The Contents: Work To Post Work Makeup Bag

Following this Beauty On Location here's the bag I've been filling up that includes everything I use to carry out a post work touch up. It's more of a re-face really as in the evenings I like to add a little more drama to my eyes, some darker eyeshadow and liquid eyeliner. Followed by touching up my skin, which more often than not isn't looking its best by 7pm. This bag only gets taken around when post work commitments are arising.

To touch up foundation Dior Airflash Spray Foundation (post here) gets a quick spritz over my skin followed by a dusting Becca Mineral Pressed Powder down my t-zone. If my tremendous under eye bags start to come on show By Terry Touche Veloutee (post here) is what conceals them. Lastly Topshop Bronzer in Break Of Day gets swept over my cheekbones to provide some colour and glow. 

For adding definition to my eyes I rely on a handy little compact like Chanel Eyeshadow Duo in 37 Sable Emouvant. The colour combination is perfect for adding a quick smokey eye. Next up is Pixi Lash Line Ink which gets drawn as close to my lashes as possible for added definition. If mascara is in need of a touch up, I'll throw in a mini sample - here its Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Excess. 

The lip combination varies daily but currently Revlon Super lustrous Lipstick in 001 Nude Attitude with Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector that has been gracing my lips. Another item that's thrown into the mix is a Travalo which contains my favourite perfume, Laura Mercier Fresh Fig.

Do you have a routine for post work touch ups?

How To: Maintain A Tan

Last year I remember spending days of hours soaking up the suns rays with a minimal factor slapped all over myself only for my glowing skin to significantly decrease after stepping onto that heavily air-conditioned plane. Not to mention getting back to the cold weather in london. Being less of a sun junkie this year I've been slapping on a few extra products to help maintain my glow. 

Whilst I was still in Ibiza every evening I'de apply some after sun, Lierac Apres Soleil is my one of choice as it's very cooling, sinks into the skin really easily, smells amazing and hydrates dry skin. I do pick this up in France but have found it on Feel Unique here

Just before I got on the plane I slathered my skin in some good old Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula, Boots do some really handily mini bottles and this being under 100ml means it was perfect for travelling. It kept my skin hydrated throughout the flight as well as had me smelling like a yummy chocolate      

Right so the tricky bit, after a couple of days skin starts peeling, looking a day flakey and dry and just generally looking a tad lifeless. That's where the big guns come in, I've been reaching for Clarins Moisture Rich Body Lotion which was a free gift with purchase but I'm definitely considering buying the full bottle. It feels super luxurious on the skin and the formula is very rich and nourishing. Another product I've been loving is Neal's Yard Wild Rose Body Elixir, which is really wowing me at the moment so be prepared for a product rave coming your way soon! It's unlike anything I've ever tried before but in a nutshell is an intensely hydrating body cream.

If I'm going on I'll apply some St Tropez Skin Illuminator in Rose, which isn't sticky, sinks in immediately and adds a lovely glow to the skin, just to give it that extra bit of colour. 

So that's everything I've been religiously applying to try and maintain my tan before my next holiday! 

What are your favourite products for maintaining a tan?

A Dupe For Clarins Natural Lip Perfector?

I've raved about the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector before but rightly so! It's the perfect light moisturising gloss that adds a glow to the lips without being sticky, turning all gloss haters into lovers. No7 have recently bought out a beautiful summer collection that includes two lip glosses, similar to the Clarins Natural Lip Perfectors. Especially in packaging, which is practically the same apart from the detailed lid of the No7 Nourishing Lip Shine. 

Firstly the facts - for £16 Clarins will present you with 12ml of product, whereas No7 for £10.50 will give you 9ml of product. Or if you're clever and pick up a No7 £5 off voucher when you spend in Boots you could be spending £5.50 for 9ml as opposed to £10.50...makes a difference doesn't it?

No7 Nourishing Lip Shine In Pink & Peach

The main reason why I love the Clarins Lip Perfector is the smell is soo heavenly, like candy floss,  but for those of you who don't agree, the No7 maybe a better option for you as it's scentless. Another reason why the Clarins Lip Perfector rocks is the light formula, feeling so weightless and non sticky on my lips. No7 Nourrishing Lip Shine is slightly heavier, only slightly though. The Clarins Lip Perfectors have a little more colour to them but both only have a very slight tint, hardly any colour at all - just add a moisturising shine to the lips. 

Left- No7 Nourishing Lip Shine in Pink. Right - Clarins Instant Lip Natural Lip Perfector in 01

The shade I have in Clarins in No. 01 a light baby pink and there are four shades to choose from whereas No.7 Nourishing Lip Shine comes in 2 shades, a pink and a peach. The No7 pink shade comes close to Clarins Lip Perfector in 01 but just slightly darker. 

So what do you think? I think with those £5 off No7 vouchers that are always flying around Boots I would definitely pick up the No7 ones as opposed to the Clarins for over a £10 difference. 

No7 Summer Collection 2012

No7 Nourishing Lip Shines are limited edition for their summer collection and you can pick them up at Boots (but careful I went to three before I found one that hadn't sold out!) or online is probably a safer bet here

Ps - how gorgeous is the bronzer from their summer collection too?!

My Current Favourite Lip Gloss

I'm definitely a lip gloss girl at heart, look inside my handbag and the contents will tell you. I think at some point during the week I carry around 5 with me for no particular reason at all. Lip products are one of my favourite to purchase as you can always use it, it always looks great on and can make such a difference!

I literally go through favourite lip glosses like there's no tomorrow, one day it will be one, the next day it will be another, but one that has stuck in my bag that I've been reaching for is the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in the shade 01.

Firstly, love the application as one can apply on the go & it isn't one of those unhygienic stick your fingers in or pump wand in and out of the tube products, its a squeezy tube with a felt sponge applicator that dispenses the product. The formula is the perfect combination of balm & gloss, the moisturising properties, non stickyness of a balm and the finish of a gloss without being uber glossy, just more like a natural shine. Great for days when I want a neutral natural lip that works to moisturise lips...aka most days!

As it can be combined with a lipstick for more colour a combination I'm loving is to use it over Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy.

Available in 4 shades at Clarins, boots or at feel unique (for £4 off!).

Oh and it smells of cotton candy!