SMART(ER) PACKING // REVISITED

Errythang I used

So I'm back - and I apologise that it's taken me so long to recover. Those sleepless nights really take their toll!

But back to the task at hand. I think I did okay, given that I was only away for 42 hours! Not even two days.

I was a more efficient packer this time around, as I used most of what I took (clothes-wise, anyway), which is pretty good for me, as I'm usually that person who wears the same outfit three days in a row on camps... Though I didn't use much of the other 'just in case' stuff that I packed (like last time) - it's always difficult to know what will be necessary, especially when you don't know what to expect (e.g. what the facilities are like, etc.) That's how I'm justifying it, anyway!

Without further ado, here's the recap...

What I used (skincare-wise):

What I used (makeup-wise):

What I didn't use at all:

The verdict:

I actually surprised myself that I didn't use hand cream at all, despite the crazily-cold and whiplash-windy weather (I guess the gloves helped in that respect). I didn't wash my hair at all, but stretched an extra day out of my freshly-washed hair with the aid of Batiste dry shampoo. (I did wash it as soon as I got home!) I'll admit I was a bit naughty and used the Garnier makeup wipes instead of cleansing properly (but in the wee hours of the morning, no one's really bothered, right?) My skin was okay - well, happy enough with Cetaphil lotion that I didn't need to bring in reinforcements by the way of La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5. My face was well-hydrated with Clinique DDML+/Neways Barrier Cream, so I didn't end up using Clinique Moisture Surge, nor Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Moisturiser. I used nearly everything that I brought makeup-wise, though I found I looked mostly alive (thanks, NARS concealer and Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light!), so didn't need the help of Bloom cream blush - and I didn't end up using the eyeliner pencil (which was really just to give myself another option, in case I wasn't bothered with gel eyeliner). Yes, I'll admit that I'm a chronic overpack-er! And when you're that tired, I figured I could be excused for not taming my facial hedges (though I tidied my brows when I got back). Who's looking, anyway?

Hmm... Perhaps I'll be a proficient packer one day (here's hoping!) We all need something to aspire to, right? ;) 

Are you a proficient packer, or a 'just-in-case' excessive packer like myself?

Any tips? (Teach me your ways!) x

A WEEKEND AWAY // SMART(ER) PACKING

Okay, so we've established that I'm a bit of a 'YOLO' packer... In the past I was the most meticulous packer (and perhaps a little overboard), planning months in ahead and packing with precision. (In fact, my mother used to say that I enjoyed packing more than the trip itself!)
But lately that hasn't been the case. On my most recent trip overseas I ended up taking a whole heap of stuff that I'd hoped would come in handy...and didn't end up using a lot of it. I'll be going away this weekend for a camp, so this may just be my chance to redeem myself! This time I've stripped it down to the bare essentials - my reliable favourites that will do the job; no bells and whistles (though that's not to say that they aren't fab!).

Toiletries (plus face towel, toothbrush and toothpaste which aren't pictured):

Clockwise from top left:
- Neways Subdue deodorant
- Garnier makeup wipes
- Cetaphil cleanser
- La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5
- Neways Barrier Cream
- Clinique Moisture Surge (15ml)
- Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion
- Avène Cold Cream Hand Cream
- Pantene shampoo and conditioner minis
- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser
- Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion +

Makeup:

Clockwise-ish from top left:
- Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light
- NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
- Kevyn Aucoin eyelash curler
- MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack
- Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Pencil in Black
- E.l.f Cosmetics Angled Eyeliner Brush
- Nuxe Rêve de Miel lip balm
- Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Rose
- Maybelline Baby Lips lip balm in Anti-Oxidant Berry
- b Collection by Bloom Cream Blush in Barossa Valley
- Salvatore Ferragamo Signorina EDT mini

Other bits and pieces:

Clockwise from top left:
- Agnès B. makeup pouch
- Batiste Cherry dry shampoo mini
- Hairties and bobby pins
- Tweezerman tweezers


...So that's it - the 'bare essentials'. We'll see how I go! :)

WEEK IN REVIEW // 9

A week of slow recovery, new loves and little treats.

L-R:
Whittaker's Peanut Butter Chocolate Block - Did someone say Reese's Peanut Butter Cups?! Courtesy of sleepandwater - recommendation seen on her instagram here. (Dayumm gurl, you'll be the death of me!) So after seeing that, of course I dashed into Aldi. And it did not disappoint. While I prefer the saltier, nuttier taste of Reese's, this really is the next best thing! What are you waiting for? Run, don't walk!

Swisspers Naturals Cucumber Facial Cleansing Wipes - Wow. That's all I have to say - these are good! So effective, and ridiculously soft - unlike some other brands I've tried (Simple and Garnier, anyone?) I did buy these for Mother when they were on sale at Priceline, but couldn't resist trying them myself. These definitely own every other brand I've tried to far.

Chi Chi Baked Eyeshadow Single in Rock With You - I finally tested it out (here). My first impressions were as follows: Not as intensely pigmented as I'd first thought - or as first swatched - but easy to blend, with no fall out. Lasted a good 6 hours or so.

Nuxe Reve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm - This is probably the first 'week in review' where you haven't seen my resident lip balm fave Nivea Lip Butter in Caramel Cream! These past few days Nivea just hasn't been making the cut. Perhaps it's because we're now officially in Winter and my wind-chapped, cracked lips need something a little more, well, 'nourishing', but at any rate, I've finally drawn out Nuxe from hibernation. First impressions? It's waxier than I'd anticipated and smells faintly of lemon curd! Lasting power is also pretty good, and has so far managed to keep my lips looking and feeling better.

Swisspers Cleansing Eye Make-Up Remover Pads - These are also great. While it seems superfluous to have these as well as the wipes, I can say that they remove mascara with ease, and are so saturated with remover that I could take off the rest of my makeup with the remainder. Win!

QV Cream - Claims to "replenish dry skin" - and indeed it does! You may remember that I've been sick recently, and have experienced all the joys of illness, such as a sore throat and runny-and-raw nose. I've been using this to combat my gross, sore and peeling skin, and found it to work wonders, though it did sting a little at first. It's quite emollient, but sinks in quickly - plus, it's of a rather handy size. 

Cedel Blow Dry Faster Heat Protector - As the nights get colder, this has once again become my bestie, as it allows me to dry my hair quicker, and makes it wonderfully straight, too - and all without the assistance of a brush or comb - you can check out my full review here.

Forever New Taliah Clutch - My sale find! I popped in to Forever New this week, on a whim, and walked out with this beauty. I'm looking forward to taking it out on formal occasions. These 'end of season'/mid year sales have been so good - but result in so much debit card damage!

What has been the highlight of your week?
Do you have a weakness for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups like me?