Snatching a weekend away at this time of year can be a real tonic. Summer hols are long gone and the Christmas rush is looming. Taking ourselves off for a few days can help to recharge our batteries.
I’ve managed to spend a couple of weekends up in London this month, and I certainly feel the change was as good as a rest. These were the beauty essentials I took with me:
Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion – 50ml
The first thing I do before going to bed is remove my eye makeup. I do this before cleansing and often I’ll use a product that’s specifically formulated for the job, such as this Liz Earle number. Apply to a cotton wool pad and sweep over the eyes.
Apart from being extremely gentle (it’s non-oily and suitable for contact lens wearers), you can also use it as an eye mask (soak a pad and leave on for 5-10 minutes). Contains the herb eyebright, witch hazel, aloe vera and cornflower. A 50ml bottle costs £6.75 here.
Foreo Play Save the Sea Special Edition
A quick and super efficient cleansing device can be a massive help when you're out and on the go a lot. In 2015 Foreo partnered with Greenwave and Sea Life to build restorative ocean farms and sponsor endangered sea turtle rehabilitation and research. All net proceeds of this cute sonic cleanser (it fits into the round of your palm) go to the cause – but don’t forget to recycle it after its 100 cleansing cycles (it’s non rechargeable).
Priced £29, it comes with 15ml each of Foreo Day Cleanser and Foreo Night Cleanser. Buy it here . Full Foreo cleansing device and Night Cleanser review here.
Lanolips 101 Ointment
Made with nature’s wonder moisturiser, lanolin (taken from freshly shorn sheep’s wool), Lanolips is a true superbalm. I’m never without a tube.
Use it on lips, cuticles, paper cuts, insect bites – you can even use it to keep groomed eyebrows in place! In case you were wondering, the ‘101’ stands for 101 uses! You get the idea. A 9g tube costs £7.99 here. Full Lanolips review here.
Color Wow Color Security Shampoo and Conditioner (2x 75ml)
I don't always plan to wash my hair during a weekend away but sometimes things can happen that mean you may need to re-style - like a sudden downpour when you're caught without an umbrella! As I touch-up my roots frequently I prefer to take a colour-protecting shampoo along with me, rather than rely on the hotel toiletries.
This Color Wow one is gentle, and free from silicones and sulphates. It protects the cuticles by keeping them tight. The conditioner comes with glossing agents for a silky finish. You only need to use a small amount of the shampoo to get a good lather and my hair post-conditioner looks healthy and bouncy. Each 75ml travel size tube costs £9, here.
Yardley English Dahlia Deodorising Body Fragrance – 75ml
This is a stand out for me from the new additions to Yardley’s Contemporary Classics Collection. It’s a light, refreshing all-over body spray, though I tend to stick to using it as a deodorant.
It has an elegant floral scent that is neither old fashioned nor fussy (a reputation Yardley has perhaps suffered from for a while). It has citrus top notes, a flowery heart and a warm base of patchouli, cedar and musk.
This handy travel size costs a reasonable £2.49, here.
Escentric Molecules 03, 30ml Travel Size
Fragrance. Now we’re talking. I have become somewhat besotted with Escentric Molecules. The love affair started with 01 (reviewed here), and I’ve since eloped with 02 (reviewed here) and now 03. This is a Unisex scent, so if your partner has forgotten to pack their smellies for your weekend away you can share this - though in my case, hubby would get a firm ‘hands off’ rebuff!
The 30ml bottle comes in a super stylish aluminium tin to prevent any unplanned, wasteful squirts whilst in transit. Oh, yes, the scent! It’s vibrant and grassy, with a paired back sweetness that’s quite intoxicating. There’s citrus at the top (ginger root, green peppercorn and lime); warm florals at the heart (orris); and amber-esque base notes (sandalwood, cedar and musk). Quite delicious. Priced at £27, here.
Flo Refillable Perfume Atomiser
While I am a bit of a sucker for cute dinky things, this refillable perfume atomiser also happens to be extremely useful. Sometimes even a 30ml perfume bottle can be a bit too bulky to carry – say if you’re heading out for dinner with just a clutch bag. This universal atomiser is no bigger than a tube of Lanolips and it’s designed to fit all perfume bottles - simply decant some of your fave scent into its funnel-like contraption.
There’ll be enough scent in here for a couple of outings (depending on how liberally you spray). The only downside is that it’s a bit tricky to fill-up. Priced at £7.95 here.
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