my non-beauty items as well, including my iPod, phone, camera, travel documents, sunglasses etc.

Do you have any particular products that you pack when travelling?



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What's On My Face - Everyday Makeup

As Spring has finally arrived (and Summer it hopefully on its way), I thought I'd do a little post with what makeup I'm using currently on a daily basis. To be honest, there isn't much change in my daily makeup between seasons, but I am starting to experiment with colour (although it still has to be work appropriate). I also skip eyeliner on most days and find that a little mascara just makes my face appear more awake.

And this is what I'm using at the moment:

Bare Minerals Prime Time Foundation Primer

Bare Minerals Original Foundation SPF 15 (Tan)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pomade (Dark Brown)

Sleek Contour Kit (Medium)

MAC Prep+Prime Transparent Finishing Pressed Powder

I try to rotate my blushers around so that I make use of all of them, but these are the three are I reach for the most. They aren't really Spring or Summer colours, but when applied with a very light hand, they add a lovely flush of colour to my face.

Illamasqua Cream Blusher (Betray)

NYX Powder Blush (Desert Rose) 

Illamasqua Powder Blusher (Hussy)

 

Mascara and lip products tend to be whatever comes to hand first. I only a apply a light coat of mascara, otherwise my lashes would be brushing up against my glasses (current favourite is a sample of Guerlain Cils D'Enfer Maxi Lash). My bag contains a few lip products, and always a Lanolips tube so I can apply when I'm out and about =)

Do you keep your makeup the same everyday? Or are you always trying something different?



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Boots No7 GWP - Summer Beauty Bag

I love brands that have gift with purchase (GWP) promotions. Especially when the GWP contains a selection of miniature products. My most recent trip to Boots saw me come away with two No7 pencils and a No7 Summer Beauty Bag, filled with an assortment of mini goodies.

I bought an eyebrow pencil (brown) and a precision lip pencil (caramel) and then used one of the £3 off No7 vouchers to bring my total to just over £10. The No7 Summer Beauty Bag came free when you purchased two cosmetic products. It contains: No7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow - Pale Pink (1.5g), High Shine Lip Gloss - Coral Kiss (9ml), Extreme Length Waterproof Mascara -  Black (4.5ml), Triple Protection Tinted Moisturiser - Medium/ Fair (10ml), Airbrush Away Primer (10ml).

Personally, I love mini mascara's as I never seem to use up a full size one, so this is the perfect size. I actually have a little collection of travel size mascara's! I'm also looking forward to trying the Airbrush Away Primer (and it'll be the right size to take away on holiday). The lip gloss and eyeshadow are shades that are great for everyday wear, subtle and very Summer appropriate! The only product I'm not sure about is the tinted moisturiser, simply because of the shade included. All in all, I think No7 have a pretty good GWP here.

I think the GWP's are a great way to try the products before purchasing the full sized ones. Of course, I didn't really need (another) eyebrow or lip pencil, but there's always space for more =)




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British Beauty Blogger's Beauty Box Edit

Thanks to Mez from MezMadeUp, I managed to get myself one of the 500 British Beauty Blogger Beauty Box Edit boxes, which were released (and sold out) last Sunday. After waiting patiently all week for it to arrive through the post, it finally came yesterday morning!

What is the BBB Beauty Box Edit? It's a collection of Jane's (British Beauty Blogger) handpicked favourite beauty products, with a range of full size to miniature trial size products.

Quick improvising with the lens cover =)

 

In the box:

Lanolips (full size)

BioEffect EGF Serum 2.5ml

Bourjois Cream Blusher (Full Size, Shade 01)

CND Solar Oil (Pinkie size)

Melvita Orange Blossom Floral Water 28ml

Melvita Apicosma Ultra Nourishing Body Balm 15ml

Philosophy Purity 3-in-1 Cleanser for Face & Eyes 30ml

Elemis Tri Enzyme Resurfacing Gel Mask 15ml

Trilogy Rosehip Face Oil (20ml)

NEOM Complete Bliss Moroccan Blush Rose Handcream (Travel Size, 50ml)

Illamasqua Liquid Metal in Electrum (full size)

B. All Lengthening, Defining & Volumising Mascara (full size)

Jo Loves Pomelo (Sample Size, 2ml)

 

 

I'm looking forward to trying out all the products and hopefully I'll find a few of my very own favourites! I've always hesitated about picking up a tube of Lanolips from Boots as I wasn't sure it would work for me, so I'm definitely looking forward to trying it! I've never actually worn cream blusher (even though I do own one) but this shade from Bourjois is just subtle enough for me to want to try it. I've also never used Melvita products before so these two products will be a nice introduction to the brand. The Illamasqua Liquid Metal is such a gorgeous golden shade that I'll be getting a lot of use from during the Summer! Everyone talks about the Trilogy Rosehip Oil so it'll be great to be able to test it out. Jane also put it a handy little booklet about the products in the box (a nice personal touch) and there were a few exclusive offers also included. Right after I had emptied the box, I also discovered a little sample sachet of Lanolips, which was a nice surprise =)

 

The box was on sale for £15 plus £4.55 postage, which was a bargain considering the products inside were worth a total of £125! Hopefully Jane will be putting together another BBB box towards the end of the year and I'm definitely looking forward to that =)

 

Did anyone else manage to get a BBB Beauty Edit Box?

 





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Review: Avene Thermal Spring Water

It's been a while since I've last blogged! Work has been taking over, especially because the Summer term is the busiest with all the extra activities going on. Hopefully I'll be blogging a little more when the Summer holidays arrive! Onto the blog post =)

I've only been using this for a few months and already it has become a staple product in my daily makeup routine. The Avene Thermal Spring Water is a multipurpose products which can be used as a refreshing spray when your skin feels dry and tight. It can also help sooth sunburn and skin irritation as well as being used as a cleanser for your face.

I've actually been using it to set my makeup in the mornings, and have also been carrying it in my bag so I can use it during the day. The 50ml can makes it ideal to carry around, but it's also available in 150ml and 300ml from Boots. It's suitable for sensitive skin as it doesn't contain any fragrances or chemicals which may cause irritation (perfect for my eczema). I love that it just gives a fine mist of spring water, which helps set my mineral makeup instead of ruining it. This is definitely my go-to product this summer and it'll be perfect for the upcoming summer holidays. At the price of £3.15, it's also a product I'd recommend you try out (because you really can't go wrong at that price) =)




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OOTD: Eid

This is the outfit I wore for Eid! A gorgeous blue farasha with some (very heavy) diamante work on the neckline. I love the loose fit (it comes with ties on the inside to give the outfit some shape) and the flowiness of the material (it comes fully lined which is a major plus!). I wore minimal accessories, with only a few stackable rings and a silver clutch. Started off the day in nude heels, but for the evening I wore flat sandals as we were having a barbeque =)

[I also wore this outfit for my Graduation in July =) ]


How did you celebrate Eid, and what did you wear?




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