Helpful Handbag Products From Merci Handy

If you're anything like me, anti-bac is your life. 
It's true.... I can't go anywhere without a trusty bottle of anti-bacterial hand gel safely nestled in my bag. Ready for public places, people and of course - transport, I don't think I could actually tell you how many bottles of gel I've gone through in my lifetime but, it's a lot!

Merci Handy contacted me last month at the perfect time.... just before the lsle Of Wight Festival - a place where anti-bac is needed by the dozen and a total must-have for my festival backpack.
Receiving four of their hand gels, New Wave (not pictured), Cherie Cherry, Oh My Lemon & Black Vanilla, I knew I would be in no short supply... even when half my friendship group hold out their hands after every trip to a portaloo because they know I'm always armed!

These hand gels smell delightful and are in such a handy (excuse the pun) size, very similar to the old style Bath & Body Works hand gels. They aren't drying in the slightest which can be a real downfall for some brands and they actually leave my hands feeling really soft.
The scent 'New Wave' isn't pictured because I actually used the whole thing before I got round to shooting for this post.... it was my festival saviour!

The Merci Handy team were also kind enough to send me one of their Refreshing Face Mists.... which I didn't know I needed in my life until this god damn UK heatwave! 
A delightful reviving and refreshing mist which in it's 'Flower Power' scent reminds me of a body spray I used to use but in a very toned down form. The doesn't ruin my make-up and really does give a moment of cool to the face, neck and chest which is needed when stomping up a hill home!

Have you tried about Merci Handy products yet? They really are a fab brand for little handbag essentials!

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Everyday Lip Shades To Add To Your Collection

Hello lovely people - before I jump into this post I just wanted to remind you all that my Instagram account has changed! Yes I have a totally new account so don't forget to give it a follow :) - @AlohaKirstie ..... now the promo is done - time to chat lippys!

I'm very much a creature of habit and even though I am the owner of countless lipsticks, glosses and liners I always have that collection of favourites that I am reaching for on a daily basis.

I love to see what products bloggers are reaching for again and again (I mean, we all try out so many it's always good to know what gets picked up time after time) so I thought why not share 6 of my go-to everyday lip shades with you guys.... because basically - you seriously need them all in your life!

You might think they look similar..... but they so aren't - I promise!

Featured :

Tanya Burr Matte Lip - Martha Moo | Sleek Matte Me - Birthday Suit | NYX Liquid Suede - Soft Spoken | Lancome Juicy Tube - Caramel Gospel | MAC - Velvet Teddy | MAC - Brave

MAC - Brave
This is a lipstick a bought.... purely down to a pinterest post! Yup, I spotted an image of this and the lip liner Soar and fell.in.love. This is the perfect subtle rosy pink, especially if you're not into thick heavy colour!

MAC - Velvet Teddy
I love this little beauty - a MAC essential which I think everyone needs to own! The perfect nude in my eyes, I don't think I've seen anyone it doesn't suit.... I even bought it for my Mum!

Lancome Juicy Tube - Caramel Gospel
This product is one that I randomly had for SO long before actually picking it up and trying it out! When I say this makes your lips look big and juicy... I'm not kidding! The shine is incredible and it's so smooth to apply, plus it smells amazeballs.

NYX Liquid Suede - Soft Spoken
Soft Spoken seems to have become my go-to for Festivals and nights out - I wore it at the Isle Of Wight Festival, V Festival and when out in Mallorca! It lasts SO long and the deep colour really is one of my favourites ever! 

Sleek Matte Me - Birthday Suit
Bargain alert! This little beauty is only £4.99 - remind me to invest in some more shades - Sleek always have gorgeous original colours! (Their lipstick 'Mystic' is fabulous)

Tanya Burr Matte Lip - Martha Moo

I did a full blog post on this product not too long ago (here) so you can read my opinion in full over there. Such a lovely shade, perfect for adding a bit of a pinky rose tone to your look - I feel like it's alot lighter on the lips than it looks on my arm though!

What are your favourite lip colours to rock daily?

Clutch Bag Essentials & Giveaway

It's coming to that time of year again. Christmas parties, family gatherings and that all important New Years Eve.
Most of these occassions will include a cute little dress, a nice pair of heels and of course.... a clutch bag!

Now I have a list of things I ALWAYS carry in my clutch - no matter what time of year or where I'm going - if I'm on a night out... these things will always be in my bag.

1. Tissues
I have to carry tissues wherever I go..... I think it's just the dreaded thought of having to go for a wee without them haha, believe me they have come in handy many a time on a night out!
2. Anti-Bac
Yeah.... I'm not leaving the house without this stuff! My favourite at the moment has to be the Soap & Glory Sugar Crush hand sanitizer, it smells amazing.
3. Eyelash Glue
I'm such an eyelash fan on a night out - I don't feel complete without them! I HAVE to take glue with me though, the thought of one flapping around and having no glue to fix it really scares me, so I always have one packed. 
4.Small Purse
How cute is this little Minnie Mouse coin purse! I don't like to take my huge wallet out with me (and normally it doesn't fit along with everything else in my bag) so a small purse it always a must. 
5. Lip colour of choice
Whatever shade I've picked - I've gotta take it with me! All those drinks sometimes rub it off so re-applying because a regular occurrence this time of year.

(Obviously my phone and keys are in there without question)
Last but not least.... 6. my Travalo! I can't even think how many times I've talked about these since I started blogging - it was even a blogger that made me buy one in the first place back in 2011, they looked so handy and I was about to go travlling so it was a must-have. Your favourite perfume with you anywhere and everywhere 24/7 - perfect for us girly girls!

This is where the exciting part of the post comes in.

Yes! I've teamed up with Travalo to give FOUR of you the chance of winning one of their can't-live-without atomizers!

There are 2 original Travalo's and two Milano Travalo's up for grabs (the colour of your choice... subject to availability) and all you have to do is fill in the Rafflecopter below - the perfect little treat just in time for Christmas!

Good Luck you beauties!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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The NEW Travalo Milano

Travalo are a brand I've spoken about countless times here on A Yellow Brick Blog. I have been using their original spray bottle for probably 4 years now and I think they are one of the greatest beauty products out there - I'm constantly recommending them to people!

If you aren't quite sure what a Travalo is then I will go ahead and explain for you now...
Travalo is an easy peasy perfume vaporisier that fits into your handbag so you can freshen up on the go wherever you might be.
They are the perfect way to have your favourite perfumes with you 24/7 without carrying round your awkward glass bottles!
You fill the travalo in seconds directly from your standard perfume bottle - as you can see to the right! All you have to do is pump to fill, it's literally that easy.
These are a must for me for holidays and weekends away, it saves on so much room and the panic of a possible breakage!

Travalo Milano - Pink*

So when I heard that Travalo had a new luxury collection being released I was really excited and when I was asked if I would like to try one out I was even more thrilled!

 I have two of the regular bottles already and use them constantly but to have something which looks a little more sophisticated and luxurious is even better.

There are eight colours to choose from, so there is literally one for everyone (and they aren't just for girls!) : Sky blue, black, white, red, baby pink, pink, navy & orange - as you can see I have the pink version. 

The new pioneering spray head now produces a finer mist which helps disperse your perfume over a wider area - great idea right?

Not only this but the inner bottle can now be removed and is interchangeable with the travalo classic and other future models.

This is SUCH a good idea in my opinion, I do hate it when I want another perfume with me but my current Travalo isn't empty yet so I have to stick with the one I already have filled.

The Milano is a 5ml bottle which contains 65 sprays - which technically could keep you going for a 2 week holiday if you used it sensibly -  that is a long time for one little handbag sized bottle! (Which can I just say will fit in the smallest of clutch bags!)

All in all I LOVE Travalo's new design, it feels and looks alot more up market and all the parts they have ungraded are just fantastic.

The Milano collection is available from September 2015 at www.travalo.com and are priced at £35 each.

I was a little surprised at the price jump at first but for something that will last years and years that you can use everyday I feel it is justified, especially for the high quality.

Have you tried a Travalo before? I couldn't go on a night out or a holiday without one!

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12 Of My Festival Essentials

Living on the Isle Of Wight (Yup, that's where I've been hiding!) I like to think of myself a fairly experienced festival-goer!

 Having the Isle Of Wight Festival & Bestival on my doorstep every year means I've been  too about 13 Festivals since I was 15  and with those had the most amazing times with amazing people and of course seen the most amazing bands/artists!

Over the last 9 years I'd like to think that I've learnt alot about Festival-going and know exactly what I need to pack along with my tent and alcohol, I'm a huge girly girl and definitely need to feel clean and fabulous still.... even if I'm surrounded by sweaty drunk fools, stinky porta-loos and muddy puddles!

So I've put together a few small essentials that will help get you festival ready in no time, some may be obvious & some you may have never even thought of! 
Obviously I'm very lucky and even if  camp I can always head home for a lovely warm shower and a change of clothes.... one day I WILL do a Festival properly though! 

Travalo : Now if you haven't heard of these yet you have been seriously missing out! The perfect (and only) way to take your favourite perfume along with you while taking up no space in your bags!
 Just pop the top off your choosen perfume to reveal the white stick and pump this bottle on top - your perfume is transferred into the mini bottle, perfect for travelling, perfect for Festivals! I have 2 and they are a god-send!

Anti-Bacterial Hand Gel & Holder : This has got to be number 1 on the 'Things to take to a festival list'.  You will need to use anti-bac... alot - those portaloos are GROSS, believe me I have seen some sights in my time! These hand gels have amazing clip on holders too so just clip it onto your bag/shorts/anything and you wont have to route around your bag with dirty hands to find it!

Mini Mouthwash : Brushing your teeth... with a toothbrush, toothpaste, water ... is a bit of a mission if your sat at your tent in the middle of the day, in the middle of a field! Mouthwash's are great to take with you and leave in your tent for when you want to freshen up! Just spit into sn old cup and pop it in the bin when you're done! Fresh breath and no hassle! Chewing Gum will just annoy you when you're drinking or eating all afternoon/evening!

Bumbag : A bag with no straps, nothing to carry, nothing to leave behind and forget, all your belongings with you zipped in at all times .... bumbags are the perfect Festival bag to keep your prized possessions safe and sound! Also great for when you need the loo!

Wellies : I don't care what anyone say - even it is was boiling hot... I'd always wear wellies... do you know how disgusting some of those loo's are? You o NOT want to be walking around those areas with sandals or trainers... think of the germs! Eww! 
Also.... an amazing work out - wellies are heavy, like wearing ankle weights, and the amount of walking you do at festival is bound to help you tone those pins up!

Pocket Tissues : Because no-one likes being stuck in a loo without any loo roll... and that will happen alot!
Top Tip:  Hide them before you go into the toilet or you will have everyone and their grandma asking for one... and it's not that you are selfish but you don't want to be left empty handed later on in the day because you've been Mrs. Generous in the loo queue! 

iPhone Charging Case :  Well this is a genius idea! Yes there are places that will charge your phone for you for a few hours BUT if you're in the middle of a crowd, waiting for a band or popping to the bar/loo on your own the worst thing is your phone battery deciding to die! So... whack this case on, easy peasy! Not only will it protect your phone but you can choose when to give your phone a bit of extra charge - perfect! 

Sunglasses : Obviously you need sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun, but they are also amazing to hide half of your face!
 Lack of sleep, too much to drink, couldn't be bothered to put make-up on, or you did put make-up on but that 7 hours ago and you aren't looking too fresh - sunglasses are the answer! There are so many to choose you so you can look like a fashionista at the same time!

Hair Scrunchies : Weather it is too hot and you are sweating a bucket in the crowd or it's chucking it down with rain and the windswept looking really isn't your thing there will be a point where your hair will need to go up. Like on top of your head up. 
So what better than a scrunchie - hair's up and you look cool at the same time, perfect! Just wear round your wrist in the day so it's always at the ready!

A Good Lip Product : Like I said before you will probably be wearing sunglasses  which means the only key make-up feature that people will see will be those lovely lips!
 Lipstick is obviously amazing and my personal fav but isn't always great if it's hot, as it melts and if you are drinking alot it can smudge!
 So you could always take good tinted lipbalm or lipgloss along too! 
Tip : If it is hot and sunny, do NOT use vaseline - that will burn your lips! 

Coin Purse : NEVER take all your cards to a Festival - just have one bank card (if you can) for emergencies, your ID (If you're over 18) and cash. 
You only need a little coin purse for these things - perfect for your small bag/bumbag, making more room for all your other essentials/valuables that you want to carry around with you!

Compact Mirror : It's not like you can go and check yourself out in those public loos because... just no - they have no mirrors and if they do you don't want to hang around in them to reapply your lippy! A little mirror in your bag is vital for us girly-girls!

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