Nature • Animals • Beauty
A few months ago I gave up my beloved Tangle Teezer for a simple wooden comb. I switched hairdressers and before they even started cutting my hair they recommended hair and scalp rebuilding treatment. I didn’t even get my hair cut on my first visit. 
My hair’s fine and just because I don’t dye it or use a hair dryer doesn’t mean I get away scot free on damage. Continue reading “Why I Switched Brushing For Combing And Hair Up Date”
Daylight saving ended a week ago and I’m already being caught out with sunset at 6pm. 5pm comes and and I suddenly realise there´s less than 1 hour until it gets dark. Where did the day go? It’s no secret I don’t like shorter days. Christmas with all it’s lights (can you believe in less than 8 weeks it´s Christmas then 9 weeks until the New Year?) should be at the end of January, the longest coldest month as the Christmas lights brighten up the short days and long dark evenings. That’s if it ever gets chilly here. This month’s been unusually warm. It feels like everyone’s on standby for the cold to start. But if you live in the Southern Hemisphere, you’re heading into Summer. Lucky ducks!
I have just 3 requirements when it comes to skin care and cosmetics products. Not tested on animals, as natural as possible, no parabens, SLS, petrochemicals etc and containing no animal ingredients I’m aware of (some get through, I eat honey, so if it has beeswax, I can´t complain). With cosmetics the last 2 can be tricky, so I go with what I can find!
Tangle Teezer, The Original. Professional Detangling Hairbrush for Wet and Dry hair
I’ve been using Tangle Teezer´s travel wet and dry detangling brush throughout the summer after dips in the sea and loved it. My at home hairbrush needed replacing so I opted for The Original Tangle Teezer. It’s very kind and gentle getting out the tangles from cycling, with few split ends. I usually brush my hair before washing it, then go comb with a wide tooth comb afterwards. I’ve yet to use this one on wet hair after showering, but having been caught in the rain and using this, it’s kind to wet hair and tangles. Comb and tangles not so nice. When I brush out the tangles at the end of the day, it doesn’t puff up my hair like other brushes, which is always a good thing! It’s palm friendly, so it’s easy to use right or left handed. 
H&M Beauty, Nail Polish Flamingo Flush
I love this polish! I can’t say what it´s like in the summer with suncream (I only paint my toes and at the beach slap suncream on everywhere, which you should be doing! However suncream has a tendency to stain everything. Nail polish included), but it’s kept it’s shine and not chipped. The price is nice too €4.99, plus I love the cool names H&M give their polishes! I like it so much I got 2 more colours, Milky Tea (nod to being British) and Peachy Keen (nod to the Pink Ladies and one of my all time favourite movies!)
H&M Beauty, Brush Cleanser Spray
I usually clean my brushes every 1-2 weeks with Dr Bronner Unscented Pure Castile Liquid Soap. Now it’s getting cooler, the powder brush takes ages to air dry completely before I can use (I’ve been known to use a hairdryer on it!). I thought this would help avoid waiting 15 hours or more for it to air dry. It works, but it’s more like dry shampoo and wet wipes, a quick fix until I can clean them throughly. I was’t too keen on the smell with the brushes not feeling as clean as with Dr Bronner. But in a pinch it’s great!
Lemon Water
Since I was sick a month ago (I swear coffee made me worship the porcelain god), I’ve hardly had any coffee, save the odd cup or 2. Instead I’ve replaced my morning coffee with hot lemon water and afternoon coffee with peppermint tea, the only dietary changes I’ve made recently. I suffer from cystic acne and when lady’s holiday arrived, I didn’t have one cyst spot! That made me think, I’ve hardly had any spots aside blackheads recently. A quick Google search, revealed coffee can cause acne! I haven’t had any withdrawal symptoms (headaches) from not having any coffee and I feel cleaner and lighter for not running on it! I even crave lemon water first thing now! I’m not saying adieu to coffee, just see you later as I’ll still have a cup or 2 every now and then!
Coffee, tea or lemon water before you can take to anyone in the mornings? What are your latest beauty finds and tricks?
As Summer’s transitioning into Autumn, this was probably more appropriate last month. However there a still good few beach days left and sun protection is an all round year thing, not just for the summer!
As with all my skincare and make up products, I have just 2 requirements. No animal testing and as natural, crap free as possible (no SLS, parabens, etc). With make up the last 1 can be tricky, so I opt for what I can. My skin’s oily/combination, hair oily roots, dry ends and my skin loves thick body lotions. 
Beach Skin Care Essentials
Coola Organic Classic Suncream, Face SPF 30, Cucumber Moisturizer
For someone who doesn’t like cucumber, this accident buy last year I ended up loving. I use to use the unscented version until one day it was out of stock, I was running out and thought, just try it. I’m glad I did as I prefer it to the original. I still get the odd spot and nasty cyst spot, but it hasn’t made me break out. I hardly get any freckles and touch wood, I’ve never been sunburnt on my face using this! I’m not confident to go sans foundation and wear a BB cream or CC cream with SPF 25 in addition. I’ve tried a few foundations since wearing this and again no freckles or sunburn!
I can get from a few European sites, but like most of my skin care, I get it from iherb as it works out cheaper and faster (if it gets through customs)!
Boots Soltan Dry Touch Suncare Lotion SPF 50
If money was no issue, I’d slap on Coola’s body sunscreens like there’s not tomorrow. You hardly notice you’re wearing them. Unfortunately of the amount I get through, it’s just not economic, so I have to go with what I can get. This one is the next best thing to Coola. Not tested on animals, not organic like Coola, it doesn’t feel like you’re wrapped in cling film wearing it. It’s scent is barely there and it’s always on offer 1/2 price! It’s okay for running but it can run rivers a bit. Sand resistant, ha! I’ve been burnt twice this year on my shoulders, but that was due to my rucksack on and off and not reapplying. I haven’t been burnt (touch wood) yet using this otherwise!
Tone It Up Beach Babe Lip Balms
I really hope these aren’t in their sale to be discontinued. I flirt with other SPF lip balms and always come back to these. Yummy flavours you could eat, they don’t have that usual tacky SPF lip balm feel. Despite their size, they last for ages!
Sephora, 3 in 1 Perfecting Base Coat
Essential if you paint your nails to protect them from polish and sunscreen! This one is makes the colour last a little longer.
Coconut Oil
I apply this overnight to wet hair to help condition and put back moisture in the ends from the sea, sweat and suncream. It’s also a great moisturiser and eye makeup remover. But then, I love just about anything coconut!
Expensive, €16 from Sephora, but it’s been a beach staple. Unlike most brushes, it’s designed for use on wet and dry hair (always use a wide tooth comb on wet hair!) as well as getting through all the tangles. If I’ve had a dip, I run this through my hair, so it’s a bit more presentable when it dries! It also painlessly tackles bad tangles from the wind!
British design!
Hair Bands/Ties
Always an essential! I like these as they don’t snag. I do find they don’t last as long as regular hairbands/ties, but I like the no snag! I usually get them where I can find them, Tiger, H&M Divided, Fabletics.
Beach Cap and Sarong
I’ve only just started wear a hat to the beach (to the beach, not on it. I like sun kissed hair!) A baseball cap, helps keep my hair looking more presentable from cycling, that beach wave thanks to cycling and the sun out my eyes so I squint/frown less! I do have a straw Fedora but the speed I cycle at, it’ll be gone with the wind in no time! It’s also great at the beach for keeping sun out my eyes when I do wear it on the beach and I get less headaches. I usually drap my t-shirt/tap/top over my face to keep out the sun and sleep. I’m not the only one who does this!
Sarong
Better than a beach towel! Light weight, folds up small and dries quickly!
Other Essentials, no photo!
Sunburn happens to the best of us. Manuka honey with UMF 10-20/MGO 400+ from experience are great for sunburns, thanks to it’s healing properties. I usually apply it straight on the sunburn and leave it on over night.
Sunglasses
Essential! Last year I started wear polarized sunglasses and once you’ve tried polarized sunglasses, you never go back to regular sunglasses! My current pair, purple Oakley Frogskins I love (purchased in the summer sales as I couldn’t justify full price). No glare and the sea’s always 2 toned!
K&K/Tone It Up Salt Texture Spray
For the ultimate beach hair! Review here!
Shells: Barcelona Beaches
What are your favourite beach and summer skin care essentials?
