Holiday essentials

It's that gorgeous time of the year again when a few days in the sun are called for...and these much-needed days are due for me tomorrow...eeeeeee!!! Like last year, I'm heading to Ibiza for five days with my best girl friends (minus a couple!); I don't usually like visiting the same place over again but the White Isle is a big exception for me. We have the time of our lives, hitting Bora Bora beach in the day before partying way into the morning at the various clubs featuring the top DJs; I can't put my finger on it but nothing compares to the atmosphere of Ibiza if you're looking for a holiday with friends. There's some kind of mutual love for the place that you can feel resonating in the air, whether you're just chilling on a beach or dancing the night away.

Anyway, enough of my over-the-top appreciation babble. I thought it would be nice to snap a few pics of some of my holiday essentials.

First up and probably most importantly is SPF. Along with Nivea's trusty factor 30 Protect and Bronze Spray and Moisturising After Sun Lotion (with aloe vera), I've gone hardcore and bought myself a factor 50 bad boy for my face (Eucerin Face Sun Crème), since I'm growing ever aware of my age and fact this skin elasticity of mine is slowly worsening as the clock ticks. Prevention is better than cure, so I plan on wearing this daily, as well as when I return if it's suitable under make-up. I've been on the hunt for a non-greasy formula to start wearing throughout the year so I'm hoping this is a goodie. If not, I'm thinking of splurging and buying Kiehl's version.

I'm taking my Bioderma miscellar water (recently mentioned in my 'empties' post) because I know for a fact this is the only thing I'll bother reaching after a long, long night. Usually, I'd follow up with a cleansing face wash, but let's not be too ambitious eh.

As much as I LOVE wearing heels for a night out, Ibiza does not call for this type of foot punishment - unless you're a celeb with the comfort of VIP lounges, chauffeur-driven cars and all that jazz. SO, flats are a must for me and my girls. I picked up a load of sandals from Primark the last time I was in the UK, so these are top of my footwear list. I'm also loving the retro trainer look, so I couldn't resist picking up these Nikey's from my USA trip in May. At $30, I squealed! I plan on wearing these with denim shorts and a crop top and just raving the night away. Ahhh, the comfort.

I'm being good and only taking two bikins away with me; with only five days there, I figure this is more than enough, and if it wasn't for me still loving my Roxy bikini below (I'm a sucker for brights!), I'd just be taking my new fringed Abercrombie one, another bargain from the US (sorry, not photographed!).

As you can imagine, I'll be taking more make-up than this, but these will be my staples. I absolutely love the Bourjois 123 CC cream; it's so light yet has amazing coverage, so I'll probably wear this in the day, replacing it with the Benefit Hello Flawless (reviewed here) for evenings. The Maxfactor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush in Soft Pink (also reviewed here) is not only THE prettiest colour but it's fab for holidays because of it's size. Talking of colour, I LOVE this Makeup Revolution lipstick (reviewed here), which happens to be an amazing dupe for Mac's Show Orchid. And, of course, I'm a big fan of Bourjois's 1 Seconde mascara, so this will become well used.

As much as I love curling my hair with rollers (you can see exactly why here), they just aren't the most transportable things, so I'll be taking my trusty hair straighteners to allow me the best of both worlds (straight when I fancy the sleek look or curl when I'm wanting some volume and oomph!).

A little coin purse is invaluable for me on nights out. I don't like to take my full purse out because - not only would my bag way heavier than a small baby - I am well aware that I only need to use my ID (though getting rarer these days damn it), bank card and money, so there's just no point. This super cute New Look purse was a bargain on ASOS for only £2.50.

I'll be braving it and donning a couple of crop tops while I'm there, because if you can't do it on holiday, then when can you? I've been doing my sit-ups religiously (wellll, not quite), so I'm determined to get these on. The leopard print one is from Motel (bought in the sale for a lovely £13.50 on ASOS), and I plan on wearing it to the Zoo Project (an all-day dance sesh held in an abandoned zoo, where the idea is to dress accordingly).

Do you have holiday plans this year? What are your holiday essentials?

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