Hand Luggage Essentials

As I'm off on holiday next Tuesday and so many others are off on their travels too I thought I'd share with you what my hand luggage essentials are. I pack the vital things in my hand luggage so that if I lost my suitcase I would still be able to contact someone and carry on with my holiday.

The first and most important is your passport followed by your tickets. You won't be getting on that plane without these so leave early enough so you do have time to go back for them. I keep mine in a zipped pocket in my hand luggage that's easy to access so I know where they are all times.

I then have my phone so I can contact people at the other end and when I arrive back home. I also keep my charger to top it up if it runs out of charge. 

Staying on the topic of electricals I take my iPod to listen to and 2 pairs of headphones. My over the ear headphones and my in ear headphones. I always find over the ear hurt after a while so I take my in ear headphones too and I also find they're more comfortable to sleep in. 

I take a book and magazine with me to read in the airport. At the moment I'm reading The Secret and Twilight. Yes I have been reading Twilight for ages but I'll have time to actually read it in the airport as well as by the pool on holiday. I tend not to read them on the plane as I take full advantage of the films haha.

I keep a little pouch in my bag with some items which I know if I don't take, I'll need. I call this my emergency kit. In it there is hand sanitizer, tissues and wipes for keeping clean. Theres nothing worse than feeling like you have grubby hands. They're also useful for in the airport if you stop to have something to eat. I keep paracetamol in there incase I get a headache etc, they're useful to keep in your bag incase someone else is in need of them too. I also keep a body spray or perfume on me at all times. Little testers of perfume are perfect for travelling as they're so small and definitely won't exceed the liquid limit which is 100ml per container in the UK.

Make up isn't a must but I don't want feel disgusting so I just take concealer, powder and mascara to put on when I arrive so I look slightly presentable. At the moment I'm using MAC's Select Cover Up concealer, Benefit's Hello flawless powder and Soap and Glory's Thick and Fast High Definition Collagen Coat Mascara.

My next essentials are both food related. I always have sweets for the take off, it's just something my family always do and always have done. I also like to take chewing gum to keep my mouth feeling fresh for the whole journey.

Last but not least is sunglasses so you're prepared when you arrive and won't have to rummage around in your suitcase. This way can also prevent them braking or snapping in your suitcase.

Amy x

My Lush collection

My room constantly smells like I'm in the lush shop and I have quite recently discovered my love for lush products making it smell even stronger. These are the items that make up my ever expanding collection...

I bought this Golden Egg bath bomb (£3.75?) in Milton Keynes just after Easter and was waiting for an occasion to use it. My friends party was in June so I decided to keep it for then. It made my bath a beautiful golden sparkly colour. I didn't expect to be glittery when I got out but it was a real subtle shimmer which was great for a party and it lasted all night.  

This is what I have at this current point in time. I do have one more bath bomb but it's crumbled so I decided to miss that one out. I think it was an ice cream one from ages ago. I've had it a few years but put it in my draws to make my clothes smell nice so I think that'll be going in the bin soon. It's a good way to keep them in use whilst you're waiting to use them but don't forget they're there like I did.

So from the left I have my bath melts. I have the Floating Island (£2) which is the cream one at the back, which smells of white chocolate but I wouldn't say it's too sweet. The yellow one in front is called Shark Infested Custard and it smells exactly like custard (as the name suggests). I'm yet to try these out but as they're bath oils I'm guessing they'll be really soothing on the skin leaving it really soft? 

Next to them is Shine So Bright (£4.75) which is for split ends. I wouldn't exactly say I've seen a drastic improvement in my hair but I would definitely say my ends feel a little thicker and softer. I would say it is expensive for the size considering other products they do but I think it's a handy travel size hair treatment. I've had it a while now and it's not running out at all so it's very long lasting.

Then over to the back right I have the Popcorn Lip Scrub (£5.50). I use it mostly before I put lipstick on so my lips are soft and smooth and won't flake throughout the day. I love it for that but I really can't stand the taste. Sometimes it's a nice caramel but other times it's just a salt taste which makes me gag so I have to wipe it off with a tissue or cloth straight away. That is personal preference, I just don't like salt so if you do don't let that put you off. I do love the product and would definitely buy again but in a different flavour.

Underneath Popcorn is the Comforter Bubble Bar (£4.75) which smells just like sweets mmm. I haven't tried this out yet but I've heard so many good things about it so I'm excited to use it.

On the far right is the Sweetie Pie Shower Jelly (£3.50) which I was fairly sceptical about when I saw it in the shop. I have to say it is quite an entertaining product but you need concentration so you don't drop it. I wouldn't advise using this for a quick in out shower as it's not something you can just grab quickly but it's great fun.

Finally my last item is the Comforter Shower Gel (£4.95) which I forgot to include in the photo. It has the same scent as the bubble bar but it's just in a liquid form. I love this shower gel as it's very moisturising and doesn't leave my skin feeling dry at all. The scent stays for quite a while and is as though I've sprayed perfume. I would definitely recommend this as it's a perfect all round shower gel.

Amy x

My Naked Palette

When I saw all the reviews and the huge hype I didn't really take it in but I'm so glad I eventually did. I can't express words for this product. I am absolutely in love! My sister was kind enough to buy this as my birthday present and I've used it everyday since. I chose this out of the three as this had a range of browny warm shades that I adore and they're laid out in pairs which I thought would be a bit easier to use as I've only recently delved into the world of eyeshadow.

The shades in this palette are great for everyday looks as well as evening looks. A perfect all rounder in my opinion. My favourite shade is half baked because I love gold, most of my jewellery is gold as silver is a colder colour and I want some warmth in my life as british weather never seems to bring it (although it has a bit over the past week).

The quality is amazing, they're very pigmented due to the pigment infusion system used. This holds the pigment tightly together and they therefore last all day without smudging or melting off like cheaper eyeshadows do. Although Urban Decay palettes are a lot of money I definitely think its worth it as eyeshadows always seem to last ages for me and you get 12 good quality shades with the three palettes as well as samples with each one.

Amy x