July Favourites

 Sunday 20th July, England, Rain

I'm trying not to let July end dismally, because as I write this I'm looking out to solids banks of dark grey clouds. So I baked a cake, figuring that I couldn't possibly write a depressing post whilst the warm scent of freshly baked Victoria Sponge wafts about the kitchen. What better way to spend a Sunday than to pretend I'm a domestic goddess? 

Here are my July Favourites

1. Bourjois Java Rice Powder. This powder was brought on a whim after reading reviews that dubbed it as a dupe for the Hourglass illuminating powders - at a fraction of the cost I couldn't go wrong. It's great for setting a whole face of make-up to create a subtle glow, or use for brightening the under eye area. It smells antique, in a good way, like how your Grandmother's powder compacts used to smell. 

2. Vitamin E Serum-In-Oil. I'm a mahoosive fan of the Vitamin E collection at Body Shop, so after crowning their Face Mist as a product I could not live without, I was excited to try this serum-in-oil. This stuff is like beauty sleep in a bottle, 'nuff said. I use it every evening before moisturising, and even my Dad complimented how glowing my skin looked - win!.

3. Soap & Glory Thick & Fast. You know that product you just keep coming back to? Thick & Fast, I love you - you've got my back, you don't clump my lashes together. 

4. Essie Play-date. I've been completely and utterly obsessed with this varnish for the past month - the colour, the application, it's perfect.

5. Grapefruit. It smells delicious and tastes even better. Too much grapefruit has been consumed this July.

6. Quinoa. Possibly the best discovery of this month, and maybe ever. This superfood is low in fats, gluten-free and full of fibre and protein. Also tastes pretty darn good. Keep your eyes peeled for a vegan recipe.

K

On a quick ending note, I'm currently resting and rejuvenating with a Pina Colada in hand.

Travel Skincare and Make-up

I don't travel light. Not that I'm sure that comes as a surprise to anyone. But seriously, 20kg luggage allowance just isn't enough. However, this year I was determined to be well under the luggage allowance, packing only the bare essentials - the stuff that I reach for and use continually. You may think that going on holiday gives you the excuse to be brave and try something out of your comfort zone, or that you can't decide between which shade of red lipstick to take, so you'll just take all of them. No matter how much you promise yourself "I will wear this, I'll sleep with it on if I have to", in reality, you won't use it.

Save space and be strict. Keep a drawer of make-up and skincare that you use on a day-to-day basis over the course of a week or two. When packing, allow yourself only to take away with you what is in that drawer. These are products that work for you, that you feel comfortable in and love wearing. But yes, it's bloody hard to pick between those red lipsticks.

Here's my picks:

(Simple Kind To Skin Moisturiser, The Body Shop Unperfumed Eye Gel, The Body Shop Vitamin E Sink-in Moisture Mask, The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum-In-Oil, Malin + Goetz Lipbalm, Garnier Ambre Solaire On-The-Go Face and Body, Garnier Ambre Solaire Golden Protect Factor 30, Sainsburys Cotton Buds, Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic, Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish, Muslin Cloth, Sainsburys Cotton Pads)

(L'oreal True Match Foundation, Maybelline Baby Skin, MAC Soft & Gentle, Nars Laguna Bronzer, MAC Immortal Flower Blush, MAC Stay Pretty Blush, Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer, YSL Touche Eclat, Bourjois Java Rice Powder, MAC Fluid Line Gel Eyeline, Maybelline Colour Tattoo 24 Hour, Benefit Brow Zings, Blink + Go Eyeshadow Palette, Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette, MAC Morange, MAC impassioned, MAC Sunny Seoul, Rimmel Kate Moss 107, Clear Mascara, Maybelline Master Smoky Eye Pencil, Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Mascara)

K