Travel Diaries || Benidorm 2017♥

If you thought that I was a little absent from social media, then you're thinking correctly - I was away on holidays to Benidorm with my family for 9 nights (and it was amazing). Unfortunately this year there will be no lookbook (feel as though I'm breaking traditions) but I have something a bit different and quite exciting for you all, a travel diary of my break away.

I actually have been to Benidorm previously so it was absolutely fantastic to visit the place again - I seriously love it and revisiting it just felt so natural and homely. One place I just adore is the beach, it's well and truly beautiful. The sea is clear blue, as is the sky, and the promenade is miles long, connecting the old town Benidorm with the new town. Rarely did I go down to the beach because the sand is roasting hot and messy, but I enjoy walking along it, admiring it's beauty.

Each time we go to Benidorm, we always stay in the new town. This year we decided to hop into a taxi to go to the old town (it was less than 9 euros!) We chose to go on a Sunday, and we soon realised that many shops close on a Sunday, which meant less time for shopping, more time for walking around! I had to take some snaps of course - look how pretty it looks!

We went self-catering, so twice whilst away we took a walk down the town to a lovely restaurant called "Italian Garden". There were so many delicious meals to choose from, of which was quite a hard decision when all you want to do is try out everything! The service was exceptionally quick and the food was outstanding - has to be one of the best meals I ate the whole week!

I had pasta bolognase the first time - how colourful and appetizing does it look? The portion sizes were not huge, and being on holiday, your stomach does shrink so I even struggled to finish it, but it was extremely enjoyable!

The second time I had this dish - it was basically pasta in a creamy cheese sauce mixed with chicken, broccoli and mushrooms. Combining all of these ingredients created an exciting dish which was full of flavour and tasted fantastic!

I never managed to take a photo of this next dish but we went along to a Chinese which was only about 5 minutes away from us (it was called China Garden) and the food was divine, not to mention how lovely the staff were!

Where we stayed had numerous mountains in view, which looked gorgeous! I had to snap up a photo, especially because the sky looks beautiful in contrast to the mountains. Even simple scenery can create a fab photo.

I feel as though I have lots of other photos but don't want to bombard you with too many (or make you jealous hehe!) But honestly, if you haven't been to Benidorm, I highly recommend it - it's full of life and is dirt cheap! Not to mention how warm it is - I went late May/early June and I was swelting!

Where have you visited lately?

Newtons Lab Skincare♥*

Skincare has been of great importance to me lately. I have been taking more care of my skin by wearing no makeup, letting my skin breath, drinking more water and incorporating more products into my skincare routine. By doing this, I've seen a vast improvement in my skin - it appears clearer, brighter and feels much better. Into my new skin care routine, I've been using Newtons Lab T-Zone Skincare* range.

Cleansing Cream Wash* - I was in need of a new facial wash of some sort so when this arrived I was so glad! It smells of tea tree, and for me, I really like this because it agrees with my skin and always leaves it feeling refreshed. I remove the product with a wet face cloth and then splash my face with some water. My skin instantly appears smoother and also looks clean and healthy. I haven't experienced any breakouts using this so it's a winner for my skin.

Nose Pore Strips* - I quite like using these nose strips. They help to remove any gunk and dirt that's within your pores (ewww) and unblocks the pores again. After removing the strip, my nose feels so clean and smooth, and you can see the dirt on the strip (it's minging but ever so satisfying!) My only fault with this is that I wish it removed dirt from further within the pores. Overall, I like these strips, and they have a tea tree scent which is ideal for oily skin.

Charcoal Wipes* - I didn't know how I'd feel about these because wipes aren't something I use as they don't get on very well with my skin. I was intrigued as these were charcoal, yet smelt like tea tree. Personally, I'm not the biggest fan - it's nothing against the wipes, it's just because as I said, wipes and I don't get along. If you wear foundation and don't have overly sensitive skin then perhaps they'd be more ideal for you.

Spot Zapping Cream* - I feel I haven't been able to use this little tube to it's full potential. My skin has been really clear lately (touch wood) and I've not had that many breakouts, maybe the odd couple in my hairline so I've zapped (ha) some of this onto them. It helps to dry them out a bit in an attempt to clear them up. I do think that for it's inexpensive price tag that the product is pretty decent.

As a wide range of Newtons Lab skincare products are designed for oily skin, I really enjoy using it because it's a brand which specialises in specific skin types, one which caters for people like me who have oily skin. All in all, it's a great, bargain skin brand. I've seen a few of their products which have caught my eye and I would like to branch out into trying them next.

*PR Samples

Unspoken About Eyeshadows♥

I love eyeshadow and there is absolutely no denying it. There's just so many stunning shades and the number of looks you can create are endless. As much as I'm always on the hunt for eyeshadow palettes (nothing better than owning 1000 different natural eyeshadow palettes), I do own a few single shadows, three of which are from No7.

Single shadows, blah de blah. I'm more of a palette girl - I think it's easier for daily use as you have all the colours you need together in one palette. However, there are some hidden shadow gems. I own three No7 eyeshadows, and aren't they just stunning? As annoying it may be to have individuals, they are lovely to use but blend smoothly.

The shade from Navy Trio comes in handy, for me anyway. I wouldn't recommend it all over the lid because there's not much colour to do so, however, it is fantastic for highlighting! It is a great colour to use in your inner corner and/or under your brow bone. It is quite shimmery and brightens your eye area. I find it's one of those shades which I find myself reaching for just to highlight with. It really finishes off a whole eye look.

The shade from Cappuccino Trio has to be my favourite out of the three I own. It's a beautiful, creamy brown-golden shade which can be wore in the crease OR all over the lid. If you know me, then you'll know I love gold eyeshadow, so you can bet I use this a lot. It is on the pigmented side, but can be built up to a more intense look. I find it's the perfect shade to add a little "something" to your completed look, whether that may be just across the whole lid for a wash of colour or into the crease for depth.

My final shade which is fairly new is the top shade from Tea Party Trio. It's completely different to anything else I own; singles or palette. I find it's a gorgeous colour which is ideal as a crease colour - it adds a lot of depth to your eye. It blends seamlessly too, and is rather pigmented. When it's blended on top of a transition shade, the blending is looks flawless, and there's more colour pay off. I think I love it because it's quite cool toned, and it's uniqueness makes me opt for it more often.

I feel that nobody ever raves nor talks about No.7 single shadows, the most known ones around the beauty world have got to be Makeup Geek or Mac. These retail at £7.00 each here and I'm now contemplating buying more!

Glossy, Model Worthy Hair?♥*

Since dying my hair last year, I became more cautious with regards to my haircare routine. I had slacked, as people do from time to time, but recently, I've been taking extra care. Lee Stafford is a brand that somehow always features in my routine, mainly because of all the different, available ranges, and their amazing products. Once again, the lovely people from nbpr (Lee Stafford PR) offered to send out some Lee Stafford products for me to try, and they've ended up in my haircare routine.

Lee Stafford Coco Loco Heat Protection Spray* - you may remember a post from a few months ago about the Coco Loco range (if not, you can read it here), and it was a range that I quickly fell in love with. The range has a coconut scent - one of my favourites - and when I was sent the heat protection spray from this range, I was over the moon. Heat protection is vital to use, whether you're only using a hair dryer or actually styling your hair, it will help protect your hair from heat, preventing any damage. Personally, I really like this product, I use it in my hair when it's damp before drying and it helps untangle any tangles, and leaves my hair feeling smooth and silky.

Lee Stafford Lived in Spray* - this spray is ideal if you're after a messy, textured look. It's best applied to the length of the hair, not the roots - I accidentally did this and my roots appeared greasy, oops. It gives volume to the hair, and sometimes, I use this in my hair before putting it into a messy bun so that the hair is easier to work with, and not as "slippy". It smells like the original Lee Stafford range which smells divine. It would probably be ideal for those with shoulder length hair or shorter for a more voluminous, casual yet easily styled hair.

Lee Stafford Hair Growth Scalp Scrub* - I'm undecided with this product. I mean, I think it's intentions are great, don't get me wrong, but it's just strange. Basically right, it's an exfoliator for your scalp - weird, yeah? Although it feels completely wrong (I feel as though I'm scrubbing a face scrub into my hair!), the results are worth it. When rinsed out - it's applied before any shampooing - my scalp feels fresh and healthy. Same as the texture spray, it has the original Lee Stafford scent, and after washing, my hair smells amazing. It's part of the hair growth range, and my hair is already really long (probably too long, aha...) so it's hard to see if I've had any progress lately, and because my hair has been in a bun lately, I couldn't say if I've noticed a real difference. If you were to use it along with the hair growth collection, you would notice vast improvement - you can find out more about the hair growth range here.

Using these products can help achieve smooth, shiny and glossy hair. You know those ads where the model always has thick, gorgeous hair? I genuinely think my hair resembles that look due to using these products (hehe).

*PR Samples

A Naked 3 Dupe♥

It's no surprise that majority of people love a dupe. I know for sure I do - it gives me an experience of the product before buying the real thing. W7 are famous for their dupes, and it's no shock why - they're amazing. Their products are similar to some of the big brands - Benefit, Urban Decay etc. They're well known for their dupes of the Urban Decay Naked Palettes. I like the look of the Naked 3, so what else did I do other than go out and buy the dupe, the W7 In The Nude?

The packaging is not identical but similar. It has the rose gold packaging, resembling the Naked 3, as well as a slight pattern on the tin. The packaging is sturdy and is quite metal like, so it will survive any bumps and bashes. The inside sadly doesn't contain a mirror, which is a slight disadvantage but nonetheless. The Naked 3 consists of mainly pink tones, hence why the colours inside this palette are. Inside, there's a gap for where a makeup brush comes. Don't get too excited, it's only a sponge applicator, however, it's actually pretty decent. There's a mixture of lights, pinks and dark colours; a mixture of mattes and shimmers; and a few glitters.

To me, this palette looks stunning. It's picturesque and photogenic. It's capable to create subtle day looks or dramatic evening looks, or in between. The shadows are pigmented and buttery, making them easy to blend. When used in conjunction with my Real Technique eye brushes, the finish is impeccable. I often leaving this palette sitting in the backseat, but when I use it again, I rekindle my love for it. The names are also adorable.

I've never tried the Naked 3, but some of my friends own it and say it's almost identical. Who knows, maybe one day I'll fork out the money and buy the Naked 3!

Do you own the Naked 3? Is this a good dupe?

The English Soap Company♥*

9/10 times, I use body wash, mainly because it's out of convenience and usually because I have a fair stash of them from Christmas or my birthdays. Recently however, I've been trying out some soaps - change is good sometimes you know! - and when I was contacted by The English Soap Company*, I knew I just HAD to try some of their soaps, their packaging was too adorable!

It's always more exciting when a brand sends you products without telling you exactly what they're sending. The first soap I received was their Green Tea Soap*, which is a rather exotic and unique. I wasn't sure how I'd like this soap however, because it's not like anything else I've ever tried, but despite this, I like it. It's a rich shea butter formula and it most certainly contains shea butter because it leaves your skin feeling intensely smooth.

Their Honey and Camomile Soap* is an interesting combination. It has quite a strong, distinct scent but smells fresh and exhilarating too. If the packaging isn't enough to draw you in, then the scent will. As it's different, I do quite like this, and it's perfect for using in the morning to really "wake you up".

As you can see, it's like a brick - it's a 200g block of soap which is guaranteed to last a life time. It lathers up really easily and then you're left with bubble-paradise. It's extremely creamy when lathered up and definitely hydrates your skin, leaving it feel silky smooth.

I have been impressed with these soaps! I've been looking on The English Soap Company's website and they have a wide variety of soaps available - there's even a Jasmine scented soap, ideal or what?!

Have you tried this brand?

*PR Samples

A Selection Box Better Than Chocolate?♥

I honestly cannot believe that in the 3 years this blog has been running for, I have never featured Benefit. I have no clue why because I freaking love the products I'm about to share with you all. Not only do I love the products due to it's outstanding quality, but the cute, quirky packaging also takes my heart. Last Christmas, I received the Best of Benefit Selection Box, which was comprised of their best selling products.

Benefit Boi-Ing Concealer; I actually hear about this concealer all the time on beauty chats on Twitter, and I can assure you it is worth the hype. It's incredible. It's creamy, meaning it blends without any difficulties, and the coverage is impressive. I personally use this for my under eye circles because I feel they require the most coverage but I believe it would work equally as good for spots and blemishes.

Benefit Porefessional; A primer which is meant to be a best friend for a girl (or guy) with oily skin. As it's only a miniature, whenever I use it, I only apply to where I require it most, which is round my t-zone. It definitely is amazing. It helps my foundation stay put and keeps shine to a minimum. 

Benefit High Beam; A liquid highlighter. 9/10 times, I will use a powder highlight but recently I have been LOVING this, it's subtle yet pretty, and is quite a pearl based highlight. On more natural makeup days, I like to use it alone to highlight my cheekbones, but on those days where I want to go all out, I use it as a base for my powder highlight on top. It is guaranteed to blind.

Benefit They're Real Push-up Eyeliner; Nope, not a fan. I'm not the only person who doesn't like it, I'm yet to hear a positive review, for the miniature size anyway. It's practically impossible to use because I find it difficult to get the product out, and when I do, it feels incredibly dry. Whenever I remove it (which is straight after trying to use it!), it crumbles all over my face. It's a no from Jasmine.

Benefit Rockateur Blush; If I were to go buy any blush from Benefit, I feel I'd go for this one. It's the perfect pink blush for a pale gal like myself, and suits near enough any makeup look. It's especially pretty throughout Spring and Summer due to it being a light shade. A benefit (hehe) to this blush is that it smells really good, for makeup anyway - it's quite sweet.

Benefit Hoola Bronzer; Hoola has seriously became one of my favourite bronzers. I cannot quite describe how amazing it is. Each time I use it, I instantly remember how much I love it. It's not on the orange side and isn't too dark either, so it's a win win situation really. It gives warmth to the overall complexion, as well as giving subtle definition. It's pigmented but even if you use too much, it blends flawlessly.

Benefit They're Real Mascara; I have a love/hate relationship with this mascara. At first, I couldn't use it because it was too "wet", so smudged and clumped really easily, but not that it's "drier", I get on a bit better. I do feel it's not fantastic on its own for some reason, but, I have a combination which makes me reach for it on a daily basis - I layer it with a lengthening mascara as it's a voluminous mascara. Game changer, seriously! Try it, honestly.

These miniature "tasters" into Benefit have made me want to try more products. Although some products are quite "pricey" (it is classified as a highend makeup brand after all), I do rate them really highly.

Do you have any recommendations from Benefit?

Vera Wang Lovestruck♥

Vera Wang's Princess collection has became one of my favourite ranges quickly due to it's beautifully designed bottles and sweet loving scents. Slowly but surely have I moved onto trying out the Lovestruck range, and for Christmas, received the original fragrance. As I knew how much I admired the Princess range, I knew that I would have high standards for this range too.

I must admit that the bottle is up there with Marc Jacobs - just look at it! It has such a plain yet pretty design, with the main focus on the lid. The overall aesthetics of the bottle are rather pleasant, and looks elegant too. It's one you want to keep on display for sure - why would you want to keep this beauty hidden away in a box?

The scent itself is sweet and girly yet not sickly or overpowering. It's definitely a wearable perfume for a daily basis, and I love it. Although it's sweet, I feel as though it has quite a floral tinge to it also. The notes are as of the following:

Top notes of Pink Guava, Angelica Flower and Mandarin.
Heart notes of Indian Jasmine Sambac, Tuberose Buds and Blue Lotus Blossom.
Base notes of Sheer Musk, Precious Woods and Vanilla.

As you can see, it's quite a vast mixture of notes, which all collectively create a wonderful perfume, one which I feel deserves more recognition in the beauty world. Not only does the scent smell divine, but the bottle just tops it off. If you haven't ever tried this perfume specifically, or even the Vera Wang range, I suggest you do as you won't regret it!

A £2 Dupe For Smashbox Primer Water?♥

Being blessed with oily skin makes base makeup tricky. I want to look flawless yet don't want to appear cakey nor shiny. Do I apply more powder to my nose and risk it being mega cakey so that the shine doesn't come through? Sigh, struggles of having oily skin, eh. I have tried numerous primers, some which help to keep my shine to a minimum for a short period of time but nothing that works right through the day. I have tried foundations which look perfect in the morning but crack around my nose by lunchtime. I have heard varying responses to the Smashbox Primer Water, mainly good, but I wasn't sure if the £20 price tag was worth it. Then, when I was in Primark, something caught my eye.

Primark's beauty range has really upped it's game lately. I've been buying a few things, and couldn't help but buy their primer water for the small price of £2 - a fraction of the price of the Smashbox one. Whilst buying, my initial thoughts were if it works, great! But if it doesn't, then I've only spent £2 as opposed to £20. Of course, my inner beauty blogger was shouting at me to "hurry up and put it to the test".. oops.

Oh my days, I can't even explain my love for it. I didn't really know what to expect for £2 but this little bottle has really taken me by surprise. I wouldn't say that there is any overpowering scent, if any at all. I apply my moisturiser, then roughly 3-4 sprays of this onto my face and my skin is prepped and ready for my foundation. Whenever I use this, I find that my base makeup looks air-brushed and flawless - perhaps it's due to the foundation, but I'm more lenient to believing that it's this primer. What I love most is that you don't end up with greasy fingers from applying the primer on to your face, and my skin actually absorbs this pretty quickly. Regardless, I always powder my face, paying particular attention to my t-zone, and I have found my foundation stays in tack for a good 4-5 hours. No complaints there then, eh?

For £2, I would 100% repuchase this because put it this way, it's an amazing bargain. As I have oily skin, I can only judge the water on oily skin types, however, I do feel that it possibly would work with dry/combination skin types also as it does feel quite hydrating.

So, when are you next going to Primark to pick up a primer water?

The Foundation and It's Friends You Need♥*

I've barely been wearing makeup lately, mainly because I've been trying to let my skin breathe as it's been breaking out a bit. That all changed after receiving a special parcel from Lancôme which I was utterly STUNNED by (they always make parcels look that little bit extra special). 

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation* - Lancôme know to send me the lightest shade and this always makes reviewing 10 times easier because I'm able to give a true reflection of the foundation. It says it's a comfortable foundation to wear and I can truthfully say that is is genuine as when I wear this, I often forget I'm wearing any foundation because it's so lightweight and doesn't clog my pores. I would say that the coverage is quite light coverage however would be buildable and wouldn't become cakey. The overall look appears flawless and personally, it's perfect to use on a daily basis.

I wasn't entirely sure how I would get on with the La Base Pro Hydra Glow Primer* simply because it's a brightening primer and I have oily skin, but nevertheless, I tried it out. It applies really smoothly which is always a good start, and I also noticed that a little goes a long way where this product is concerned. It classes itself as a hydrating primer, and I must give it to it - it certainly left my skin feeling silky soft. Overall, it's quite a good primer - my makeup lasted pretty well (I tried it when I popped to the shops for a few things and it even lasted when I went out for an Indian meal!) therefore would recommend.

All Foundation Brush* - when I saw how small the head of this brush was, I didn't think it'd buff in my foundation. How wrong could I be? It's quite dense, meaning that it buffs the foundation flawlessly into the skin. My favourite use for this brush has got to be for concealer under the eyes - it doesn't pull the skin therefore is gentle to use.

I highly recommend this trio because they work so well in conjunction with each other. The foundation comes with a diverse range of shade which is amazing! I would say that the primer isn't necessarily for one skin type as I could imagine it working well with dry skin too, and this is down to the hydrating element.

Have you tried this foundation?

*PR Samples