Fashion & (Life)style blog: Weekend and short breaks: travel essentials for women + a few pics from my trip to Cambridge

We sometimes need a break from our everyday life, but we can’t afford all inclusive 7-day holiday in Spain or Greece. In a result, we may decide to take a break and leave our home town/city for a weekend or a short stay during the week. It normally happens in the summer, when we don’t really want to spend hot and sunny days at work.

If you have a car, then you probably can take as many luggage cases as you want, but what about people who travel by bus or train? I have a few tips for you, which will save your time and space in your cosmetic bag.

Before you go, you have to sort out a few things. Firstly, wash your hair and style it as usual. This way you won’t have to take your shampoo and conditioner with you. Instead, grab a bottle of dry shampoo, which will remove any excess oil and leave your hair fresh. My choice is Batiste dry shampoo in Cherry (10). The sun can make your hair dry . To prevent this, you always have to wear a straw hat or a bandanna in a fashionable pastel colour. On the other side if it rains, you don’t want your hair to go frizzy, so you can apply a serum, which will help it to stay shine and in the right place. My choice is: Schwarzkopf, Osis+ Magic finish anti-frizz shine serum (11). Also, don’t forget a hair brush! I recommend a Tangle Teezer (8), because it’s very handy, light and easy to pack. And it brushes your hair well and painlessly gets the knots out.

The other thing you may want to do before you leave is to paint your nails. It will save you time, and in a result you will have more time for sightseeing, sunbathing or any other activities. Plus, you will be glad that you look well groomed. You can take with you a small bottle of nail polish, and if the one on your nails chips, you can put on another layer. You don’t have to worry about removing it and painting it all over again. In the end you’re only away for a couple days.

Face care is very important during the summer, so don’t forget a cream with SPF, minimum 15 (Clinique day cream (7) ). Also, you don’t want to put too much make up when it’s hot outside. I personally skip foundation and use a concealer instead, which I put under my eyes, on and around my nose, and in places where I have spots. I use Illuminating Touch Brightening Concealer from Collection (5). I put a Maybelline New Matte Maker Mattifying Powder (4) all over my face, which prevents my skin from shining and it helps concealer to stay in place. During the day, instead of putting another layer of powder, you may want to use shine absorbing sheets, which will remove the oil and keep your make up intact. My choice is Kleenex Shine Absorbing Sheets (12).

You want your lips to look healthy and shiny, so resign from heavy lipsticks and use Vaseline (6) instead. You can also use a Nivea Lip Balm with SPF15. When it comes to eyeshadows, try to choose light or brown colours. The perfect choice will be a 2 in 1 product: eyeshadow and blush on the same time. Sleek and Kobo (2) bronzers and blushes can be used as eyeshadows, because they’re very pigmented and long lasting. Don’t forget about pearl and shimmery eyeshadow in white, champagne or beige colour. You can also use it as a highlighter. My choice is Bourjois Little Round Pot eyeshadow in Beige Rose (1).

Additionally, try to choose dual sided brushes. You will be able to do nice and neat make up, and you will save yourself a space in your cosmetic bag. Lastly, grab a sun lotion with a minimum of SPF30 (you want to protect your skin from burning!) cleansing wipes (they’ll be helpful when you soil your clothes with ice cream), a small pot of your favourite body and face cream, tissues and a foldable tote bag, and you’re all ready to go. Compact cosmetic bag sorted!

Make up products

Hair products

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Now I'm going to share with you some photographs, which me and my boyfriend took (or other people took for us) when we went to Cambridge to celebrate my graduation. Unfortunately, two nights weren't enough to explore the city. Cambridge is a magical place, and surely we will be visiting it more often!

Day 1