Beach Bag Essentials

Hello everyone! On the first day of our holiday, I had a sudden flash of blog inspiration - I'd share with you my beach bag essentials - so decided this morning I'd finally sit down and write it. So, without further ado, let's dive straight in...

 

 

The first, most obvious, essential is suncream because, as I'm sure you'll know, it's important to keep your skin protected from the sun, especially on holiday when you're likely to be outside lots. The suncream I use is Riemann's P20 because it provides 10 hours protection, so you only have to apply once a day. However, I like popping a small bottle of it in my bag just in case I feel it's rubbed off in the sand or on the water slides!

 

No. 2 is an SPF lip balm because on holiday, my lips tend to dry out, so I need to keep them hydrated and protected to ensure this doesn't happen. My favourite SPF lip balm is by a brand called Forever Living and the product itself is called Forever Sun Lips. I love this because it provides 90 minutes of Factor 30 sun protection and makes my lips tingle when I slather it on.

 

 

Next are my sunglasses, which have a tortoise-shell-patterned frame.

I also take my mini Tangle Teezer, so that I can give my hair a quick brush when I get out of the sea (it gets very knotty otherwise!).

 

 

A small amount of money is a good idea, too, just in case you want an ice cream or chilled drink!

 

 

Another obvious one is a towel; I like taking a big, thick one so that I can sunbathe on it.

 

No.7 is a hat. Mine is from New Look and it has black and white spotty feather trimming. A hat is great because it keeps the sun from burning your scalp and, providing it's floppy, your shoulders too!

 

 

Now, moving onto the electrical bits and bobs. I like to take my phone and earphones in the hope there's 3G, so that if there is, I can catch up on YouTube etc.!

 

 

The last thing I take, is my Kindle because, although I love a good old paperback, I hate it when books get wet and the pages crumple. At the moment, the Kindle book I'm reading is called Say Her Name and it's by an author named James Dawson.

 

I hope you enjoyed this post! Let me know what your beach bag essentials are!

 

Lucy x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another New Look Haul // Summer 2015

 Hello everyone! I know I did a New Look Haul just last month, but this morning, it became apparent that I needed another bikini for my holiday as I only had two. So, we popped to New Look and, you guessed it, came out with not only a bikini (which I love, by the way) but lots more as well! Oops!

I'm a bit short of time as Dad would like to load the car this evening and I haven't even began packing, so this is going to be a quickie!

Coral Floral Kimono & Coral Orange Crop Top

I've always wanted a kimono, so when I saw this one on the sales rail, I was over the moon! It's goes so well with my new coral orange crop top (also found on the sales rail) and white shorts, which were featured in my last New Look haul!

Printed Playsuit

I love this as it's unlike anything I own and very comfy. Also, the yellow in it should compliment a tan!

China Blue Floral Kimono & White Tassel Top

Yes, another kimono but this one's more for the evening, whereas the other one's for daytime wear. And, as the tassel top, don't you love it? So simple but so summery!

Stripy Vest Top

If you read my last New Look haul, you'll know I'm into my stripes, so this just had to come home with us!

Stripy Off-The-Shoulder Top

I love this! It's pretty and works with practically everything I own!

 

Red Floral Culottes 

I think the design on these is beyond cute and the colours are my favourite, red and blue!

Coral Orange Bikini

For £5, this was a bargain and not only is it the ideal fit and a flattering shape, it matches my coral floral kimono perfectly!

So, I hope you've enjoyed this quick haul! I better get on with my packing now!

Lucy x

Benefit's Hoola Bronzer

Hello, I'm back with a review! Whilst I was visiting my Gran and Gramps in Northern Ireland, we went to Moores of Coleraine, and by chance, we bumped into a my mum's cousin, Jenny, who knew the lady at the Benefit counter. So, Jenny introduced me to Andrea, the makeup artist, and asked her if she'd have time to do my make-up for me. Andrea, who was extremely nice, said "yes" and told me to take a seat, then began working her magic. She used several products on me including the new green eyeliner and electric blue mascara from the They're Real line. But the one product that really caught my attention (in a positive way!) was the Hoola Bronzer. My gran, being ever so kind, insisted she bought it for me, so off I skipped clutching my new bronzer, as pleased as punch!

First off, the packaging is gorgeous; the bronzer is housed in purple cardboard box that has a small mirror in the lid. It also comes with a flat contour brush that I wasn't expecting to like, but love. It picks up just the right amount of product and fits nicely in the hollows of my cheeks.

According to Andrea, Hoola is the only bronzer in the world that doesn't contain red or orange pigments, so no matter how much you use, you won't look like a carrot! It's also very versatile; you can use it to contour with, add an all-over glow or even as an eyeshadow. She also said it should last me about two years, so, hey, it's almost value for money, don't you think?

Unlike many other bronzers, this doesn't look chalky or obvious. Instead, it's smooth and almost undetectable on my skin. It's never made my face look muddy either, which is great because that's not a look I tend to go for!

To contour with, it's perfect as you can build it up to be as intense or natural as you like. Also, because it's an ashy brown colour, it's good for creating shadows.

I think this would be ideal for all skin types and skin tones. This product's only downside is it's hefty price tag, but if you're looking for a lovely bronzer and willing to splash the cash, then I'd definitely go for this! It's exceeded my expectations!

Lucy x

P.S. This is just my personal opinion; what works for me may not work for you, so try before you buy!