My Holiday Hero Products

'My suitcase shrunk?'

Oh how I love a sun-drenched holiday. The sand, the sea, the sangria... it's just all rather glorious isn't it?
So next week I'm jumping on a big plane and swapping the sodden cobbles of Manchester for the twinkling shores of Cyprus! Needless to say, I cannot wait.

After a long weekend in culture-swathed Barcelona and a fleeting romance with wild Ibiza earlier this summer, I have learnt to select my precious luggage allowance with the meticulousness of a neurosurgeon. And then there's the soaring heat to contend with... As I'm sure you know, my amigos, make-up meltdown is a very real danger. Preventative measures are nothing but a necessity.

Moisturiser:  Clarins HydraQuench SPF15, £34
My gorgeous aunty Jeanie, who lives in Spain, swears by this moisturiser for the warmer climes. It soaks in fast and is a melt-free zone all day.

Primer: Dermalogica Skin Perfect Primer SPF30, £29.95
I'm not a huge primer advocate, but this slim number was AMAZING in Ibiza. It helped keep my foundation in place well into the early hours.

Foundation: MAC Cosmetics Studio Sculpt Foundation (SPF 15) £24 with a bit of Laura Mercier Illuminated Tinted Moisturiser (SPF20) £33 to thin the consistency
I've tried so many different foundations, but for me MAC Studio Sculpt is just the one. When my skin is slightly dry I have to use a bit of tinted moisturiser to thin it out, but I love how it sets so flawlessly. The coverage is medium and buildable to full, so nice and versatile for holiday evenings, but I tend not to use it during the day - I just use the tinted moisturiser on its own for a really light coverage (with added SPF, bonus!)

Eyeshadow Primer: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, £17
This genius product is amazing for keeping shadow exactly where it should be. I wore really heavy eye make up to go to Zoo Project in Ibiza (complete with leopard body paint... yes really!) and this tube of magic worked an absolute treat, despite the hot temps.

Lippy: Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Bang £14, with Glide-on Lip Pencil also in Bang £12
Outline the lip and shade with the pencil before applying the lipstick, blot and re-apply. I guarantee this fierce shade (my favourite accessory for a goddess-bronze tan) will stay put for HOURS.

Bronzer: ArtDeco Bronzing Compact Powder, £25
There's no long-lasting hocus-pocus going on with this bronzer, I just think it's really good. The beautiful palette is huge, so ideal for adding a bit of body shimmer.

Eye-Liner: Dior Waterproof Eyeliner Long-Wear Pencil, £18
It does not budge. Hallelujah!

Blush: Benefit Sugarbomb, £23.50
This peachy coral blush palette goes so well with a tan, and there's just the right amount of shimmer to add a sexy glow too.

Posh After-Sun: Lancôme Nutrix Royal £39
For slightly scorched skin this intense repair lipid-enriched lotion is the ultimate soother. If, however, you're a bit on the strapped side Soltan Aftersun with insect repellent £4.49 is pretty good. It really does keep the pesky mosquitos at bay too.

Hair Serum: Liss Unlimited SOS Smoothing Double Serum by L'Oreal Professionnel, £13.25
Holidays may be generally delicious, but they're also rather harsh on the tresses. I use this serum by L'Oreal to banish frizz even in humid climates. It smells rather nice too.

Burn Balance: If you're prone to pink after lounging in the sun try using a colour corrector with a green base, like Smashbox Photo Finish Color Corrector Foundation Primer in Green, £12.50 (travel size) before you put on your foundation. This will counterbalance the redness for a perfect finish.

Let me know your holiday hero products by commenting below, or by writing on the Pout Out Proud Facebook page, or tweeting @PoutOutProud.

xx

Hair A&E: Repair and Protect

I've been trying everything, short of buying a wig, to achieve a seriously healthy-looking mane. Here's what made the grade when it came to intensive hair repair...

1. Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Pre-Shampoo Treatment, £26.25, available from PhilipKingsley.co.uk

It might be a bit of a splurge, but this product is an amazingly good thirst-quencher for hair. Apply to damp hair (concentrating on the length and the ends), and allow to absorb deeply for twenty minutes. A handy little shower cap comes with the product so you can tuck your hair up and out the way! Rinse off and shampoo/condition as normal. The treatment left my hair instantly replenished, and it felt REALLY silky smooth.

Top Tip: Ensure that you apply to damp hair as opposed to dripping wet, as excess water droplets will lessen the product penetration.

2. Charles Worthington Salon at Home Intense Rescue Melting Balm, £11.33, available from Boots

A quick and easy fix, this hard wax-like product should be worked into a rich oil by rubbing between your palms, and then applied to dry hair (concentrating on the length and the ends). Comb the product through hair, and leave for twenty minutes or so before washing hair as normal. It leaves hair feeling healthier, less frizzy when dried and smelling fabulous.

Top Tip: For really damaged hair, apply heat from a hair dryer for five mins after the product has been absorbing for twenty mins.

3. Tigi's Bed Head Ego Boost Split End Mender, 200ml, available from FeelUnique.com, £10.85 (delivery inclusive)

This product is genius. It works by bonding together the ends of your hair, preventing split ends. I use it every single time I wash my hair, and I have really seen the difference over the past six months. Apply a few squirts to damp hair after every wash and it will help your hair stay stronger for longer.

Top Tip: Start using Ego Boost after you've been for a trim, it'll lock down those naughty ends and stop them from straying.

4. Moroccanoil Oil Treatment for All Hair Types, £30.45 for 100ml, available from FeelUnique.com (delivery inclusive)

This product really does instantly soothe dry, straw-like hair. I've got heavily highlighted hair, so this intensive oil works a treat for an instant sleek revival. I apply a small pea-shaped amount (you DO NOT need a lot) spread across my palms, then work through the ends of my damp, clean hair. If your hair isn't that dry or damaged, then this product probably isn't for you. It's rather intensive, so can leave soft hair a bit weighed down. I'd recommend Catwalk by TIGI's Blow Out Balm for a lighter alternative.

Top Tip: Always apply to damp hair to avoid looking like an oil slick. Seriously, it's not a good look.