Travel Skincare | Morocco

Travelling with only hand luggage is a struggle, and I was forced to summarise my normal skin routine for this four day trip to Morocco. I was unable to take my Serozinc from La Roche Posay because it's too big, and that's definitely the product I miss the most, and my face mask was confiscated at baggage check in Bristol Airport. So this is my selection of skincare, comprising of a few minis which I've been able to test out during my break.
(I'd like to apologise for the state of my photos- I forgot to bring my SD card converter so I'm relying on my phone camera for the minute)
So, in order of the day-
DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
This came from a one-off beauty box months ago, and I've been saving it because of it's handy size. I'm definitely more of a cleansing balm-rather-than-oil girl, so I wouldn't say this is my favourite cleanser of all time. It's definitely more oil-y than the Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Oil if you know what I mean; it doesn't quite lather up and melt off my make- up like that one does. Not a huge disappointment, but not great.
Clinique Take the Day off make-up Remover
Again- what a handy travel size. This was the biggest surprise of the whole lot. It's a heck more oily than I thought it would be, I expected a more water-y consistency, but it's a definite oil-based remover. It gets make-up off pretty well, but when used all over the face to remove base products, it leaves a kind-of film on the skin which needs to be cleansed with another round of the DHC stuff. I'm not sure about this one, I'll definitely be sticking to Micellar water when I get back home.
La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo +
My tried and true skin saviour. This and the Serozinc I swear are responsible for keeping my skin under control. It fades my pigmentation/ scars from spots around my chin and jawline, and prevents new ones from popping up. I use it day and night after cleansing, and maybe dotted on any blemishes I can feel arising to keep them at bay. I love this stuff.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturiser SPF 30
I wanted to bring a really nice facial moisturiser with a high SPF, and after doing my research, I purchased this beauty. It was definitely worth my money, and is definitely a new summer favourite. It's quite a thick consistency, but I like that as I have dehydrated skin and I like to slather on the moisture wherever possible. Definitely keeps sunburn at bay, and sits nicely under make- up. Love it.
The Body Shop Vitamin E Lip Balm SPF 15
Pretty much just your basic lip balm, quite a thick consistency so it stays nicely on the lips. It has a strange matte-like finish to it, rather than the gloss of most lip balms, and works well under lipstick. I would have preferred to find a balm with a higher SPF, but I hadn't managed to before I came on holiday- but this is definitely a good one.
Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avacado
Again, another tried and true. Really moisturising and rich, I recommend this to anyone as it has everything I could want from a night- time eye cream.
Clinique Moisture Surge 
I brought this along as my night moisturiser, and I've been really pleasantly surprised with it. The cream has a really light texture, but it is definitely a 'surge' of moisture. Definitely enough for my dehydrated skin, even after a day in the sun, and sinks into the skin really quickly after application.

Hope you enjoyed this little run-down of my travel skincare for a short break in Morocco, thanks for reading!
Lou x

That Summer Base

I have long been embracing the natural colour of my skin. But, what I do not embrace, is the fact that I literally have not experienced the sun for months. As a student, I spend (spent- I have just finished) most days in my room/in the library, and therefore my skin has reached levels far beyond 'pale'. I mean, it was almost blue.
So, I've decided its ok to do a little bit of faking, as I have always felt better in the summer when my skin looks more healthy and glowy, and just more skin-like.
It's also very hard, in my experience, to look good with very pale skin, especially because I have never had perfect skin. I feel that the scars and the blemishes looked extra harsh on the white canvas of my face, whereas, in the summer, when my freckles are out in force, everything seems to look just a bit softer, ya know?
Anyway! After that rambly justification, I thought I'd share two splurge- purchases I made recently which have really made my skin feel and look naturally a lot better.

First of all, if you're like me, and the words 'fake' and 'tan' put images of blotchy hand creases and knees into your mind, fear not! This little gem works a treat for a boost of colour.
The Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster is a concentrated oil which you mix into your moisturiser (I use the Body Shop Vitamin E moisturiser) at night, and let it gently tan your skin over night. I use two or three drops every other night, and have found that the results are amazing.
It is more of a yellow- tan than an olive tan if you get me- not in a bad way at all, but because my skin is quite yellow toned anyway, it works well for me.
The one caution with this is the blending. Always make sure you have blended in all of your moisturiser all over your face (and neck- that's where I went wrong) to make sure it doesn't leave any marks (which are quite subtle, but still noticeable).
But, if you use this right, your skin will have just that little tint of summer- skin- ness. Amazing. I love this, it's a new beauty must-have for me.

Secondly, the perfect summer base. And I mean perfect.
If you're a loyal beauty- blog reader or YouTube video watcher, you will know that this product has had a considerable amount of buzz about it since Day 1.
Its the bareMinerals Complexion Rescue.
This is essentially a really fantastic tinted moisturiser with SPF 30- perfect for Summer holidays and warmer weather in general.

I have mine in shade 02 Vanilla, which isn't the lightest shade, but is more yellow- toned than 01 Opal, which is more pink.
The texture is described as gel-like, and it is a bit. Really light and quick to blend into the skin. What I like most about this is how moisturising it is. With most bases, I find my forehead lines get pretty pronounced as my skin dries up throughout the day, and foundation tends to settle in the creases. With this, I don't get that at all. There's a glow on my skin all day long, and my skin feels nourished and plump.

You're thinking- 'I thought you said your skin is more tanned than usual?' Believe me, it is...plus the light is making everything more white- washed than it would normally be, but I hope you can see how natural my skin looks with the Complexion Rescue on. I have a dab of concealer under my eyes but nothing else, and I think the coverage isn't bad, considering I have my fair share of 'imperfections'.

So, if you're looking for a light SPF'd summer base which is glowy and just generally amazing, look absolutely no further. And, if you want that tint of summer sun before the sun even gets here, the Clarins Glow Booster is worth a look too. They're both pretty premium but I think they are totally worth the money, and I would buy both again.
Thanks for reading!
Lou x

5 Summer Essentials

I've been planning for my holiday for months now, and one of the most exciting things about going on holiday- for me, because I'm sad- is packing my make-up and beauty supplies. Very sad.
Here are five things which have been on my list since the very beginning, and will eventually come away with me.

1. Fairly crappy sunglasses. I would -obviously- rather spend money on skincare and make- up, and of course, on the holiday itself. So, I am not inclined to spend money on my sunglasses, the main reason being because I can break anything practically just by looking at it, meaning that pricey sunglasses just aren't a practical idea for me. Secondly, I'd rather have a selection of choices than just one pair. Primark is the place to be for sunglasses, This pair of classic sunglasses were a single pound, and they also come in black. Amazing. I have a couple more pairs which also cost between one or two pounds, but these are definitely my most- worn. Bargain!

2. Something cheeky. (D'ya see what I did there?) Summer is definitely the time for intense highlight, sparkle, shimmer, and peachy shades. All of those things come together in this Make Up Revolution Baked Highlighter in Peachy Pink Kisses. Obviously, this is dupe for the Too Faced blushes, but I have to say the quality of this is absolutely top notch.

It is intensely high-shine, so definitely not one for those who don't like a healthy helping of shimmer. However, the glitter is very fine , so you won't end up with chunks all over your face, which is always good. I use this as a blusher, with the peachier side, or as an intense highlight, OR both, with a tan and some bronzer. Loverly. These are £5 each.

3. Something Easy on the Eyes. (I am so full of puns today its insane. Punsational.)
Intense blending and layering of eyeshadow is something I don't have time for on holiday, and I tend to lean towards more cream- formulated eyeshadow. These two shadow sticks are fabulously long-wearing and pigmented. they can be worn allover the lid, as a smudged- out eyeliner, or even together to create a burnt-peach smokey eye.
The top shade is from Bourjois and its one of their Colourband  2-in-1 Pencil and Liner in the shade Rose Fauviste which is a kind of peach/gold colour. It's an amazing formula which sets pretty much as it hits your eyelids, so you have minimal blending time, but it sticks to your lids all day. The brown shade is from Collection and its their Eyeshadow Pencil in Hot Chocolate. Same idea as the other one, great staying power and handy application, and the colour is a beautiful bronzey- brown, perfect for an easy- smokey summer eye.

3. SPF for your face. Very very important for holidays. I like to use this Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturise with SPF 30 to keep my skin safe and well- moisturised. Nothing much to say about this one apart from that its my perfect summer moisturiser- nourishing but not too heavy.

5. Finally, a mini- selection of bright nail varnishes is an essential for any holiday. I love a mint green in the summer ,especially if I look a little bit tanned. Lilac is my favourite nail colour for all- year round, so this Barry M Paint in Blueberry Icecream is a must- have. A red nail will never get old, but for the Summer, a more orangey- red looks great with tanned skin. If you already have darker skin, bright polish will already look fabulous on you all year round -lucky!

Thank you so much for reading!

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Lou x