What's in my...Travel Bag

 I travel quite a bit (Oh, don't I sound like the glamourous-jet-setting type).
Well, it's not that glamorous, and let's just be honest here- travelling can be such a faff. 
Packing, unpacking, preparing for every scenario- 'Will we be going out out this weekend? If so I'll need heels!...And then hangover clothes...What about lunch on Sunday? Accessories? Oh sweet lord I need a lie down!'
The last thing you want to do is drag a load of full-sized products around with you.
I know a lot of people like to decant their things in to travel bottles, but that just doesn't work for me.
Is it just me, or are those travel bottles a real liability? I've had moisturiser-leak disasters on thrice occasions. THRICE. And that's just not okay. Even if it's baby lotion, I don't want to lose it. Or have it all over my bag.
So just for fun (cos I'm cray that way), I like to carry actual-travel-size products. I don't know why I like buying them so much! I think it's because that thing of going to the counter in Boots and being like..that's right! I'm a globetrotting go-getter!....*going to Barnstaple for the weekend...*

1. Nivea Soft Moisturising creme
2. Simple Kind to Skin Moisturising Facial Wash
3.Wet Ones Antibacterial Wipes
4. No7 Nail and Cuticle Creme
5. Simple Kind to Skin Moisture Boost Hydro Mist
6. Batiste Dry Shampoo in Blush

My top tip is that a lot of these products (and more) are available at Poundland, so if you fancy a cheap treat for looking lovely on the go, there you, er, go. 

If you'd like to see reviews of the products mentioned above, let me know below.




  Follow @styleresolution

Resolution- #Hand Care

None of us are getting any younger. Unless your name is Benjamin Button. In which case you may well be getting younger. So you needn't take any notice of this post.

With the exception of Ben, none of us are getting any younger. Least of all me.

I feel like I'm accelerating through life at a rapid pace and there is never enough time and always too many wrinkle-making worries.

Then again, this is the girl who cried on her seventh birthday because she wanted to stay six.

Unlike my seven-year-old self, the solution these days isn't tears. So I've been swotting up with The Anti Ageing Beauty Bible. It just has lots of great tips about cleansing, skincare, nutrition, meditation. I feel more glowy just reading it. If you'd like to read, you can find it here

One of the things I never (stupidly) thought about before reading this book was the way time can weather on the hands. Hands are probably the most used part of the body. Try and think of something you do where your hands aren't heavily involved.

Exactly.

Yes the skin might be thicker than on the face, but those babies go through a lot of wear and tear. I apply hand cream all the time. But before I read this book, I didn't consider that just might not be enough.

SO today's #Resolution is to get a real good hand care regime going.

I thought I'd take you through my steps.

#1 Once a week or so, I make sure I take off my nail polish properly and give my hands a good clean. For this I use a nail brush (this one is £1.59 at Superdrug) and some cream Dove Soap.
This helps to get rid of dry skin- I have a lot of hand skin issues, which I will address in a later post. The cuticles and the skin around the nails tend to get a lot of wear n' tear. And no one likes a hang nail.


This step for cleansing your hands is really cheap. A nail brush will set you back close to a quid and a nice soap costs even less.

#2 The skin on your hands and body sheds just as much as your face (mmmm, attractive). So once a fortnight, I take a dab of exfoliator (at the moment it's the Neutorogena Visibly Clear) and scrub it across the backs of my hands, fingers and wrists.
You don't want a product that's too harsh. Equally, you don't want to be too rigorous. Hands are used for everything and if they're red raw, it's going to cause you problems.

*This exfoliator rubs smoothly in to hand skin


#3 The next thing I use on naked nails is a nail and cuticle cream. At the moment, it's the No7 version, I think I reviewed this on my old blog (?) and I really like it. It goes on so nicely, sinks in and feels like it's actually doing some good. Unfortunately it's not cheap, but if you're doing this on a budget the drugstores have plenty to choose from. (If you'd like to see a review then let me know in the comments below and I'll pick my fave budget versions for you).

*please excuse chipped nails. I know there is no excuse. But I was just about to take this off, I swear!

#4 Okay, so the next (and my favourite step) is the painting. I have a GAZILLION nail polishes. You'll be seeing the full collection soon. I say full, but it's always expanding...so what I mean is the 'most up-to-date collection at this moment in time, before I go to Boots again'. 

Aside from just liking pretty colours, I have pretty damaged nail beds. So for me, painting is a bit of a necessity. 

To even out, condition and prevent staining, the next step is always a base coat. 

My favourite top n' bottom duo is currently the one by Collection.

I think they do a sterling job, considering the little amount of sterling they cost.

#5 Once the polish is dry (not hard dry, but not smudge territory), I apply a dab of oil across the cuticles, skin and hands.

I love the Superdrug Vitamin E oil, which I also use as a moisturising treat on my face once a week.

#6 Now, the world is a pretty germy place. Offices can be a hot-bed for infections, just waiting to pounce at any moment. So I always have some antibac and lotion on hand, for my hands.

At the moment, I've got my mitts on the Neal's Yard Bee Lovely Hand Cream. This was free with Marie Claire a while ago and once I got round to using it properly, I was really impressed. It's such a nice product to keep on your desk or pop in your handbag because the fragrance is uplifting and rubbing a dollop of this in can provide a well-needed moment of calm in a crazy environment.

I use Carex Protect and Plus gel to ward off nasties because unlike other antibacterial gels that irritate my psoriasis, this isn't drying, doesn't sting, and absorbs really quickly.

 #7 You know what they say- Prevention is better than cure.
We all know the one about eating right and staying healthy. But let's face it. Sometimes there are occasions when you just want a bar of chocolate and not a carrot. So to make sure my nails are getting what they need from the inside, I take a supplement.
I am going to do a 'comparison' post of these Tesco Skin, Hair and Nails tablets with the Perfectil version (probably featured in Fitness Friday, so look out). I know some people might think supplements are a waste of money. But these cost £3 for 30- the price of your average daily latte. And I like to make sure on days I am having a binge (hello, EVERY SATURDAY), I'm still at least getting some nutrients!

 Follow @styleresolution

REVIEW- Nivea BB Cream

With summer on the way (PLEASE, please say summer is finally on the way?!) it's time to put away those heavy-duty lotions and potions in favour of something a bit, well, lighter.

I have been on the look-out for a drugstore BB cream that lives up to my (not even very high) standards for a while.

I just want something that, essentially, does what it says on the tin.

But every time, they fall short of my expectations.

And the biggest downfall is always the colour.

I just don't get how drugstore foundations have really accelerated in recent years, with a good range of colours.
And yet BB creams don't seem to have got beyond 'light' 'medium' and 'dark'.
I know we're talking high street, so we can't expect miracles. But there are some really great drugstore products out there. So surely it wouldn't take too much to add in a few shades that might actually suit anyone who isn't an Oompa Loompa?

Unfortunately, the 'colour problem' is the one and only downfall of this Nivea BB Cream.

I picked it up in Tesco for a ridiculously cheap price- literally about £2. I bought it for my holiday because (knowing already about the 'colour problem') I thought once tanned, the light shade might just be okay.

*Sorry it's a bit messy- a sign it's been tested well, eh?

What It Says-

5in1 Beautifying Moisturiser

• Evens
• Covers 
• Illuminates
• Moisturisers 
• Protects your skin

Instantly perfect looking skin with minerals, ProVitaminB5 & a hint of colour. SPF 10.
    

 

First of all, SPF, so that's good. Because I am ageing at a ridiculous pace, I can't go out of the house without one. But SPF 10 just won't make the grade. 

This is definitely moisturising, yes. It has a really nice texture, is creamy and smells nice. 

Unfortunately a 'hint of colour' is a bit of a hint of a lie. 

Because, unless your natural skin shade can be likened to 'red brick', this is just way too dark. 

As I said, I was tanned when I applied this (just with fingers, nothing fancy) and at first I thought mmmm not too bad. 
But by the middle of the day, when I made the mistake of looking in the mirror, I JUST. LOOKED.DREADFUL. 

My shiny face, with concealer having run for its life, had an orange tinge that made me look about 50. The product had settled in to my pores and highlighted my wrinkly bits. 

Which is a real shame, because everything about this product is great. The price, the formula, the way it looks on the skin when first applied (and vigorously blended). 

But at the end of the day, what's the most important feature of a product you put on your face? 

The colour. 

As you can see, it gives a really nice illuminating finish. Unfortunately this doesn't last.

Review by Numbers

Did it live up to it's promises?-3/5.It is moisturising and illuminating and when first applied, it does blur imperfections. But that just doesn't last.

Packaging- 3/5- They give you a generous amount of product for the price, but the bottle itself isn't particularly eye catching.

Value for money- 3/5-£2 for a good BB cream is a bargain. Unfortunately you will only think this if you're an oompa loompa.

Recommend to a friend? Yes. IF they improved their shade range. As it stands right now, I just couldn't.

 Follow @styleresolution

Resolution- #Hold on to the Bright Stuff

*Above- orange bag, Topshop- £35
Yellow bag, River Island- £37

My loved ones know me too well. For there is nothing I could possibly enjoy more than a) ridiculously bright to bordering on damaging your irises bright things and b) handbags.

So when I saw these two in amongst my birthday goodies I nearly salivated. And no, not just because they reminded me of juicy fruit.

OOTDs coming soon....  Follow @styleresolution

#REVIEW- Simple Moisture Boost Hydro Mist

Do you ever catch sight of yourself in the middle of a busy working day and wish you didn't have to see anyone else, like, ever?
But then you realise you work in a massive office, have a meeting, and afterwards you're supposed to be seeing friends for drinks (oh, the high life- you can tell what I actually do after work...hello, I'm on the internet again.)

Anyway, you know what I'm saying. You can start the day fresh faced and made up. But come 2pm your best intentions have slid out the door, along with your face.

The solution? Ladies, I think I've found it.

I think, along with a lot of other people, that Simple skincare is one of the best drugstore ranges on the shelves. There are no nasties in there and lots of skin-loving ingredients and most of their products are only around the £5 mark. 

I've long loved a moisturising touch up and for the last couple of years I've been using Avene.
But, taking advantage of Boots 3 for 2, I gave this a test in the shop and I instantly fell in love with it.
This is not just a refreshing 'water' that is, essentially, water.
When I spritz this on not only does it pep up make up, it feels like it's actually doing something.
And it smells fresh, too.
Perfect for all you busy girls on the go..And all the..Twitter addicts like me....

I'm going to keep today's post short and sweet because if it was up to me you would put down your other refreshing face sprays and go and treat yourself to this immediately.

I will also be posting a review of the Hydro Moisturiser soon so keep your eyes peeled! (And your faces refreshed)

 Follow @styleresolution

Fitness Friday- Body Brushing

 CELLULITE. *dun dun duuuuuuuuuun*

...did you just baulk at the screen?

Yes, I can't say it's my favourite word, either.

Nowadays it is so ridiculed in the media that just saying the C word feels like swearing.

And having it feels even worse.

But let's be honest. Who doesn't have a dimple or two?! It doesn't matter if you're a size 8 or 18. Anyone can fall victim to this (as we are lead to believe) 'ghastly' condition.

But- and let's be honest again- it doesn't make you a bad person. Or mean you're not healthy. Or mean you don't look after yourself.

We all know the golden rules though- and if you want to ditch the orange peel there are a few things you can try.

• Drinking plenty of water
• Moisturising
• Body brushing 

Since I am already an avid fan of the first two, I knew there was only one way to go if I really want smooth skin by September. 

That's right. Body brushing.

This is the Sanctuary Hip and Thigh Massager

Now, I'm going to be honest with you. This is a pain in the ar*se (physically as well as mentally).
At first trying to remember to whip off your smalls, dig out a scary-looking brush and rub yourself from head to toe with it every time you shower can be a bit of a headache.
But, as those body experts would lead us to believe, with great efforts come great results.

You use this on dry skin three or four times a week and follow with a body scrub.

'Use the brush on legs and arms to boost circulation, smooth skin tone and assist the lymphatic system, improving the elimination of toxins throughout the body.

 Apply more pressure in circular upwards motions on the hips, thighs and buttocks using the rubber nodules within the brush to provide a deeper penetrating massage into the fatty tissues, to help improve the appearance of cellulite.'

 

I've been using this for around two weeks and I can't say I've noticed a huge difference so far (then again who goes around closely examining their hips, thighs and buttocks in minute details a lot? *shifty eye movements*)

Still, fitness and feeling great isn't a sprint- it's a marathon. So we'll see where we are when it's time to bare all on the beach...*eek*

 Follow @styleresolution

Resolution- #Smell Nice..for once

I think I've gone to fragrance Heaven.
I just can't stop sniffing myself (which sounds wrong and probably is wrong, also).
In my (quite lovely, may I add) bedroom, you will find a shelf. And that shelf is mainly filled with perfumes. Eu de toilettes, sprays, mists...you name it, if it's of the fragrance variety, it's up there.
But recently I've decided I'd like to smell nice every second of the day.
Not that I'm saying I stink now or anything (keep digging that hole Sam, keep digging).
It's just that in the rush of the day when you're flapping around and your so-called '24 hour protection' deodorant starts to flag, you wish you could be one of those girls who always smells lovely and look fresh to boot.

Well enough is enough of sweatin'! Today's #Resolution is to do just that.

And will I be carrying around a bulky bottle of perfume? Spritzing myself at all available hours? Making others cough at the fumes? No.
Because I've found something that's long-lasting, natural smelling and of an absolute bargainous price.

 *The Body Shop Coconut Eu De Toilette

I've found myself really getting in to The Body Shop lately. I think it has a lot to do with taking more of an interest in the ingredients I'm putting on to my skin and where they come from. (That's right! I have ethics!...Who knew?!)

But what I really like more than The Body Shop is the smell of coconut. I mean, I can not get enough, it is bordering on addictive.
Holidays, sun tan lotion, Pina Colada...who doesn't want to smell of those things?!
Especially with the weather we've had over the last..oh I don't know, gazillion years. It's nice to have something that lends itself towards glorious summer.

Equally as impressive as the fragrance itself, is the selection.
I mean, looking across the many shelves in the store, it becomes clear you can smell of any exotic fruit/ spice you want.
Vanilla? No problem. White musk? There you go. Berries, citrus notes...if I wasn't such a big fan of coconut I'd have a tough time deciding!

As a Love Your Body member (the card costs about £5 I think- let me know if you'd like a separate post on what this is)- I had 20% off. Which meant a 30ml bottle cost a grand total of £6.80

£6.80 for a decent bottle of perfume is, quite frankly, insane.

 Follow @styleresolution