Monday, 17 June 2013
Top 5 Beach Beauty Must Haves! *Beauty*
Dear Elgin Avenue readers,
A very Happy Monday to you all!
Having spent the past seven blissful days in Menorca, I have come to rely on a few cosmetic and skin saviours to keep my beauty regime in shape. Some of these products I have been using for years and others are new to me.
Here's my round up of top recommendations.
1. Kerastase Soleil hair care range. I first used this range a couple of years ago in Turkey. Given the blistering heat of the Turkish Sun I basically thought my hair was a gonner. Not to be so. The Soleil range is like wrapping your hair in silk, and if anything my hair feels at its softest and most manageable when I use this range. I've spoken about Kerastase's restorative properties before and I continue to use the full set including protective spray and serum when in the Sun. The price tag is premium, and if I were to recommend one of the products only it would be the shampoo. I found it stocked on feelunique.com however it is stocked in many salons also.
2. Piz Buin Allergy Sun Spray. I hold my hands up to loving a tan. I adore golden limbs and can't wait to sunbathe, however I am also acutely aware that Sun can do damage as well as ageing your skin. I never skip wearing an SPF. I suffer from Sun sensitivity, which means that normally when I sit out to sunbathe I come up in a prickly rash. Attractive. I've tried a number of hypo-allergenic sun ranges, including Boots own brand. This year I decided to invest in Piz Buin and I could not be happier with the results. The protection I've received from the SPF has been great - no burns - and so far so good on the skin front. I managed to purchase mine half price on offer in Boots, however again it is available from feelunique.com.
3. Popping Nail Polish. I love nail polish and experiment pretty non stop with colour. Green isn't normally my go-to hue, but L'Oreal's Color Riche polish in 'Wasabi Hint' looked so cool in the bottle! I found it in a little drug store in Menorca however you can buy it in Superdrug in the UK too. The colour comes out quite minty if worn alone however I found that when I added a clear top coat it went almost fluorescent.
4. Head Scarves. This is one of my easiest tips to keep your hair protected and off of your face. I pick up cotton or silk scarves from anywhere and everywhere, from markets to high street shops. The best are light in weight and about 50cmx50cm in dimensions, although I've used all sorts of variations. I then pop my hair in a top knot, fold the scarf into a width of about an inch and wrap it around my head. I like to start with the middle of the scarf on the top of my head, then wrap both ends under, back around and tie at the top. Or you can make things easy and buy a pre-cut head scarf. As the ends of your hair are exposed in a bun add a protective spray (see tip 1). I like to clash my scarves with my bikinis, so prints and colour are a big yes. See below for some of my favourites right now, all for under £15.
5. Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Lip Balm. I wear this lip balm all year round, and it is literally my number one beauty product and is available at Boots. Soft but not sticky, neutral with no weird waxy flavour I could go on and on about it. For Summer time purposes it is SPF20 so I always make sure to apply liberally. Come the evening I like to add a little lipstick on top, orangey red or nudey coral are my colours of choice.
Have you tried any of the products above? If so how have you found them?
Oh, and of course, what's your top holiday beauty buy?
Have a super day all!
Love,
MB x
Friday, 14 June 2013
Grapes N' Lemons *Look Of The Day*
Dear Elgin Avenue readers,
A very Happy Friday to you all!
Kaftan: Warehouse (old but love this), Sandals: Monsoon, X-Body Bag: Accessorize, Necklace: Satya @ Caratime.com, Sunglasses: M&S (Old), Watch: Swatch
Despite having been completely spoilt for phenomenal beach vistas since arriving in Menorca, yesterday's tour of the Binifadet vineyard and winery is my highlight so far.
On arrival the four of us were told that there would be a comprehensive tour starting in an hour's time; never a crowd to let good time go to waste we set about flexing our lounging muscles on the outside seating area, having our first taste of the beautiful range of wines Binifadet has to offer. A few glasses down the line and we were inside the winery "oo-ing" and "ah-ing" at the process behind the wines we had so enjoyed.
If you are headed to Menorca this Summer I would thoroughly recommend taking this tour - it's completely free and we ended up with new knowledge and a couple of tasty bottles for our BBQ tonight.
On a sartorial note, this kaftan has been in my wardrobe for years but always proves a favourite come Summer. This Topshop number is another yellowy babe - super pretty for hols or home.
If you guys are itching to get some sunshine, have a look a yesterday's post where you can win a trip to Corsica!
Have a super day all and a great start to your weekends!
Love,
MB x
Thursday, 13 June 2013
Come To Calvi On The Rocks With Me & Diesel! *Competition*
Dear Elgin Avenue readers,
A very Happy Thursday to you all!
I am SO ridiculously head over heels excited to share with you the news that any of my fellow blogging readers can be in with a chance of accompanying me and the fab team over at Diesel to Corsica for Calvi On The Rocks festival!
Yes really.
Dress: Diesel
The lucky winner will join myself and Diesel for a fun-filled VIP adventure in Calvi this July - Friday 5th- Monday 8th. We are travelling via Euro Star and plane to Calvi and the cost of Travel / Accommodation / Activities / Food & Drink (certain amount per day for winner) are all on us!
Sound pretty good?
Diesel and I have teamed up to unearth the best new blogging talent out there, and all you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is as follows:
Head on into any one of the four Diesel stores listed below and select your perfect festival ensemble from my Ultimate Festival Capsule Collection in store - you'll know the items as they'll have a special swing tag on them, or ask an assistant.
Then take a snap of your outfit, blog about it and tweet the link to @MonicaBeatrice & @Diesel_UK quoting #Dieselfestivallife.
Easy really.
Myself and Diesel will select our favourite entry and the winner will be en route to Calvi before they know it!
Some of my selections are seen below but there are a tonne more in stores so go check them out!
Oh and in case you needed any more swaying as to how freakin' awesome it would be to come along, here are some pics from previous years...!
Terms & Conditions: Entrants must be 18 or over, have a valid passport and able to travel Friday 5th of July to return on Monday 8th. All entries must be received by Tuesday 25th June 2013. For further details and full terms and conditions see in store or ask staff for details.
So you lovely lot! That's about it!
The competition goes live tomorrow.
I am so excited to see your entries! Any questions - ask in store or shoot 'em my way!
Have a super day all!
Love,
MB x
Wednesday, 12 June 2013
Beach N' Braids *Look Of The Day*
Dear Elgin Avenue readers,
A very Happy Wednesday to you all!
Kaftan: Monsoon, Sandals: Next c/o, Tote: Old, Sunglasses: M&S (Old)
Yesterday was the ultimate lazy day in Menorca - beach and BBQ.
I have been on the hunt for a great beach cover-up for an age. This hot pink Monsoon number caught my eye straight off - the length is perfect and the embroidery is divine. I opted to wear my hair in a loose concoction of braids to team with my easy breezy beach ensemble.
What are your go-to beach attire?
Have a super day all!
Love,
MB x
Tuesday, 11 June 2013
Pleats Please *Look Of The Day*
Dear Elgin Avenue readers,
A very Happy Tuesday to you all!
This pleated dress has sat patiently in my wardrobe since my baby sis gave it to me for my Birthday in January.
A warm balmy Minorcan evening felt like the perfect night for its debut.
Dress: Gift, Clutch: Accessorize c/o, Bracelets & Ring: Bought in Menorca, Watch: Swatch (Oli's)
Catch me on Instagram for regular holiday updates.
Have a super day all!
Love,
MB x
Monday, 10 June 2013
Print Press *Look Of The Day*
Dear Elgin Avenue readers,
A very Happy Monday to you all!
For the next two and a bit weeks I will be based in Menorca.
Heaven.
These pics were taken just before Ols and I headed to dinner for his Birthday with friends. A first day of beach, G n' Ts and paella can be no bad thing indeed.
Jumpsuit: Topshop, Jacket: H&M (Old), Hat: Christys, Bag: Vintage, Sandals: Next c/o
Stay tuned to my Instagram for MB in Menorca bits and bobs.
Have a super day all!
Love,
MB x
Thursday, 6 June 2013
Strawberry Lace *Look Of The Day*
Dear Elgin Avenue readers,
A very Happy Thursday to you all!
Skirt: Next c/o, Top: Zara (old), Feathered Bag: Day Birger et Mikkelsen (old but this is a great wedding clutch too), Shoes: Dune c/o, Necklace: KaraRossNY
Pink and red is one of my go-to clash combinations. I love that both hues are so darn rich. I wore this look to a wedding last weekend - adore lace on lace action.
Texture is a lovely way of making a simple piece - in this case a pencil skirt and peplum - appropriate for an occasion, brocade or metallic sheens do a similar job.
Are you in the full throng of wedding guest attire yet?
What is your fail safe Summer do' outfit?
Have a super day all!
Love,
MB x
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