What's in my toiletries travel bag?

As some of you may know, I am going on holiday to Prague tomorrow evening, so I thought I'd do a 'What's in my travel bag?' post for the toiletries I'm taking with me.  My travel bag was bought in Japan earlier this year, can't remember the name of the shop, but I've seen similar designs for sale over here.  I'm a sucker for anything cute with owls on!

Haircare

Burts Bees Super Shiny Shampoo and Conditioner

These were from my grab bag ages ago.  Have seen a few mixed reviews of these, so I'll try them 

out tonight and see what they're like.

Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment

I love this hair oil more than Morrocan Oil these days.  

Perfect for keeping my hair in great condition.

KMS California Free Shape Hot Flex Spray

Love this, just a simple heat protection spray with the added benefit of acting a bit

like a hairspray too!

Skincare

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

I always take one of these with me when I'm travelling.  

Doubles up as a fantastic make-up remover too.

Essential Care Organic Rose Petal Tonic*

This is so lovely to use, great for refreshing yourself with when you're on the go.

Dr Nick Lowe Oil Control Anti-Blemish Day Cream

Featured in my favourites last month, I'm on my second travel size tube of this 

and it works so well for my oily/combination skin.

balance Me Radiance Face Mask*

Also featured this in my favourites last month, it's a fab 3 in 1 mask 

that helps to perk up dull skin.

Figs & Rouge Sweet Geranium Balm

Multi-purpose balm, always travel with one of these products 

in my bag because they come in so handy.

Clinique All About Eyes

One of my favourite eye creams, simple and effective.

 

Bath & Body

Steamcream

Recently reviewed this here.  Love it!  The tin is also a great size for

travelling with.

NEOM Tranquility Bath Oil

Received this in the Utter Relaxation gift set for my birthday and can't wait

to use it.

Mitchell and Peach English Growers Shower Wash

I think this was from a Joliebox from around xmas time?!  

I really should use up seeing as it's July now, so it's coming with me!

Sunscreen / Misc

JĀSÖN Facial Natural Sunblock SPF 20*

JĀSÖN Mineral Natural Sunblock SPF 30*

No summer travel bag is complete without sunscreen and these ones 

from JĀSÖN are light and non-greasy.  Reviewed here.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Lip Care with SPF 15

Great for wearing under lipsticks and is very moisturising too.

Essential Care Organic First Aid Lotion*

For all those 'just in case' times that happen on holiday!

From their Holiday Essentials kit.

I'll post a make-up bag tomorrow as that's always the last thing I pack.

 Have you been or are you going on holiday this summer?

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*PR samples

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The Lip Balm & Multipurpose Salve Stash

I have a tiny confession to make.  I'm a bit obssessed with lip balms.  If there's a bag or a drawer that should be unlucky enough to be in my possession, I can guarantee that you'll find at least one balm type product in there.  The main reason for this is because I absolutely can't stand having dry lips, so I end up applying lip balm like a crazy woman constantly throughout the day.  Since doing my monthly empties posts, I have been making more of an effort to use up lip balms that I already have, but one or two always manage to sneak into my stash.  I have no idea how this happens, honestly, that really wasn't me in The Body Shop during my lunch hour buying another one....I swear!  Here's a rundown on my current lip balm stash, plus I decided to throw in my current multipurpose salves for good measure too:-

The Body Shop Vitamin E Lip Care SPF 15

I decided to get this for my upcoming holiday and absolutely love it.  It applies so smoothly onto the lips and really moisturises them, as well as having the added benefit of SPF 15.  A good one to also use underneath your lipsticks.

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm 

The original cooling menthol one that is loved or hated by a lot of people.  It's not my favourite from Burt's Bees (I prefer the Honey formula), but I do love using it during summer when it's hot out.

John Masters Organics Lip Calm 

Received this in an Amarya box a while ago and it's very citrusy, which makes it completely different from everything else I use.  It's very hydrating too so I like this one a lot.

balance Me Stellar Face Balm*

A recent new discovery for me, this truly is a multipurpose 100% natural balm that can be used everywhere.  Apply to any dry skin (lips, cuticles, heels, elbows etc), use it as an overnight face mask for dry skin, dab it on to cold sores and insect bites, rub a little in your hands and smooth flyaway hair, the list is endless!

Karma Naturals Rhubarb and Custard Lip Balm 

I've mentioned this in a favourites post before and still love using it.  Super moisturising and tastes just like the sweets.

LUSH Honey Trap Lip Balm 

This is a sweet vanilla-honey blended with peppermint lip balm that is a little stubborn to use in cold weather because it's quite hard, but it gently melts to an easier consistency in summer and tastes delicious.

balance Me Hydrating Rose Otto and Shea Butter Salve 

Another multipurpose product that I've enjoyed using mainly on my cuticles and heels before going to bed.  I'm not so keen on the taste of this on my lips though.

LUSH Lemony Flutter

This comes in a HUGE tub that seems to last forever!  It's a thick butter that takes a while to sink in, which makes it more than ideal for using at night.  I like to use it as an intensive hand and foot cream when they're feeling especially dry in winter and it's also great to use on lips if they get chapped easily in cold weather.

Figs & Rouge Sweet Geranium Balm 

I adore the vintage-esque packaging of these 100% organic and natural little tins.  The balm has a slight gritty texture to it which helps to very gently exfoliate the areas that you apply it to, as well as soothing and hydrating them.  Like the balance Me rose salve, I'm not a fan of the taste of this on my lips, but it's wonderful for everything else like cuticles and taming eyebrows.

Do you hoard lip balms?  Which ones are you currently using?

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*PR sample

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Latest In Beauty: The Refresh & Recover Box

As there was no Joliebox for January, I decided to treat myself to a box from Latest In Beauty. LIB do these great 'themed' boxes every few months, and their main selling point is that you can see what you're going to get before you buy. These are perfect for people who want to try out beauty samples, but aren't fond of surprises, or perhaps have allergies to certain ingredients etc. The current themed box on sale at the moment is the one that I bought, and it's called 'The Refresh and Recover Box' which is £6.95 with free postage. As its your typical detox/new year theme, there is a mixture of beauty samples & supplements which reminded me a bit of the US Eco Emi boxes. Here's what was inside:-



Teapigs Tummy Tonic - one tea temple, is a pure peppermint tea which helps to settle overindulged tummies. I use Teapigs teas a lot because they are an ethical/eco brand and their teas are absolutely delicious. Cosmetofruit Chile Luxurious Hair & Nails, 30ml - I was most intrigued by this little bottle which calls itself a 'beauty drinkable elixir'. It has a 'PhytoNutr-A-Berries Complex' (fancy!) which helps to regenerate and strengthen cells for soft and healthy hair and nails. My only verdict on it so far is that it tastes like sour undiluted Ribena, but I'll no doubt finish off the bottle. ActMint Probiotic Supplement, x 3 - these little mints have probiotics to help aid healthy digestion, so I'll definitely try one of these out after dinner.



Onto the beauty samples, I received a 20ml Sun Shots SPF25 sun protection cream which I thought was a little strange but maybe aimed at those lucky people going away for some winter sun? Have popped it into my suitcase anyhow for the time being. There was also a Lavera Hand Cream, 20ml, which is a nice size to pop into handbags and smells good too. The little vintage inspired tin is a Figs & Rouge Sweet Geranium Balm which is 100% organic and multi-purpose. I always have some type of multi-purpose salve in my bag so I'm looking forward to trying out this one. Lastly, I got a Monu Soothing Touch Recovery Balm, 5ml, which is more like a cream than a balm, but feels very good on the skin.



In addition to the above, you can choose any two luxury samples at no extra cost, to add to your box. Last time I looked, there were brands like Cowshed, This Works, Burts Bees, Clarins etc to pick from so there was a good range. I chose the Balance Me Rose Otto Body Wash, 55ml which smells lovely and the Balance Me Hydrating Rose Otto & Shea Butter Salve, full size 15ml to try out.

Summary: I'm pleased with this box and the contents. The customer service from Latest In Beauty was pretty good too when I had a card query, and the box itself arrived promptly. I think these are great little treats for when you want to try out a few things, but don't want to commit to a regular beauty box subscription. I also bought the special YOU box from LIB and will post a review of that when it arrives :)

Do you like this box? If you sub to a beauty box, would you prefer to know what contents you're getting or do you like the surprise?

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