Holiday Haul & Ramblings

I'm back! For those of you who don't know, I jetted off to the sunny island of Crete in Greece last Tuesday for a big fat dose of relaxation and a bit of an unwind.  It was very much needed to say the least and I could have done with an extra week in the sunshine - although saying that, stepping off the plane in the UK was a bit of a surprise. I'm usually greeted by drizzle and a dash across the runway in the rain, but this time the plane doors opened and I found that the weather has most certainly followed me here! I have spent today blogging in the back garden in my bikini, ice cold coke in hand and topping up my tan.  If that doesn't kick my holiday blues in the face, I don't know what will (although I'm sure a little nosey through the late deals section for August won't go amiss either...) 

Anyway, before I ramble on, I thought I'd show you what I picked up when on holiday.  I don't tend to buy much when abroad - the craziest I ever went was when I found myself in Sephora (i need to make the point of going abroad to a 'Sephora-blessed' country again!) and the time when I bought a tonne of Mickey Mouse merchandise from Disneyland Florida (it's got to be done though?...) but aside from this, I don't really go bonkers in duty-free or with the souvenir shopping. I tend to treat myself to a perfume or a lipstick in the airport before I jet off, but I don't go mad once I'm out there... That over sized sombrero might seem like a hilarious idea at the time, but the reality hits you when you're home that it's going to have to be squished under your bed along with that plastic donkey figurine and Cypriot ceramic camel to gather dust for all eternity (this a true story by the way, I genuinely have a giant sombrero under my bed that I bought on a bit of a holiday-high...along with the donkey and the camel...I've since learnt from my impulse holiday purchasing!)

When I got to the airport in Crete, I wasn't expecting much more than a selection of knock-yer-socks-off Ouzo and a few 'Memories from Greece' chocolates - but to my surprise, they had a large shop with an array of brands including Chanel, Estee Lauder and countless perfumes - then I spied the Victoria's Secret stand! There was a large selection of bath and body products, along with a small section full of their beauty products.  Sadly, I didn't have much time to fully immerse myself in the goodies on offer, but I did manage to pick out a body spritz and a lip butter.  I spent a good while spraying all the different scents (there was so many I ran out of room on the majority of my limbs so took to spraying them in the air - it's safe to say you could smell me walking over the runway once I'd finished...) I picked out 'Sensual Blush' which smells really fresh and light - hints of floral but not too overpowering. I also picked up one of their lip butters - I'm a big fan of sheer lipsticks and buttery lip products so of course, I had to have one! I picked out the shade 'Dare to Bare', which is a lovely light warm pink shade with hints of coral.  I really wanted to pick up one of their mascara sets they had, but I didn't have time to fully choose one as my flight was called pretty sharpishly. Never mind!

When we were in Crete, we took a trip to one of the nearby towns.  There wasn't much there aside from a few bars and tavernas and typical shopping bazaars and little market stalls, but this floral phone case caught my eye.  Of course, I know the chances of it being the real deal are very slim (I might be a bit daft but I'm not stupid when it comes to these things!), but anyone who knows me knows that I'm partial to a bit of Cath Kidston now and again - I love her phone cases because I often do my nails in her 'signature' patterns and I like being all matchy-matchy (you can have a gander at my designs here if you fancy a nail art post!). For a market-stall find its pretty good quality and fits my phone like a glove - cannot grumble for under 10 euros!

Before I flew out I also picked up a massive bottle of Lancaster aftersun.  It's become a bit of a ritual now that I treat myself to a bottle every time I go away as I swear by it!  It's expensive (this bottle cost me £21.50!) but if you're a fan of having a tan then Lancaster's after sun will be right up your street. It contains no self-tan but contains ingredients that help stimulate melanin production and darken and deepen your colour, at the same time as helping it last even longer.  It smells amazing and sinks in so quickly - if you fancy a bit of luxury in your tanning regime I really recommend you try it - you can also use it on your face and as it's so light it doesn't feel greasy. I love it! (you can read an ancient review of it here..)  And of course, a holiday haul isn't complete without a sweetie or two! I slung a pack of Jelly Belly's Ice Cream Parlour mix into my basket on the way home along with the Cocktail Mix (not pictured) I love their ice cream mix and I'm a bit of an addict when it comes to flavoured beans... Such a big kid at heart!

So there we have it - a little holiday haul to welcome myself back to the world of blogging after a week away.  I had a good ole think whilst lazing around on my sunbed and I have so much planned for my blog - I've jotted down ideas for a new layout which is very much overdue.  I've also got a long list of blog posts I want to type up. I was overjoyed to realise I'd been selected for the Cosmopolitan Blog Awards Shortlist the day before I went away, so it's given me a bit of a kick up the bum! Not that I was letting my blogging slip or anything, but I want it to change slightly over the summer and I want to experiment with a bit of a new look and a spruce up when it comes to my blog navigation.  Watch this space..   If you still haven't voted and enjoy my blog - you can vote for me in the 'Established Beauty Blog' category here.

Have any of you been airport shopping recently?

May Favourites

Change of scenery for the ole' bloggles today.  The sun was shining so I thought I'd make the most of it - the neighbours must think I'm a right nutter sat out in the garden, photographing a pile of lotions and potions.  The weather has been undoubtedly warmer of late (hooray) and it's fair to say we have been spoilt just recently with a day or two of sunshine.  I tend to switch up my routine as soon as the slightest hint of summer rolls around - I banish my wintery cosmetics to the bottom of my makeup drawer and go a little crazy for cream products and anything coral...

| Garnier Ambre Solaire | After Sun - Hydrating Tan Maintainer |  

Okay. Not the most exciting of products to kick off my monthly favourites, but it's one that I swear by through Summer. I've had countless bottles of this stuff now and when I jet away on holiday, rest assured I have one in my suitcase.  It's such a lovely little after sun - it smells like holidays and is cooling and calming and the gel-like consistency sinks in really quickly.  Nothing special I hear you say? No, I suppose not - aftersun is aftersun after all. But this one helps to maintain your tan. It contains a teeny-tiny amount of false tan that helps to deepen the natural tan you already have - without smelling of typical false tan.  It's very subtle, but there's something about it that really does work - and heaven forbid they ever discontinue this. Garnier - you have been warned ;)

| Garnier | BB Cream in 'Light' | 

Most bloggers I know really aren't a fan of this. I think I must be in the minority that really get on with Garnier's BB Cream.  It was the first one I ever bought. I've branched out and tried many others, but I always come back to this one.  I don't have oily skin in the slightest so I guess this is why I find it works for me - it's very creamy and moisturising.  It's just perfect to 'slap on and go' when I'm having a lazy summer morning or if it's really warm and I don't want to have foundation sitting on my skin but still want a light bit of coverage. The sun protection in it just adds to it's appeal in the summertime.  I personally really like it and find myself continuously going back to it.

| Revlon Photoready Cream Blush in 'Pinched' |

An old favourite of mine and one that I always reach for as soon as the weather warms up.  It's such a lovely cream blush - it's not too drying (I'm not a fan of cream to powder blushes) and it's not greasy - for me, it's just the perfect, light consistency that makes this blush one of my top summer products. I'm a fussy little madam when it comes to cream blushes - and Revlon have got it spot on with this one.  It's very subtle - so on darker skin tones or on deeply tanned skin it's not the most pigmented of blushes - but this is what I like about it. I've been opting for a dewy, bronzed look just recently so I don't want my blush to be too overpowering. A quick sweep of this with my Real Techniques Stippling brush of a morning and I'm good to go.

| Models Own Nail Polish in 'Blueberry Muffin' |

I tried so hard to resist this. I really did.  I'm a sucker for blue polish and I lost count of the amount of times I shuffled past this on the shelf... I finally caved.  It's such a lovely shade of powdery, pastel blue, and to say it's such a light shade it really does show up on the nails which is what I love about it so much.  Oh..and it also smells of blueberry muffins - what more could I ask for?!

| Lord & Berry | Luminizer Stick in 'Moon' |

I won't say too much about this, since I already have a full review here, but I've really been loving this just recently.  Similar to the Nars Multiples, you simply twist the product up and apply straight to the areas of the face you wish to highlight.  It's such a lovely shade and very easily blendable.  It's effortless. If you're a newbie to cream highlighters or just fancy something a bit different from powders - it's worth giving this a whirl.

| Origins | Super Spot Remover | 

A cult favourite amongst beauty bloggers everywhere so I'm sure you've all heard of this little miracle worker. I've been reaching for it a lot this month as I've been on and off medication and my skin has had a little strop as a result.  This bottle may look tiny, but my goodness it packs one heck of a punch and stops any spots right in their tracks (it also lasts a lot longer than you'd imagine - I'm not even halfway through mine and I've had it since Christmas).  If you pop it on as soon as you feel that 'tingle' then it more often than likely won't even surface.

| Balance Me | Balancing Face Moisturiser |

I've written a whole post on this moisturiser (you can read that here) so I won't say too much - but it's a fabulous product for combination/normal skin and really helps to balance your skin.  It sinks in quickly and leaves your skin really smooth to the touch - making it perfect for using both morning and night.

| Chanel | Tan De Soleil 'Bronze Universal' | 

I've included this in a couple of posts before and it's featured in my 'How I Contour' post here if you fancy a nosey at how I use it.  It's just such a versatile product and one that I always reach for. Even when the sun isn't shining.  It can be buffed in over foundation or worn underneath to give a bronzed glow.  I sometimes use it for contouring my cheekbones and the consistency is just perfect - I haven't touched my powder bronzers in quite a while because of this little gem!

| Rimmel Lipstick in 'Nude Pink' | 

May saw me rediscover one of my old favourites in the lipstick department.  I'm a big fan of Rimmel lipsticks (especially the Kate Moss ones!) but this shade is one that I always return to.  It's more of a nude coral than a pink as the name suggests, and it looks really lovely with a tan.  The slightly frosted finish is surprisingly flattering - and although it's not everyone's cup of tea, I really love it. I love nude lipsticks for daytime, and the coral tone to this one is just perfect for summer.

And there we have it. My monthly favourites for the month of May.  I'm sure now I've stacked up all of my cream products and summery stuff that the weather will go back it's usual cruddy self.. but this month has really got me into that 'summery mood'. I'm just about to sit down and look for some late holiday deals now...wish me luck!

What have you been loving this month?