What's In My Travel Bag; Perfect Holiday Toiletries

If you follow me on Twitter you'll know that I head off to Barcelona very late this evening, so I decided that in true pre-holiday fashion, I'd do a cheeky little blog post about the little toiletries that I'll be taking with me and also, it gives me the chance to talk to you about the items that I've been using before my holiday, to get my skin in tip top shape for the sunshine. Here is a little look into what will be in my travel bag. I love toiletries as you can tell, I spend most of my wage on them, so we better get started...

When it comes to the face I'm taking my favourite mini cleanser by Murad. I was kindly given this to sample at a recent Murad event and it's really come in handy with all the travelling that I've been doing. Nextm I am obsessed with my In Transit face wipes by ThisWorks, however, if you read my empties post, you'll have seen that this little box is indeed, empty. I will still be taking it away with me though as its great to store other face wipes inside. I'll also be taking my ThisWorks Camera Close-up primer because it's a three in one, it works as a primer, moisturiser and face mask, all of which I'll need in the heat. I have done a full review of the primer which you can read here if you missed it. It really is the ultimate travel product. I'll also be taking my cute little hydrating face oil from Aromatherapy Associates, just in case I get any serious dry skin issues whilst away. As it says on the bottle, this really does hydrate them. It's also the perfect size to take away with me. If you want a low down on which serums and oils to use for your skin, I did a humongous post with all the information there. Lastly, I'll be taking my new found favourite item, I'm obsessed with this BB cream by Simple. I haven't used Simple for years but I am a keen BB cream lover. Like my other favourite BB cream by Clarins, this has great coverage, covers dark circles, spots and evens the skin tone, but it doesn't have any nastiness in it, it's full of minerals. I'm sick of putting rubbish on my face so I've been using this for just over a week now and my skin feels like it can actually breathe now.

Then there is my gorgeous Softening Facial Mist by Sephora which my incredible boyfriend bought me (he did very good!) The sun is so damaging for your skin, so this is perfect in hot weather, it will rehydrate me, soften my skin and just generally refresh me.  

Where hair is concerned, I get horrendous holiday hair (a complete afro) so I bought these minis from Boots, they were on 3 for 2. I love Aussie Miracle Moist, it smells delicious and always makes my hair feel softer. I will also be taking my mini Bumble and Bumble shampoo and conditioner with me for beachy waves, to try and tame my horrible holiday hair.

I've never really been someone who does much to my skin before I go on holiday, until a year or so ago when I asked my Mum how she gets so bronzed on holiday. I do go very brown but not as brown as my Mum. She explained to me that she swears by exfoliating every day for two weeks before her holiday. So that's what I've been doing. I've been prepping my skin thanks to Elemis with their Skin Nourishing Body Scrub, which just makes your body feel oh so smooth, it gets rid of all the dead skin cells which means you wont peel as easily and therefore, your tan will stay bronzed for longer. I've also been applying Elemis' Tan Accelerator, which naturally increases something in your skin, this apparently makes you tan more, I can't wait to report back. I've been applying this for 5 days now, you're meant to apply it for two weeks before your holiday so we will see what the outcome is. If nothing, at least my skin feels silky smooth. I have high hopes for this product.

Smelly stuff is essential, of course. I love Sure Maximum Protection deodorant, it's ridiculously strong and actually stays put throughout the heat. I can't be bothered to take a huge perfume with me, so instead I'll just be taking my Jurlique Roll On Fragrance, which is the ultimate Summer smell. It's sweet and floral.

After-sun is absolutely essential for me. If you've been reading my blog recently, you'll know that I still have a natural tan from England, which excites me a lot. I love using after-sun and swear by it as it prolongs your natural tan and re-hydrates your skin after damaging sun exposure. In Boots, I also picked up a little Soap and Glory body wash, which was also on a 3 for 2 offer. I haven't really used Soap and Glory before, I'm so excited to try it, even if it is only a miniature which I can use up abroad and then leave there.

I'll obviously be taking all kinds of make up with me, but here are a few of my travel favourites. I am obsessed with my Burberry Compact powder, it's sleek, lightweight and gives great coverage. Next is my other obsession: lip balm, particularly abroad when the sun tends to ruin my lips. I will be taking my Apivita balm as it's got an SPF of 15 in it. I will also be taking my sample of Benefit's They're Real Mascara, as again, it's light weight and gives nice long lashes which look natural, it isn't too thick, it's very easy to wear, there's nothing worse than having thick, clumpy mascara which melts on holiday because it's too hot. This is very light weight and perfect if you're going to be in hot temperatures. I've also included my new MUA nail varnish which was only £1.00. It's a travel friendly bottle as it's tiny and the mint colour is just perfect for Summer. Lastly, is Benefits Fake Up Concealer. The reason I have included this is because it's a hydrating concealer, no one wants to dry their skin out anymore than it already is on holiday, so this is a nice little concealer which will hydrate your skin instead of just drying your spots up.

What do you take travelling with you? Do you like the sound of any of these products? Are you going away anywhere nice this Summer?

Lots of love, Em x

P.S, I've been shortlisted for the Cosmopolitan 'best new beauty blog' award and I am speechless, I'd love to have your vote. You can vote for me here. Voting ends really soon! Thank you so much, it means the world to me.

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