HOSPITAL BAG - SKINCARE & HAIRCARE

So now, as I write this, baby is due in just 8 days. Yesterday I posted about the makeup I’ll be bring to hospital, and today it is all about the skincare and haircare products that I’ll be bringing with me to the hospital. I actually started packing the a few weeks ago, slowly pulling things out as I remembered, but now time has come to get serious, to make sure everything is ready to go!

Apart from the clothing necessities such as comfy clothes, PJs, dressing gown, slippers, underwear and maternity bras, breast pads, maternity pads... these are the haircare and skincare essentials that will be going with me..

EVO Beauty Is Skin Deep Women’s Essential Kit

I’ve always loved the brand EVO for its quirky texts on its bottles, which can only bring a smile to your face. The Body Crème for instance reads, ‘if you can’t spend a week bathing in pools of dead-skin-eating fish while being served dinner by trained psychologists, then this hand and body lotion is for you!

This gorgeous travel pack makes packing a whole lot easier, as the pack contains small convenient bottles of many of the essential hair and skincare products you need – and let’s face it, my hospital stay will just be for a few days, so it is absolutely pointless dragging along full sized bottles. The kit contains cute 50ml bottles of Self Indulgence Body Crème, Soap Dodger Body Wash, Mane Prescription Hair Protein Treatment, Ritual Salvation Hair Care Conditioner and Ritual Salvation Hair Care Shampoo. The shampoo, conditioner and hair treatment are all designed for colour-treated hair, weak and brittle hair, so perfect for my hair that will need all the care it can get after giving birth. The body wash and body crème both smell divine and will quickly wash away the scent of hospital, and help add some much needed moisture to my skin which will no doubt be dried out from the chlorine bleached sheets and towels! $RRP: 29.95



bhave Riot Control Oil

As you may now, I absolutely love the haircare products from bhave, and the products have done wonders for my hair. One of the products I especially love is the Riot Control Oil, and I’m lucky to have a small travel sized bottle floating around. Just a pump or two or this oil instantly helps tame down any frizz, while giving the hair a healthy and natural shine. RRP: $48.95 (Full Size/100ml)

Lady Jayne Tangleze
While I know that I won’t feel like spending too much time styling m hair, of course I’ll also need to pack a hairbrush, and this compact Tangleze from Lady Jayne is the perfect choice, as it is simply so small and compact that it doesn’t take up much room. And it is so effective in detangling knotted tresses in both wet and dry hair, while being super gentle. And in addition, it has the most gorgeous black and white zebra design that makes it look stunning at the same time. RRP: $12.99

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Neon Lights Pomegranate & JasmineWith my long hair I never wash my hair every day, so I doubt this will be happening while I’m in hospital either, - and that’s when I rely on a good dry shampoo to refresh my tresses. And then I just cannot go past this new (and sadly limited edition) Neon Lights Dry Shampoo from Batiste with Pomegranate and Jasmine, as it simply leaves my hair smelling so good while leaving it clean and revitalised. RRP: $9.95

Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion
One thing that I know I will need a little more off is body lotion, as again, my skin gets so horribly dry when in hospital, and moisturising lotion from Aveeno is perfect, as it has also helped me through the later stages of my pregnancy where my skin has become a little itchy. The thick cream has almost no scent and instantly provides instant moisture and relief to dry and irritated skin. RRP: $8.95

Uriage Eau Thermale D’UriageThis thermal water spray from Uriage is made from 100% natural thermal water, and just a fine spray across the face helps to moisture, and soothe the skin for hours, which I know it will be very quickly thanks to the constant airconditioning in the hospital. And it also instantly helps refresh the skin if it has become dry and irritated. RRP: 8.95


L’Occitane En Provence Shea Hand Cream in Zesty Lime
My hands always get horribly dry during winter, but this hand cream from L’Occitane has a high content of shea butter so it is extremely moisturising on the hands, yet absorbing quickly into the skin without any greasiness. Plus it leaves the most refreshing and zesty scent of lime lingering behind, which I just cannot resist! RRP: $13.00

Jurlique Hydra Gloss in Neutral
This gloss also acts as an extremely hydrating lip balm containing ingredients to soften, condition and smooth the lips, all while giving the lips a nice sheer glossy finish. RRP: $22.00


Simple Micellar Cleansing Water
This newly launched Micellar Cleansing Water from Simple is very gentle on the skin, and with just a few swipes over the face and eyes, it easily removes makeup (although struggling with waterproof mascara, without leaving a greasy residue behind. The Micellar Water is light and has a fresh scent, and doesn’t dry out my skin, and best of all, it is very gentle, so it doesn’t sting in my vey sensitive eyes! RRP: $9.99

Olay Wet Cleansing Towlettes
As I think I’ve mentioned many times before, I am not a huge user of facial wipes as I prefer to wash my face with a gel cleanser and splash water in my face afterwards, so I often just use them for when I’m in on long-haul flights, or swatching makeup products for the blog. But in saying that, I always have a pack handy, and will also be bringing these Wet Towlettes from Olay with me, as in case I am too drained and tired to wash my face, at least a wet towel is better than nothing. And I love the fact that these ones are alcohol and fragrance free so won’t dry out my skin. RRP: $6.95


SKII Facial Treatment Essence
I’ve been using the SKII Facial Treatment Essence for the past few weeks as a kind of toner, after cleansing my skin, but before my serum. The Essence contains the wonder ingredient, pitera, which SKII claims helps boost the collagen production and encourage new cell turnover. And within just a few short weeks, of using this odd-smelling Essence, my skin is not only more deeply moisturised and hence looking more plumb with fine lines and wrinkles reduced, but my skin also seems to have a more healthy glow. RRP: $100 (75ml)

 MyChelle Dermaceuticals G2 Instant Firming Serum
This serum from MyChelle is pack full of super anti-oxidants, phyto-nutrients and peptides that promises to instantly help improve the firmness of the skin and minimise the depth of wrinkles instantly, while refining skin texture too. And I’m impressed to say that you really do both see and feel that this serum has an effect on the skin, instantly making my skin looking more refreshed and plum, so it helps make you look more rested too when you wake up in the morning, even after a bad night’s sleep, and you can see the lifting results too when you use it under your foundation, so it’s just as perfect for daytime wear too. RRP: $62.50


SkinInc Pure Nano Hydrating Gel
I’ve only been using this gel moisturiser for a very short time, but I am already in love. The light gel is a true multi-tasker helping to hydrate, repair, tone, protect and prime, and not to mention brighten the skin all at the same time. It is super moisturising and nourishing on the skin, yet perfect for my combination skin as it is so light and non-greasy and leaves my skin feeling velvety soft and matte. And as it is suitable for use both morning and evening, I only need to bring this one moisturiser with me. RRP: $163.00


Antipodes Kiwi Seed Eye Cream
One thing that I can never be without is a good eye cream, and this Kiwi Seed Eye Cream from Antipodes will provide my (more than likely) very tired looking eyes with some much needed cooling and soothing care, while adding moisture and softening fine lines. And I love the fact that the cream has been shown to scientifically shown to stimulate collagen production by up to 82%, so hopefully it can help keep fine lines and wrinkles at bay for a little longer! $44.99

 

 

Sisley Paris Eye Contour Mask
This amazing mask from Sisley will help refresh and soothe tired looking eyes instantly, and I love that it goes on clear so I can actually wear it during the day, and nobody would ever know. Or pop on a thin layer at night before bed, and wake up to eyes that are less puffy and looking more refreshed and younger. RRP: $150.00

 

Vanessa Megan Birth Ease Natural Labour Spray 
I was given this when I first announced my pregnancy, and since then it has been sitting in waiting to be put to the test. It is specifically designed for the hours of labour, to help assist with tensions, promote contractions and help build confidence during labour – and as the birth of our first boy was long, drawn out and a painful one too, I’m willing to give anything a try to make it faster and more comfortable too! Fingers crossed! RRP: $29.95

Weleda Nipple Care Cream

Oh dear how I vividly remember how sore and cracked my poor nipples were when I started breastfeeding our little boy when he was born almost two years ago. I had to send hubby to the nearest chemist pronto to get me something that would give me some much needed relief. This time I’ll come prepared with the Weleda Nipple Care cream that is designed to both prepare for breastfeeding, as well as soothe and care for cracked nipples. RRP: $27.95


So there you go, these are the skin and haircare products that I'll be taking with me, again, no doubt a lot more than I will actually need, but these are some of my current favourites, and in the end of the day, so much easier to simply bring it along than have hubby try to find what you want at home!!

*Some products may have been provided for consideration, but would still be reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

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Product Review: Lust Have It – January 2014 Box

Yet again time for another beauty box review, this time of the Lust Have It  January 2014 Box. Yep, it is the January box, which rolled up on my doorstep on the 10^th of February – some two weeks later than usual….not really sure why it is late, and it is almost a February box –  regardless, as I have been sent this box for consideration, I really have no complaints. And moving house, and living in a holiday house for a few weeks until we could move into our new house, and consequently meant no permanent internet connection, hopefully explains why I am posting about this box so late…  Anyway, here are my thoughts on the Lust Have It – January 2014 Box;

What They Say:

Lust Have It boxes regularly contains products worth $60+ for only $19.95/month! Monthly box filled with 5 to 6 premium beauty samples. Delivered to your home or work each month for you to try.

RRP:

Lust Have It Box (monthly) RRP: $19.95, Eco Box (quarterly) RRP: $29.95 – but if you use my unique code LIFESTYLE at the checkout on the Lush Have It website, you are eligible for $5 off your first box from Lust Have It, and at the same time you’ll also be supporting Beauty & Lifestyle Hunter, as I will get a few dollars too if someone subscribes using this code.

Available from Lust Have It

What I Say:

Invisible Zinc Tinted Daywear SPF30+ - Full Size (RRP $14.95/20ml)

This is a sunscreen and tinted day cream in one, and I really like this one – I first tried it last month, when the January Issue of Marie Claire came with a sample tube of it, and I instantly liked it, and have been considering buying a tube, so getting one in the box is just a bonus! It has a sheer coverage, and like most other sunscreens it doesn’t stay put on my skin all day, but a quick dusting of powder mid-day solves that. I got the colour Medium, which is a little dark, and I would have preferred the Light colour, but seeing its summer and I do have a bit of a summer tan, I think I can just get away with it!

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel – Sample Size 30ml – (RRP $45.80/118ml)

I love the inclusion of this gel. Firstly, I’ve never tried Paula’s Choice, so I am excited to finally be able to. Secondly, this gel promises to exfoliate the skin’s surface to fade signs of sun damage – just what my skin needs – so I really can’t wait to test this one out. And it is a generous 30ml sample, so I should be able to get a fair idea of how the gel works.

The box also included a coupon for free freight of your next order from Paul’s Choice, and with no minimum spend required, so that is a good offer.

Simple Kind to Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes – Sample Size, 7 wipes (RRP $6.99/25 wipes)

I think I’ve mentioned this before, but I am not a regular user of facial wipes, and predominantly use them when I go overseas as I find them handy to have in my hand luggage, but with a baby, I don’t plan to go anywhere anytime soon, so the inclusion of these unfortunately does not excite me. In saying that, I may find use for them as hand wipes in my nappy bag ;-) Alternatively, they always come in handy next to my computer when I am swatching makeup for blogging purposes.

Model Co Shine Ultra Lip Gloss – Full Size (RRP $18/4ml)

I don’t mind this lipgloss, it is moisturising, and has next to no colour, just leaving a nice gloss to the lips, or on top of a lipstick, - however, I already have a few of these in my stash of lipglosses. I am certain that the exact same colour lipgloss was in another beauty box only recently, but I cannot for the life of me remember which one! So while it adds great value to the box, unfortunately this one doesn’t excite me this time around! I could only wish that ModelCo would have included a different type of product from their range.

Aveda Dry Remedy Daily Moisturising Oil – Sample Size, 3ml (RRP $25/40ml)

This oil is to increase the hairs moisture levels by 41% without weighing it down or making it look greasy, and I love that it has been formulated without silicones, so there is no build up in the hair. I love the inclusion of this one as my hair is always a little dry this time of year when it is so hot, but I only wish that the sample had been a little bigger, as with my very long and thick hair, there is hardly sufficient product for one use.

The box also included a coupon with the offer of free shipping and a free Dry Remedy sample trio, with shampoo, conditioner and masque  (10ml each) when you purchase a Dry Remedy Daily Moisturising Oil from Aveda.

Evodia Lemon Sorbet Hand Cream – Full Size (RRP $17.95/100ml)

I love citrus scented products, so I love love love that this hand cream is included. And even though I already have more hand creams on the go than I should, and had made a promise not to open another one until I’d finished up a couple, I just couldn’t resist, I just had to try it and smell it, and simply smells divine. And as promised, the hand cream which contains vitamin E, shea butter, macadamia oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter, olive oil and Kakadu plum, leaves the hands feeling soft without leaving them feeling greasy. And this is also the first product I’ve ever tried from Evodia, and I love it, so I will definitely be checking out the rest of their product range.

Finally, the box also included a card with a teaser for the February Box…. It will include a deluxe sample of Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel….. Whoa…..I am excited about that one. I have long had it on my wish list to try out this peel from Juice Beauty, so I can’t wait for this one….

Overall, I think this box is still a good box, as I love the inclusions of the Evodia Hand Cream, the Paula’ Choice Gel and the Invisible Zinc Tinted moisturiser – and consequently, for me, the box is well worth its price. The Aveda Oil, the facial wipes are good additions, and although I am not too excited about receiving yet another ModelCo lipgloss, I am sure I can find it a new home where it will be well appreciated.
*This product was kindly provided for consideration, and has been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

What do you think of this month’s Lust Have It box? Are you a subscriber? Or are you maybe considering subscribing? Have you tried any of this month’s products?