THE HOLIDAY DIARIES: French Riviera 2019 - What I Wore

 

It's always depressing coming back from a lovely holiday, and being faced with reality. All those things you put on your to do list when you're back and suddenly you have to do them. So much fun. Something I did want to do while I was away was film a what I wore holiday edition, but to be honest - I didn't want to when I got out there. So I thought instead it'd be fun to do a round up of my outfits on here.

THE LOCAL DIARIES: Kayaking in Summer

I feel like I'm posting a lot lately around things to do and lifestyle, but it's what I've loved exploring and writing about lately so hope you don't mind! From next week I'll have some holiday themed pieces coming your way, but for today I wanted to share how you can get a little bit of holiday here, on the south coast.

THE STYLE DIARIES: June Wishlist - ZARA Special

 

 

It's been FOR-EVER since I've done a wish list on here, but I've found myself almost obsessively browsing high street stores and adding things to my wish lists lately. So, I thought I would start a new little series on here to show what products I'm coveting that month.

The How To | Transition into Summer

Whether it's summer or winter, I have a few products I make sure I use in each season. Why? Because different products are suited to different climates, and not only that, but your skin changes with the seasons as well. Leaves may go greener in summer, but my skin definitely gets oilier, which means I can't use some products I use in the colder months.

The Review | Create A Summer Cheek with Topshop

For me my cheek make up always changes with the weather. When it gets colder my blushes get more berry-toned, highlighter gets forgotten and bronzer is only for contouring. However, now it's bloody hot again in the UK I've changed it up again, and Topshop make up is a big big hit this year.

The How To | Gold & Bronze Summer Look

I'm loving wearing gold eyeshadow at the moment this summer, so I decided to embrace it and create a whole summer look based around the gold eyeshadow - which then included a s*it tone of bronzer, excuse my french.

The Favourites | Top 10 Summer Nails

It's been a good old while since I've done any type of nails post. I just haven't had the inclination or inspiration to do much with mine, but since the sun has come out I am definitely back to loving nail colours! I do love a good summer nail.

The Review | Bourjois Aqua Lacque

I've seen a lot of mixed reviews on these, but I decided to just give them a go and make up my own mind. Bourjois have a lot of new releases going on at the moment and these were the ones I was most excited about so I'm glad I did. But which side of the fence do I fall on?

Skin Care | Piz Buin After Sun

PIZ BUIN AFTER SUN TAN INTENSIFYING MOISTURISING LOTION

Okay, so we are surrounded by rain at the moment so this seems a little off kilter, however I've been wanting to review this for a little while as it was a real summer saviour for me.

My mum uses Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess and knows how much I'd love to steal it, but that I also can't afford it, so she gave me this to try and it is a brilliant dupe. The idea is that basically you use this as an after sun and it helps turn your burn, or any sun affects into a natural gorgeous tan. There is no colouring, or fake tan within it so your colour is all natural - it just gives it a bit of a help along.

I used this all summer and it's helped to prolong the brown and turned any turn into a tan quicker than anything else I've used before. I would definitely recommend this as a great Bronze Goddess dupe. 

At just over a tenner it's still not the cheapest of After Sun options - but I didn't buy it so I can't complain. If you are on a budget then maybe look for another tan intensifier - Garnier seem to have some great ones. But if you can afford it, I'd definitely go with Piz Buin.

What's your favourite After Sun?

Life | Just Around the River Bend

This was almost definitely my favourite day of the entire holiday. Last time we went to France (four years ago) we went here, St Guilhem et Desert, a little town right up in the hills, and this year we decided to revisit. It's a gorgeous little medieval town, with the quintiscental town square and mini shops and cafes. After a little wonder and some lunch we popped a little down hill for some canoeing. Or kayaking, I can never tell the difference.

The scenery was breath taking, it was in the middle of this huge gorge, surrounded by trees and hills, just the perfect setting really. Dragonflies were everywhere, literally landing on us quite happily, I made a little friend called Perry (above). I have to admit, I am rubbish at paddling, Adam did have to do most of the work, but I just don't have the arm strength to do it... Plus I was busy taking photos - much more important!

It was a lovely lovely day. We had great fun splashing around, with my Dad photobombing us (thanks Dad, love you too) and generally relaxing. I would highly recommend you going if your near, we had to drive about an hour to get there, but it's well worth it. We used a company called "Rapide Canoe", they were a bit useless down by the river but hey, didn't spoil it for us in the slightest.

Have you ever been canoing? What was the scenery like?

Make Up | Coral Bliss

MAC LIPSTICK IN CORAL BLISS £15

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my priviledge to introduce you to my favourite lipstick. Ever. I know, bold statement BUT o so very true.

I bought this at Gatwick duty free - just swatching lots of different colours, mainly corals for my hols, and instantly fell in love with this. I hadn't seen any previous reviews or anything like that, it was just love at first sight.

Described as a "frosted light coral" i would agree with the light coral, but it's not frosty on me at all, thankfully as I'm not a frosty kind of gal. it's a peach coral, which is different to what I usually buy and a new shade to my collection. I was a bit worried it would make me look a little ill, but it helps to warm the complexion and was the perfect holiday colour. Now, at home, I wear it most days to work as a hint of colour. I just love this.

If you are going to buy one MAC lipstick, make it this one. I think it needs a bit more hype that it has - but at the same time it's kind of like my little secret love. Gorgeous. Go, bye!

What's your favourite lipstick ever?

Life | A Little French Wine

Anyone who knows me knows I can't resist a good wine. Or an average wine. Just any wine really - expect maybe red that is. So when my parents told me there was a little chateau just five minutes walk away from our villa - well I was away!

I popped down with my Dad, Mum and Uncle to see Lauren, son of the owner of Chateau La Voulte Gasparets, a gorgeous little winery that makes a very small selection of wines. One white, one rose and three reds. I got to taste the white, rose and one of the reds. The white was a gorgeous dry fruity drink that's so easy to drink. I'm usually a bit wary of white as I'm not a fan of dry, but this is just the right amount.

The rose is probably one of the nicest wines I've ever tasted. Not dry, but not too fruity, it's gorgeous. Then there was the red I tried, one I could actually drink! Probably the first ever.

We had a look around, took a peek at some of the old machines used to crush grapes - I was incredibly disappointed to see no feet crushing methods. I kinda wanted to try that... Though there is now way I'd want to drink it after my feet had touched it. And this HUGE room full of barrels. Seriously, I was in seventh heaven.

If you go to the Languedoc region I would definitely recommend visiting a chateau. It's a great experience and you get to try some gorgeous local wines. A bit hit for me and the Hearn clan!

Have you ever been wine tasting?

Make Up | Bourjois Cream Blush

BOURJOIS CREAM BLUSH IN ROSE TENDER £7.99

This was everywhere when it was launched, but I decided I'd be a good girl and hold off for a month or so and see if I still wanted it after the hype died down. Yes, I did, so I bought. First of all I wanted Healthy Glow, but then I decided I prefered Rose Tender after swatching. O the beauty of swatching.

Okay, so this is gorgeous. It glides on so easily, really smooth and really natural on. It's a lovely natural pink that just looks like a really healthy colour on the apples of the cheeks. It lasts for ages and doesn't aggravate my oily skin. Yay! Also it smells really yummy.

Overall, really like this blusher and accompanied me on holiday and is so far my absolute holiday blush. It's not too heavy, so perfect for warmer climates - yes France I am talking to you! (No really, was up to high 30's on Tuesday) but overall this is the perfect cream blush.

What's your holiday blusher?

What's your summer blush staple?

Summer Care | Poolside Pals

As we speak I am by the pool in a villa in the South of France. Last year I didn't go on a summer holiday so I'm mega excited. I flew out on Saturday evening with Adam to join my parents, Uncle and Aunt. Nice. So, I thought I'd pop a little post on my poolside pals - those beauty bits that I'll be wearing by the pool.

Waterproof Mascara

Yes, I am one of those that has we still wear mascara by the pool. So sue me. Anywho, I love L'Oreal Telescopic, however it runs like a mother. So I've popped the waterproof version in my suitcare and this will be gracing my eyelashes every day by the pool. Nothing worse than panda eye by the pool!

Facial SPF

Foundation is far too heavy for the pool. And although there are some fab lightweight foundations now, it's still a tad too heavy so I'm falling in love with BB creams at the moment. I have a couple of favourites such as Dr Jart and Revlon's new PhotoReady BB cream.

Summer Toes

My finger nails are all gellish-ed up at the moment, so it's just my toes that I need to take care of. This Summer Collection from Essie is gorgeous and perfect for the summer. I love Sunday Funday, it's a gorgeous shimmery coral and they are the mini version so perfect for travel and Essie quality - which means long lasting!

Protect Your Lips

I'm completely in love with No7 BB Lips. Yes, a lip gloss and a tad heavy for by the pool, but it contains SPF so it protects your lips so you don't have to worry. Blush Coral is the perfect summer colour and sutble enough to get away with wearing it by the pool. Any lips product with SPF in it is a winner for me, and if it's a gorgeous colour it's even better.

Tweezers

Okay, so not waiting at the poolside with my but I cannot live without my tweezers on holiday. Without much make up on the little whiskers on the face need to be vanquished and any stray hairs from the bikini line need to be gone as well! I love these Tweezerman mini's - portable and o so cute!

What's your poolside pals?

Summer Care | No7 BB Lips

NO7 BB LIPS IN BLUSH CORAL AND BLUSH PINK £8.50 each

After seeing these little lip products on Rebecca's blog I was intrigued, then a  little tipsy visit into the Boots at Waterloo I seemed to have bought two shades - opps!

So, BB is something that has been around the block, I don't have anything against them and I think in this weather they are ideal - either that or a tinted moisturiser anyway. So having a lip product claim to be a BB I was intrigued. If anything I think it's more suitable as a lip balm - because it's a balm. Stating the obvious but you know!

Anywho, so I'm not a huge fan of squeeze and spread applications anyway, so I'm not a fan of that, but the product itself I really do love. It's comfortable on the lips and I love that it has SPF in it. The colour isn't too pigmented either, it's just enough to tint the lips and give a subtle colour.

Blush Coral is a gorgeous pale coral, very subtle and really easy to wear and suitable for all skin types. Blush Pink, the darkest in the range, it's a gorgeous deep pink that is perfect for something a little dressier, but still (you guessed it) subtle!

Overall I do love these, they are perfect for the weather at the moment, protecting the lips as well as becoming a gorgeous summer staples shade. A little pricey for a gloss, but they were buy one get one half price, and I had a cheeky No7 voucher - so really it cost me £9 for the both of them - not bad!

What's your summer staple lip product?

Summer Care | Swimsuit Styles

1 | Panache Savannah Bandeau Swimsuit

2 | Freya High Waist Bikini Brief

3 | Seafolly Bustier Bikini Top

For years the main swimwear trend has been bikini, bikini, bikini; but recently this trend has been slowly changing. Swimsuits have been slowly creeping back into brands and onto the beach, high waist bottoms are suddenly trendy again. For me the big turn came in Series 1 of Gossip Girl when Serena, aka Blake Lively, wore a one piece and out-styled every other girl in the scene. She remained sexy and stylish, without showing her middle. And it seems the rest of the world is now following suit. The Daily Mail states that 53% will be wearing one piece cossies this year, with only 18% steering towards the once popular bikini.

FemaleFirst believes that the main reason for this seems to be that swimsuits tend to be more flattering for certain body shapes. I know personally my stomach isn't as toned as it once was - so flashing that flesh is always a bit of a headache for me. Hello anxiety! Therefore a swimsuit would be perfect - as well as high waist bottoms. So what's the benefit for each style? 

1 | Swimsuit

This gorgeous bandeau swimsuit from Panache swim collection is incredibly flattering for those with bigger busts as well as a not so flat tummy. The patterned top makes the bust look smaller, and the bright suit hides a belly you may not want to show. It's a very flattering shape, and I love the pattern and design.

2 | High Waist Briefs

There are perfect for curvy or pear shaded girls. Black is always slimming, no matter what size you are so if, like me, you're a little bottom heavy, this is the perfect style. It hides a multitude of bottom sins, as well as covering a not so flat stomach. These bottoms are from the Freya collection - a stunning collection that fits B to J cup. So as well as the briefs you get a stunning top to go with that fits most sizes.

3 | Bikini Top

First of all let's just drool over this gorgeous pattern. Drool. Done. Good. Now, this particular style from the Seafolly collection is perfect for those with a small bust or with a sporty, athletic figure as it creates the illusion of curves.

I found all of these stypes on Figleaves.com, who by the way are having a summer sale, a whole 50% off!!! So, it you want to top up on some new style, then this might be your chance, especially if you're going away for the summer. They have some gorgeous collections and items so I would definitel recommend taking a peek.

 

What style will you be rocking this summer? Are you swimsuit or bikini girl?

*This post is written in association with Figleaves

Wishlist | Holiday Cover Up

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

So I'm off on holiday in just under five weeks, and I'm planning on spending most of it by the pool, chilaxing. So I thought I should make myself a little cover up wishlist, something to wear by the pool but that can be used to swap over to lunch/day out as well.

1 | Topshop White Floral Seperates, £12 bottom: £16 top

Now it is tradition for me to purchase a new bikini every year - and this year I've fallen in love with this gorgeous floral number from topshop. Bright blues and corals with frilly bottoms. It's just perfection. And looks like it's make any tan pop!

2 | Rimmel Salon Pro in Summer Orange £4.49

This is a gorgeous orange that goes perfectly with some of the flowers on the bikini. I've got one of these and they are such amazing quality for a nail polish, a great bargain and have some gorgeous gorgeous colours. Plus orange is so summer!

3 | Topshop Cream Lace Playsuit Cover Up £30

This will literally go with everything, and who can say no to lace in summer? It's ever so pretty and very airy as well. Another outfit to make any tan pop and can be dressed up or down, depending on where you want to wear it.

4 | Accessorize Mini Daisy Sunglasses £12.00

I bought a wayfarer type pair of sunnies from Accessorize last year and I wear them all of the time - these are gorgeous. Classic in black but with a seriously cute edge with the mini daisies dotted around the frame. And so cheap!

5 | Topshop Infrared Lipstick £8.00

A gorgeous orange red perfect for summer and matches the bikini perfectly. I have a couple of these, and although a little drying I love the pigmentation and longevity. And I feel I desperately need a gorgeous orange red for summer!

6 | New Look Gladiator Court Wedges £19.99

Tan wedges are definitely a staple for all summers. No matter who you are - go get some tan wedges now! You'll thank me, trust me. These are so cute and such a good price as well, why not get them in all three colours?

So yep, this is my wishlist - what do you think?