I took a LOT of new products with me to trial on our cruise last month and have been putting them through their paces ever since. I was looking for time-savers, space-savers, multi-taskers or just downright awesomeness and I’ve whittled my holiday grab bag down to these faves.
Instax Mini 8 RRP $129.99
Once I got the hang of how to use this wee camera (I didn’t read the instructions and didn’t take them with me lol) I was so stoked to have it on the cruise. The exposure adjustment is absolutely necessary, but once you turn that dial it’s fairly hard to take a bad shot. As it tends to over-expose I would pop my thumb over the flash if I wanted a touch more contrast. Super fun, cute camera, the novelty factor of having prints to enjoy hasn’t worn off!
Royal Nectar Skincare Gift Pack RRP $189
Ok. Every day. I now use these New Zealand made skincare products every day!
Beautifully presented in a ready-to-wow gift box, Nelson Honey have created some superb products here. Containing hero ingredients Manuka Honey and Bee Venom, the three Royal Nectar products I’ve been trialling are now permanent stars in my beauty routine. I use the Moisturising Face Lift in the morning on cleansed skin and the Eye Cream morning and night. I think I might be a tad addicted to the slight tingling feeling as the creams go on, but I KNOW I’m a addicted to the tight, firm results I’m seeing in my skin. The Original Face Mask is quite cool, you can use it as a traditional face mask and wash off after 20 minutes or as a night cream – I alternate night creams between 3 products over the week and love using Royal Nectar in this way.
Simple Micellar Wipes
I’m a massive fan of micellar water for removing makeup at the end of the day, but the weight and volume of a bottle is just not conducive to travelling. This was the first time I had ever seen micellar water in wipes form and I’m so stoked about it! There are some nights when I all but fall in to bed and spending time at the bathroom sink is not going to happen. These wipes from Simple are now permanent residents in my bedside cabinet and get used more than I’d like to admit lol.
Go Healthy Go Magnesium Sleep RRP $32.90
I never would have thought to pack magnesium to take on the cruise, but when you’re being rocked to a peaceful sleep (with the fear of being woken by your toddler removed!) why not make sleep even better? I’m a magnesium convert and take it every night before bed. This sleep variant includes two types of magnesium to help both get you to sleep and keep you asleep. I’m having a terrible time with foot pain from running at the moment and I’m finding this magnesium supplement much better than the lower dose I was taking prior.
VO5 Give me Texture Tousled Style Spray RRP $7.99
I’ve not quite made peace with my wavy, curly hair but this range of products from VO5 is helping me ……….. somewhat. Our itinerary on the cruise was so hectic that there simply wasn’t time to blow dry and straighten my hair for the multiple engagements we were due to attend over the four days. I gave in to my kinky hair and just scrunched some Tousled Style Spray into my damp hair, twisted it in sections and left it at that! No frizz and easy styling.
TRESemmé Instant Refresh Dry Shampoo RRP $14.49
I only wash my hair every 3 days as styling a big, boofy afro isn’t high on my list of priorities – it should be but it’s not. Having dry shampoo on hand is essential for getting one-more-wear out of my hair when event schedules do not align with my hair washing routine (FYI, I’m well aware of how ridiculous that sounds but I really, really don’t like washing my hair!). Instant Refresh does double duty for me as it absorbs oil and provides some oomph – in a good way! I will never be without this product, my schedule can be so up and down I always need little back-up beauty secrets (that actually work) to help me out in a pinch.
Simple Skincare Regeneration Age Resisting Day Cream SPF15 50ml RRP $20.49
Not joking here, I was surprised by how good this moisturiser is. It’s light, non-oily, readily absorbed with all-day hydration and it has a built in sunscreen. This was the only standard facial moisturiser I took on the cruise and I love it, a supermarket gem!
Smashbox Bronze Lights Bronzer – Deep Matte RRP $58
I hadn’t worn bronzer in years before the cruise. When the Kardashians and all of their associated ‘contouring’ came along I ditched the bronze compact and opted for the easy-to-operate trio of contour, bronzer and highlighter pencils. How I’ve missed swiping on that instant glow that only comes from a great powder! And this is a seriously GREAT powder. Not too fine, it doesn’t over-coat your brush leaving you looking like you’ve been roasting in the sunbed, ew. This was another Cruise Newbie that has sneaked into my everyday rotation, LOVE.
Neutrogena Beach Defence SPF 50 RRP $24.99
You’ll notice that there’s two sunscreens in my selection. I usually use a high end sunscreen on our faces (usually always protected with hats as well) and a more affordable brand on the rest of our bodies where I can reapply with as much vim and vigour as I like without stressing about the price. The smell of this lotion is a major win, but more than that is it’s amazing absorption rate. I have never, ever used a sunscreen that literally sinks into your skin within seconds, leaving no greasy residue. Love it. No sunburn either, YAY!
Dermalogica Protection 50 Sport Sunscreen RRP $56
My FAVE sunscreen! Dermalogica’s broad spectrum spf 50 offering goes on just like one of their amaze facial moisturisers – light and full of hydrating magic! If I had to use one sunscreen for the rest of my life it would be this one. I trust it on my skin and that of my kids. Water-resistant and it lasts the sweat test too as I wear it while running.
Collection Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Concealer RRP $15
Collection is a huge UK brand that launched in NZ a couple of year ago. This concealer in Warm/Medium is the first product I’ve tried from the range and it’s really, really good! I use it two ways; the standard way, covering up spots and discolouration – over my BB cream and under my powder, plus, I’ve been mixing it on my hand then blending with a colour corrector and using under my eyes. Does a great job in both areas and I’ll be continuing to use it everyday.
Berlei Balance Seamfree Crop Top RRP $49.95
Don’t be fooled into thinking you may just spend your cruise vacay laying around the pool. I mean, you should def maximise your time in the sun but I’m sure you’ll be easily tempted into a quick workout in the gym or on deck or you may want to make the most of your shore days by exploring on foot. The latest, strappy crop from Berlei is super soft and pretty, perfectly designed to maximise comfort and keep you active whilst on-board. With removable inserts and a one-piece knit construction, I love this design. Not enough support for me to run in, but perfect for ‘active-wear’ activities!
Follow
