What I Took On Holiday - Tried & Tested

I'd thought I would write a blog post on not what items I am excited to take on holiday but what items I have taken on holiday that's been tried & tested and  really impressed me.  I visited Croatia for a week to take in some of the incredible sights. Of course there was some sunny, relaxing beach days too. Below are some of the items I took with me that really stood out & is worth the space in my suitcase. I will definitely be taking these again with me  when I go to visit Majorca. 

La Roche-Posey Thermal Spring Water, £3.50

It was very warm in Croatia. Temperatures for most days ranged between 27 - 32 degrees.  Due to the change of temperature from being out in the sun & then indoors with the cold air con , my face felt slightly dry. This spring water from La Roche Posey is a godsend. It refreshes & cools my face. It adds moisture to the skin and takes away the tightness you get when being in the sun all day.

It's great to have  when you are on a plane & makes a nice base for under your make up. I was literally spraying this on my face all day. It is very similar to the Caudalie Beauty Elixir but for a fraction of the price £3.50!! . I would even go to say that the La Roche-Posey one is slightly better,

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John Lewis Valencia Textured Stripe Tie Multiway Bikini, Top £29
& Textured Stripe Ruched Bikini Shorts, £22

I spent weeks leading up to my holiday to find a perfect bikini and then I found one with just a few days to spare in John Lewis. I didn't want a bikini that showed too much. This bikini is comfortable & fits in all the right places.  The top is very flattering and can be worn strapless if you are looking for a tan without those annoying white strap marks. The briefs fitted over the bum nicely.

It's a lovely colour & easy to wash. I didn't feel self conscious or embarrassed on the beach wearing this bikini. It is now a holiday favourite.

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BareMinerals GEN NUDE Powder Blush, £22

This powder blush from BareMinerals is in the shade Pink Me Up. It is the most flattering swash of pink on the cheeks that's looks really natural. It glides over the skin like silk & I would say it is suitable for all colour skin tones. It is buildable if you want a more in depth colour.
Its looks so good on the skin. I find it really brightens my face up & makes me look healthy.

I don't like to wear too much makeup on holiday but a swash of this with a great liquid lip & a bit bronzer is all I need.

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L'Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil for All Hair Types, £9.99

Now something for hair.  My hairdresser actually recommended this for me. I have bleached highlights in my hair so it can get very dry on the ends, especially in summer in the sun & heat. My hairdresser said when I am on holiday put a few pumps of this oil on the ends of your hair then tie it up. Trust me she said it will help enormously. And it did. Days at the beach or going in to the pool I did just that & my ends were still soft at the end of the day.

My hairdresser also said it works just as well as one of their expensive brands in the salon. I found a smaller bottle of this oil in Boots for less than £4.

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Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick, £17

Best liquid lipstick ever!! A strong statement I know but this is the one! You know when you are continually searching for the perfect lip shade, well for me I think I have found it.
It's in the shade 'Double Dare' which is a beautiful deep dusty pink colour. Perfect for holidays. It stays on for a long time and the sun & heat won't make it slide off. 

Even when the colour has slightly faded, it still looks good. It's a matte finish but is so lightweight and non drying it doesn't feel like your wearing any. Above all else this liquid lipstick lasts a long time & doesn't dry up in the tube. It's actually good for value for the high price.

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Vero Moda Bright Floral Mini Dress, £32

I love everything about this summer dress. It is the perfect length, falls a few inches above the knee. The front chest area is not gaping & covers all your bits.  I love the colour yellow, this a pale yellow with a bright floral pattern. Feels really lightweight on. Sometimes summer dresses don't look quite right or fit properly on me This one was perfect & I am so glad I found it. My photo doesn't do it justice. Click on the stock photos underneath for a better look. You can find this dress at ASOS.

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Lancaster Tan Maximiser after sun soothing face and body moisturiser, £29

I have been using this after sun for years. A  great moisturiser for when you skin has gone dry after being in the sun all  day. If you have sunbathed a bit too much & have gone red or burnt yourself, this after sun is really good for that, soothing on the skin. I pretty much use this all year round. Even in winter. When my face feels dry I put a bit of this on.

It is also great if you have tan because this will make it last just that little bit longer. Maybe I'm crazy but I think it makes your tan look a better colour too.

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Wacoal Halo Lace Moulded Strapless Bra, £35

I've spent years trying to find the best strapless bra. More often then not most are really bulky or make your bust look enormous or they give you a double boob! (Four boobs anyone!!) Or you have to keep yanking them up, all day long. Then I found this Wacoal one. The most comfortable strapless bra. Does not fall down at all. It's really thin & lightweight. 

It's not padded but gives a great shape & is underwired. I bought this in both shades nude & black. Perfect for strappy tops & dresses or any off the shoulder garments.

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NUXE Shimmering Dry Oil Huile Prodigieuse Or, £21

The bottle in the picture is the 10ml, the 50ml is the £21 priced one. I got this oil in an advent calendar last year. Didn't think about using it until I just threw in my makeup bag I took on holiday. I'm glad I did. It leaves your skin feeling silky smooth & the shimmer makes your tan look fantastic.  It's not greasy &  a little goes a long way. A bit of a luxury this one.

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Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream, £16

I always take an eye cream with me on holiday. My under eyes gets dry on the plane, dry from the sun, puffy from tiredness. I also find if I haven't been wearing my sunglasses, the sun actually makes my dark circles worse. This eye cream worked wonders. Hence the name of it. Lol! Gives just the right amount of moisture for the eye area, not at all greasy.  No eye cream is ever going to take away dark circles but this helped tremendously. You only need to use a little of the product & tap it gently under the eye area. It sinks in quickly so is great under makeup.
Key ingredients - Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate, Cucumber Oil to calm & brighten, Witch Hazel to reduce inflammation & puffiness and it's 99% natural, so ideal for sensitive eyes.

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Products Mentioned

La Roche-Posey Thermal Spring Water, £3.50
Caudalie Beauty Elixir, £12
  John Lewis Valencia Textured Stripe Tie Multiway Bikini, Top £29
John Lewis Valencia Textured Stripe Ruched Bikini Shorts, £22
BareMinerals GEN NUDE Powder Blush, £22
L'Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil for All Hair Types, £9.99
Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick, £17
Vero Moda Bright Floral Mini Dress, £32
Lancaster Tan Maximiser after sun soothing face and body moisturiser, £29
Wacoal Halo Lace Moulded Strapless Bra, £35
NUXE Shimmering Dry Oil Huile Prodigieuse Or, £21
Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream, £16

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I had a fantastic holiday in Croatia. I'd thought I would share a couple of my holiday snaps with you. If you are thinking of going to Croatia definitely go. I would go now as it is getting a very popular  holiday destination. We stayed at the Dubrovnik Sun Gardens Hotel. It was superb. It had 3 pools, a private beach, nice food. It is a little out of the way but that just  made it quiet & peaceful. It had wonderful scenery all around, so no matter what room you get you'll be guaranteed a good view. They have an excursion desk where you can go on some reasonably priced trips. We visited Bosnia & Montenegro. For more information check out their website here. Next stop, Majorca.......