What's In My Carry-On Toiletry Bag

I'm off to Japan on February 12th, so I've started organising and packing for my trip. The first post I have to share with you is what's inside my carry-on toiletry bag. 

I like to keep it fairly simple with my skincare routine for long-haul flights. To start with I wear very little to no makeup on the plane, as I really can't be bothered with removing it all and you definitely don't want to be sleeping overnight with a face full of makeup, your skin will suffer! 

I like my skin to feel as comfortable as possible when flying, as the air conditioning can be extremely drying for your skin. It is essential to ensure you are drinking plenty of water throughout the flight. This routine is inspired by a video from Lisa Eldridge which is a great watch. 

As soon as the seatbelt sign is turned off, I like to visit the bathroom to start my routine. Firstly, I brush my teeth, then I remove my contact lenses and apply eyedrops. As some of you may know, plane water is not very hygienic as it isn't fresh, so I skip a wash off cleanser and instead use Bioderma Créaline H2O with a cotton square. To add some moisture back into my skin I use Sukin Hydrating Mist Toner which I have decanted into a miniature spray bottle. I then apply a generous amount of my Indeed Laboratories Eysilix eye cream patting it on gently with my ring finger. At night, in place of a moisturiser I use Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask which is a thick, hydrating mask that applies clear. This acts as a moisture barrier for your skin and keeps it very nourished, it has a lovely apricot scent as well. This is a fantastic mask and I highly recommend it. I have forgotten to include it in the above picture, but a lip balm is an essential part of my flight routine, which I apply at this stage. With my face finished, I apply Neutrogena Norweigan Formula Hand Cream to keep my hands from feeling dry. 

Throughout the flight I apply some Caudalie Beauty Elixir which I have decanted into a tiny spray bottle, to freshen up my skin. It has a lovely herbal scent which is very energising and refreshing. I also use refreshing eye drops as my eyes can become dry and uncomfortable on planes. Also missing from the picture is a miniature deodorant like this one, which is a must for a long flight. 

In the morning or before the flight is about to land, I repeat the above routine but in place of the Origins mask I apply my Aesop Camellia Nut Facial Hydrating Cream. I also use this time to brush my teeth and put in my contact lenses. 

I store my products in a Muji Clear Pouch, which I have in the large size. This is perfect for travelling and very inexpensive. 

What are some of your carry-on travel essentials? Do you tend to go all out or keep it very simple? 

Recipe: Mexican Chicken Soup with Tortilla Chips

Here I am with my first ever recipe post. This soup is seriously easy to prepare, you just add all the ingredients to a slow cooker, cover and heat for 4 or 8 hours depending on when you want to eat. This is a great recipe to prepare in the morning and have it ready for dinner when you get home. To add a little something extra, I've topped it with some crispy tortilla chips, which are better for you as they are made with mountain bread. Top with whatever you have on hand (avocado would have been delicious here but I didn't have any when I made this unfortunately) and enjoy! 

Mexican Chicken Soup 

Serves 6

Adapted from Yeah...imma eat that and Kim's Healthy Eats  

3 chicken breasts, skinless

1 onion, diced

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed (no added salt)

1 can diced tomatoes, (no added salt)

1 can corn, drained and rinsed (or 2 ears fresh corn)

1 capsicum, chopped

2 tbsp tomato paste

4 cups chicken stock, salt reduced

1 cup water

1 tsp chilli flakes

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp paprika

salt and pepper, to taste

optional toppings: fresh coriander or parsley, plain greek yoghurt/sour cream, avocado, cheese

1.     Sautee onion in a non-stick frying pan until soft

2.     Add cooked onion, beans, tomatoes, corn, capsicum, tomato paste, chicken stock, lime juice, and spices to slow cooker

3.     Lay the chicken breasts on top of the mixture, ensuring they are covered

4.     Set slow cooker to low heat, cover, and cook for 8 hours on low, or 4 hours on high

5.     Remove chicken breasts and shred with two forks. Season with salt and pepper. Return shredded chicken to slow cooker and stir gently

6.     Serve immediately or continue cooking on low until ready to serve

7.     Top with mountain bread tortilla chips, fresh coriander or parsley, plain greek yoghurt/sour cream, avocado, cheese, etc.

Mountain Bread Chips:

To make mountain bread tortilla chips, preheat oven to 180C. Cut mountain bread into triangles or strips. Spread them out on a baking tray and bake in oven for 5 minutes or until brown around edges and crispy. You can also sprinkle with paprika or chilli flakes before baking for extra flavour. 

Back to blogging!

I cannot believe it has been over a year since my last blog post, I am an awful blogger!

Quite a bit has happened in the past year. I worked full time and saved up enough money to go travelling around Europe with some friends for over three months. I had the time of my life, having never travelled to Europe before there was so much to see and do.

Since I returned home, I have been working and am preparing to start back at university in March. I'm lucky enough to be taking a short holiday to Japan with my family next week. But I'd love to start blogging again and I have actually missed it.

I'm still looking to focus on beauty as I'm pretty obsessed with skin care and makeup, but I'd also like to start blogging about another passion of mine, food. So there will be few recipe posts in the future.

Here's to a new year and fresh start :)

Hawaii Haul: Cosmetics, Skin Care, Candles

My Mum and Grandmother recently took a trip together to Honolulu, Hawaii. So of course, I saved up some money and sent my Mum off with a long list of beauty products to buy for me! I picked a few high-end products because they are much more affordable in the USA compared to Australia. I can't wait to try these products out and see if they live up to my expectations. Let me know if you've tried and tested any of these products, or if you'd like a specific review on a particular product. 

 

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, Chantecaille Just Skin Anti-Smog Tinted Mositurizer SPF 15,  Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20, Laura Mercier Foundation Primer, Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Emerveille, Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer, MAC Eyeshadow in Nylon, MAC Eyeshadow in Dazzlelight, MAC Eyeshadow in Jest, MAC Lip Pencil in Redd, MAC Lipstick in Ruby Woo, NARS Bronzing Powder in Laguna, NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base 

L’Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara, Maybelline Full 'N Soft Waterproof Mascara, Maybelline Full 'N Soft Mascara, Benefit They're Real Mascara  

Maui Babe Browning Lotion, Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer, 2x Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid, Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner, Crest 3D White Advanced Vivid Whitestrips, First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Smooth Operator Kit (2x Ultra Repair Cream, Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask, Ultra Repair Lip Therapy)

Bath & Body Works: Frosted Cupcake 3-Wick Candle, Vanilla Bean Noel Candle, Peach Bellini Candle, PocketBac Hand Sanitizers 

November Empties

• 2 x Skinvitals H-Revive Cloth Facial Treatment Mask - These are not as good as My Beauty Diary sheet masks, but they are readily available at Priceline. 
• 2 x Skinvitals Eye Brighten Cloth Eye Treatment Mask
• Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream - I enjoyed using this sample as this cream left my skin feeling hydrated and smooth - I can see why this is a popular product from Keihl's.
• Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser
• Kiehl's Ultra Facial Toner 
• Bioré Ultra Nose Strip 
• Say it with Scent Green Tea Hand & Body Lotion 
• Caron Laboratories Bump eRaiser Medi Paste - This is a fantastic product I discovered thanks to Lust Have It. It helps to get rid of bumps and ingrown hairs created by shaving.
• Cetaphil Moisturising Cream - A staple moisturiser that I love!
• Cetaphil UVA/UVB Defence SPF30+ Daily Facial Moisturiser - I found this moisturiser didn't absorb into my skin very easily and didn't feel moisturising enough, but I do like the fact that it has SPF 30, making it ideal for summer.  
• 2 x Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion 
• Crest 3D White Vivid Whitestrips 
• L'Occitane Soothing Concentrated Mask 
• Mask in a Cup - I like the unique packaging of this facial mask, it's a clever product which would make a nice gift for a beauty-loving friend!
• Rexona Women Hypo-Allergenic Anti-Perspirant Deodorant
• Philosophy Purity One-Step Facial Cleanser - I can't believe I finished this huge bottle of cleanser! I really like this cleanser from Philosophy and it works great with my Clarisonic Mia. They stock Philosophy now in David Jones, so if you can get your hands on a sample I'd recommend trying this out!
• MorrocanOil Moisture Repair Conditioner - A great conditioner, I just wish it wasn't so expensive!
• Redken Iron Silk 07 Ultra Straightening Spray - I wouldn't recommend this heat protectant as I didn't like how it left my hair feeling.
• Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs 
• Evo Soap Dodger Body Wash
• Puretopia Glowingly Smooth Body Polish - A great find thanks to the Priceline Skincare Goodie Bag. I've been looking for this as I want to repurchase it but can't find it anywhere :(
• Yes to Cucumbers Hypoallergenic Facial Towelettes 
• Almay Oil-Free Makeup Eraser Sticks - These handy little cotton tips make cleaning up eye makeup a breeze! Great for fixing up liquid liner and eyeshadow. Perfect for travelling!