Travelling long haul? Here's my hand luggage essentials.

Travelling long haul? Here is my bag of essentials that I travel with when going anywhere over a few hours. 

      

First of all, the make up bag. As I'm sure you all know, you need to have your liquids in a see through bag to get through security. This Harvey Nichols make up bag is perfect for this. Not only does it looks super cute, it is still pretty see through when filled with your make up goodies. 

Face 

For me, when I'm travelling long haul, the two most important things are face wash and moisturiser. Still on a plane for a long period of time without 'fresh' air is not great for your skin. And when I go long haul I normally like to catch a few hours sleep. I wouldn't sleep at home with my make up on, so I wouldn't sleep anywhere else with it on, especially a plane. I use the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil for make up removal at home, so I packed a mini sample size to make sure I could have nice clean skin before applying my moisturiser. Which leads me onto my next must have. Creme De La Mer. Hydration is so important when flying. The recycled air on the plane can really dry your skin out, do I used my Soft Cream to keep my skin looking healthy. You can pick up these minis when you are getting your normal size products. I always like to keep them for then I am travelling. 

Around an hour before landing, I like to top up on a bit of make up so that I look reasonably human when I land. My Boots Foundation is the perfect size for my travel bag, so in it goes along with my Sigma Kabuki brush. I also added my ABH dipbrow pomade and Morphe brush to fill in my brows before I land as they just don't look right otherwise. I don't do them as well as normal, just filling in the patchy bits ;) 

I also added some Benefit Benetint and a lip colour from .... to add a little bit of colour. 

I've also got a spare brush from RealTechniques and a little sample of They're Real Remover just encase! You never know.

Hair 

Although my hair will be a little greasy, I put it up out of the way as soon as I get on the plane to try and eliminate as much grease as possible from my face transferring to my hair. But I've added my little BirchBix hair brush which was new in this months box. Perfect timing for my holiday! It also matches my make up bag hehe. 

So that's my long haul essentials make up bag. I will admit I forgot to put some mascara in, but found it wasn't really an issue. 

DLJ 

Xoxo

P.S. I was travelling from the UK to Hong Kong if anyone wants to know! Around a 12 hour flight 

Sigma Flat Kabuki VS Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

Choosing the right foundation is as important as choosing the right paint brush for an artist. If you want to create the right finish, make sure you fill in all the gaps and create the perfect master piece, you need to have the right tools!

For the last year or so I have been in love with the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. However, after daily use, my little brush is starting to look a little weathered. When it came to replacing this brush, my first through was to get the same brush. I mean, why wouldn't I? This little brush has lasted me the best part of year, given me great coverage and is well priced at just £8.99 at AllBeauty.com

    

But even with all of the above in mind, I was still really interested in trying out the Sigma Flat Kabuki brush. Why you ask? Well first of all, THE one and only Jaclyn Hill uses it and secondly, Jaclyn Hill uses it...so all in all, a good enough excuse for me!

I had been looking at this brush for a little while, but wasn't sure if I could get hold of the Sigma range in the UK, however FeelUnique.com, my god to for all the best product, had my back and were fully stocked with what seems like the who Sigma range.

And the price of the Flat Kabuki? £15.72 including postage!

Not a huge price difference between the two, so I decided to go for it and get myself a Sigma brush! I was just so excited when I put my order in and with a few short days, my beautiful brush arrived...(FYI got my eye on the Tapered Kabuki next).

So what are the differences?

Real Techniques
Bristle Type : Synthetic and 100% cruelty free
Function : Application and blending of cream or liquid
Head : Ultra firm
Unique point : self standing for easy storage

Sigma
Bristle Type : Synthetic Sigmax
Function : Buff out foundation
Head : Dense and flat

But which one is best?

It's a tricky one, because I like them both for different reasons. The Real Techniques brush gives a heavier covered because it has a smaller surface area. As I have spots, I find this adds more foundation and is great for hiding flaws.

Because the Sigma has larger head, and therefore a larger surface area, I find application is smoother and less obvious. It also leaves less lines and buffs your foundation out more for a more even texture.

So, it short, I think it is worth having both of these brushes in your collection. For days when you have break outs, I would reach for the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and for those good days when your skin does as you want it to, I'd happily reach for the Sigma Flat Kabuki.

DLJ
Xoxo

2015 wishlist

It's always good to start the year knowing what you want to achieve. I have set my own personal goals for the year, now it's time to look at my make up goals!

I am going to start with skin care as this is top of my list for the year ahead. I am getting married in August and really should have started getting my skin ready like yesterday, but that's life! So when I do finally get around to ordering in some new products, here's whats on my list for skin care.

GLAMGLOW® SUPERMUD® Clearing Treatment

This is something that has been on my list for a little while. I am really interested in trying this as I want my skin to have a deep clean every month before my wedding. I've heard fantastic review so far, so this is defiantly something I want to try this year.

(Picture : http://www.feelunique.com/p/GLAMGLOW-SUPER-MUD-34g)

theBalm Mary Lou Manizer Luminizer

Another product that I have seen so many times on so many blogs and reviews. I have to admit, in the past I have not been so fussed on finding a good highlighter. It really isn’t something I have thought that my make-up routine needed, but the more time I spend on make-up looks and trying to develop my ability, the more I think this is something that I need in my collection.

(Picture : http://www.feelunique.com/p/theBalm-Mary-Lou-Manizer-Luminizer-8.5g)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz

I have already fallen in love with Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade over the last year, but I’m fancy trying her brow wiz as well. Not because I don’t want to use her dipbrow pomade, but because I want a softer, more natural option in my make-up bag. I find that Dipbrow Pomade is great for bold, defined brows, but on lazy days, I think this might be the perfect product.

(Picture : http://www.beautybay.com/cosmetics/anastasiabeverlyhills/browwiz/)

Billion Dollar Brows Brow Gel 3ml

On the subject of brows, Billion Dollar Brows is another make I keep coming across in blogs and reviews. I’m in serious need of a brow gel at the moment as I am in the process of reshaping my brows, which can be quite tricky and require a little bit of holding power until they are ready.

(Picture : http://www.beautybay.com/skincare/billiondollarbrows/browgel/)

GHD CURVE CLASSIC WAVE WAND

I want this so much! I have been a GHD lover since I was about 16 and have been using their straighteners ever since. I have tried to curl my hair with them on a few occasions, sometimes with luck, but more often than not, with little success. So I feel that really, for the sake of anyone having to be around me when I attempt to curl my hair, it would be better for everyone if I had these in my life.

(Picture : http://www.lookfantastic.com/ghd-curve-classic-curl-tong/11058313.html)

Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki Brush

After watching the wonderful Jaclyn Hill for what seems like years, this is defiantly on my want list. I have been using Real Techniques for a while now, but I still want to give this brush a try! And it's a simpliar price to the Real Techniques brushes! 

(Picture : http://www.cocktailcosmetics.co.uk/prod/sigma-f80-flat-top-kabuki-brush)

But with a wedding to pay for, all of the above are staying on the wish list for the time being. Maybe a few little treats might come my way, so watch this space 

DLJ xoxo