How to Pack your Wash Bag

This may seem really obvious to some but it's actually something that has taken me a long time to get right. Being pretty obsessed with skincare and make-up meant I spent much of my teens and twenties traveling around with bulging wash bags and make-up kits - often adding masses of weight to my luggage and I'd say at least 70% of the stuff never needed or looked at.

In this list I'm not including the obvious things like toothpaste and toothbrush. I of course pack those and a small plastic box with cotton buds and pads in. I also always have a small size talc with me... can't bear clammy feet! I used to just be slightly scared of my wash bag, there was always something leaking in there and I'd just cram more stuff in. Now I start with an empty wash bag and pack what I need for that trip (thanks to my double wash bag situation which you can see below). It doesn't take very long and I no longer have the leak/terror issue. So here's how to pack your wash bag.

Nuxe Reve de Miel Hand and Nail Cream

I'm very fussy about hand cream. Partly because I have severe hand vanity and I'm sure that any day now I will wake up with the hands of an 80 year gardener and partly because I have such dry skin it's very difficult to find anything that actually works for me. I have incredibly dry skin and I'm constantly washing and drying them, either through make-up work, feeding my son or cooking. I use rubber gloves when I do the washing up but I can't wear them all the time and I refuse to be one of those people that goes to bed in gloves. So I need something that is going to be non-greasy, quickly absorbed and actually make a difference to my wizened old paws.

Reve de Miel Hand Cream by Nuxe does just that and thank god Nuxe is now quite readily available in the UK - Look Fantastic, Space NK and Marks and Spencers stock it to name but two places. It's £10.50 which is quite reasonable for a good handcream (75mls of it) smells great and has some lovely things in it. Coconut, avocado, sweet almond and sunflower seed oils not only give moisture to the skin but ensure the cream is absorbed and the moisture locked in with a not greasy finish. Now I love the smell of this but it is quite strong, you know when you've got it on so I'd definitely give it a whiff before you buy it if you are worried.

Some of my favourite things from 2013

Thank you so much to all those who took part in my huge Christmas Giveaway. I have to say I was slightly daunted by giving something away for 24 days in a row but it actually went really well and I was really pleased I did it so thank you everyone who entered. Due to the giveaway and Christmas and powercuts I failed to film any videos over Christmas and was about to fail to do so again due to poor-hair-maintenance related vanity and my forgetfulness (me in London, camera tripod in Hampshire) but I thought 'that is no way to start 2014' so here it is in all it's bad hair and rambley glory.

If you don't already do so I would love it if you'd subscribe to my channel and leave me a comment either on what you loved in 2013 or letting me know what videos you'd like me to do in the future. I hope that you are all having a wonderful start to your year - I know there's a lot of resolving and detoxing going on but I personally think you can decide to make a change at any time of year and you get a new do-over ever day so if you haven't had a great beginning to the year then just shake it off and start again.

For those who are interested in Give and Makeup their website is here and anyone wanting to join in the New Year New You Style Project check out all the details on Modern Mummy.

Products Shown:

MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in All Fired Up (sadly no longer available but you could try eBay)
Elizabeth Arden 8hr Lip Protector in Berry
Liz Earle Signature Lip Colour in Hibiscus and Damask Rose
Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Rose
Bobbi Brown Foundation in 3.5 Warm Beige
Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow
Inglot Gel Liner in 77
Emma Hardie Amazing Face Cleansing Balm
Nuxe Crème Fraiche de Beaute Enriche - 24Hr Soothing and Moisturising Rich Cream 50ml
Darphin Intral Toner
St Grape Aqua Bliss Scrub
Nip + Fab Tummy Fix
Pukka love tea

This Years French Purchases - Friday Video

I usually save up and spend a lot in the French chemists on our annual holiday. This year I resisted and bought only three things

Caudalie Divine Oil
Nuxe Travel Kit
Nuxe Creme Fraiche