3 Budget Lip Balm Reviews

Admittedly, lip balms aren't a super exciting beauty product, and certainly something I don't get incredibly excited about. However, finding a good one, or two, ensures your lips stay moisturised and plump looking- meaning your lipstick will go on a lot smoother (priorities). I currently have three hanging around in my room so I thought I'd do mini reviews to let you know which ones are worth grabbing.

Carmex. Where the hell was I before I had Carmex? Kidding myself with pots of Vaseline, probably. Carmex is the bomb, simply because it works. The smell of the original one is very recognisable, and I would recommend going for the mint version if you've a sensitive nose. Love it, and the SPF makes it perfect for day time wear.

Ah, the Body Shop Vitamin E Lip Balm. This is the most expensive of the three, I think, and my least favourite. It's quite a thin, waxy consistency which I don't particularly like, and it also has a very strange smell/ taste. I don't reach for this at all anymore, but it's going to stick around in case I ever run out of the other options.

This is my favourite night- time lip balm- the Nivea Essential Care. It's smooth, quite thick, and definitely nourishing- probably my favourite of the three. I would definitely recommend this to anyone, especially as it's only a couple of pounds.

So, this may have been a very boring post, but a good lip balm is just one of those things you always need.
Thanks for reading!
Lou x

3 Quick Summer Holiday Essentials

I've previously mentioned that I love packing make-up and skincare for holidays, and its true. But, there are a few bits and bobs which I tend to forget/ think I don't need/ underestimate my dependence on, and therefore get left behind. So, here are three things which aren't necessarily exciting products, but I've decided are my absolute essentials for any summer holiday.

1. Dry Shampoo.
For some reason, when I go away I tend to think that I won't need this, but every time I've left it behind I've regretted it/ had to purchase one in a foreign country. This time I took a travel size Batiste bottle with me to Morocco and finished it within 4 days. Perfection for days when you don't have time to waste washing hair between day trips, pool days, and general holiday fun. If I was going on a holiday for a little longer, I'd definitely take a full size can to see me through the week.

2. Nail Polish Remover Pads.
Unless you've gone and got an amazing holiday manicure, you'll probably be switching up your nail varnish during your  holiday. I definitely love a bright nail, so these pads are handy for holidays as an alternative to taking a whole bottle of nail varnish remover and millions of extra cotton pads.

3. Lip Balm.
I have forgotten lip balm when I've gone away so many times, so I've learnt the hard way that its an essential. Somehow, it's just something I don't think about within make-up or skincare, and so it does inevitably get left out occasionally. But, especially on a hot sunny holiday, something to rehydrate and protect the lips is very important, so I really like this Body Shop SPF 15 Vitamin E Balm as a handy option.

Thanks for reading!
Lou x

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

3 Body Shop Skincare Favourites

The Body Shop really is a one-stop shop for skincare for anybody's face. As a brand, I really trust them, and have very rarely been disappointed with their products, so I thought I'd share my three current must-haves.

1. Vitamin E Moisture Cream. 

This is such a lovely all rounder for either day or night. I tend to wear this as a light night cream over the Overnight Oil, or during the day if I'm staying inside and don't need SPF. What I love the most about this moisturiser is that it sinks in really quickly and makes a really nice base for make- up, as well as such a good night cream. Love.

2. Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask.
Having combination/ dry skin with blemishes, using a purifying mask can sometimes be unpleasant, but this one is just great. It's definitely a heavy-duty mask; it really clears out your pores and makes your face feel so cleansed and purified in a non-dried out way. Its very thick and clay-y, so I do only use it on my oily areas- pretty much on my T-zone, nowhere near my cheeks or delicate eye area, because I just don't need it there. My skin loves this stuff, I think it really does the job.

3. Vitamin E Overnight Serum- in- oil.
Most of my skin needs a lot of moisture, and this is an amazing overnight oil. I did write about this recently in a post about using oils on your body, skin and hair, and basically I stand by what I said there- it's fantastic, smoothing and nourishing. I find that I can use this without a moisturiser over the top at night, but if I need a boost, I'll add a little of the moisturiser on my dry areas- forehead, cheeks and around my nose. I love this stuff, give it a go.

Thanks for reading!
Lou x

Let's Talk about Oils

Fundamentally, the thought of putting oil anywhere on the body seems...strange. Especially as a girl with a fear of oil on my T-Zone, the idea of slapping on some oil was something I used to be horrified of. BUT, it's definitely a case of don't -knock - it-til-you- try- it,and I've actually come to love oils in all aspects of my beauty routine. Here are three suggestions to introduce you into the world of oils.

1. Oil for your hair. This is a good one to start with if you are nervous about trying oils for the first time, and it's the place on your body where oil feels the most natural. DON'T put hair oil anywhere near your scalp, unless you want to immediately grease your head up. I like this Garnier Ultimate Blends Oil because it adds shine as well as moisture to the tips of my hair,  but there are loads of alternatives on the highstreet.  I apply it after I've washed my hair while its still damp. Since I've started using oil on my hair I've noticed that the lengths and tips have looked and felt a lot more nourished with the extra layer of moisture.

2. Oil for your body. This Moringa Beautifying Oil is fantastic for hitting dry patches with some intense moisture. I love using this on my legs after shaving, as it really calms the dryness left over by the razor. This oil can also be used for hair, so is a good all-in-one product which I will definitely be taking away with me on holiday. (It also says it's ok for faces but I'm sticking to hair and body...don't want to rock the boat)

3. Oil for your face. The idea of wanting to put oil on your face is probably the most intense step in embracing oil into your beauty routine. This Vitamin E Serum-in-oil from the Body Shop is an excellent place to start. It feels like a silky oil on the skin, and I use it for night use instead of a moisturiser. As I have combination skin, I don't like to layer a moisturiser on top of this as I feel like it is too much for my skin to load another layer over this moisture-bomb. I love this, if you are nervous, have a feel of the texture in a Body Shop store and see how it feels. It leaves your skin feeling super smooth, and I feel like it helps to heal my scarring as well. Amazing.

Thanks for reading!
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Lou x

Peaches and Cream: Easy Spring Everyday Make-up Look

If you love a peachy eye and a fresh, summer skin, head over to my YouTube channel and watch me putting my make up on and make my face look like this:

I'm not sure what's going on here, but my camera has made my skin look flawless. It's a lie.

All the products I used are mentioned in the video.

http://youtu.be/NyHb7Lre6hA

It's nice and easy and uses pretty much all drugstore products and brushes :)

Check it out, and appreciate my music/editting skills. Been working on dat ting alllll day.

Probably should be doing coursework...

Thanks for reading!

Lou x