Going on holiday is an exciting thing to do, whether it's with family, your partner, friends or even on your own. But, the one thing that stresses me out is packing. Even though I've been on many holidays, I always take far too much, despite writing up a list of what I'll need. But hey, I'm pretty sure most people will take about 5 pairs of shoes even though they are going for a 4 day holiday, just incase an occasion arises to wear a specific pair.

I'm currently on holiday so I've been through the whole 'What do I want to take with me'. Not only did I have to think about the clothes I'll be taking, but also my makeup and skincare for the week. Luckily, I'm only within the UK so I'm not restricted in what I can take, like liquids, aerosols etc. but I still wanted to be as reasonable as possible. I'm not looking at wearing makeup everyday but just wanted to take some items with me so if I'm going out for dinner or a trip out, I can atleast look alive, it won't too heavy on my skin and doesn't take forever to do. I've taken some skincare pieces also, as it's important that I still look after my skin, regardless if I wear any makeup or not.


Because my skin hasn't been too bad lately, I've not been messing with the skincare products that I've been using, as I'm worried something may flare it up, so what I'm not actually taking too much. So, coming with me is:

• Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water: I've been loving this again recently. I used it ages ago, stopped and now I use it every time I want to get the makeup off my face. You don't need to use too much water to get rid your makeup, so this is a big thumbs up from me.
• Clinique Moisture Surge: I've had this for so long and I still love it. If my skin is feeling on the dry side, I only have to take a small amount and spread it over my face and it'll instantly feel so moisturised. It comes in a small pot so it's really handy to take with you on holiday.
• Pixi Glow Tonic: I've reviewed this product on my blog before and I was saying how much I loved this. I still do, which is why it's part of my travel essentials. I usually use this after I've used the Micellar Water just to fully cleanse my skin. This has been such a saviour and something that I've used where I've seen a noticeable difference.
• Superdrug Pure Cotton Wool Pads: I'll be using these with my Micellar Water and Pixi Glow Tonic. Pretty standard cotton pads, which you can get from drugstores or supermarkets. These are the ones I had lying around and it doesn't appear that I have many left but I can get some whilst I'm on holiday if I do run out.
• Simple Kind to Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes: I used to use these before I used Micellar Water, and used them again when I stopped. Even though I'll mainly use the water, it doesn't harm to take some wipes just incase. Sometimes they are good to get rid of some stubborn makeup.
• Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask: I love these! These tissues are incredible. Whenever they are on offer in Boots at 99p a go, I tend to buy a handful because they are that good. Similar to the Moisture Surge, this is good to help moisturise my skin but I use it more of a pamper session, so I can sit back and relax for 15 minutes whilst it does it's thing. My skin just feels so refreshed once I peel it off so it's something I'll try and do once or twice whilst I'm away.

• MAC Prep + Prime Primer: I used to use the Babyskin before I was gifted this for Christmas. I've been using it the last few times I wore makeup and I feel that this helped my makeup stick to my skin slightly better. It has a SPF 50 rating so incase it's a tad sunny, this will keep my skin sun-safe.
• NARS Sheer Glow Foundation: As you probably know by now, this is my regular foundation so it's no surprise that this is mentioned in this post. This foundation is lightweight, so it's perfect that it won't be heavy on my skin.
• Collection Last Perfection Concealer: Again, the pretty regular concealer that I use all the time. This lasts a long time and can cover my blemishes and darkness under my eyes really well. I'm slowly running out so may need to locate more whilst I'm away.
• Rommel London Stay Matte Powder: I've mentioned this in previous posts but this powder just does what it needs. It's lightweight and doesn't make your makeup look cakey.
• Makeup Revolution Blush Palette: This palette is so pretty and very spring like so I thought it would be a great product to come along. I've only really used one colour but it's good to have variation.
• NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray: Once the base has been complete, I would apply my favourite setting spray from NYX. I prefer the Matte finish over the Dewy because I don't really want to look that shiny.
• For the base, I have some of my Real Techniques brushes and complexion sponge to put it all together. My good ol' trusty tools, which need a good clean (oops).

Two years ago (where has that time gone) I wrote about 'What's in my Makeup Bag', showing you what I was using. Well, many moons have passed and I must say that there have been some significant changes and thought it would be fun to see how much it has changed in the past two years. Although some items won't technically fit in my Makeup Bag, they do travel with me as part of it. So here goes, the 2017 edition of what's in my Makeup Bag.

As you can see the Makeup Bag itself has not changed because I just love it so much. As mentioned before, I got this from Primark. I purchased it long before I did the original post so it's very unlikely that you'll be able to find this, although I'm sure you can find similar elsewhere.


Before I apply my makeup, I use the Babyskin Instant Pore Eraser, to prime my face. However, for Christmas, I got a MAC Prep + Prime, which I've started using occasionally so I keep both on me. I have upped my game a little bit in terms of the foundation that I now use. If you've not read the post before, I used to use the Rimmel London Match Perfection Foundation but after I walked into a Space.NK stored, they used NARS on me. That's it, I switched over. I roughly started to use the NARS foundation 6 months after that post and I still have the same one. I use my Real Techniques Foundation brush to apply this and it gives me really good coverage. I only started using the Collection concealer because of the amounts of people who were raving about it, so that was another switch. Similar to foundation, I use the Real Techniques Concealer brush or occasionally, I'll use the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. Something that hasn't changed, I still have kept with my Rimmel Powder. I know the packaging doesn't look appealing and I've hit the pan but it is how it is. Still going strong though. I normally use the Real Techniques Powder Brush. I absolutely love my Real Technique brushes. Don't know what I would do without them.


I love Makeup Revolution's palettes, whether it's eyeshadow, contour or blush but they are becoming quite popular in my collection. Not that I use them everytime, I love these two. First, it's the blush palette called Sugar and Spice. I only bought this late last year but I'm so glad I did. There are lovely variations of blush colours and you can easily use the shimmy ones as a highlighter. Such amazing pigmentation and can blend fairly easily. Love it. I also use the the Ultra Cream Contour Palette. Again, only purchased very recently, you can see that it's had some usage (sorry for not cleaning that for the pictures). I'm still fairly new to contouring but the cream formula is really easy to use. Once again, I use brushes from Real Techniques, using the Blush Brush for blush and the Sculpting Brush for contour.


Moving onto eyes, I actually use quite minimal stuff. As you can see, I don't have any eyeshadow pictured. I don't normally opt for eyeshadow if I'm putting together a quick makeup look and normally use them for events/special outings. Don't get me wrong, I love eyeshadow and all the looks you can create, I just don't normally go for it for everyday looks. Anyway, let's focus on what I do use. At the top, where all of the detailing has smudged off is the Soap & Glory Archery Brow Pencil, which I've had for quite a while now. I got quite a light colour as I didn't want to have really dark brows against my pale skin but I really love using this. For mascara, I love and use the widely-popular Maybelline Lash Sensational. It's so incredible, making my lashes so long and curly. In terms of eyeliner, I primarily use the Avon Glimmerstick Diamonds. I've used Avon's eyeliner for quite a few years now and I never get bored of them. Not that I use it everytime, I also have the Barry M Liquid Eyeliner. This is so good to get a fierce wing, just need a bit more practice.


For lips, my absolute favourite is Mehr from MAC. This is quite a subtle colour that it doesn't overpower a pretty basic look but you can tell that you're wearing it. Previously, I used the Rimmel London Kate Moss lipsticks, which I still own. I'm just really into this shade so much. Like eyeshadow, I do normally change up the lipstick if there is a special event/occasion, but this is the standard one on most basic occasions.


To finish this all up, I use the NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray, so that everything stays into place. I didn't have this in the last post. It's something that I only got last year and it's definitely something that I'd recommend people to buy if they don't own some sort of setting spray. It really does help keep your makeup intact and doesn't make my face feel too wet from it. So glad I invested into this.

There you go. That is the 2017 update of What's in my Makeup Bag. It has amazed me how things have changed, not just in terms of the contents of my bag but how my writing and photography has changed since the original post. But that's what Blogging is about, developing and becoming a better creator.

Do you use any of these products? Is there anything you'd recommend?

Look after yourself,


This blog post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own and honest!

I have previously posted about owning my first MAC products and since then, my collection has grown a little, only in lipsticks. I've not really been much of a lipstick wearer, but I think my original MAC purchases have given me a bit of a lipstick bug and I've bought more overtime (mainly from MAC and ColourPop). I have relatively small lips so that was a reason why I never invested money into lipsticks but I think it helps on the colours that you buy and with my current collection, I think I can pull them off.


So in my original post, I bought myself Hot Gossip (top) and Speed Dial (bottom). Hot Gossip has had a bit more usage than Speed Dial but they are both lovely colours. Over the course of 1 and a half years, I have added 5 more.


One that I purchased quite early on is Brave. It's a really nice pinky, beige/nude colour, in a satin finish. It's a great subtle shade so that if you want to have a bit a nude/natural look, this is a good pick.


Going quite daring, I got myself Dark Side. When I switched this in the store, I really liked the colour, despite it being a dark shade. It comes out lighter than how it actually looks but it's a lovely burgundy/berry toned, amplified creme finish lipstick. Definitely one for the Autumn time.


This became a very quick favourite of mine and as you can see, it's the most used. This one is Mehr. In a matte finish, this is another pinky/nude shade which I really like. Again, nice and subtle and can be used for many looks. I love the feel of matte lipsticks, so it's probably a big reason why I liked this one the most.


One that was added most recently to my collection is D for Danger, one that I was gifted for Christmas. Similar to Dark Side, it's a berry/brick red toned lipstick, in a matte finish. This was one that I've seen and really liked but didn't buy it for myself but I was lucky and very kindly given it. It's one that I look forward to using a bit more in the months to come.


Another that I got for Christmas is Chatterbox. It's super similar to Speed Dial, being a bright pink lipstick but this is an amplified creme finish, rather than cremesheen, so it has a bit more colour, rather than looking glossy. Again, I'm very grateful that I was gifted this lipstick.

Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year. You find yourself eating lots of food, being able to relax but most importantly, it's being able to spend some quality time with your loved ones. Gift giving is such fun. You spend weeks in advance finding and wrapping them up, which can be a little stressful at times, but it's always a great feeling to see their reactions and in return, it's always great to see what you got.
Look after yourself,


This blog post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own and honest!

A few weeks ago, whilst I was having a browse around Debenhams, my curious mind encouraged me to go over to the MAC counter, just to have a little look. I left with two lipsticks... I took the plunge and purchased my first bundle of MAC products. I give you, Hot Gossip and Speed Dial.