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

THE STANDOUT // ELIZABETH ARDEN EIGHT HOUR CREAM INTENSIVE DAILY MOISTURIZER

As mentioned in my previous post, Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturizer for Face SPF 15 PA++ (phew, what a name!) was the major standout for me, and a wonderful in-flight companion. It was included in a pack I'd bought from Priceline, along with the cult-favourite Eight Hour Cream and a lip balm, but I was less than keen to try it after excitedly testing out the Eight Hour Cream and being put off entirely by its strong scent and sticky texture. I figured that the Intensive Daily Moisturizer would be equally thick and difficult to spread, but with the added bonus of SPF. On a whim I thought I'd bring it with me overseas, as it was a travel-friendly size - just in case I needed an SPF during the flight. I put it to the test mid-flight when I noticed my skin becoming drier, and was pleasantly surprised to discover that despite having the same off-putting medicinal scent as the Eight Hour Cream, it was light - of an almost whipped consistency - quickly absorbed, and resulted in instantly smooth and hydrated skin. Plus, a little goes a long way - the blob shown below is enough to cover half my face (though I suppose my face is on the small side...) Indeed, it was love at first swipe. I'm still not sure if my adulation for it is simply due to my previous extraordinarily low expectations, but at any rate, this little prod has certainly earned its keep.

What are your can't-live-without products that you were previously wrong about?

DEPARTURE // THE RECAP

As I'm in the process of unpacking and tidying the mess I call my room, I thought it'd be interesting to review the numerous products I brought with me overseas (the majority of which I didn't really use enough to justify bringing). And I ought to apologise right about now, because the stuff pictured in my previous 'Departure' post isn't even half of what I actually brought... I know, I know. Um. A hoarder in every sense! In my defence, my frantic tossing of other bits and pieces into my suitcase was mainly induced by my mindset of 'just in case', rather than 'practical and necessary'... I'll be wiser for next time. Hopefully.

What I packed in carry-on luggage:

- Natio Spa with Organics Heavenly Hand Cream
- Neways Barrier Cream
- La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5
- Nivea Daily Face Veil SPF 30
- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face SPF 15 PA++
- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Nourishing Lip Balm with Sunscreen
- Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Rose
- B Collection by Bloom Cream Blush for Lips and Cheeks in Barossa Valley
- Maybelline Baby Lips in Anti-Oxidant Berry
- MAC Select Cover Up Concealer in NC30

What I actually used on the plane:

- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Nourishing Lip Balm with Sunscreen
- Natio Spa with Organics Heavenly Hand Cream
- Neways Barrier Cream
- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face SPF 15 PA++
- Maybelline Baby Lips in Anti-Oxidant Berry

Admittedly I was too distracted by the movies on the plane to be bothered about being meticulous with skincare during the nine-hour flight. My skin prep beforehand seemed sufficiently hydrating, though I did apply a layer of Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face SPF 15 PA++ about half way, and hand cream and lip balm frequently throughout. The Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face SPF 15 PA++ absolutely exceeded my expectations and I credit it to my happy complexion upon landing. Full review coming soon.

What I used the most while overseas:

- Neways Barrier Cream
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Sunscreen
- La Roche-Posay Uvidea XL Melt-In BB Cream
- Nivea Daily Face Veil SPF 30
- Maybelline Baby Lips in Anti-Oxidant Berry

What I didn't really use:

- Clinique Chubby Stick in Super Strawberry
- Rimmel Stay Matte Translucent Powder
- Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Candy Apple
- Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronze Universel
- Real Techniques Buffing Brush and Stippling Brush
- ModelsPrefer Airbrush
- EcoTools Deluxe Concealer Brush
- Natio Spa with Organics Heavenly Hand Cream
- La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5
- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face SPF 15 PA++
- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Nourishing Lip Balm with Sunscreen
- Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Rose
- B Collection by Bloom Cream Blush for Lips and Cheeks in Barossa Valley
- MAC Select Cover Up Concealer in NC30
- Garnier Clean Detox Makeup Wipes

I know. Yikes.
Granted, while overseas, I couldn't care in the slightest how I looked. SPF was my priority, along with lip balm, and I didn't bother too much with eye makeup as I was wearing sunglasses most of the time. However, I did use these products less than a handful of times, when we went out for lunch or dinner at places that required patrons to look at least socially acceptable.

What I wish I'd brought:

- Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion+
- Nivea Lip Butter in Caramel Cream

Thankfully there aren't too many products in this category! I found myself wishing for Clinique's DDML+ when my face was randomly dry and irritated, and there seemed to be no cure (which is largely the reason why I ended up bringing the Clinique Moisture Surge home...), and lip butter when my lips wanted something richer after spending a little too long in the sun and wind.

What I learnt:
Pantene conditioner makes an excellent shaving cream in a pinch.
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face SPF 15 PA++ is fabulous and I should feel ashamed for overlooking it previously.
Make do with fingers instead of brushes where possible.

What I know for next time:
Bringing excessive amounts of stuff that won't be used makes for a painful trip and limits the haulage that can be brought back (lose-lose situation).
Generally speaking, there's no need to bring so much carry-on as I'm more likely to be watching movies or sleeping on the plane than making use of the liquids/gels/aerosols that I brought with me.


What are your travel essentials?
Are you a hoarder like me?

ARRIVAL // THE MINI HAUL

Hello! Yes, I am back after a painful twenty-four hour flight delay. With several pieces of luggage in tow - and a mini* beauty haul. And along with twenty-one pairs of socks (don't ask), and an embarrassingly large stack of GAP clothes, but more on that later...

As I am also sick (thanks, kid who was coughing his lungs out in the seat behind me the entire trip!), I will leave you with a little snapshot, instead of rambling endlessly - but expect to see them in more detail soon!

The 'mini haul'

The breakdown (clockwise from top left):
- Innisfree cloth masks
- EOS Smooth Sphere Lip Balm in Summer Fruit
- Ralph Lauren RALPH EDT miniature
- Burberry Body EDP miniature
- Salvatore Ferragamo Signorina EDT miniature
- Clinique Cheek Pop blushes in 01 Ginger Pop and 03 Berry Pop
- Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief (15ml)
- Revlon nail polish in 270 Cherries In The Snow and 480 Chic
- Nivea Lip Butter in Raspberry Rosé (bought here just before I left)
- Bourjois Shine Edition lipstick in 23 Grenade in (aka Grenadine) (bought from ASOS while overseas...)


...And I also brought this baby back with me, so better quality photos are headed your way.

The newbie

That is all for now, I'm off to blow my nose and open another pack of Strepsils...

Talk soon x

*Given the amount I brought with me, and the ridiculous stash I've been accumulating as of late, a larger beauty haul was really out of the question!

DEPARTURE // GOODBYE (BUT NOT FOREVER)

This will be my last post for this month, as I'll be overseas for three weeks, returning at the end of April. I never really know what to take overseas - I feel like there's an art to it, and I'm not one who has packing down to a science! I used to be far more organised - in fact, I'd be the kid who'd start planning for months before the actual trip, writing and rewriting; collating lists of things I'd need, 'the essentials'; what I could potentially buy, etc. Now, the definition of 'packing' is the equivalent of me throwing things haphazardly into a suitcase, hoping that some of it might come in handy, and that I won't have forgotten something I really need.

My makeup bag is no exception:

The breakdown:
Real Techniques Buffing Brush and Stippling Brush
ModelsPrefer Airbrush
EcoTools Deluxe Concealer Brush
B Collection by Bloom Cream Blush for Lips and Cheeks in Barossa Valley
Nivea Daily Face Veil SPF 30
Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Liner Pencil in Black
Neways Barrier Cream
Tweezerman tweezers
Clinique Chubby Stick in Super Strawberry
Rimmel Stay Matte Translucent Powder
Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Candy Apple
Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronze Universel
Maybelline Baby Lips in Anti-Oxidant Berry
MAC Select Cover Up Concealer in NC30
Agnès B. makeup pouch
Natio gwp makeup pouch

The verdict:
Do I really need four brushes? Probably.
Can I really do without a base? If I can get away with it, yes!
Only four lip products? (Am I going to survive?) Oh, don't worry, I'm sure that total will have doubled by the time I return...

See you soon! x