Apology

Hi lovelies, I just want to apologize in advance for not being able to post much in the next three weeks as I will be on holiday and will have limited internet access. I will however, post lots of details about my holiday when I get back to make up for not being able to post regularly in the ext three weeks. Again, I'm really sorry!! Much love x

Beach bag essentials

Hi lovelies, so I don't know if I've mentioned it yet but i'm going on holiday this Friday to France for three weeks so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to share with you my beach bag essentials this summer so here it is:

• Towel (preferably a colorful one that won't get damaged by the sea water/ sun cream
• A bikini bag to put your wet bikini or swimsuit into after you've been swimming
• A dress or jumpsuit to change into 
• A cover-up to protect your shoulders from the harsh sun if you decide to go for a walk on the beach/ promenade 
• Sun cream - obviously!
• A hat so you don't get sun stroke because trust me that is not fun especially if a dishy lifeguard comes to your rescue when your looking dazed-out and sweaty!
• Sunglasses to prevent sun blindness - just remember to take them off when you're sunbathing because I've been there and had the tan lines and it is not fun!
• Phone/  iPod to listen to music or play games
• Earphones so that everybody else at the beach/ pool doesn't have to listen to your music with you
• A book or kindle for light reading/ pretending to read when really your listening to what that family are arguing about next to you :O
• Ice cream money - I would advise against bringing a of of money to the beach because it's the prime place for it to get stolen!
• Deodorant - especially if you are going somewhere after thee beach and you don't want to smell like sweat and sun cream
• Chewing gum (optional)

Favourite Products

skincare:

• THE BODY SHOP pomegranate softening facial wash
• CLARINS gentle refiner exfoliating cream
• SIMPLE soothing facial toner
• THE BODY SHOP warming mineral mask
• THE BODY SHOP vitamin E sink-in moisture mask
• CLARINS beauty flash balm
• CLARINS HydraQuench Cream
• THE BODY SHOP body butter
• JIMMY CHOO perfume
• PINK (VS) wild & breezy body mist

Makeup:

• ESTEE LAUDER idealist even skintone illuminator
• CLARINS blush prodige (03)
• RIMMEL stay matte long lasting pressed powder (001)
• ESTEE LAUDER signature eyeshadow quad (06)
• RIMMEL glam'eyes quad eye shadow (002)
• RIMMEL soft kohl kajal eye liner pencil (071 pure white)
• BENEFIT their real mascara
• MABELLINE lipstick (148 summer pink)
• LANCOME gloss in love (385)
• CLARINS instant light natural lip perfector
• BARRY M gelly hi shine nail paint

Random bits:

• FLAME HOMEWARE Lemon Lavender candle
• FLAME HOMEWARE Vanilla Crème candle
• NEON candles
• YANKEE candles

Some little Tips and Tricks

1.  wash your face before going in the bath/ shower  - This is because the steam from your bath/ shower helps to cleanse your pores and if you still have dirt/ grime/ makeup on your face then the steam will just push it further into your pores rather than cleanse them.

2. Use a wide toothed comb instead of a regular hairbrush on wet hair - I'm sure most people will have heard this tip but it really does make a difference.  your regular hairbrush will pull at your hair and stretch it making it uneven and you will need to cut it more often so do your purse a favour and buy a cheap comb from the supermarket or pound land and you will be saving yourself money on haircuts!

3. Use conditioner instead of shaving cream - conditioner will moisturize you legs and help you achieve a closer shave that most shaving creams and you don't have to buy 2 products.

4. Use your shampoo and conditioner to clean your makeup brushes - instead of buying a special makeup brush cleaner, just use your own shampoo and conditioner because it's made to clean hair and it will leave your makeup brushes feeling soft and smelling delicious!

5. Hate exercising? try yoga! - yoga 'workouts' are gentle and relaxing, the perfect way to wind down after a long day.  Search for YouTube videos on yoga workouts to help you get started, Nina Dobrev swears by yoga as her main form of exercise and her routines won't even make you break a sweat... I promise!