Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Looking back on 2017, I’ve been on a whole load of trips this summer - I thought it only right that I dedicate a piece to the beauty products that have kept my face in place throughout the travel process.
With weight restrictions (and suitcase size) on my mind, I used to spend ages deliberating which beauty products would make the cut and still end up bringing a kilo of creams and potions, most of which were barely used but brought 'just in case'.
Sound familiar? The ongoing debate as to whether you need to bring the full skincare arsenal, or whether you can get away with just a tube of moisturiser. Those of you who have the full day cream, night cream, eye cream, serum routine wouldn't even believe it was even possible.
As a long-time beauty writer and skincare obsessive, I definitely fall into that category but I can safely say I've finally nailed it. Thanks to a series of trial and error on some recent travel breaks, I’ve now refined it to a trusted lineup of skincare superstars which I bring with me every time.
Obviously, certain trips are geared to more sun protection, more makeup glam or more outdoors inclined but when it comes to essentials, these are the ones that I will always need.
Take off time...
Air travel is notoriously hard on your skin, thanks to the dry air and dehydration. For anything over 4 hours, I always take off my makeup before protecting with a face oil or heavy cream.
Trilogy Rosehip Oil is one of my trusted facial oils. Certified organic and 100% natural, rosehip oil contains powerful antioxidants that help protect against the free radical damage of radiation. That, and a load of essential fatty acids that keep my skin hydrated and plump during the flight.
(If you have oily skin and hate face oils, Trilogy have also come out with a Light blend version too)
For long haul flights, I also use Christian Breton Deluxe Gold Mask when waking up onboard in the morning. Fortunately, I can pretty much fall asleep anywhere but when your skin needs a quick radiance & hydration fix, this mask is my go to.
It's pricey AF but one tube has lasted me a year and I would buy with my own money. It contains little gold particles that add visible radiance to your skin. Just apply the cream to your face, leave and tissue or rinse off.
Touch down.
After 20 minutes with the radiance mask, I'll put my face back on - mainly so that I actually bare some semblace to my passport photo.
Instead of bringing a full makeup bag on the plane, I just bring my portable makeup pocket rocket - the Chanel Palette Essentielle compact which I dedicated an entire post to upon purchase. This, plus a mascara and an eyebrow pencil- inflight makeup kit is sorted without an overflowing liquid allowance bag.
Other than the palette, my FAVOURITE beauty discovery this summer was this Skin Defence Multi-Protection essence by The Body Shop. My new favourite and daily must-have in my skincare routine.
In a nutshell, it's the lightest SPF50 cream I've ever used, has antioxidants protection AND Vitamin C to slowly brighten my skin and reduce pigmentation with each use. It's billed as an essence but in my opinion, is moisturising enough for me to use a day cream. Dry skin may want to add a hydrating cream as well.
Cannot recommend this product enough, it protects your skin whilst slowly perfecting it. Check it out, on tour in Hong Kong.
After that, the only other thing is hand gel and eye drops. My favourite hand gel is Merci Handy - the least drying, most moisturising hand sanitiser that I've ever used.
And eye drops, an essential for any contact lens wearer - I've upgraded to single use capsules instead of a bottle. They're more expensive but the bottles can only be kept open for 3 months (of which I use about half) and you can just slip a single use capsule into any handbag, whenever you need it.
And that's literally it. The 5 products that I always bring with me.
What do YOU think? Do you have travel essentials that you always reach for? IS there such thing as travelling light? Tweet me your thoughts @Zoe_Dubs or send me a comment on Facebook!
Read Full Post
In Flight Beauty Essentials - The Only Carry On Products You Need Onboard
Last month was a huge milestone for me - I went on my first ever international press trip. Aka giant free holiday after years of blogging and writing. I can tell you that the perks of Lifestyle blogging don't come as often as beauty blogging but when they do, they are PERKY AF. Time to become a travel blogger? PIVOT.
Read Full Post
FACE VALUE TRAVEL BLOG? My first press trip to Sardinia
It was literally this time last year that I was in California, celebrating my birthday in the sun and enjoying the sights in LA and Las Vegas. And with Coachella 2016 coming up, nothing brings on a case of the nostalgic blues like a YOUTUBE MONTAGE!
Today's post is also a little shopping list that I've done from the comfort of my sofa in case you need some outfit inspiration for what to wear .... OR if you just fancied treating yourself.
Read Full Post
Coachella Video and Festival Shopping List
Due to the money-saving accountant side of me, stocking up on beauty essentials at Duty Free is a mandatory stop every time I go to the airport. Seriously, it's like going to the cinema and not having popcorn, it's just a must-do right?
Read Full Post
Flying In Style With World Duty Free: Complimentary Beauty Treatments At Heathrow
Honey, I'm home! Villa life on the Spanish island of Mallorca was amazing, but of course it went far too quickly! One week away from blogging, so I guess I owe you a little holiday summary of what went down and what I wore! (stay tuned for my biggest holiday beauty secret!)
We had a little villa tucked away in a gorgeous coastal bay called Cala Pi. Yup, I'm definitely too old for Magaluf these days. We were literally on the cliffs, it had such a gorgeous view of the sea and the Spanish sunsets. Check out this Shepherds Delight scene!
Nothing quite beats drinking Sangria, in 30 degrees, whilst reading trashy 99p Kindle books - oh yeah and floating in a rubber ring! Despite looking like I'm "a frat boy at a pool party with Calvin Harris" (according to Mr FV, the bastard) - it was awesome. Until wearing the cap backwards tanned a square into my forehead. NOT cool but thankfully easily concealed by foundation.
Holiday Beauty Essentials
Go on then, what is it? Errr, HELLO NEW LASHES.
Yup, you got me - faking it is the best way to sort your holiday makeup. Eyelash extensions place individual lashes onto your own, making them look a bit more natural than false strip lashes. They're also much lighter, you won't even know you're wearing them.
I love getting eyelash extensions before holiday as it means I don't need to worry about waterproof mascara, or any sort of makeup other than some SPF and some brows (obvs).
They last a couple of weeks, if you look after them you can have them on for a while! These lash pictures are after a week in the sun, on the beach and in the pool - so they've held up pretty nicely!
Eyelash extensions can be pricey though - normally about £70-£120 depending on where you're getting them done and how many lashes you're having applied (in case you're wondering, it's about 2-3 extensions per real lash)
Now that's nothing I can really afford to do regularly so the answer is GROUPON. You can find a lot of eyelash deals out there where you can get a full set for about £25. Now, that's a price I like! I'm going to do a full post after Fashion Week on how to look after your lashes, and the different kinds of lashes you can get.
Holiday Bargain Buys.
I don't really do postcards or souvenirs but I love treating myself to a special item everytime I go on holiday - sort of my own style souvenir I guess?
I went to a little town called Inca, where they have a weekly market which sells lots of stuff, particularly leather goods! I ended up buying a pair of soft leather slippers (basically ankle Uggs) and THIS gorgeous leather coat.
First of all, WELL DONE to Mr FV who has managed to take a picture that's in focus and not blurry. Anyone else's other halves somehow inept with cameras??
Buttery soft and velvetty, this leather coat by Stradivarius is a sort of trench/jacket/shirt dress and I LOVE IT. I've never actually treated myself to a leather jacket before, I've only ever borrowed/stolen my mum's so I'm really pleased to have finally got myself one.
And even better, it was only about £65! How great is that?! I'll be wearing this with polo necks and A-line skirts to channel the 70's trend, or with skinny black trousers and a marl t-shirt for a casual, yet effortlessly chic vibe. All after giving it a thorough pre-treatment with a suede protector of course!
The only downside is that it smells a little bit like bacon at the moment, as it's 100% pig leather, but I've already worn it out and about the house, and it's definitely coming to work with me, paired with a white shirt and black cigarette pants. WAHOO. Holiday souvenir!
I love hearing from you guys, so tweet me your thoughts @FaceValueBlog or send me a comment on Facebook!
If you liked this post, give it a little love by clicking the blue link below...
Read Full Post
Mallorca Holiday Style Blog: Eyelash Extensions & Leather
Finally my Coachella Festival adventure is over! I landed back in London this morning and the harsh reality of home has finally settled. Time for work tomorrow. (Cue me falling to my knees and shouting nOOOOOO at the sky.)
Read Full Post
Coachella Confession: The Ugly Truth Not On Instagram
With Coachella fast approaching, the last-minute holiday shop has officially BEGUN! I've had a bit of a rummage and re-discovered some old summer favourites (thrifty new me..) but my sunglasses are nowhere to be found! Standard.
I don't know about you but I'm constantly losing sunglasses - hair bobbles, clips and rings too. Therefore I jumped at the chance to try out the sunglasses home-trial by Specspost.co.uk - an online sunglasses and glasses shop.
Read Full Post
Specspost: A New Way To Shop Sunglasses?
As I mentioned in my post, Downtime, there's been a bit of a silence because I've been moving flat, but also because I've been on holiday! Yay for holidays!
Every time I go on holiday I always keep an eye out for beauty buys which aren't available in the UK. I've brought back velcro hair slides from Hong Kong, P2 Lip Peeler from Berlin, Princess lipsticks from Malaysia but the ABSOLUUUUTE epitome of 'beauty not available in the UK' can very easily be summed up in one example. That example, my dear readers, is Sephora.
Every time I go on holiday I always keep an eye out for beauty buys which aren't available in the UK. I've brought back velcro hair slides from Hong Kong, P2 Lip Peeler from Berlin, Princess lipsticks from Malaysia but the ABSOLUUUUTE epitome of 'beauty not available in the UK' can very easily be summed up in one example. That example, my dear readers, is Sephora.
First things first, I need to get this off my chest - WHY DO WE NOT HAVE A SEPHORA IN THE UK?!?! More exclamation marks needed.
I remember we used to have one back in like 2002 but this was before my age of makeup enlightenment and all I bought from there were those bath foam capsules shaped as dolphins and hearts - which were quite useless - HOW NAIVE I WAS.
Flashforward another decade and this time, when I encountered Sephora in an out-of-town Portuguese shopping mall....I was prepared!! (and no longer interested in those bath capsules)
An hour in Sephora AND during the sale season - does it get any better?! There was reduced Benefit, reduced Lancome and eventually, poor Mr FV reduced to boredom.
Shall we see the spoils of my shopping trip!?
Read Full Post
Beauty Buys From Portugal (via Sephora)
Hi team! It's been very quiet on Face Value Beauty Blog this week so I thought I'd write something a bit different and give you a little life update!
Mr FV and I have just moved house to live 'me & you, just us two' which is cray cray exciting but we've done it all midweek without taking any time off work. Safe to say, the last week has been an absolute MISSION.
It took three people, two trips in a van (and 2 subsequent visits back to the old flat for forgotten items) to transport every last piece but it's finally complete, hooray! Now just the 2nd mission of registering utility suppliers and trying to haggle Sky down to more than just '10% off' - lonnng.
What have I learnt from all this?
One- Moving house is SERIOUS HASSLE even if you're not a not-so-secret hoarder like me.
Two- I have an inconceivable amount of stuff and zero willpower to bin anything.
Three- you say you'll sell it on eBay BUT WE KNOW YOU WONT. Guilty.
And on top of that, I'm popping on a quick holiday! I'm typing this from my phone as I Picadilly-line it alllll the way to Heathrow. (Life lesson 4, always fork out for the Heathrow Express.) Hopefully this time I won't get stuck out there - on holiday, not in Heathrow.
If you didn't see my desperate Twitter updates about me feeling like Macaulay Culkins mother trying to get back to Chicago, last month I got caught on the wrong side of the French air traffic control strike and ended up covering 4 different airports across my holiday - les bastards!!
So, enjoy the peace for now because when I get back there will be a whole host of new posts for your reading pleasure - and another product giveaway too!
Have a great week!
Zoe
xXXXx
Ps
What would a makeshift blog post from my phone be without any pictures?
Read Full Post
Downtime
Aren't holidays the best?!?! Great weather, great company and a great chance to debut your summer wardrobe. Finally, the chance to wear ALLL those items which wouldn't last in English weather and ALLLL the makeup which only looks good with a tan.
Saying that, having just come back from a short Spanish break, I've realised that there are so many things which we're "supposed" to do on holiday which, IN REAL LIFE we don't end up doing because - let's face it - it's too hot or we can't be bothered.
Know what I mean? Read on.
Saying that, having just come back from a short Spanish break, I've realised that there are so many things which we're "supposed" to do on holiday which, IN REAL LIFE we don't end up doing because - let's face it - it's too hot or we can't be bothered.
Know what I mean? Read on.
Let's start with the hair.
The magazines constantly show beautiful long-haired models with impeccable beachy waves and soft golden highlights. Summer perfection right? Wrong.
REAL LIFE BEAUTY VERSION?
Read Full Post
Replacing Holiday Rules With Real-Life Beauty Tips
Not gonna lie - I am, unashamedly, a social media broadcaster. My personal Facebook feed is regularly updated with statuses (mainly about life fails and back-of-the-head pictures of minor celebrities in London) and I'm one of those irritating people who constantly takes shots of food and cool-looking cocktails on Instagram. Soz.
Yes, yes it's most likely some deep seated link to self perception and social anxiety but WHATEVS - I could write a whole post on that and it's NOT today's topic. Love it or hate it, it's up to you, but fellow broadcasters and social media mavens will completely understand when I say - there is no time where I want to do this more than when I am on HOLIDAY!
Being on holiday is the epitome of "yo, look what I'm doing!" opportunities but this is normally all dependent on whether WiFi is available. Yup, the cost of mobile activity abroad is blimming expensive isnt it?
Well, from TOMORROW - 1 July 2014 - the EU is cutting the price caps for data downloads by more than HALF. Yup, it's going to be cheaper to use the internet abroad!
But that's not it - the cost of texting and calling is also going down and there's big news ahead for roaming charges too! Read on for deets.
Yes, yes it's most likely some deep seated link to self perception and social anxiety but WHATEVS - I could write a whole post on that and it's NOT today's topic. Love it or hate it, it's up to you, but fellow broadcasters and social media mavens will completely understand when I say - there is no time where I want to do this more than when I am on HOLIDAY!
Being on holiday is the epitome of "yo, look what I'm doing!" opportunities but this is normally all dependent on whether WiFi is available. Yup, the cost of mobile activity abroad is blimming expensive isnt it?
Well, from TOMORROW - 1 July 2014 - the EU is cutting the price caps for data downloads by more than HALF. Yup, it's going to be cheaper to use the internet abroad!
But that's not it - the cost of texting and calling is also going down and there's big news ahead for roaming charges too! Read on for deets.
Read Full Post
Instagramming those holiday pics? New Mobile Data Rules in The EU!
Here we are in the middle of June and, along with the premise of dodgy tan lines and excessive sangria consumption, the holiday season is fast approaching. HOORAY.
With hotels, flights and overseas spending to save for, my friends and I have been talking a lot about smart holiday spending (see my post on How To Get Cheaper Flights)
But there's one question that not many people consider and that's how to save money whilst ON holiday. Don't miss a trick here - there's plenty of small changes you can make now to save yourself some money while in the house AND away from it.
It's not rocket science but it's stuff that we never really do because a) we can't be bothered or b) we don't understand just how much of an impact it can have. For me, it's a little bit.. mainly.. always a)
But then I thought about the real impact of it all and now I do it every day, saving myself probably about £100 just by making some small changes. And you could do them too!
The crux of it is simple: don't pay for energy that you're not using when at home, and especially when on holiday. Voiilaa
Here's some examples of what I mean:
With hotels, flights and overseas spending to save for, my friends and I have been talking a lot about smart holiday spending (see my post on How To Get Cheaper Flights)
But there's one question that not many people consider and that's how to save money whilst ON holiday. Don't miss a trick here - there's plenty of small changes you can make now to save yourself some money while in the house AND away from it.
It's not rocket science but it's stuff that we never really do because a) we can't be bothered or b) we don't understand just how much of an impact it can have. For me, it's a little bit.. mainly.. always a)
But then I thought about the real impact of it all and now I do it every day, saving myself probably about £100 just by making some small changes. And you could do them too!
The crux of it is simple: don't pay for energy that you're not using when at home, and especially when on holiday. Voiilaa
Here's some examples of what I mean:
Read Full Post
MONEY MONDAY: Holiday Savings... At Home!
Honey, I'M HOME!
I'm fresh back from New York and 'so totes' in the mood for Christmas. A bit of snow and I'm suddenly all festive!! Yes, it snowed in the Big Apple and yes, I did everything on my cliched list of "things to do in New York" - You can tell by my increased use of exclamation marks (as if I could use any more) that I'm having an awesome holiday season so far and I HOPE YOU ARE TOO!
But before I get too excited and start shouting about Christmas, back to the topic at hand. Definitely a jam-packed but wonderful first-time-in-New-York - here's a little snapshot of what I got up to...
What on earth am I doing? Read on, dear reader, read on!
Clockwise from top left:
Read Full Post
Snow, Shopping & Maybe She's Maybelline - Xmas in New York!
There's going to be a little hiatus on Face Value Beauty Blog as I head on holiday. Where am I going? Only THE BIG APPLE itself.
Yup, New York - concrete jungle where dreams are made of - you think this is annoying? Feel sorry for Mr FV, I've been singing it non stop for the past two weeks..
So enjoy the silence and the break from PINK CAPITALS and LOLS in your life for the next few days.
And of course - let me know if you have any tips! Where is a MUST for New York? And of course - what beauty products should I buy!!?
To finish - here's a lovely little night skyline photo which I googled off the internet courtesy of blindgossip.com.
Holiday montage and beauty haul posts to follow when I get back!! In the meantime, you can check out my holiday progress on Instagram
Big Loveee
xXXXx
Follow me on : Twitter ¦ Facebook ¦ Bloglovin' ¦ Instagram ¦ Google + ¦ GFC
Yup, New York - concrete jungle where dreams are made of - you think this is annoying? Feel sorry for Mr FV, I've been singing it non stop for the past two weeks..
I've got a couple of New York plans in mind:
- Shopping at Macy's and Bloomingdales
- See the big Xmas tree at the Rockefeller centre
- Eat a hot dog from a street vendor in Times Square
- Tickets to see the Knicks at Madison Square Garden (don't worry about the fact that I had no idea what sport they actually play - it's THE KNICKS!!)
- Basically do EVERYTHING that the boy from Home Alone did - mittens n all.
So enjoy the silence and the break from PINK CAPITALS and LOLS in your life for the next few days.
And of course - let me know if you have any tips! Where is a MUST for New York? And of course - what beauty products should I buy!!?
To finish - here's a lovely little night skyline photo which I googled off the internet courtesy of blindgossip.com.
Holiday montage and beauty haul posts to follow when I get back!! In the meantime, you can check out my holiday progress on Instagram
Big Loveee
xXXXx
Follow me on : Twitter ¦ Facebook ¦ Bloglovin' ¦ Instagram ¦ Google + ¦ GFC
Read Full Post
Holidays are coming!
HONEY, IM HOME!
I'm back from the Far East with many a far-out story to tell and lots of photos to accompany the poor chat! Hooray!
So - to summarise. I spent a week in Hong Kong, then went to China to check out the shops and the sights before back to HK for my Grandma's 90th birthday. (Big up to my PorPor & the rest of the Dubs family!)
Bought lots, ate lots, absolutely melted in the 35 degree heat. The end.
It's actually really good to be back - I was massively surprised by the good weather welcoming me home - when I left it was like "10 degrees with chance of snow" and CHECK OUT THE GLORIOUS SUNSHINE NOW! Summer is finally here. HIYA.
I'm back from the Far East with many a far-out story to tell and lots of photos to accompany the poor chat! Hooray!
So - to summarise. I spent a week in Hong Kong, then went to China to check out the shops and the sights before back to HK for my Grandma's 90th birthday. (Big up to my PorPor & the rest of the Dubs family!)
Bought lots, ate lots, absolutely melted in the 35 degree heat. The end.
It's actually really good to be back - I was massively surprised by the good weather welcoming me home - when I left it was like "10 degrees with chance of snow" and CHECK OUT THE GLORIOUS SUNSHINE NOW! Summer is finally here. HIYA.
Highlights of the holiday?
Read Full Post
Hong Kong & China: My Asian Cosmetics Adventure!
Freshly back in the country and back into the fray! My trip to
Well, I ended up treating myself to the new Lancome Teint Visionnaire Foundation, Lanvin L’Eclat Arpege perfume and.... THIS little beauty….
This is the Princess Etoinette Crystal Shine Lipstick by Etude House.
Isn't it BEAUTIFUL?
Isn't it BEAUTIFUL?
It looks like it's been plucked straight out of Beauty & The Beast, I'm literally on my tiptoes waiting for it to burst into song and dance!
Etude House is a Korean brand whose philosophy is that makeup should be playful, not routine .... and, lordy - it looks fantastic!
I no longer crave slim and sleek minimalist containers (a la MAC and Bobbi Brown) - they're easily replicated and I think rather clinical.
I no longer crave slim and sleek minimalist containers (a la MAC and Bobbi Brown) - they're easily replicated and I think rather clinical.
Just to give you an idea of how playful we're talking - check out these other products!
 |
| The powder pot! It was full of coral coloured bronzing pearls, but in the shape of hearts! |
Read Full Post
Wannabe Malaysian Princess?: Etude House Crystal Shine Lips
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
