Air Bourne Beauty

It's often after flying I land to dry, dull skin so after last weeks long haul fights I managed to put together a routine, that helped me land with even better skin than I boarded with, using the plane time to my advantage. The best part was hardly anyone noticed I was wondering around in a face mask...

Firstly I removed makeup with this mini Micellar Water from Taaj, which is so low maintenance it hardly requires a mirror let alone a sink! I then spritzed some of refreshing Caudalie Beauty Elixir over my skin and applied a thick layer of Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask, which I kept on throughout the flight. Fantastic news that it's clear so appears as though you're just applying moisturiser! 

To keep that fake tan in tact and avoid crocodile skin I applied Balance Me Rose Otto Body Cream, which feels butter soft on the skin and doesnt leave that unpleasant sticky feeling. For hands I would apply some of the Origins Make A difference Hand Cream, dab my temples with Origins Peace Of Mind before I slept and coated my lips in Dr Lipp Original Nipple Balm For Lips.

Before landing I removed Origins Drink Up Mask and reapplied foundation and I was a very happy bunny landing to fresh plump skin with no dry patches or irritation. 

Anything I should add to my routine next time?

The Reviews: Micellar Waters

Micellar waters are molecules of oil and water that can be used as makeup removers, they are alcohol and soap free making them gentle cleansers. Personally I use them to remove the first layer of makeup before cleansing my face with a balm cleanser - especially as I wear quite a bit of eye makeup.

They are brilliant in taking a full face of makeup off in a matter of seconds, they remove eye makeup, mascara and foundation with minimal effort and tugging at your face. Since discovering micellar waters my makeup removal routine has completely changed - it's now so much easier and fuss free. To use them I simply saturate a cotton pad in the water and swipe across my face.

Bioderma Crealine H20 Micellar Solution €7.90

First up are Bioderma, the cult micellar waters raved about by makeup artists worldwide. One of the best I've used, especially at removing eye makeup. The only downside is they are extremely difficult to get hold of if you live anywhere but France. There's a version for oily skin which I didn't find as effective as the original and didn't have a noticeable difference when using it.

La Roche-Posey Micellar Solution £11.50 Boots

Avene Micellar Lotion £12.50 Boots

Brands like La Roche Posey and Avene which are more easily accessible also have micellar waters, and although good, just didn't have the same removing power as Bioderma. Avene in particular being extremely gentle and made for sensitive skin, wasn't as effective - especially with eye makeup and mascara. I did find myself going through an extra few cotton pads when using Avene as it's so gentle and doesn't have the same effect.

Caudalie Micellar Cleansing Solution £13.50 (currently on sale for £12.15!) Feel Unique 

The Caudalie Micellar Water, smells heavily of grape and feels very refreshing on the skin, it's one of the more effective waters especially for removing foundation and feels almost toning. It leaves my skin feeling fresh and clean without any makeup residue.

Lierac Micellar Water €12.50

Lierac was very much loved this summer! It feels really gentle on the skin yet very effective at the same time. The pump applicator is such a small but useful feature as it's easy to keep track of how much you're using - usually two pumps for the face and a couple more for the eyes. Really enjoyed the pleasant floral fragrance but it did leave a slight sticky residue.

This Works Clean Skin 5 in 1 Water £21.00 (currently on sale for £16.80!) Feel Unique

This Works is my favourite out of the bunch, very refreshing and effective. I've raved about this multiple times before for it's ability to remove eye makeup so easily - an all round amazing makeup remover! (full post here)

Overall the real winners for me are This Works, Biodema and Caudlie, in that order. I highly recommend micellar waters for a quick and easy makeup removal!

What are your thoughts on Micellar Waters? Any others I need to try?

New Things: France Edition

Holidays have always been an excuse for buying and trialing new things.  I use my lack of available luggage space as an excuse for not bringing along some shower gels, hair care and such like moisturisers, in the hope of running along to the local pharmacy and finding something absolutely fantastic.

Everything from toothpaste to body oils get purchased, used and reviewed. Not to mention if there's a Sephora in the near radius, I'll casually leave behind concealer, primer or anything just so I can get my hands on something new!

Let's start in my shower, which Caudalie Shower Gel has recently made it's way into along with Phyto Volumizing Shampoo and Klorane Conditioner. I'm not too fussed about shower gels, they all seems to do a similar thing to me apart from one holy grail L'Occiatane Almond Shower Oil (post here). The Caudalie does a good job, lathers well, smells good and doesn't strip my tan.

To me, Klorane & Phyto haircare just defines summer in France! The Shampoo is a strange formula but one that I favour. The consistency is so fine it's practically water, yet once on the scalp lathers extremely well, clarifies yet doesn't feel harsh. Klorane Conditioners. So balmy, rich and moisturising. Which is why I keep them well always from my tendency-to-be-greasy roots. However, on my dry and splitting ends is where I welcome a rich formula. 

Post shower I spray myself with a little Phyto Bronz, it was the only body oil in my pharmacy I could stand the smell of. If my French GSCE hasn't failed me it's an after sun too!  For dryer areas of skin I've been nourishing my pins with Yes To Carrots Body Butter which I raved about in more detail here. 

After finishing my little stash of mini hair mask samples I ventured out into trying Bioderma, their Concentrated Reconstructing Hair Mask to be prescise. As much as I wanted this to change my haircare routine as much as their Micellar Water did my skincare, it just didn't. Not softer, no extra swish just a more grassy scent. It's only early days though so if anything miraculous happens I'll keep you posted. 

Speaking of Bioderma, as my stash at home doesnt need replenishing anytime soon I've been using Lierac Micellar Water. It takes a lot of this stuff to get my face clean, and with such a small bottle I end up finishing it off in just over a week. As lovely as it was it's onto the next one for me!

What would a beauty shopping trip be without buying some lip items? Dermophil, one of my many lip loves, was spotted in colourful packaging for childen - which of course got the little girl in me very excited as I umped and ached over flavour choices. Dissapointment however that the childs version isn't as nourishing on the lips, still a lovely and cute none the less. 

Apart from the products I've used before It's still early days here as well as some purchases are still unopened! Off I go to purchase a new shampoo, my Phyto just ran out...

The Contents: 'At Work' Makeup Bag

My student days of only having to ensure makeup lasts a couple of hours seem long gone as I've now ventured out into the 10 hour working days! I've come to the conclusion this week that there is just no way my makeup will last from 8am to sometimes 10pm. It's impossible! While moaning about that this week my friend just said to me 'it's called reapplying' which is exactly what I rush off to the bathroom to do on my lunch break. That's where my 'At work' makeup bag comes in, a little pouch packed with necessities. From powder to hand santitizer here's what's inside...

Carmex Moisture Plus - link to post

The air conditioning in the office can dry out my lips a little so here's a lovely moisturising lip balm with a hint of colour. My shade is pink!

Soap & Glory Hand Maid

A handsanitizer is a must, especially if I'm going on public transport! This one from Soap & Glory smells amazing and doesn't leave hands feeling sticky

By Terry Touche Veloutee Concealer - link to post

This is such a great concealer for touch ups as it has an attached brush so keeps everything pretty hygienic. As well as not looking cakey when you're piling on layer after layer throughout the day! 

Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel 917 Sable Rose - link to post

I've raved about this product a million times since I've bought it but rightly so! It's amazing. Perfect for just slapping on my cheeks for some extra colour and touchups - I think I may need to stock up as it's limited edition!

Becca Mineral Powder  Foundation & Brush

Seeing as I do need to repowder my face throughout the day, especially if I'm going somewhere after work I don't want a powder that will end up looking too cakey. This Becca powder compact does the trick and feels really light on the skin!

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray - link to post 

This has become a staple for me now ever since Trish McEvoy recommended it to me (link to post here) it's fantastic at giving instant volume and an instant boost. Especially on lifeless hair days!

Mini Perfume Bottle

This one is one I received in a beauty box recently, it's by Caudalie. I love sprtizing myself throughout the day with perfume for an instant refresher

New In: Caudalie Divine Oil

My body oil collection recently expanded thanks to this latest release from Caudalie. Moisturising is something that I try to make happen on a daily basis, especially in summer and I do prefer to use body oils as opposed to moisturiser as in general they sink into the skin faster and smell nicer! If you've tried or loved the Nuxe Multipurpose Dry Oil this is definitely something to check out - smells basically the same, like summer in a bottle! Really moisturising and absorb a little faster than the Nuxe. I absolutely love using body oils in the summer to give my skin some glow and radiance as well as really moisturising. When I've been sitting in the sun and skin and hair is looking a little parched I just run this through my hair with my hands as it smells amazing and it really nourishing.
The bottle isn't very travel friendly and I can see it causing a leaking in the suitcase situation but it's definitely one to keep on the dresser! 

You can purchase Caudalie Divine Oil for £25 at SpaceNK here or Feel Unique here