Summer Coolers | Arran Aromatics

Arran Aromatics have to be one of my favourite brands when it comes to skin solutions and body care. Their Lavender and Tea Tree Facial Wash made it into my 'Top 13 of 2013' (post here) and I found a new body-pampering fave in their 'Velvet Isle' Shea Butter not long ago (post here).  I've since placed more orders on their website and am always intrigued by their product range - if you're after something a little bit different from the lotions and potions you find on the high-street, they're well worth looking into. They also do some fabulous gift-y bits and I often have a little nosey on their website to see what's new (I must recommend their Island Spa and Velvet Isle ranges - I love them!) Just recently, I've been trying out a selection of their products all said to help soothe, calm and cool - perfect for the summer season. They've been welcome additions to my routine of late - the warmer weather and a rather sunny holiday in Crete has left my skin crying out for some pampering. Here's what I thought of the selection...

Aloe Vera Energising Body Gel | £8.50* | Link

This is the first product I tried when I returned home from my holiday.  Although I didn't burn at all, it's fair to say my skin was feeling a little parched and in need of some love.  Although I always pile on the aftersun (I'm a sun-care obsessive!), I like to look for generic lotions and gels which contain Aloe Vera during the summer as I find them much more soothing to the skin. It's the only time of year when I actually start looking for lighter lotions instead of thick body butters (as much as I love my pamper sessions!) I actually took to placing this gel in the fridge and applying after I'd been outside or tottling around town for the day (great if you've caught the sun and need a quick cool down!).  The witch hazel and aloe vera really does help to soothe and calm any redness, and the cooling, fresh scent adds to the sensation.  I really liked the gel consistency and the fact it doesn't leave my skin feeling tacky or greasy whilst still providing some nourishment. It sinks in so quickly and leaves behind a really subtle, fresh scent. I actually find it quite addictive and - little tip for you here - I sometimes keep it by my bed on warmer nights as it's great for an instant refresh if you're feeling a bit stuffy! It's just a nice, refreshing end to the day and it's definitely earnt itself a space in my fridge for the rest of summer!

Mint and Coriander Skin Smoother with Apricot Seeds | £4.50* | Link

I have to admit, this is one product I haven't used too much since I received it.  At first, I thought it was a generic body exfoliant as it doesn't mention on the label that it's actually for your feet!  I already have a body exfoliant on the go, so I figured I'd save it - however, when preparing this post and discovering it's intended purpose, I thought I'd actually give it a whirl and give my tootsies a treat. After shimmying around in flip-flops for 2 weeks, they needed a little bit of TLC!  It's much more harsh than your average body bar, that's for sure! It left my skin feeling smooth and revitalised, and the exfoliating seeds worked a treat. I found the mint fragrance really quite refreshing and the shape of the bar meant that it was easy to work with.

Peppermint & Lavender Foot Rub | £7.50* | Link

Oohhh this has to be my favourite product of the bunch. The consistency is what instantly sold it to me. It almost has a mousse-like quality to it whilst still remaining moisturising and soothing to apply. It definitely does seem to melt into the skin and that's exactly why I like it - it doesn't feel heavy or greasy and it's quick and easy to apply. Honestly, I love it.  It contains essential oils so it has great nourishing properties, and the peppermint and lavender scent helps to cool, soothe and comfort. It instantly cools the skin and you can feel it working as soon as you rub it in. I'd have loved something like this when I worked in the shop all day! If you work a job where you're on the go all the time and often come home feeling rather achey and 'flop on the sofa' tired - this is the perfect end-of-the-day treat.

Green Tea Eye Gel | £3.50* | Link

This is another one of my favourites.  I've previously tried one of Arran Aromatics Eye Gels (featured in this post) so I was really excited to give their Green Tea version a go.  As a lover of Green Tea (I know, I'm probably in the minority who actually enjoy knocking it back), I knew I'd love this.  I adore the scent of it - it definitely has a herbal sort of hint to it and I find it so incredibly refreshing.  Again, like the Aloe Vera gel, I've taken to popping this in the fridge and it's a very welcome treat for when my eyes are feeling a little bit tired.  It says to help reduce puffiness and fine lines, whilst extracts of Green Tea, Witch Hazel and powerful anti-oxidants help to soothe and revitalise the delicate skin around the eyes. For £3.50, these eye gels are really lovely.  They're definitely not the most moisturising - however, I love to use them for a 'refresh' and I always feel much more awake once i've popped some on. Great for summer.

Have you tried anything from Arran Aromatics before? If so, leave me your recommendations!

8 Summer Saviours | Holiday Makeup & Hair Favourites

As some of you may know, I've recently returned back from a very much needed break in the sun on the lovely island of Crete (if you follow me on Twitter you probably struggled to avoid my sunshine-related tweetings - apologies). As well as meeting some wonderful people (some of which I hope I'll stay in contact with), I've come home feeling much more refreshed, relaxed and altogether more positive. I guess you could say I'm enjoying that 'just got back off holiday' feeling and I'm making the most of having a natural tan for a change! Of course, being a beauty blogger, two thirds of my suitcase weight allowance was taken up with lotions, potions and cosmetics galore (okay, so i exaggerate slightly - but trust me now when I say that 'packing lightly' is not my forte...) I thought I'd pop a little 'holiday favourites' post together consisting of my most used hair and beauty products - I've narrowed it down to my top 8. Considering I took everything and the kitchen sink, this was easier said than done but if you're jetting away soon and are at a bit of a loss as to what to take, this might give you a few ideas. I haven't photographed everything separately because my camera was having an 'off day' (don't we all...), but I have written individual posts on the majority of things featured in this post anyway so I've linked those for you if you fancy a more in-depth read up! Without further rambling, let's get stuck in to this year's holiday favourites...

The Fuss-Free Base - Benefit 'Big Easy' in 'Beige | Review Post

I'll admit that when I first tried 'Big Easy' a few months ago, I wasn't instantly blown away. I liked it, and the review was still a rather positive one, but at that particular time I wasn't sure it suited my skin as well as it could. I did, however, make a note to try it again when on holiday as the cream to powder finish and added SPF seemed to tick all the boxes for the perfect lightweight holiday base.  I wasn't wrong.  This stuff is amazing! I'd simply apply a teeny bit over the top of my sun lotion on any areas that I felt needed a bit of help (yes, you might be lounging around a pool but a little cheat never hurt anybody did it?) and I was good to go.  It was the perfect base when we hired a car and went sightseeing for a day as it blended seamlessly into my skin and I didn't feel caked - it just gave me a little bit of coverage whilst still allowing my natural skin to show through and breathe. I didn't really use it at night as I wanted to avoid 'ghost-face' (the SPF is quite high), but for day wear and for using on the airplane/travelling - it was a godsend and I will definitely be using this should I jet away again soon.  It was amazing in the heat and humidity and didn't go patchy or orange - plus the fact that its so lightweight and sheer worked extremely well in the sun. OO and it's worth mentioning that I find it works best applied with fingers as it helps it to blend. Put the buffing brush away - this stuff really is as fuss-free as they come!

The Primer - Benefit Porefessional | Review Post

I alternate between this and my trusty Loreal Professional Resurfacing Primer but for hot climates and balmy nights - Benefit wins hands down! It's lightweight, silky and smooth and helps prepare your skin for foundation as well as helping it to stay on longer - even on humid evenings.  It helps to smooth over any dry patches as it doesn't cling, and it also helps to minimise the appearance of pores (i can vouch for this as my pores go crazy when I'm in a sunnier climate!).  I always pick up a travel size before I jet away - it's well worth looking for the miniature size if you fancy giving it a whirl.

The Eyeshadow Bases - Art Deco | Featured Here / & Mac 'Rubenesque' | Review Post

I received Art Deco's shadow base in one of my beauty boxes ages ago now and it's still one of my favourites! Although I love my Urban Decay primer potion, I find this one a little more hard-wearing if it's hot outside due to the thicker consistency.  I also find that my eyeshadow appears much more pigmented and bright when I've used this beforehand.  I threw caution to the wind this year and opted for a smokey eye on a couple of occasions and this was my ultimate must-have! You only need the tiniest bit and you're good to go. Another favourite was Mac's Paint Pot in 'Rubenesque' - its great because it doesn't crease, is super easy and quick to apply and can be used as a base for building up further colour or simply on its own - very versatile.  The peachy-gold tone is also the perfect shade for summer tans!

The Eyebrow Tamer - Benefit 'Gimme Brow' | Review Post

Although I always fill in my brows if I'm going out of an evening, when I'm around the pool in the daytime I just cannot be bothered to faff around! If I wanted a little bit of definition, I simply filled them in ever so slightly with a cheapy pencil, quickly swept a bit of this through and I was set for the day. I love 'Gimme Brow' - I actually need to repurchase the darker shade when I get chance as I prefer how it looks on me but this came in so handy. If you have sparse eyebrows like me, you'll love this as it's so easy to apply and adds the perfect finishing touch.  At the end of an entire day of sunbathing, my eyebrows were still pretty much perfectly in place and I owe it all to this little mascara.

The Summer Blush | Stargazer Blush in  'Shade 8' | Review Post

Ok. So this isn't exactly a summer 'saviour' but it would have been silly if I didn't include it because it's the only blush I've been using for the past 3 weeks and the only one I can see myself using for the foreseeable future (until my tan has completely gone...)  This is my ultimate favourite blush for when I have a bit of sunkissed glow to my skin. It's not for the faint hearted as it's undeniably quite bright but it instantly brightens the complexion and looks amazing when worn subtly with a contour.  Although it's super pigmented, it's so easy to blend and lasts very well on the skin. 

The Lip Colour for All Occasions | Tanya Burr Gloss in 'Let's Travel the World' | Review Post

I managed to solve all of my 'which lipstick shall I wear with this outfit?!' issues whilst on holiday this year. I'll be honest and say I didn't use the majority of the other shades I bought simply because all I needed was this. The orangey-red sets off a tan perfectly as it brings out the warmer tones in your skin and the glossy finish adds dimension. The colour is perfect because it's not so opaque that it's difficult to wear but it's bright and pigmented enough to make a statement in the evening.  I must say, it lasted incredibly well and even my mother was impressed when it was still going strong after a cocktail or three...

The Hair Saviour | Aussie '3 Minute Miracle' 

As much as I love holiday hair (sun, sea and sand don't half help to boost the volume!), I hate how dry it feels after a few days of sunbathing.  I used Mark Hill's Sun Protection Spray in the day to try and limit the damage but there's no getting away from the fact that any length of time in the sun is going to leave your hair rather parched - I could almost hear mine crying out for some moisture!  I picked up 3 sachets of '3 Minute Miracle' in the airport just before I boarded the flight and my goodness, am I glad I did! I used them half-way through the holiday to restore some shine and quench my poor thirst-deprived ends. It's well worth picking up some deep-conditioning sachets before you jet away - they don't weigh much at all and are so easy to pack.  I've picked up a few more so I can use the treatment again over the next few weeks.

If you're looking for products to keep your makeup in place, I'll also recommend Mac's MSF Natural (my holy grail powder) and Urban Decay's Setting Sprays - both of these were also holiday must-haves for me - I thought they were worth a mention even if I didn't include them in this post! (I should have done my 'Top 10' shouldn't I?!)

What have been your summer saviours this year?

9 Summer Holiday Lipsticks

You may have heard through the grapevine (the grapevine being my rather chatty Twitter feed) that I'm jetting away this month for a much needed summer vay-cay (in fact, by the time you read this, I'm probably sitting on a beach somewhere, dipping my toes in the sand whilst sipping on a Pina Colada - just sayin').  In true beauty blogger style, I've been rushing around making sure I have all my trusty lotions and potions ready to go. As well as suncream, hair care and the usual holiday related bits and bobs, I've also been rounding up my chosen cosmetics - a task n' a half I'm sure you're all aware. My biggest downfall has to be lipsticks. I kid you not, every single holiday I go on, I must dedicate half of my makeup bag purely to lip products.  I shall hold my hands up and confess I'm the biggest lipstick hoarder ever - whenever it comes to selecting one or two to take away with me, well, let's just say it ain't no easy job.  I'm all in favour of a bit of choice and I'm definitely partial to a bit of colour whenever I jet away so simply throwing in a couple of everyday favourites isn't an option for me.   No surprise then that this year it seems as if I'll be cramming a grand total of 9 lipsticks into my suitcase with me.  There's method in my madness though - I have a colour to suit every mood, every occasion and every level of tan possible...all crucial things to consider. Without further jibberjabber, I shall introduce you to my 'chosen ones'... (oo... sounds very 'final' and important, doesn't it?)

Tanya Burr | Lipgloss in 'Let's Travel the World'

Tanya's lipgloss range is seriously impressive.  After trying the brown/nude shade 'Chic' (also included in this post), I thought I'd treat myself to one of the more brighter options.  It was a toss up between this and a bright pink named 'Exotic Island', but I settled on this beautiful orangey-red shade with an equally appropriate name: 'Let's Travel the World'. It isn't as pigmented as 'Chic' but I bought it to wear on top of my red lipsticks anyway -  I thought it would create a lovely bit of dimension and add an extra bit of 'ooomph' when I decide to opt for a statement lip. I've written a full post on these lipglosses earlier in the week if you fancy an in-depth read up!

Bourjois | Rouge Edition Velvet in 'Hot Pepper'

Again, it was a toss up between bringing this or Mac's infamous 'Lady Danger' - but I decided I'd bring Bourjois' offering along with me as it's much more lightweight on the lips and is ever so slightly brighter - the orange hint will also help emphasise my tan.  It has a matte finish but doesn't feel drying - perfect for a holiday as it packs in all the staying power but doesn't feel uncomfortable over the course of the night. I'm planning on wearing Tanya Burr's gloss over the top as I much prefer a bit of a sheen - together, I can imagine they're going to be my summer holiday dream team! I have a full review of these lipsticks in a past blog post here.

Mac | Cut a Caper

Ok. So clearly I have an obsession with corals and oranges. As soon as summer rolls round I go crazy for lipsticks like this and Mac's 'Cut a Caper' has to be one of my most loved daytime lipsticks.  It's actually a limited edition so I try my hardest not to wear it down too much and I save it for special occasions or days out, but its a gorgeous subtle coral shade with a hint of a pink and a slight sheen.  Wear time isn't the best as it's a Lustre finish, but it's perfect for popping on when you're in a rush as you don't really need a mirror to apply it.  If you can get your mitts on it, I really recommend doing so. I wish they'd make it part of the permanent range - Mac? Take note!

Stargazer | Lipstick in '124'

I was sent this lipstick to review last summer (you can read my post on it here) and I have to say, it surprised me.  I can't say I'm a fan of the packaging - it does feel incredibly cheap and if you're not careful, it's very easy to cut into with the lid, however, the colour is simply amazing. It looks gorgeous with a tan and has a certain 'neon' quality to it that makes it perfect for taking away on holiday.  If you're after a mid-coral shade to really make your tan pop then I recommend this shade - it's a reet bargain, i tells ya!

Mac | Costa Chic

Quite possibly my most favourite summer lipstick of all time. Yep. Big claims right there but it's honestly one of the best lipsticks I've ever used and every single year it manages to top the list of favourite summer products. If you're going to buy one lipstick this summer - make it this one. It's quite a difficult colour to describe but like the Stargazer lipstick, it really does help to bring out a tan. It has a slight frost finish which tends to put some people off, but personally, i think it works in its favour and the pigment is incredible - I'd definitely liken it to some of the 'amplified' formulas from Mac.  It's slightly darker and a little more wearable than the Stargazer lipstick despite how similar they appear on the swatches below.  I can't explain in words how much I love this shade.

Mac | Saigon Summer

This shade is, in my opinion, one of Mac's unsung heroes. I never really hear much about Saigon Summer on blogs - it seems to be the slightly less raved about cousin of Mac's 'Morange'.  The cremesheen formula means that it's much more wearable for the daytime if you're a little bit scared of rocking the orange trend - but it's still very bright and more than pigmented enough to wear in the evening too.  It's definitely a more versatile orange shade to opt for and I really recommend it.  Like Costa Chic, it's also one of my summer favourites and it's actually quite unique - I'm yet to find a cheaper dupe for it.

NYC | Blue Rose

Everybody needs a bright, blue-toned pink in their life, right? Not only do they bring out a tan like no other, they also help to whiten the ol' tegs (a good one to opt for if you'll be taking a lot of photographs). This is one of the closest dupes I've found for Mac's 'Show Orchid' lipstick (I've been lusting after it ever since I first started blogging and still don't have it in my collection - such a crime!) Again, like the Stargazer lipstick, I find the packaging to be a faff and it's not exactly the most luxurious of the bunch, but for the price and the quality of pigmentation, it's well worth it. It has flecks of shimmer in it which help add dimension (without feeling gritty) and the shape of the lipstick means it's quite easy to get a good, even line if you've forgotten to pack your lip liner. It's not for the faint hearted but it's so flattering when worn and it's such a lovely, unique sort of colour.

YSL | Rouge Volupte Perle '114' Sparkling Fuschia'

This is one of those lipsticks that I only really reach for when I've got some colour to my face. Any other time of year and it can have a tendency to wash me out for some reason, but my goodness, just look at how beautiful it is! It's a gorgeous mid-toned pink with flecks of glitter running through it.  The consistency is really soft, smooth and creamy and it gives such a beautiful glossy finish which eliminates the need too apply lip balm beforehand or any gloss over the top.  YSL's 'Rouge Volupte' range is amazing and the pigmentation is always second to none - well worth it if you're after a duty free treat (or two...) I have a feeling this was a limited edition (i might be wrong) but it's one of my favourite summer pinks and I always get compliments on it when I wear it.

Tanya Burr | Lipgloss in 'Chic'

I don't take many nude shades abroad with me as what looks great on day 1 often looks like I've smeared concealer over my lips by day 5 thanks to the melanin kicking in (inner science-geek coming out to play there). As my skin gets darker, I need a nude shade that's going to be versatile and that's exactly what Tanya Burr's 'Chic' is.  It's a gorgeous brown toned nude - really sophisticated and classy - and it's perfect for wearing both on it's own and over the top of other lipsticks.  I paired this with the Stargazer lipstick today to tone down the brightness slightly and it worked a treat.  One of the best buys of the past few months - I've had it on constantly since I got it!  I speak about it a little more in this recent beauty haul and I also wrote a full review on the range in a post earlier this week if you skip back a few days.

Swatches | Top to Bottom | Tanya Burr - Let's Travel the World / Bourjois - Hot Pepper / Mac - Costa Chic / Mac - Cut a Caper / Stargazer - 124 / Mac - Saigon Summer / NYC - Blue Rose / YSL - 114 / Tanya Burr - Chic /

And so there we have it - my chosen holiday lipsticks. To be honest, after looking at the swatches, I really don't need all of those corals and I'll probably manage to narrow it down further - but so far, this is what I've got it down to.  My aim is to get it down to 6 or 7 but I'll let you know how that goes - it's much easier said than done, trust me...

What's your favourite summer lipstick?

The Balm | 'Bahama Mama' Bronzer

Aloha! Is it me or does it feel all summery up in here?! There's something about The Balm's 'Bahama Mama' bronzer that makes me feel like adorning a pair of sunglasses, grabbing myself a coconut-y cocktail and setting off in my flip-flops for the nearest beach.  They've certainly nailed it when it comes to quirky, feel-good packaging and although it's not to everybodys taste, it worked like a charm on me and it's the thing that drew me in to trying my first product from the brand (marketer's dream, aren't i?).  I've always heard good things about The Balm - and after my beloved Nars Laguna decided to crumble and wear thin around the edges right before I'm set to jet away on holiday, I thought it was about time I grabbed a new bronzer and 'Bahama Mama' seemed to tick all my boxes.  Although I promised myself I'd save it for my jolly-holidays, I couldn't resist using it straight away (it would take willpower of steel not to what with the glorious weather we've been having) so I thought I'd give you the low-down on exactly why I'm loving it and why it's earned itself a space in my holiday makeup bag...

First off - like I've mentioned above - the packaging was the first thing to lure me in. It isn't exactly the most classy of them all but it earns tip-top marks for being bright, quirky and fun - it definitely lives up to its snappy name!  The design-geek in me can't help but find the decorative sleeve and 'slide-out' mechanism rather satisfying - and since I bought this to take on my travels, it's so handy that Bahama Mama is really thin and compact - they haven't skimped on a mirror either.   Appearances aside, it's actually a really good bronzer.  The pigmentation is amazing and you literally need the smallest sweep of a brush on the surface to pick up colour.  It's definitely on the darker end of the scale when it comes to shade but this is exactly what I was looking for.  Through summer, I do tan quite easily and my skin gets noticeably darker - I wanted something that would still be beneficial to use even if I'm already quite tanned and I also wanted something I could use when I'm paler to use as an all-over bronzer.  This is perfect as it contains virtually no shimmer, has a lovely, natural looking olive undertone and instantly gives that sun-kissed feel.  I've been using it all week at a design event in London and I've had no false tan on - in fact, I've been quite pasty (thanks, lack of sleep!) and this has really helped awaken my complexion and has kept me looking healthy and glowy even if I've felt far from it!  It's not so pigmented that it's difficult to work with - and it also doesn't appear at all orange - so don't let the darker colour scare you off!  I've been using it for all over bronzing as opposed to contouring (although i bet it would work a treat!) and it's so easy to work with - I simply use my Real Techniques Blush brush and work into the temples, outer cheekbones, chin and down the centre of the nose to help give that naturally bronzed look.

One thing that struck me was how similar it actually is to Nars Laguna.  It's maybe ever so slightly less creamy and slightly more matte in finish, but they're undeniably very close when it comes to shade, undertone and overall quality.  I struggle to find anything similar and I often find bronzers far too orange (i'm very fussy with this) but The Balm definitely has that much coveted 'olive' tone to it and it has seriously impressed me. I'd actually say that The Balm's offering is ever so slightly darker compared with Nars - but that's exactly what I was after - it's probably the darkest bronzer I own. If you need something that's going to actually show up on your skin when you have a tan, or similarly give you the appearance of a natural, olive glow then look no further than 'Bahama Mama'. It isn't for everyone and it might have the tendency to look muddy on paler skin, but if you're in the market for trying a good quality, matte bronzer which packs a bit of a punch, then I'd really recommend it.  It's definitely not going to be an all-year-round bronzer if you're wanting something incredibly versatile but I'm in love with it already and I think it's the perfect companion for anybody wanting to enhance their summer tan! It's one of the best bronzers I've used in a long while, that's for sure.

I bought mine from Feel Unique here when they had an offer on. It's currently £13.50 which is pretty good going to say how good the quality and pigmentation is - I reckon it's going to become my 'go to' summer bronzing product from now on. I adore it!

Have you tried 'Bahama Mama'? What's your favourite summer bronzer?

My Top 5 'Sunlounger' Reads | Summer Books

It's a bit of a different post from me this eve'. Although it's no secret that I'm partial to a lipstick and a blush or two, you might also be interested to know that I'm rather fond of dipping in to a good book.  I used to be quite the little bookworm back in the day, and although I don't get chance to read as much as I used to, I always manage to find some quiet time now and again to really immerse myself in the pages of a story plot. I'll let you into a little secret here and tell you that I'm usually a fan of thrillers and crime genres (they fascinate me...as does crime-watch, CSI and all those prison documentaries on TV...) - not at all girly in the slightest but if I'm going to read a book, I prefer the ones that have you gripped from start to finish.  However, when I'm jetting away abroad, I must admit I prefer something a little more lighthearted and summery to read whilst I'm relaxing on my sun lounger.  I thought I'd give you the run-down on a few of my favourites - I know I always like to look through reviews of summer-themed books before I go away on holiday as I'm quite picky about plots and where they're actually set (I'm so fussy!?) If any of you are flying away to sunnier climes this summer, I thought it might give you some inspiration for some pool-side reading.  

Before I crack off, I shall tell you that the two books I have here are very well thumbed through. They have to be my most favourite beach reads ever ever everrrr and it's extremely rare that I read a book twice - let alone multiple times - so it just goes to show how much I really do love them. Sadly, I succumbed to the dark-side of life when the Amazon Kindle was released (let's take a moment to appreciate how ancient mine is...bless it's cotton socks... the old fossil is still going strong!) so I'm afraid I don't have a lot of physical copies - but I thought I'd give you an insight as to what's on there as well.  So sit down, grab a cuppa if you must and have a nosey at what's tip-top of my little summer library...

Out of the Blue | Belinda Jones | Link

This has to be my most favourite beach read.  It's set in Crete (which also happens to be where I'm jetting away to this summer so it's even more appropriate) and it's got everything in there a girl could possibly want from a sunlounger read - sun, sea, dare i say - a bit of sex - (oo-er missus - just don't expect your 50 Shades of Grey talk though - there's none of that funny business in there)  and it's topped off with Belinda Jones' fabulous humour and witty way of writing.   It's the typical storyline really - girl gets fed up of daily life...jets away somewhere sunny and carefree... falls in love with some exotic studmuffin and the rest is history.  Of course, there's a few twists and turns in there and it does keep you reading to find out how things pan out - but for me, it's the way the author writes that keeps me reading. What's great about Belinda Jones' books is that she writes about places she's actually travelled - and you definitely get a sense of realism when you read her stories.  This is my favourite of the bunch but she's also has books set in LA, Italy, Tahiti and Las Vegas to name a few - all perfect books if you want to escape somewhere else for a little while. If you've ever had a cheeky little holiday romance then you'll probably enjoy this one even more - you'll really sympathise with the main character and I think this is why I loved it so much as it wasn't overly unrealistic or 'sickly' for the sake of a bit of hearts and roses - it was very real and believable.  I won't divulge too much of the plot as I don't half ramble on and I also don't want to ruin it, but I've provided links to these books anyway if you fancy having a more in-depth look at them.

Mike Gayle | Wish You Were Here | Link

I picked this up on a whim about 5 years ago on a drive to Tesco to pick up some last minute suncream (crikey...time flies). I'm so glad I took a chance on a new author and it ended up being one of the best holiday books I've ever read (you can tell I was sold on the front cover alone though can't you!? Someone was caught up in the sunshine state of mind!) It's definitely a more quirky read and it's not your typical 'holiday romance' book whatsoever so don't let the predictable title and slightly cheesy cover image fool you - it's filled with witty banter and typical 'laddish' humour but that's exactly why I loved it.  It's not often a book actually makes me 'LOL' but I found myself genuinely giggling and rolling my eyes at this one.  It's basically about a group of blokes at the wrong end of the 18-30 scale who book a last minute trip to Malia (again, set in Crete!) after one member of the group gets ditched by his long-term girlfriend.  They've been a tight-knit group since their school days and they begin to realise they just aren't cut-out for the clubbing scene anymore - it's really quite hilarious in parts. It's definitely got a little bit of romance in there too so don't let the slight 'man-ish' hint put you off - it's actually quite refreshing to read a story like this from a male perspective and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. If you want a beach read without the sickly 'boy meets girl' thing - this one will be a winner. Similarly,  if you loved The Inbetweeners - I guarantee you'll like this one. 

Paige Toon | Various

I thought I'd group Paige Toon's books together as there's a few written by her that I've really enjoyed.  My favourite has to be 'Lucy in the Sky'. She receives a text message right before her 24-hour flight sets off to Australia from a woman claiming to have slept with her fiance, admitting she's been seeing him behind her back.  Straight from the beginning you really do sympathise with the emotional turmoil she's put through when she can't do anything about it whilst she's in the air or find out the truth whilst she's so far away from home. It definitely made me feel frustrated in parts and it's not your typical holiday romance book at all but it certainly makes for a gripping read and you end up trying to figure out the truth alongside her.  Another good one is 'The Longest Holiday' - again, like 'Out of the Blue' by Belinda Jones, it's your typical holiday romance sort of story but this one is set in the Florida Keys. It's somewhat predictable in parts but it's one that I really found myself reading intently and it's great for a quick, easy read. My third favourite has to be 'Pictures of Lily', set in Sydney, Australia.  It's not really a summer book as such - it's more of a 'one that got away' story and you follow her emotional journey of being torn between the man she loves now who has recently proposed and her childhood sweetheart who she's never quite forgotten about. It's probably the most gripping of the 3 if you fancy dipping into something slightly different from the typical beach read.

And so there we have it - my Top 5 Summer reads. I'm definitely one of these people who latches on to an author - if I read and like one book by them, I'll often go through the whole bunch and pick a few favourites. Paige Toon and Belinda Jones have to be my 'go-to' for girly, lighthearted reads because I simply love the way they write.  If you're after a new book to take away with you in your suitcase (or even if you're having a stay-cation and need a dose of summer in your life) it's well worth looking into these ones or downloading a sample onto your Kindle (if you have one).  If you end up reading one of these on your summer holiday - do let me know! I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Have you read any of these books? What's your favourite ever beach read?

Beauty Buys | Summer Holiday Haul!

There's nothing like getting a holiday booked is there? Not only does it instantly make you feel much more chipper but it's enough to cause any sane woman to go crazy amongst the 'summer beauty' aisles of Boots.  Which is exactly what I did as soon as I knew. All of sudden, you realise just how much stuff you haven't got. And when you're a beauty blogger - let me tell you we ain't just talking the basics of sun cream and a tub of aftersun. Oh no. We're talking the right shades of concealer, the right lip colour, the right powder to keep our makeup in place on those warm, balmy evenings and the right combination of hair products to keep summertime frizz to a minimum (anyone else have the same issue as Monica from Friends as soon as they step off the plane? *for those of you who get this reference - gold star for you >*) Anyway, rambling aside, I thought it would be the perfect excuse to shove together a holiday-themed haul. If any of you are jetting away soon, it might give you a few ideas. If not - well, I hope you enjoy having a nosey at what's been thrown into my shopping basket of late anyway...

Mark Hill | Va Va Voom Mousse (travel size) 

Me and this mousse get on like a house on fire. Honestly, if you skip through the past 3 years of my blog you'll probably see it pop up a fair few times - I've never really used any other (true love right there). It's thick enough to make a difference with volume but its light enough not to weigh it down - it also never seems to turn my hair into straw.  I'm sure it's not the best mousse ever, but for me, it works and I always make a beeline straight for it whenever I need a new one.  It's hard to track down the travel sizes as they always seem to be sold out - so I actually grabbed two! One for my holiday and one for a trip to London next week. I cannot be without it.

Scwarzkopft | Got2B Beach Matt Texturising Salt Spray

This was actually on offer and I got it for less than £2! To be honest, Im not sure if I'll be able to take it away with me as I'm usually bang on my weight limit (typical over-packer) - I could probably do with a smaller size but either way, I really wanted to try a salt spray again.  I used a Tony & Guy one last year and i found it came in so handy over the summer months - I can't wait to see what this one is like as I've always got on well with Got2B products! Bargain!

Garnier | Ambre Solaire Tan Maintainer

If you buy one thing this summer - make it this! I've been recommending this product on my blog for about 3 years now - I go through countless tubes of the stuff every year and I'm yet to find anything quite as good (If you don't like the hint of fake tan element then I'd recommend Lancaster Tan Maximiser - my other must-have!).  People always ask how I maintain my tan after a holiday and it definitely has something to do with this. If you want to find out why I love it so much I speak about it in a favourites post here. I also give it a mention in my 'tan maintaining tips' post here.  It's around £8 in Boots but I found it on offer in Tesco for 2 for £8 - so shop around!

Soap & Glory | Flake Away (travel size)

I always exfoliate before I go away so that my natural tan will last longer. I bought my favourite Soap & Glory scrub in miniature form to pop in my suitcase. I usually use it as soon as I get there just to give myself maximum tanning possibilities (is that sad? ahaha)  If you've never tried this scrub you honestly don't know what you're missing.  It makes the chore of exfoliating seem a breeze! And a very sweet smelling one at that!

The Balm | 'Bahama Mama' Bronzer

Now then.  You can only imagine my disappointment when I realised my beloved Nars 'Laguna' is almost completely gone right before I go away on holiday.  Sods law, isn't it? The thought of purchasing another made me wince a little - so, in true blogger style, I took this as my chance to try something new.  I spent ages looking online and settled on this one from 'The Balm' - I've always quite fancied trying some of their stuff and the packging really caught my eye. As well as being rather eye-catching, it's also really neat and compact and fits perfectly in the palm of my hand - something I always try and look for when I'm taking products on holiday with me as I aim to cram in as much as physically possible. It's actually slightly darker than Nars Laguna - which to be honest is perfect for me as I really do tan quite a bit on holiday! I'm planning on doing a full post on this soon along with a Nars comparison so keep your eyes peeled for that!

Bourjois | Bronzing BB Cream

I wanted to try this ever since I used Bourjois' Bronzing Primer last year (review of that here). When I'm on holiday I usually don't wear a scrap of makeup in the day as I find it so uncomfortable, but I thought this might be quite nice if I go on a day-trip somewhere and want to give my skin some coverage without completely masking it.  I'm not opening it until I'm there so I shall let you know my thoughts as soon as I'm home but I'm predicting that it might just become a summer staple... We shall see!

Urban Decay | 'De Slick' Makeup Setting Spray (travel size)

I've wanted to try one of these sprays for aaaages now! I finally caved and bought the travel size - perfect for popping in your suitcase. This one is said to help combat shine, absorb oil, keep your skin looking matte and your makeup in place all night.  When I'm abroad I always struggle to keep my makeup looking flawless in the evenings and I don't even have oily skin! I've been road testing this the past few days and I have to say I've noticed such a difference.  I went to powder my face half-way through the day and realised I actually didn't need to - which is saying something to say how muggy it's been just recently! I shall be doing a full review of this when i'm home - i already have high hopes for it.

Estee Lauder | Double Wear Concealer

OK. So I didn't actually buy this for the sake of my holiday but it's my holy grail concealer and I simply cannot live without it.  It covers blemishes, dark circles and pigmentation with ease and it lasts all day without fail. Even if you do top up through the day its so creamy that it never goes cakey - I adore it.

Elf | Complete Coverage Concealer Palette

I just realised I didn't photograph this separately but you can spy it in the collective image at the top.  This is a re-purchase for me and for less than a fiver, this kit really is the bees knees. What I love about it is the fact it has 4 different shades - there's 2 shades with peachy undertones (perfect for under eye circles which is my main area of concern) and 2 which lean more yellow which work for general sprucing up and blemishes.  I actually ran this palette down to the pan last time I bought one so it just goes to show how much I love it. It doesn't last all day but it's perfect for a quick fix and the colours are very creamy and very well pigmented. Because my skin is going to get darker in the sun, it's handy to have the slightly darker shades in there as well. I have a post on it here so you can see the colours in more detail. 

Mac | Lip Pencil in 'Spice'

After my beloved Estee Lauder Lip Pencil in 'Spice' ran out - I set out on a mission to find something similar.  I stumbled upon this Mac pencil with the same name and it was love at first swatch.  This is incredibly long lasting and is the perfect browny-nude - very 90s chic so it isn't for everyone but I find it works really well with my skintone.  I find it a fabulous, long lasting alternative to lipstick and it's much more versatile.  When I go away, I always pack far too many lipsticks so I'm thinking of picking up a few more of these as they're much more makeup bag friendly.  If you're not a fan of the finish then gloss on the top looks a-ma-zing! (for the record... Benefit's 'Hoola' lipgloss looks stunning with this - together they've become my new dream team!)

Barry M | Eye Liner in 'Kingfisher'

What is this?! COLOUR?! On the eyes?!?! Was I feeling alright?! I never wear colour on my eyes so to say this is pushing it for me is an understatement. Blame Pinterest. I saw someone use a colour like this on their bottom lash line and I instantly wanted to give it a go. Personally, I think with a tan and a smudge of peachy-gold eyeshadow on the upper lid I might be able to pull it off. If i don't, it was only £3 anyway but it's such a beautiful colour - just look at it, looook atttt ittttt...

So there we have it.  My latest beauty buys. It's fair to say I feel as if I need a break away this year - 11 nights of relaxation and time to ponder over the next chapter of my life whilst digging my toes into the sand in Crete seems like just the ticket right now. If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll know I live for holidays and trips away so I really do love this time of year! I'm also planning on grabbing a late deal on a few days away in Marbella with my best friend but I'm not sure my savings account can take it... Who knows though, I might just have a 'YOLO' moment ;) We haven't been away together since we were 19 (I'm now almost 24) so some quality best-friend time in the sun is waaaay overdue!

What are you holiday 'must haves'? Have you tried any of these products before or is there any that you'd like to hear more about? Let me know!

Summer Scent | Yves Rocher 'Moment De Bonheur'

Yves Rocher | Moment De Bonheur L'eau | £38.00* | Link

As soon as the warmer weather rolls around, I tend to ditch the heavier perfumes and opt for something lighter, brighter and altogether more summery.  My newest addition to my perfume collection is this little beauty from Yves Rocher - 'Moment de Bonheur L'eau' (definitely a tricky one to roll off the tongue if anyone asks what it is you're wearing...I'm sure my accent doesn't do it justice whatsoever). If you're a bit of a summer-y perfume collector like myself, then you'll know exactly what I mean when I say this one falls under the same umbrella as Mac's 'Turquatic' or DKNY's famous 'apple' perfumes - perfect sunshine-y scents.  Yves Rocher's offering is a gorgeous, light fragrance with slight woody undertones - it's one of those 'clean' fragrances that instantly make you feel refreshed and awake. It definitely has a hint of fruity-ness to it but it's very sophisticated and not overly sweet.  Personally, I've grown quite addicted to it and I find myself spraying it even if I'm staying home for the day simply because I love it so much.What I like about it is that it isn't too 'young' - sometimes, summer scents can be a little too sweet for me but this one suits my tastes perfectly well - it has a sort of botanical hint to it that makes it a little bit different from what you'd usually expect.

The bottle reflects the scent - very simple, understated and fresh.  It's a lovely size to pop into your handbag too and I've been carrying it around with me for the past couple of weeks. Like a lot of summer perfumes, this one doesn't stick around for too long so I do find I have to top-up quite a bit throughout the day - but even once the zingy top notes have worn off you're left with a subtle summery scent (admittedly, I'm a bit of a perfume over-applier anyway...I'd probably bathe in the stuff if I could...) I've already decided that it's going to be the perfume I'm taking on holiday with me this year - it's much more of a daytime fragrance but I personally quite like the idea of wearing it out in the evening - plus, when I come home, I know it's going to remind me of sunny days, beach walks and balmy, Mediterranean evenings - isn't it funny how certain scents take you back to memories in an instant?! I'd certainly class this as a Duty Free treat - it's well worth having a spritz if you spy it in the airport before you jet away.  Overall, I'd say this will be a fabulous contender if you're looking for this year's summer scent or a new perfume to pop into your suitcase. You can find Yves Rocher perfumes and other products on the website here.

What's your favourite summer perfume?

My New 'Go-To' Bronzer | Benefit's 'Hoola'

Benefit | Hoola Bronzer | £23.50* | Link

Hold the phone.  I think I may have found my new favourite bronzer.  Big claims there, I know, but Benefit's 'Hoola' has become my new 'can't live without' item in my makeup drawer and let me tell you it was love at first sweep.  Bronzer is without a doubt one of my summer must-haves - I never feel quite complete without a dusting of it here and there and I always find my skin looks much healthier as soon as I've applied it. Let's delve straight in then, shall we? Firstly, I LOVE the colour of the powder.  It has just the right amount of warmth without being at all orangey - it looks so natural - in fact, I'll throw it out there, Hoola is probably the most natural looking bronzer I've ever tried.  It's completely matte - so there's no shimmer or un-natural sheen added to the skin. When dusted on top of your foundation it blends into the skin effortlessly whilst adding a gorgeous, sunkissed glow.  Which brings me on to my next point...It's almost impossible to apply too much because it's so easily blended. Even though Hoola is very pigemented, it really does smooth out with ease. It looks like skin and doesn't have that typical powdery finish.  I even love the little brush that comes in the package.  I'll admit that I usually hate miniature brushes that come packaged with products and I often end up taking them out and never using them - however, Hoola's brush is so soft and is the perfect size if you're a contouring nutter like myself.  The fact I actually use the brush only adds to the product's appeal for me - it makes for the perfect travel companion and I have no doubts that this will be jetting away with me on holiday in July - it will certainly save me some space in my brush roll!  The packaging is also very lightweight and fairly strudy to say that it's cardboard - I have no worries about popping this in my suitcase.

To apply, I simply apply my foundation as normal and pop some powder on top to set, before sweeping the little brush across the pan and tapping off any excess.  I'll then place the brush directly where my natural contour line is (if you aren't sure where - the trusty 'fish-face' trick should do it) Because the brush is so neat and compact it really does fit perfectly in that area - and the gentle, soft bristles help to prevent picking up too much product.  I sweep a line downwards and use gentle upwards sweeping motions to blend the line out (which is incredibly easy due to how blendable the powder is - if you're scared of looking too chiselled then Hoola is certainly worth a shot!) It instantly makes my natural cheekbones stand out without looking like I've tried to fake it - honestly, I just can't get over just how natural it looks.  Maybe it's just the shade that works perfectly with my skin tone - I'm not sure - but I'm intrigued to know if other girls find the exact same thing as I've been seriously wow'ed!  To complete the look, I apply a little bit across the top of my forehead and along the jawline before using whatever is left on the brush to dust over the bridge of my nose and chin to give that much desired sunkissed effect.  Sometimes, I'll brush a little on the sides of my nose if I'm going for a more defined look.  I do all of this using the brush that comes in the box as it seems to work so well for me, but I've also used my Real Techniques Blush Brush if I'm going for a more subtle, all over coverage.

Overall, I think it's fair to say that Hoola is a winner for me.  I wasn't expecting to love it half as much as I did. I genuinely thought it would just be a standard bronzer and it's the reason why I've never caved into it in the past, but it really is so much more than that.  It's so versatile because it works when used as an all over bronzer or as a contour - usually, I use two different bronzers depending on what I'm going for but this one ticks all the boxes. The shade has just the right amount of warmth to awaken the complexion but it definitely has a touch of grey/cool brown to it that stops it from looking orange - it still provides that 'just stepped off a plane look' but the lack of orange means it works well for sculpting. If you're more of a shimmer fan, then Hoola might not be for you, but if you like a matte finish, a good bit of pigment and a more defined look then it's well worth having a swatch in store. The packaging is also perfect if you're after something to pop in your handbag or if you're travelling because it's so lightweight - another plus point for me.  Of course, I've only had this a short while so I'm not sure how well the cardboard will fair if it takes a bit of a battering - but if you're mindful of it, I really can't see it being a problem and it's much sturdier than you might think.  For £23.50, it isn't the cheapest of bronzers on the market but it's one that I'll definitely purchase again and I'd say it's well worth it's price tag. It's won so many awards and it's easy to see why.  I've had a read through of the reviews on the website and so many girls hold the same opinion as me.  Have a read for yourselves and have a nosey at the Hoola bronzer on the Benefit website here.

Have you tried Benefit's Hoola? Did you love it as much as me?

Benefit 'Big Easy' BB Cream

Benefit | Big Easy 'Multi Balancing Complexion Perfector' | £27.50*

During the summer months, I always like to switch up my foundation for a lighter base. I'm never really brave enough to go without unless I have a tan, but I do think that a lighter, sheerer coverage always looks much more flattering as opposed to a fuller coverage foundation when it's brighter outside. I like to let my natural skin show through but I also like a little bit of something to blur imperfections and generally spruce up my complexion. I've been trying out Benefit's new release the past few weeks and thought it was about time I threw my two pennies worth in.  I resisted judgement for a while with this one - mainly because my skin has been changing due to the time of year and I found the results differed over time. The product has definitely received a lot of hype since its release.  The 'Big Easy' balances moisture (perfect for those with combination skin like me) and controls oil whilst evening the skin tone with its light liquid to powder finish. Not only that, the oil-free formula contains ingredients that are said to help soothe and comfort the skin, and the added SPF35 is perfect for sunnier weather.

At first, I was somewhat iffy about the liquid to powder finish.  When it comes to bases, I much prefer a dewy, radiant finish as opposed to looking completely matte. I have normal/combination skin (depending on the time of year) and often have slightly drier patches around my cheeks which powder finish products seem to highlight. If you have dry skin, I'd advise you to do your research and see how people with a similar skin-type found this product as the first few times I tried this, it did seem to pick up my dry areas and I ended up taking it straight off.  However, my skin hasn't been as dry recently and I've been using it on the warmer days we have been having - i'm glad I persevered with it as it's actually a lovely BB Cream.  The powder finish doesn't appear too matte and it helps to combat any oilyness and shine - just what you want from a summer base product. I don't have overly oily skin but I did notice that I had considerably less need to powder when using this. Although the coverage does wear off a little around my nose and forehead, it seemed to stick around a little longer than other BB Creams I've tried in the past which I can imagine is due to the slightly more matte finish it provides.  I can imagine that it is going to be an absolute god-send in the height of the warmer weather, it will certainly be coming away with me in my suitcase should I actually manage to jet away to sunnier climes this year as I'd love to give it a whirl in a hotter climate.

Although the coverage is sheer, it does blur imperfections really well but bare in mind - If you have any blemishes, you will need to use a concealer.. If you prefer a good bit of coverage, you might be disappointed with this as it doesn't offer a great deal, but on good skin days - it works a charm.  Shade wise, there are 6 in total - not the biggest range ever however, one of the Big Easy's selling points is that it adjusts to your skin tone to give a seamless, natural finish.  Personally, I seem to be leaning smack-bang in between 'Light Medium' and 'Medium' at the moment (I can tell that 'Beige' will be perfect for me once I have a tan) and both of them look more or less undetectable when blended into the skin due to how sheer and light they are.  The consistency is so easy to blend - it's actually pretty creamy in texture and has quite a dewy appearance until it is sheered out on the skin. This works in the product's favour because it's easy to work with even though it does give a slightly more matte finish. 

Overall, a fabulous release just in time for summer from Benefit.  I'm not sure it's my all time favourite base but I have an inkling that it will become a summery staple for me - especially on holiday! Like I said, if you have dry skin, I'd strongly recommend you try before you buy. My skin has been pretty normal just recently due to the time of year, but before the dry patches evened out, the product seemed to highlight these areas and I found I had to moisturise considerably beforehand to counteract this.  If you have slightly oilier skin or are jetting away somewhere hot and scorchio this summer, it's well worth looking in to making this one of your pre-holiday treats (or one of your duty free buys ;)). The light, sheer coverage is just the ticket for everyday wear and it evens out your skin without feeling heavy or clogging up the pores.

Have you tried the Big Easy? What did you reckon to it?