Paris Shopping - Huygens

During my trip to Paris I traipsed all through the streets with Google maps in front of my face looking for Huygens. I'd heard of them through a few bloggers who had gone there with Birch Box and knew it was one of the places I wanted to visit while I was there. The products are all natural with a large organic component to them as well. The best part is you can customise any products with whichever scent you like. 

The lovely guys in store showed me around, introduced me to the fragrances and after much deliberation I decided on the Ylang #1 fragrance for a candle and shower gel. It's a gorgeous fragrance that's sort of a cross between orange blossom and jasmine. Huygens describes it as "addictive white flowers, leathery and vibrant." I'm absolutely in love with the scent, it's a pleasant change from my usual fruity or vanilla/sweet products. It's quite a sexy smell but relaxing and lovely before bed as well. I've found it to be a very gentle shower gel to use even when my eczema is flaring too because it's such a mild formulation.

As for the other two products, they're skincare items and both have a rose base. The Cleansing Milk is a lovely product, similar to my much loved to 5 from Lush. It leaves a soft, hydrated feeling on the skin and does a great job of removing any left over makeup (I've been using it as the second step in my double cleanse).

The last product is a toner of sorts but really feeds your skin, it's lovely after Bikram yoga because the rose scented mist is really refreshing but is amazingly hydrating considering it doesn't contain any oil. I love using it before my serum every night while I'm fresh out of the shower and my pores are nice and open. It's a very soothing formula and helps prepare your skin to absorb the next product in your skin care regime.

I'm loving these products so far - next I'd love to try the dry oil next - the hardest part is deciding which essential oil blend to go for.

Would you try any of these?

Claire x

Paris Photo Diary

Due to a bit of a hiccup with my visa I had to leave the country and come back into the UK to activate it. Which meant a trip to Paris was on the cards (what a pity). Aside from the language barrier it was a pretty relaxing trip, I went on the Eurostar, if you're going to go I highly recommend train over plane, much more space and far more comfortable.

Like the dick head I am I left my book behind (thanks to Book Depository I have another one on the way) but other than that the trip went without a hitch. The weather was gorgeous and the food was outstanding. On my full day there I got two pain au chocolat  (which I'd been looking forward to with much anticipation) and a filled baguette for €5.75.

One of the places I really wanted to see was Huygens, I'd seen some Youtubers and bloggers go there with Birch Box a few months ago and the products looked gorgeous. It's a natural skin care brand all made in France, the shop smelled amazing and the staff there were lovely. I'll post more on what I bought in a separate post.

This was a little rose garden in the middle of Paris I found, I stopped for a break from walking and lunch here. I walked through the city rather than catching the Metro, seeing as it won't be the only time I go to Paris I didn't go to all the big attractions. I'll save them for another day when it's not so frantic over summer.

As  much as I enjoyed Paris I was happy to be back in London. More Paris and travel posts to come soon.

Claire x

Things I've Learnt About Travel

I've been in London nearly two weeks now but there's so many new things to get used to here. These are just a few thoughts and observations - expect a lot more.

• There's never going to be a perfect time to go - you just need to make the decision that it's what you want a s what you should be doing.

• People are what make a place - as amazing as it is to see the monuments and tourist attractions the things I always remember about holidays and places are the people.

• It will take more than two weeks to sort your life out in a new country (much to my dismay).

• You need a lot more money than you think you do, and probably less clothes.

• On that note, laundry takes a really long time to dry in London, and even when it is dry it's still that sort-of-a-bit-damp feel.

• Jet lag is the second worst physical feeling in the world, second only to a hangover. I went over fourty hours without sleep and slept for 10 the first night. Instantly accustomed to the time zone - fun tip for you there.
• 10 cent coin from New Zealand look exactly like 1p coins in the UK and it's surprisingly frustrating,  

• There's quite a good chance you will get sick in some way when you arrive, planes ready are bug ridden things.

• You'll find the most mundane things amazing - like ice cream vending machines!

• There will definitely be days you wondered why you left home and what the hell you're doing here (wherever "here" is).

• Those days pass. Some days you'll just be walking around absolutely amazed at where you are.

I'll be back with a new post soon - sorting things in London is just about a full time job at the moment. 

Claire x

What's In My Cabin Bag

I'd been planning my in-flight skin care for weeks, can you tell I was quite excited? I'd not been on a long haul flight in five years now and the last time I came out looking and feeling rather haggard. Keen to counteract that this time and keep my immune system up to scratch I've picked products that can easily be used on the go, will keep my skin hydrated, clean and some tablets for immunity to keep those airplane bugs at bay. Although I can unfortunately say I definitely am suffering a cabin cold my skin is doing just fine. Every plane and stop over needs it's entertainment and some bits to make you feel a bit more fresh (and human for that matter).

For on the Plane
I mentioned the Nip+Fab products recently in this post and have been using them religiously ever since. The pads are a great, quick way to cleanse and hydrate while the serum creates a barrier between your skin and the air.

For the Stopover
I find washing my face and brushing my teeth make me feel more like myself after a long haul flight. My much loved 9 to 5, Very Gentle moisturiser and Kiwi Seed Eye Cream are always lovely at a quick pick me up.

Other Bits
As mentioned I do love being able to brush my teeth during transit - I loved having Lush toothy tabs as I didn't need another heavy tube (adding more liquid to my already full ziploc bag). Chewing gum is great for after meals if you want to freshen up but don't want to use the airplane bathrooms (which I really didn't). A book is always necessary anyway but especially on a trip this long, I'd been saving Gone Girl for weeks and am loving it. Finally I recommend some hand sanitiser to keep hands fresh after meals, touching all those baggage trolleys and doors.

I'll have some more London related posts soon I hope - currently in the grips of a horrible cold caught on the flight but expect to hear more soon.

Claire x

Made it to London!

After an unbelievably long flight to London from Singapore (seriously it was like being in purgatory it felt like it was never going to end). This is just a quick update to say I'm here and will be back to regular posting ASAP.  And by ASAP I mean as soon as the jetlag and cold I caught on the plane is gone. I'll have my what's in my cabin bag post up soon with more travel-y blogs once I've got my photos edited and looking pretty.

Claire x

Dream Team: Big Hair

Ahh, big hair. The elusive dream for those of us with fine and straight hair. Even with a shorter do I still struggle to get that volume and messy I-woke-up-like-this look. However since my birthday shop (still recovering from that, sorry bank account) I have found a few products that word beautifully together for low maintenance, easy volume.

The first of which I've mentioned before is Big shampoo from Lush. It's got quite a thick consistency, smells heavenly and is filled with sea salt. It's great for removing oil treatments from your hair, adds a lot of shine and, as the name would suggest, helps make your hair look bigger.

Now, the real stars of the hair show are the next two - both are the first Bumble and Bumble products I've ever tried. I'm very impressed so far. While my hair is still damp I spritz the Thickening Spray through my roots and crown of my hair and massage it through. I usually prefer to let my hair dry naturally as I find this gives more of a tousled look but also reduces heat damage to your hair. After that, I apply the Surf Spray to the ends of my hair and scrunch it in, this helps get that wave going on and gives you lots of texture. Both of these products have a more masculine smell to them (in my opinion) but I don't find it lingers so don't let that deter you.

Sometimes if I really want to amp up the wave I'll tie my hair in a bun while it's still slightly damp, once you let it out it has a good strong wave that will really hold.

Best part about these products is you can have freshly washed hair the first day after you apply them, then the second day they give your hair a lot more texture for a messy up-do. The less you wash or heat style your hair the healthier it will be.

Do you have any volumising favourites?

Claire x

Nip+Fab Dragons Blood Skin Care

It takes a lot for me to change my skincare routine, I'll be the first to admit. I read about the Nip+Fab brand for the first time on Victoria's blog In The Frow, I was rather intrigued. Naturally I did stupid amounts of research into the products and decided on the Dragons Blood Fix trio of products.

Initially I bought them for my flight to London (*insert heavy breathing cat meme here*) because the products are small (under that important 100mL capacity) and sounded great for travelling with. The Dragons Blood range is designed to be lightweight but super hydrating due to the hyaluronic acid content (you know how I love my hyaluronic acid). The serum and face pads in particular appealed as being able to wash my face without water in transit and hydrate with a serum sounded perfect.

In short they'll definitely be in my cabin bag with me (a post with full what's-in-my-cabin-bag coming soon) but I'll give you a run down on what each product is like more specifically too. I bought the kit of all three Dragons Blood products from ASOS.

The cleansing pads are really great - unlike conventional face wipes I've tried these don't burn or dry out your skin. You feel very clean but with nourished and soft skin - definitely a winner for removing makeup say before the gym. And yes they're totally fine to use around your eye area too.

The serum is probably my favourite of the three - very hydrating and smoothing without being greasy at all. I love using it in the morning under my daily sunscreen, it's the perfect base for makeup to sit on and I've found everything sits in place a lot better when I've used this too. Lately I've noticed my skin has been less oily during the day too - I can only put that down to this serum seeing as nothing else in my skincare has changed.

The mask is like a more intense version again from the serum, I like to use it the "extreme" way (because I'm hardcore with my skincare ya know) by putting a thin layer on just before bed then washing off in the morning. It leaves your skin plumped and my fine lines are all gone (I'm only 23 but yes I still see those little crinkly bastards).

I've also noticed my skin seems to be breaking out less lately as well - blemishes don't look as red or angry and none of these products sting or irritate skin that's breaking out - major plus for those with sensitive but blemish prone skin.

Suffice to say I can't wait to try more from this brand, next on my list is the Glycolic Fix range (if you read my recent wishlist you'll know the ones I mean). Boots Advantage Card here I come.

Have you tried anything from Nip+Fab?

Claire x