Summer Series | Holiday Essentials

Okay apologies are in order. There has been a massive delay between my last post and this one. July seemed to pass me by in a flash. Granted it's now August, but until schools are back, it always still feels like summer, so I have the final post in my Summer Series, you can find post one here and post two here.

So the reason my July was so jam-packed was mostly due to holidays. This year I decided to do a series of small trips and as a result my make-up bag needed to stay light. So I'm going to share with you what made the cut.

Since I spent some time travelling around Ireland as well as the UK, airport security was also a factor. Keeping it basic was key (full details of products below).

I made sure to keep it really minimal, I left out things like primer, eye lash curlers, extra brushes, brought no more than one of each type of product.I brought the two essential brushes (and the NAKED palette comes with one), I figured anything else could be blended with fingers. I guess my main piece of advice, even if you think you need everything, there's surely a couple more things you can cut out. I know personally when I'm away on holidays, I just want to spend the minimal amount of time on getting ready as there is so much to go out and enjoy and experience. I even know some days I won't want to wear make up. So I really factor this into my final choices. Essentially a good rule of thumb is: no more than one of anything. I find the biggest thing that will weigh you down is have three different mascaras and five types of lip gloss. Choose the bare essentials and your back will thank you for it, when you don't have to lug it all around from city to city.

I teamed my make up collection with the a couple of nail varnishes (again look for cheats like using the same polish for your base coat and top coat). I kept it bright, summery and simple.

So the running theme is basic and minimal. What are you holiday essentials that you can't live without? Do you pack light or do you pack everything, including the kitchen sink?

Face
Make Up For Ever Face & Body Liquid Make Up (#20)
NARS Creamy Concealer (Custard)
Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Pressed Powder (Pale Yellow)
Bourjois Blush (48 Ashes of Roses)

Brushes
Real Techniques Expert Face Brush
Real Techniques Powder Brush

Eyes
NAKED Palette (No. 1)
Essence Eye Liner Pen (Black)
Maybelline The Rocket Volume Mascara (Waterproof - Black)

Lips
Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer (Big Bang)
Make Up For Ever Rough Artist Natural Lipstick (N22 Pink Peach)

Nails
Essie Top Coat (No Chips Ahead)
Rimmel Salon Pro - Kate Collection (Purple Rain)
Models Own Splash Collection (Pink Paradise)

May Favourites

That month seemed to fly by, hard to believe the June bank holiday is now over. So below I have included some of my favourite products from the month of May.

I have only recently discovered essie nail varnish, but I am already in love. With a base coat and top coat, it lasted 5 days entirely chip free and it is a great summer pastel shade. While I know Apocalips lip lacquer's abilities have been well documented, I am really loving the shade Celestial this month. Unlike my Big Bang and Apocaliptic shades, I can wear this as an everyday colour. It brings some colour to my face for the somewhat sunnier weather we've been experiencing. Which brings to my other face favourite this month, the Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer. I use this product in conjunction with my Real Techniques Detailer brush. I find a little really goes a long way and the detailer brush is perfect for allowing me complete control over how much product I use and allows me to blend beautifully. I have never owned a detailer brush, before now I always used my finger. However if you are someone who suffers from blemishes like myself, I would definitely recommend the investment.

In terms of eye shadow I am really enjoying my Inglot pallete which I received as a gift from a friend for my birthday. I am particularly liking the first two shades, gold and brown, for two toned eyes (you can tell by the packaging it is well loved).

Then moving on from make up, my favourite hair care product this month is Aussie 3 minute miracle, the frizz remedy. I don't use this product every day (as it is quite pricey for its size), rather I use it as a treat for my hair at weekends. I do I feel it has helped soften my hair, especially since it is blonde, I may try the Reconstructor variety next.

The last product to feature in my May favourites, is a skincare product from Clarins. I also received this a gift, but have only recently begun using it regularly. It is there Silky-Smooth body cream. Just as the name suggests it leaves your skin feeling silky smooth. I love how it glides onto the skin and doesn't leave an oily/sticky feel afterwards. It is especially great for dry spots around the elbows and knees!

This month's star product? essie nail lacquer


Do you use any of these products, how are you finding them?
What have been your favourite products from May 2013?


Products in this blog:
- essie nail lacquer (Spring 2013 collection) - bond with whomever
- Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer - Celestial
- Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer - 51 eclat clair
- Real Techniques Detailer Brush
- Inglot Eyeshadow - AMC Shine 34 (gold)
- Inglot Eyeshadow - 457 (brown)
- Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deep Treatment - Frizz Remedy
- Clarins Eau Ressourçante Silky-Smooth Body Cream