Spanish Dreamin'

So my holiday has been and gone. And I have been burnt and tanned at the same time – but not in the same locations – ouch! My hair has turned the colour of very pale gold and it’s amazing how many colours go with ‘sunkissed’.

The thing I loved most about Spain were the colours. I loved all the colours of the food, the clothes, the shop signs and interiors. The little coffee cup above was an homage to Pedro Almodovar films, which happen to be some of my favourites. It’s a functional bit of inspiration.

My second favourite thing were the botanical gardens in Madrid. I actually spent so long in here they almost gave me a shovel and said to start working. The sheer variety of plants on display were simply magic and I could have continued smelling, touching, photographing them all day.

For now: back to reality.

Ice Cream Colour Scheme

There is something about being in a hot country that makes you feel extra fruity. You want lighter meals and you want to wear more colour. That’s how I feel in Barcelona. I feel inspired by the foreign pick’n’mix. I am wearing Leighton Denny’s Inside Scoop (a vanillary-mint-green) on my hands and then Lolly Pop (a delicious watermelon pink) on my feet. From the latest Gelato Collection no less.

Then, I am of course looking after my skin. Hot weather, humidity, beach plays havoc with my dry piel (that’s skin in Spanish). Darphin’s Hydraskin Serum is light yet brilliantly moisturising. Plus, it fits perfectly with my ice-cream colour scheme. I don’t really fancy anything thick and heavy in the heat. My suitcase is quite enough.

Fruits, ice creams and cold coconuts on the menu for the rest of the trip

Darphin’s Hydraskin Serum, £41 
Leighton Denny Nail Colours, £11 each

The Essentials

I am going on holiday tomorrow. Barcelona and Madrid. I have been to Barcelona before, so I am not interested in tourist sight-seeing. I want to hit the beach. I am preparing for this in a number of ways: I have bought a new bikini. I will be taking Avene’s sunscreen with me, which is the best in my opinion. Nicest smell, sinks in to skin easily and the colour of the bottle makes me happy. And finally, to get my skin sun-ready, I will be pill-popping Imedeen’s Tan Optimizer. This will not only help me to get an even tan but will actually help to protect my skin. Could I ask for anything more?

Bon voyage!

Avene Sun Protection Spray SPF20
Imedeen’s Tan Optimizer two month's supply, £40.80

Fly Me to the Moon

Tomorrow, i board a flight to Athens. Summer holiday has truly arrived for me.
One of my favourite things about travelling is going through the Duty Free beauty aisle. I spritz on perfume, my favourite at the moment is Givenchy Angle Demon. I find that perfume really calms me down and reassured me throughout the flight, as I am a bundle of nerves when I fly.

On the beach, I will be channeling a retro beauty and be trying some bright lipsticks, which is not something I usually dabble in. But, with colour on my face, and my hair white-blonde from the sun, a slick of lipstick will be a striking contrast. Pictures to follow...