holiday beauty essentials

As you are reading this post, I am anyway on holiday sunbathing, Lol jokes I'm in the UK its probs raining. I wanted to share with you what I've taken with me. I have chosen each product specially; Either because of it's size, different uses or I just love it!

Avene Moderate Protection Spray 20 SPF �21.00

Encase britain has a heat wave I am taking some sun cream. I love this one by Avene and blogged about it here. 

Jigsaw Organic Hand Cream No.1 �16.00

Perfect travel size hand cream, it is a sample but It's a great product. My hands crave for this when I haven't used it. It smells delicious too - with woody and citrus notes. It also contains 88% organic ingredients. 

Purity Facial Wash �4.99

The 'push' dispenser on this products makes it unique from any other skincare products I own. I love this because it leaves my skin feeling really soft. The sugar and plant based formula creates a foam when massaged into the skin, removing any traces of dirt and leaving my skin clear.

Operation Glam Shampoo and Conditioner �5.75 each

You may have heard of the famous singer Lulu, well she has her own range of beauty products and I have taken away her shampoo and conditioner on hols with me! They are perfect travel size products and are designed to make hair appear thicker. I would say my hair is naturally quite thick, but it does help to add volume. For their size they are a bit pricey, I expect you are paying a lot as they are a celebrity branded beauty product.  

Steamcream �10.50

how nice is the product packaging? I've included the box it comes in because I love that too! I am taking this away with me because not only does is it a face moisteriser, you can also use it on your body. I don't want to say to much on this product as I've  illustrated it for my 'August Favourites' were I will talk about it a bit more.

Cuticura Original Hand Hygiene Gel 99p
Can't go on holiday without some anti-bacterial gel! This travel size bottle is perfect to keep in your pockets/handbag/car and kills 99.99% of bacteria.


Purity Conditioning Cleansing Lotion �4.99
I'm taking this away with me because not only it is a cleanser, it is also a make up remover! This has a rich formula which contains avocado oil, aloe and rose water. It's great for sensitive skin and helps to keep my face moisturised and hydrated.


* this was a scheduled post that didn't go up! But I wanted to share it with you anyway, I also took my trusted Tangle Teezer  and a Sranrom shower gel which I will inculded in my August Favs! x

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typically British

Holiday photographs. I love travelling, even if it's in the same country. Only have a couple of sunny days but still had a good time. Just catching up on blogs & reading lovely comments. I have missed blogging and have lots of post's coming soon. Hope you are having a good summer x

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some news..

I don't do this normally, In fact I've never done this. It is completely out of the blue and unplanned. But I shall be away for the week. I am going on holiday, nothing to exotic. I'll still be in the UK & I wont reveal where I am going, what would be the fun in that?! but I will take plenty of pictures so you might be able to guess ;)  I will be back on Monday the 29th.


I don't want to go into an Oscar worthy speech & bore you but, I would just like to say that I am very grateful 75 people are reading what I blog about, when (if) I reach 100 followers I will do a post on the girl behind the blog. I like it when blogs are personal & you can relate to the writer. There is so much you don't know about me ;) yet.


Up coming post's on Make me up
guide to false tan
Review of Liz Earle's new Sheer skin tint & comparing it with other tinted moisturisers
Caring for coloured hair
Getting rid of dark circles & puffiness
August favourites - with  illustrations
holiday beauty essentials
teeth whitening 




See you soon!


















p.s i will have limited internet access but you can keep up to date with me on my travels on twitter here

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that's handy

Not everyone uses hand creams, but I like them, I find if I don't use them my hands feel really dry. So I wanted to share with you a few of my favourites! I have also linked each product to a website encase you fancied a nose :)


Tisserand Nourishing hand and nail cream �6.75
I'm a fan of lavender scented products, this one does not disappoint! It contains a range of essential oils including rose, jojoba and green tea. Absorbs into the skin quickly without leaving my hands feeling greasy.  Also the lavender is organic! You can view more of the range here.


Cuticura Vitamin E Hand and Nail Treatment 99p
We all know vitamins are good for us, I love it when they are included in beauty products.This is probably the thinnest out of all the ones I use. It leaves my hands feeling soft quickly so it is great if your on the go. Check out their website here.


Sranrom Calm down Hand cream �6.00
The philosophy behind Sranrom is that our busy lives leave us feeling tired and worn-out. Their range has been designed to create feelings of ease. Each product has been specially formulated with essential oils that help regulate our emotions and also benefit the earth. This also smell yummy; with notes of lemongrass and kaffir lime. Browse other products by Sranrom here.


Mavala Nutritive Nail Cream
This hand cream comes with a little spatula to aid application. Beautifully packaged; this nail cream helps to restore dry, brittle and damaged nails. I would recommend this to anyone that wears false nails. More Mavala product available here.


Cuticura Dry Skin 99p 
This is great if you suffer from really dry hands & it will be perfect for the winter time. Rich hand cream that does exactly what is says on the tin (tube). The best thing about Cuticura hand creams are the prices! Affordable, yet they work just as well as more expensive brands. 


Queen Sensiderma Rich Hand Cream �9.35
I featured this in my Skincare routine, you can read about it here! http://makemeupkia.blogspot.com/2011/07/skincare-rountine.html

Have a lovely week, hope I didn't use too many adjectives! Hello to my new followers! Lots of exciting post's coming up
Kia x

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my top 3 skin oils

Bio Oil 60ml �8.99

I'm sure you all recognise this product, renowned for it's quality and versatility. I like to put this on my face once a week before bed, it really helps to hydrate my skin.It also helps improve the appearance of scars, uneven skin  tone and ageing skin. Available from Boots,Superdrug & also some Supermarkets. 














Sensitive Skin Oil 250ml �17.65
Formulated by dermatologists, this skin oil contains no perfume, essential oils or unnecessary ingredients. It is ideal sensitive,dry or irritated skin. I like to use this as an after sun, I also pour a little into the bath for a luxurious soak! You can use it as an massage oil too, it has a non greasy formula and sinks quickly into my skin.










Black Chicken Love your Body Oil 100ml �45.50
I do love my body when using this oil! It contains 12 different essential oils including  roseship,carrot,coconut,patchouli and hazelnut. Each individual oil helps to hydrated your skin and calm your mind. This skin definitely smells the nicest out of them all! Made from 100% natural ingredients it helps prevent the signs of ageing. The light formula makes it non greasy and absorb easily into the skin! I love the modern packaging and the robust bottle it comes in. Avaliable from Selfridges and online at http://blackchickenremedies.co.uk

Do you use a body/skin oil? Or have tried any of the products above? I'd love to hear your thoughts! 

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face up

I don't normally brave the no foundation look, but I have been testing out some lovely skincare products lately (blog post coming up soon) and my skin is looking ok! Here is what I am wearing on my face and nails today. 

Mavala Matt Top Coat �10.25

Now this is something to rave about, you apply it on top of your nail varnish and it give them a matte look! Nice change from the norm glossy finish. 

MUA Face Powder in shade 1 �1.00

Make up for a �1? Yes please! I have tried a few things from this brand an have been really impressed by everything. I used a bit of this on my T zone to stop any oiliness.

Mavala Nail Varnish in French Cancan �2.99

This colour looks great on all skin tones, good quality and price!

MakeBelieve Illuminating Concealer �15.00

Popped some of this on my dark circles, around my nose and other blemishes. It has a pink undertone so it is ideal for covering blue dark circles.

MakeBelieve Bronzer �15.00

Another makebelieve product! The range is designed to enhance fake tan. I love this bronzer because it come in a sturdy compact, which includes a mirror and also the softest brush in THE world to help apply the product. 

Collection 2000 Cream Puff in Fairy Cake �2.99

I have so much love for these. I wrote a post on them a while back, you can read it here.

Shu Uemura Ultimate Expression Mascara �20.00

This mascara wand has a mixture of soft and hard bristles. It is set a 8 degrees to really hug every lash. It's smudge-proof, clump-proof and leaves my lashes looking longer!

Tried any of these products? x

Find me on twitter here

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