Hand Luggage and Toiletries: Holiday Packing

HAND LUGGAGE PACKING ESSENTIALS 

Reading books and magazines

Notebook and pens 

Snacks and bottle of water or squash

Earplugs and charger

Sleeping mask and travel pillow

Travel sickness tablets (if needed)

Wallet with cash and credit cards (your money and other country)

Passport and visa

Driving license (if you drive)

Maps and directions

Travel documents 

Insurances 

TOILETRIES PACKING ESSENTIALS 

Toothbrush and toothpaste 

Mouthwash

Shampoo and conditioner

Heat protector spray

Hair brush and comb

Hair grips and hair bands 

Styling products

Hair dryer (hotel may have one already)

Straighteners or/and curlers

Hand wash and shower gel

Deodorant and perfumes 

Razor and shaving cream

Moisturisers 

Tampons, pads and bags

Face cloth and tissues

Nail clippers and nail file

Makeup (your choice on products)

Makeup wipes and cotton buds

Cleanser, toner, exfoilator (base these around your skin care)

Face setting spray for your makeup 

Mirror and compact mirror

Nail polish you are wearing 

Nail polish remover

Tweezers

Hand towel (hotel supplies most of the time)

Beach towel and lint roller

Sunglasses, contact lenses and case, glasses (if needed)

Medications, painkillers, vitamins

First aid kit

Hand wipes and hand sanatizer

Insect repellent

Suncream and aftersun

10 Travel Life Hacks You Must Know: Packing

1. Wrap your chargers in a hair band.
This will prevent your chargers becoming knotted together and losing their shape. Applying a hair band around your chargers will also save space as the shape will become tighter and smaller rather than being free and loose. You can also use a clear elastic hair band or elastic bands rather than an hair band, sometimes a hair band can be too thick.

2. Wear your heaviest shoes and jacket to the airport.
If you take your heaviest items of clothing to the airport with you, you will be able to save your luggage allowance along with space inside your case so you can fit in more clothing pieces or more of your favourite makeup.

3. Put cling film in the lid of lotions and liquids.
I always get paranoid that my creams and liquids will end up exploding in my case on the flight and the products will end up going all over my clothes, therefore I place tape around the edge with cling film covering lid so none can escape from the bottle. 

4. Necklaces can go in between a piece of cling film with a piece on top as well.
If you like to take your favourite necklaces along with you, place a piece of cling down and pop your necklace on top in the center. When your necklace is down, grab another piece of cling film and put it on the top so your necklace won't tangle together and become knotted.

5. Place cotton wool on the top of your compact makeup.
As your suitcase will be getting bashed around on the flight and in the airport, your compact makeup (highlighters, bronzers, powders) may smash and break, therefore place cotton wool or a few cotton buds on top and close the lid and this issue won't take place.

6. Get a tictac holder to store your hair grips.
I never used to know where I should keep my grips in my case because I always managed to loose them before I even got there so storing them in this pot is the perfect place to maintain them with you.

7. Stack bras on top of each and fold the cups over to insert your pants inside.
By stacking your bras on top of each other and inserting your pants in between them, this is going to allow more room inside your suitcase. The shape of your bras will also remain the same instead of becoming odd shapes from the way you lay them in your case.

8. Place valuable or expensive things inside an empty chap stick holder.
If you have an chap stick which is empty, clean it out and this will allow you to keep any notes, expensive earrings or small valuable items inside the stick. People will assume it is a chap stick so they won't think about anything being inside if you leave it with your things on the beach while you go in the beach, or in the pool, etc.

9. Use a button to place your earrings through the holes.
If you have an old button somewhere in your house, place your earrings you aren't wearing inside the holes and place the button in your makeup bag or with all your other jewellery pieces inside your case. I am definitely using this hack this year seeing as I manage to lose my earrings every time I arrive on the other side - they honestly vanish in my case.

10. Buy a cheap pill container and store your rings or earrings. 
Relating back to life hack 9, buy a pill box (the ones that older people use with the seven boxes for the different days). Place your earrings and rings inside each day to keep them all in one place. If you want to be EXTRA organised, you can use the days to tell you when to wear each ring!! 

New In Beauty Products

Within July I had my makeup done by MAC in my town for my prom, which meant afterwards I had money paid back to me to buy some products for the night. I also visited Bournemouth this month with my friend and we both stayed over there for 2 nights, which meant tanning and shopping... more makeup bought, oh yes!

For my prom, after my makeup was complete I was obviously bound to buy the lipstick seeing as I didn't have that shade and it wasn't going to last all night. I chose to wear 'Shy Girl' on my lips that night, so of course that was the shade is chose to take home with me.
Unfortunately my T-Zone is very oily, therefore my makeup never loves hanging around on that patch, it rubs off quickly and also becomes greasy - because of them reasons it was obvious to me that I had to pick up the powder.

In Bournemouth, we clearly had to do some shopping! I had to collect another foundation as mine run out the same day. Therefore, I picked up my classic Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation and I've been wanting to try out a rimmel for ages but I never knew which one I'd find best for my skin. On the day I was feeling the Rimmel Match Perfection and my choice did not disappoint me I have to say! As many of you may know, Superdrug are holding a big 3 for 2 offer, so along with the foundations I also picked the Barry M Chisel Cheeks Contour Creams which I've been eyeing up for a long time! Altogether these three products came to £17.98 based on the 3 for 2 offer. 

Of course I couldn't walk into Wilko and look at the Essence stand without picking up a few things. I chose to try out three different lip liner shades as they are only £1... that's right £1 (insane or what!!) The shades I felt would suit my lip stick collection the most was shade 06 Satin Mauve, 11 In The Nude and 12 Wish Me A Rose. I was not complaining with this purchase as 3 lip liners only came to £3!

We always make a visit into T.K.Maxx because you never know which discounted makeup you may find. For some reason the Clean Logic Eye Lash Curlers lured me in to buy them, to be honest I've never been so impressed with curlers for £2.99. I researched into the original price when I got home and they normally retail around £10 ish!

Going into Boots nowadays is a struggle if you are trying not to purchase anything because of the amazing NYX stands that have now launched! Everytime I go in there I stand there for about 20 minutes with the inner me telling me to get the London Lip Cream which I have wanted forever! This day was the day I finally chose to buy it and I am obsessed! £5.50... more is going to be spend on these!!

Expiration Dates for Beauty Products

Being obsessed with makeup can sometimes be tough... for example, when you know you should get rid of a product because you've had it for way too long, instead you insist you won't use it and it will just sit in your drawer. It can also be difficult to judge when you should stop using a product after you have opened it, so here is a list of the expiration dates of each product. 

2 - 3 months: 
Mascara, face masks, nail files and loofah

6 - 12 months: 
liquid eyeliner, liquid foundation, concealer, eye cream, serum, face wash

1 year to 1 and half years: 
Lip gloss, eye shadow (cream), shower gel, eyebrow gel, lip balm

2 years:
lip pencils, eye liner pencils, nail polish, eye shadow (powder), blush, powder foundation 

Some products can vary depending on the brand and everything, but the dates listed above are the general ones for any one who is struggling to know. Every product will have the month on, whether it's on the bottle or on the packaging, it will definitely mention it somewhere.  

Prom 2016!

Dress - Spokane, A Finer Moment
Makeup - MAC Cosmetics
Nails - Elegant Touch French Manicure
Hair - Claire's Cutting Room
Clutch Bag - Debenhams 

Growing A Makeup Collection On A Budget

A huge collection of makeup is every girls dream... although it can be hard to get your ideal collection because the time of the process and the prices of some of the products you wish to involve in your collection. Therefore, I am here today telling you tips on how to grow your collection while you are on a budget. 

1. Save a certain amount at a point throughout the month.

Whether you save £10 at the start of the month or at the end, when you want to treat yourself by buying a new product, you can then take this money which will have added up from the previous months also. 

2. Discounted websites.

There are plenty of websites out there which promote themselves to sell branded makeup for a discounted and much cheaper value. I would suggest you research into the website before you use it, to check the products are genuine because fake makeup can be very harmful to your skin. Go into depth into the reviews and see more about it first. 

3. Research the product you want before purchasing it. 

This is something important which I do all the time for high-end products. You don't want to spend a lot of money on a product for it to be something you are disappointed in. Always watch videos and read reviews on other people's opinion, although every one has a different opinion, if 70% of the reviews are bad then you believe they are not worth it. With drugstore products I don't tend to research beforehand unless it's a new foundation or something which could easily react with my skin.

4. Get beauty cards in the shops you use a lot to buy makeup. 

Many shops ask you if you have a card when are buying products, if you don't then it is definitely worth picking one up as they take no more than 5 minutes to fill out. They provide you with points which take off money, birthday surprises and free delivery in a majority of the shops, such as Superdrug. 

5. Sign up to receive emails from the brands. 

Yes I admit sometimes these can be very annoying, therefore if you agree you don't have to subscribe to a lot of them. I would suggest signing up for your favourite brands and the ones you purchase a lot from. The emails consist of new products, sales and discounted items. 

6. Christmas and birthday's are great opportunities. 

When writing your list for occasions like these it is the perfect time to get makeup, especially high end products which you don't fancy buying yourself! Christmas gift sets are amazing for trying out new products and experimenting and then a lot more products are added into your collection. 

7. Have a list of makeup you want to buy on your phone. 

On my notes within my iPhone, I have got a list of all the high-end products that I would love to have in my collection. Next to each item there is a price so I am aware from my monthly pay or treat. This is a perfect way to maintain yourself from buying random products which you haven't researched, etc...

MAC 'Yash' Lipstick: Review & Swatches

As my birthday was last month I was lucky enough to receive a new MAC lipstick to add to my collection from a friend and it is now honestly my new obsession, I haven't wore another lipstick since I've had 'yash'. Yash is a matte finish which is my favourite kind within a lipstick and of course as you all probably know my favourite shades are brown and nudes... therefore this lipstick couldn't be any more nicer!

As a MAC lipstick the quality of it is perfect and definitely worth the £15.50 - my brother's birthday was last week so we went out for a huge family meal and I put the lipstick on at 6;00pm and got home after 10;00pm and the lipstick had faded a tiny bit which was hardly noticeable, bearing in mind I had been drinking and eating all night. Their matte lipsticks are 100% long wearing with my personal experience, which is something all us beauty gurus want in a lipstick. 

The shade is perfect. It is a matte nude so it does appear drying and some say fairly dull - however this is something which I wanted because with a full face and glam eye, I didn't want anything vibrant and adventurous. I would say yash is fairly similar to the ever so popular mac lipstick in 'Velvet Teddy', however Yash is more of a deep neutral, whereas Velvet Teddy is more deep tone beige. 

As I wear this lipstick with lipliners, I would using KIKO 700 lip liner and also the MUA Caramel Nougat, as they match the shade of the lipstick amazingly and they are both inexpensive.   

Summer Time Skin Care

Throughout the day, if makeup has been on my face I will firstly take makeup wipes to remove my eye makeup. After my eyes are then bare, I will soak a cotton wool pad with cleansing water to remove all the remain products on my face. Sometimes if I am feeling lazy a wipe will do the job as a whole, but I find cleansing water isn't as harsh on your skin. Once my face hasn't got anything remaining, cleanser is my next step to cleanse my skin deeply. Depending on the day within my routine, a face scrub takes action to remove any dirt, dead skin and impurities which is rinsed off with water. Next on my skin routine is using a toner and cotton wool pads to ensure all the dirt is finally gone and toner leaves my skin feeling fresh. The last product which I swear by is sudocrem - this is incredible to use when you go to bed as it enables your spots and blemishes to dry up to allow them to leave your face sooner. In the morning, as a result of the products being used the night before, my only thing I done when I wake up is use a face wash and afterwards I will use my moisturiser. 

Wipes I use: Garnier Sensitive Quilted Wipes or J&J Makeup Be Gone Extra Sensitive 

Cleansing Water I use: Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

Use: At the start of your skin care routine 

When: Every night you wear makeup

Cleanser I use: Nivea 2 in 1 Cleanser & Toner

Use: After you've removed your makeup

When: Every night of the week

Scrub I use: Simple Spotless Skin Blackhead Eliminating Face Scrub

There are many different face scrubs you can purchase but as my skin is prone to blackheads, this scrub is the ideal one for me. 

Use: After you have cleansed your skin with a cleanser

When: Two times a week (try to balance the gap between the days)

Toner I use: Nivea Refreshing Toner

Use: After you have exfoliated, if you do not exfoliate that day, use toner after cleanser.

When: Every night of the week

Spot care I use: Sudocrem

Use: Just before you go to bed 

When: Every other night of the week if your skin isn't bad and suffering a breakout

Face wash I use: Clinque Facial Wash with Dish

Use: When you wake up before moisturising

When: Every morning of the week when you wake up 

Moisturiser I use: Johnson's Daily Essentials Hydrating 24hour Day Cream

Use: After using a facial wash 

When: Every morning of the week

Re-using a Candle | 5 Ways

Everyone loves everything about candles right? The smell, the packaging... So why waste the packaging once the candle has burned out?  

I have got five different ways in which you use your candle pot once the wax has gone. All you need to do is wait for the candle to go and then clean out the pot and you are ready to reuse!

1. Loose Change 

Keeping your loose change in a candle pot is one of my favourite uses because there are so many ways of storing your money however I find a simple glass like this looks very cute and sophisticated on your makeup table or desk.   

2. Bobbi Pins 

Bobbi pins go missing wherever you put them... However storing them in one of these looks adorable sat in the corner of your dressing table to create an chic look as the bobbi pins end up very messy and not neat when you chuck them in after a long day. 

3. Everyday Makeup Brushes 

Even though all your makeup brushes won't be able to fit in here, I love putting my top 3 everyday ones. It takes me forever to rummage through my main pot in the morning trying to find the ones I need, therefore this saves a lot of time when I'm rushing. It can also look super cute if the brushes are the same colours and brand.

4. Lip Liners 

Depending on how many lip liners you own, I love having mine in these candle jars because they look so simple and cute. Although some candle jars don't hold the lip liners as well some other ones do, I find the primark candles work amazing for this lip liners!

5. Cotton Buds 

Where cotton buds are dainty and small, candle jars are the perfect size and storage for them. I usually keep them in a drawer within my dressing table which requires more time to find in the mornings, whereas putting them in a pot means you can quickly whip one out when they're needed. 

I hope you somehow found this post useful because I love finding out different storage methods and I find it so fascinating when people come up with different ways of storing things rather than in your drawers and things like that!

What was your favourite method of using a jar out of these five?

Thank you so much for reading, see you soon. 

Love, B.B.B x

It's The Little Things In Life

Within these past few weeks I've been feeling a mix of emotions. The main things which have cheered me up have been the little things - these days have made me realise that not every day you need some big news or event to make you joyful. 

From the past weeks of different feelings I thought I would sit down and share to you guys the recent things which have made me smile which weren't necessarily major actions. 

1. Laughing with friends at school.

Being back at school is never something I look forward to going back to, however something which makes me very happy is being around my favourite friends at break and lunch having fun and laughing with each other - this always makes me forget about other issues and problems for that short half an hour or so. 

2. Reflecting back at old photos.

Recently one of my favourite things have been looking back at my old photos from albums and on my phone because this always reminds me of the good times and it never fails to put a smile on my face. 

3. Evening walks with the crisp air.

With exams the past week I have been inside quite a lot revising and getting fairly stressed, one of my favourite things to calm me down and relax in this season is to go on a walk around where I live, whether this is for 20 minutes to an hour, this always helps me refresh my mind and I also find it helps my pores breath and freshen up. 

4. Fresh bed sheets and duvets. 

Everybody can agree with me on this one... there is nothing better than getting into bed after a long day when you have new sheets which smell amazing of washing powder... lovely. 

5. Good morning texts and snapchats. 

I never knew the impact of a small gesture such as 'Good morning' could make you happy for the whole day. Waking up and getting a message from the right person can warm your heart and it makes you feel really content. 

6. Waking up on the weekend with the sun shining.

The sun is the answer to my happiness... I am 100% a summer girl. When the sun is out I am in my happiest mood. To wake up to the sun shining through my window makes me in the best mood. 

7. The feeling you get when you've completed a workout.

Although the thought of a workout never sounds good when you are tired and all you want to do is pop on Netflix, the feeling you get once you've completed the sweaty stage is amazing and thrilling.

8. Coming home Wednesday to watch Pretty Little Liars. 

Unfortunately PLL has stopped for another year, however usually... 

Pretty Little Liars is hands down the best programme to air in the TV industry. On a Wednesday I sit in double maths as bored as ever, nothing sounds better than coming home to watch the gossip of Sara's hideout, the modern emojis and the wedding planning schemes for Hanna. 

9. Unexpected compliments.

Receiving compliments out of the blue from a specific person goes along with the good morning messages... it warms your heart to think about. The fact that people have become so judgmental these days, it is kind of rare to hear positive words about yourself.

10. Sunday days with no makeup

There is nothing better than waking up late on Sunday's, hopping in the shower, throwing your dressing gown back on and getting back into bed with your laptop watching YouTube videos and Netflix while doing your homework and jobs. There is no worry with makeup... you don't have to worry about not rubbing your eyes and the best feeling is when you have nothing to remove in the evening. 

"It's the little things that matter the most"

Thank you so much for reading, see you soon. 

Love, B.B.B x

My Travel Makeup: Amsterdam

As you are currently reading this post on Sunday, I am on my way to London to stay over night, ready for Gatwick early Monday morning. On Monday morning we are flying out to Amsterdam and spending a week having a lot of fun and laughing too much, making amazing memories. 

When I travel to different countries, I love finding these types of blog posts to help me pack products, as I find it extremely hard to narrow down the different things, therefore I am typing this blog post to share with you guys and hopefully help a bunch of you. 

 

 



FACE PRODUCTS

 

Foundation- For foundation you don't need to take anymore than one bottle.

Concealer- Take one concealer which you use everyday for coverage.

Highlighter and Bronzer- To save space, take a contour kit which includes both of these.

Powder- You will only need to take your main powder, two is too much. 



Bourjois healthy mix foundation, collection lasting perfection concealer, mua undress your skin shimmer highlighter, mua contour and sculpt kit, rimmel stay matte powder

 

EYE PRODUCTS

 

Mascara- Only take the mascara's which you use everyday (three is always my maximum)

Eye Shadow Palette- Take a palette which has a variety of shades in, try a travel size.

Single Eye Shadow- If your palette doesn't have a colour you want, take 1 single shadow.

Eye Brow Gel- You won't need anymore than one eyebrow gel.



 

Naked 2 palette, Maybelline color tattoo 'on and on bronze', mac paint pot 'chilled on ice', benefit roller lash, primark false lash effect mascara, Maybelline lash sensational, rimmel brow this way clear gel

 



 

LIP PRODUCTS

 

 

Balms- Take a variety of small ones (balms, pot, gel) I find lip balms do different jobs

Sticks- Pick out your favourite nude, dark, pink and two other favourites at a maximum.

Liners- Take no more than three of these, one for a nude, pink and then a dark.

Sharpener- If you take lip liners with you make sure you carry a sharpener around.

 

Dirty works lip balm 'coconut cream', strawberry carmex, eos strawberry lip balm, mua lip lipliner 'caramel nougat', mac lipstick 'captive', mac lipstick 'velvet teddy', mac lipstick 'peach blossom', mua shade 'bare 14'

 



Next week's blog post: Amsterdam Travel Diary!

 

What is your main product to travel with?

 

T h a n k  y o u  s o  m u c h  f o r  r e a d i n g.

L o v e ,  B e t h  x