Hospital Care Package

Hospital Pamper Essentials

Hospital Pamper Essentials

As some of you know my Mum had to go into hospital last week (thank you for all your well wishes & thoughtful messages). I wanted to put together care package of products that would help her feel like herself so I took to Twitter to ask your advice and so many of you responded with suggestions for things I could include, you are a very clever bunch.

A great suggestion was face masks – so I included one of the new Garnier Moisture Bomb Sheet Masks and a set of the DHC Eye Masks. I thought when she felt up to it she could have a little pamper session and luck had it she was in a room to herself so she wouldn’t frighten the other patients in a sheet mask. I really like these Garnier Masks and they are very hydrating which is always good when you’re in quite a dry environment like a hospital.

A flannel is a must and I also thought this could be used as a cooling towel if she had a headache. Just a simple thing but if she was unable to fully shower for a few days at least she could refresh her skin.

Simple Cleansing Wipes – again just a handy thing to include and these ones are quite gentle and moist. Useful for a quick freshen up & I like to use them on my hands too.

Beauty products for hospital

Pureology Fullfyl Shampoo & Conditioner – my Mum has colour treated hair so I knew these would be perfect for her and if she wasn’t up to using both steps, the shampoo alone is still hydrating and leaves hair feeling soft and clean. I love these minis from pureology and I knew they would come in useful.

Being one of my favourite products I couldn’t give my Mum a pamper bag without including the Jurlique Rose Water Balancing Mist. This is a lovely product to keep your skin feeling refreshed and hydrated and I love the subtle rose scent and find it quite up lifting. This cute bottle will be perfect for my Mum to spritz throughout the day.

Aveda Hand Relief Hand Cream – This is a lovely, non greasy hand cream and it keeps skin feeling supple and soft for hours. It contains hydrating plant emollients, humectants, exfoliating fruit acids and anti-oxidants-including vitamins A and E-help diminish signs of ageing and provide optimal relief. Increases moisture levels and elasticity in skin with continued use

ESPA Skincare Treats

ESPA Skin Rescue Wonderbalm – This is quite a new release from ESPA and its a fantastic multi use product. It unites some of nature’s most renowned calming and antioxidant-rich actives including Blackcurrant Seed Oil, Manuka Oil and Balloon Vine Extract to intensely soothe, replenish and strengthen dry or sensitive skin. As I said it is a multi taking product and can be use on dry skin, lips, cuticles, knees, elbows or feet as often as required. A great product to include and I know my Mum will get so much use from this.

ESPA Instant Facial – sounds ideal for someone that isn’t feeling their best. This is a Tri Active product and gives you the benefits of a serum, protection of a treatment oil and revitalising effects of an essence in a single product. This is jam packed with skin loving ingredients and ones that will help your skin to glow and look its best including Combining antioxidant Macroalgae Cell and Winged Kelp Extracts with White Truffle Extract, stabilised Vitamin-C and encapsulated oils. This is lightweight but very nourishing.

One thing my Mum will be doing in hospital is sleeping so I had to include a good overnight cream and the ESPA Overnight Hydration Therapy is one of the best. A Tri-Active blend of replenishing plant extracts, restorative marine actives and soothing essential oils that feeds your skin with the essential vitamins, nutrients and minerals it needs to look and feel smooth, supple and energised.

Hospital Skincare Essentials

To help my Mum to relax and feel calm I have included two of my favourite products one being the Origins On The Spot Relief. This has a lovely peppermint scent and you apply it to your wrists, back of the neck, earlobes and sit back and relax. Also the This Works Deep Sleep Stress Less this is a roll-on rescue remedy to aid calm days and restful nights.

Finally I have included a Dr Bronner Lipbalm and this one is super hydrating and smells minty, and a Hand Sanitiser.

I am hoping my Mum enjoys the products and that they help her feel more comfortable, refreshed and a little pampered.

Which skincare / personal care products would you take in with you?

*This post contains PR Samples

Haircare for a Special Occasion

Party Hair Prep

Party Hair Prep

I went to my brothers’ wedding last weekend and I don’t really do the whole dressing up all glam, I’m 100% more comfortable in a casual setting, so when it came to styling my hair I knew I was going to go for a look that was simple. My Mum, Bride & a few other girls went to the salon to have their hair put up or styled but I like to do my own, that way you get exactly what you want. I thought I would share a few of the products I used on the day.

Pureology Fullfyl Shampoo & Conditioner

This duo is so good at giving your hair a really good clean but leaving it with a little volume and a gorgeous healthy shine. It is more for colour treated hair but I always think haircare that is formulated for that is gentle and less striping and this range is perfect for that. It also leaves my hair with fewer flyaways and gives it a nice texture once styled. I have the full sized versions but how could I resist taking these minis away with me. Pureology is 100% vegan and sulphate free so your hair is in good hands.

Shea Moisture 10 in 1 Multi-Benefit Hair Masque*

If I am honest when it comes to hair masks I am a little lazy and more often than not it is a step I skip. I do have my favourites that I use when my hair is looking lacklustre or when I need my hair to look its best for a special occasions. This Shea Moisture SuperFruit Complex one is one that never lets me down, its rich formula gives your hair a boost of hydration and just leaves it feeling silky soft. I leave this on for as long as I can, generally about 45 minutes, it contains so many lovely ingredients and the positive results are not only visible immediately but also long-term.

  • Superfruit–a blend of red raspberry, ketones, goji, acai and guava extracts rich in anti-aging antioxidants
  • Marula oil–contains natural plant peptides that help support hair’s elasticity
  • Biotin–nourishes individual strands for thicker, stronger hair
  • Shea butter–deeply moisturises while conditioning hair and scalp

OGX Moroccan Curling Perfection

My hair is naturally wavy so when it comes to styling it for special occasions I like to wear it as natural as possible. If I try and straighten it I know that a few hours later it will have kinks in it & if it gets wet its pretty much a frizzy mess & game over. If I add a little curl to it I find it holds really well and looks better throughout the night. I love OGX haircare and this Curling Perfection Cream is fantastic to help my waves/curls look natural and doesn’t weight them down. It’s not going to leave your hair crusty or heavy with product, so if you like more of a natural effortless wave to your hair this product is for you.

Nicky Clarke Supershine Conditioning Tong

Nicky Clarke Supershine Iconic Steam Conditioning Tong* £39.99

As I said my hair is naturally wavy but to ensure it looked a little more polished and like I’d made an effort I used this pretty swish black & rose gold curling tong from Nicky Clarke.  I like that this tong is super lightweight, the barrel is 25mm which is perfect for creating subtle, natural curls and you can vary the temperature to suit your hair type from 130c to 210c.

  • Ceramic finish barrel gives fast, even heat and smooth, snag-free styling for soft, silky styles
  • Ionic conditioning locks in moisture to keep hair healthy and frizz-free
  • Automatic safety shut-off after 60 minutes.
  • 30 seconds heat-up time.
  • 5 settings up to a maximum of 210ºC, with digital controls and LED display

There is a little reservoir at the tip of the tongs which you fill with water so you can release a little steam to lock in moisture and help your curls have a little more structure to them. I also run my fringe through these to give it that slight curl under. All in all, this is a great quality styling wand and it looks very luxurious too, my hair kept its curl all day and night. There is also a hairdryer and straighteners in this Supershine range & if like me you often forget to turn them off this range has an auto shut-off after 60 minutes for safety, such a great safety feature.

I didn’t take many photos from the Wedding of my hair but I do have this one of me & my husband towards the end of the night.

Wedding Guest Photos

*PR Sample