Sunday 21 February 2016

What do you wear when you travel?

This question occurred to me whilst waiting for a delayed flight in the international arrivals hall the other day. There was such an array of different outfits on display, it was a bit of a challenge trying to work out where they had arrived from.  

Bearing in mind it was 7.30am and around zero degrees celsius outside it made me chuckle to myself to see a guy dressed for the beach in board shorts, tee shirt and flip flops. Clearly he had come from somewhere hot but it gets cold on those aircraft! I only hope he was going to change into more appropriate clothes in the washrooms or someone was picking him up! Or maybe he just didn't feel the cold!

Whatever the reason, I thought I'd put some travel tips together from my personal 'rule' book .. but there are no real rules and what you do is up to you - it's really about personal preference.

I like to be comfortable and still look relatively stylish - no need for standards to slip just because you're going to be confined to a seat for a few hours. (And you never know when that upgrade will come!)

These are things I avoid - tight clothing and high heels - you can always change before you land if you want to do the glam thing, and God forbid if something goes wrong and you have to go down a slide, you'll have to leave behind those heels! If I'm flying somewhere hot from a cold climate, I usually take sandals or flip flops in my carry on and wear stretch trousers/leggings and layers (e.g. tee shirt, sweatshirt, jacket all in natural fibres) which can be peeled off and stashed away. Remember too that going through security these days means that shoes may have to be taken off so simple slip-on shoes are a good bet, and be aware that it can get quite cold in the cabin too.

Take as little as you have to on board. A carry-on case will sit in the overhead locker but your hand bag/briefcase goes under the seat. If it's a large one it will limit your leg room and foot space so bear that in mind. I notice that people tend to take far too much on board. I take my kindle, ipad and noise cancelling headphones out of my carry-on bag and then stash them in the seat pocket during the flight. I always have a pashmina scarf with me which doubles up as blanket and folds away nicely when you don't need it. I have a memory foam neck pillow as well which I only bring out when I intend to try and sleep. I find it better than the ones filled with polystyrene beads as it can be molded and folded to suit. An eye mask is a good bet too to block out light if it bothers you.

In my hand bag I have my favorite Kiehl's lip balm, hand sanitiser, hand cream, toothpicks and mints and a few make up items to freshen up with prior to landing. (Remember to keep liquids and gels under 100ml)

Fill in your landing card when you get a moment on the flight. I always see people struggling to write whilst waiting in the line at immigration. Nothing wrong with that, but take the stress out of your experience by being prepared. 


Another thing to avoid is perfume as this can be irritating to other passengers. More than once I have had an allergic reaction to someone spraying an overpowering scent into the air. And not everyone will like your taste either!

One of the best ever travel wallets I have come across is the Bellroy wallet. It keeps everything you need including your passport to hand. It really is amazing how much you can put in it. It's the best investment I've made! 

I hope some of these tips have helped .. I'm looking forward to my next holiday and long haul flight in just 2 weeks time and I can't wait! 

Happy travels!

http://www.wikihow.com/Look-Good-when-Traveling






Monday 8 February 2016

Beat the heat and humidity and stay cool

Whether you are on holiday or live in a climate that is hot and humid, these  products and tips will come in handy during the day or specially in the evening when you are more likely to wear more make-up.

Make your face an oil-free zone with the best shine-fighting wonder products, writes international make-up artist and my guest blogger Heidi Scarlett King.

"Have you spent the last few weeks fighting shine? With these extremely muggy conditions (we're talking Australian summer here), even the driest of skins can turn into oil slicks! Yes, having an oily complexion is great for anti-ageing in the long term, but in the short term, no one wants their make-up sliding off before it's even lunchtime. The solution? The best anti-shine products below - and they won't make your make-up look cakey, promise!
 
1. M.A.C Matte texture cream, £16
The velvety, creamy texture of this silicone-based primer ensures a perfect application and mattifying finish to your foundation, without looking too powdery. Apply just to the areas of the face you want to keep matte, then add foundation on top. It's great to use lightly in the oil zones for touch-ups instead of powder, as it looks like a second skin.

2. Guerlain Illuminating Matte Powder, £37.50
A newcomer to the opulent Guerlain collection is this incredible invisible setting powder. Until you try it you will not believe just how flawless and transparent it is, making it perfect for all day touch-ups. The imperfection-blurring feature, as well as the decadent packaging, makes this the It-powder of the minute.

3. Studio 10 Prime and Perfect Refining Powder Silk, £28
Cult UK brand Studio 10 are all about multi-tasking, and this compact has your complexion problems covered. On the left of the pack is an incredibly sheer and translucent setting powder, to the right is a stunning powder highlight. With these two forces combined, you can highlight and powder your face in different parts perfectly. Great for on-the-go beauty.

4. By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra Powder, £42
My all time favourite loose powder does everything in one - except look cakey. The hyaluronic acid helps by filling in fine lines and smoothing over pores while mattifying the skin. After foundation, set in areas of the face that need to stay matte by lightly patting with a small sized blush brush.

5. Beautyblender Blotterazzi, £16
What a genius idea - an oil blotting tool for those who don't want any extra product on their face! An ergonomically shaped compact, it works to lift off oil without disturbing make-up, all thanks to the iconic Beautyblender material inside. Great for the natural make-up lovers out there."

Where to buy -