Well hello to you my reader chums! In all honesty, I've never been a fake tan user as really, I was too worried about turning into an orange oompa loompa. However, I had my boyfriend's university summer ball coming up and wanted a bronzed glow for the event. I had no idea which products were great and what I should use, but as I was browsing through Superdrug I came across Palmer's gradual tan. I've always heard raving reviews about this brand, that I put my trust in this product - and it's safe to say I wasn't disappointed.

Here are my thoughts on Palmer's natural bronze body lotion...

Consistency and blending ability

One of the main things I was concerned about when using fake tan was being left with streaky marks on my skin, however, this product put me at ease. As the consistency of this product is incredibly creamy and liquid-based, it blended easily on the skin and in turn, left me with an overall even finish. The texture was also super gentle and thin, and upon application, it didn't feel heavy at all or take ages to sink in. Instead of having to linger around for a while waiting for the product to sink in, I only had to wait for a few minutes.

Scent

Certain fake tans can have a strong scent to them, which if I'm honest, aren't the greatest smell. This bronze body lotion did hold a scent to it, not as strong as other products, however, there was a lingering cookie-like smell about it. I can't say I hate it, but also can't say I like it - it's one of those scents that doesn't really faze me, and is rather subtle.

Gradual tan power

When it comes to the tanning power, I was rather impressed. From the first use (I applied before bed), the next day I had an all-over bronzed look. It wasn't crazy brown or anything like that, however, it was a lovely bronze tint. I continued to use this for a few days leading up to the ball, and on the day I had what I like to think was a beautiful tan. It didn't look fake, or orange-tinted in the slightest - the tan had an overall natural look, and gave me that little confidence boost I needed for the day.

Lasting power

I was quite surprised by the lasting power of this tanning product. After a few showers, there was still an underlying tint of the product which took a few days to go away. With that in mind, I guess you could say the lasting power is quite strong and great for a gradual tanning product.

Overall, I'm very impressed with Palmer's natural bronze body lotion. As I wasn't sure what to expect, I was blown away by the results. If you're looking for a tanning product that gives you a natural, non-streaky tan, this is for you. The product is super moisturising, blends with ease, and lasts for a lengthy time - I couldn't fault it. It's also at the cheaper price at around £5/6.

I hope you enjoyed this beauty review. Have you tried Palmer's natural bronze body lotion?

Thank you for reading <3 

Well hello to you my reader chums! Travel is my favourite thing, I love nothing more than seeing a new destination and exploring different cultures. If you're a regular reader on my blog, then you'd know I love to post guides of places I've visited and travel tips I've picked up along the way. Today, I wanted to do something different, linking to travel - my own Q&A. I took to Twitter to ask for a few questions and got a great response from some blogger friends.

Here is my travel Q&A...

Favourite countries you've visited and why? @sophiemarak

This is a very tricky question as I love everywhere I've visited and have many favourite locations. I think my favourite country I've seen is Italy. There's something about Italy that has always held a special place in my heart, and every time I go, I want to see even more of the beautiful country. It has a rustic charm, incredible food scene and some of the best sights I've ever witnessed.

Best islands to visit in Greece? @jaimejeanmorton

I have to admit, the only Greek island I've visited is Crete, so I can't really give you a comparison. However, what I will say is Crete is a beautiful location, whether you're looking to experience Greek culture or, simply sun it up for a week, it's a dream-worthy destination. Even though Athens isn't a Greek island, I've visited several times and absolutely love it. There's something so special about all the ancient history and the Greek vibe.

Why do you enjoy travelling? @shirleycuypers

Travelling is my favourite hobby and I'm not entirely sure how to explain why I enjoy it so much. I think there's something really incredible about seeing a new destination, discovering a new culture and trying different food. The world is an amazing place, and exploring it is such a privilege to have that I can't help but catch the travel bug. I am a self-confessed travel addict.

How do you plan to go to different places? @callikitson 

Usually I get my inspiration from reading blogs and seeing photos on social media, and once I've found a destination, I'm set on booking a trip there (it's a terrible problem). I'll research the best flight deals, search for accommodation and read all I can find out about the destination, and then I'll have another trip lined up.

Worst place you've visited?

Now this is a really tricky question, because there aren't any places I haven't liked. However, I have been slightly disappointed when travelling to a new place. Milan for instance wasn't as glamorous as I'd thought it would be, especially outside the main square.

How did you feel going on your first travelling experience on your own?

I've suffered with anxiety for years and taking the step to get a flight on my own was a massive deal. At first I was absolutely terrified because I was in an airport on my own, however once I was on the plane I settled and felt okay. Luckily, I was meeting my aunt on the other end so it wasn't exactly a complete solo trip, however I'm proud to say I've flown on my own.

What's your plan travel-wise? To visit as many countries as you can?

Yes! I'd love to see as much of the world as possible. My next big travel plans for the moment are to save up, go backpacking around south east asia, and inter-rail around Europe. 

How do you remember the places you visit, apart from pictures?

I think other than pictures and my own memory, the main way I remember places is by documenting them on this blog. It means I can look back once time has passed by and see what I got up to on my travels. Reading the posts, also brings back plenty of happy memories.

Have you ever had any serious delays? @naomirowan_blog

The biggest delay I ever had was my flight to Barcelona. We were stuck on the plane for 4 hours until it set off, and they wouldn't allow us to get off the plane during the delay. The worst thing was the fact we were only in that city for a few days, and because of the delay, we missed out on half a day there.

Any attractions you accidentally stumbled upon?

Probably the most recent attraction I stumbled upon was Miradouro da Senhora do Monte in Lisbon. We were walking to town, and we somehow found the highest point in Lisbon -The views were stunning and it was truly a jaw-dropping moment.

Top 5 places to visit on your bucket list?

There's plenty of places on my bucket list and the top 5 have to be Thailand, Bali (or all or Indonesia), Dubai, Vietnam and Iceland.

If you could only holiday to one country for the rest of your life, which would it be?

This is a really hard question! I would have to say Italy, as it is my favourite country to visit and there are many different areas I've yet to see.

Have you ever done volunteer work abroad?

No, but I'd love to help look after the elephants in south east Asia.

How do you go about finding good deals on flights and accommodation? @afrugalfrenchie

For flights, I always use Skyscanner, a flight price comparison website. It shows the best deals and times, across a wide spectrum of dates and I love it. Accommodation wise, I use a mixture of Booking.com or AirBnb, depending on which is the cheapest for the destination I'm visiting.

What were your favourite places to visit? @ftlobooks

Out of everywhere I've been, I think my top 5 places were Rome (favourite ever city), Venice, New York, Amsterdam and Barcelona.

Favourite new food you've tasted whilst travelling?

I feel like this entire Q&A will be Italian themed, however you really can't beat traditional Italian pizza, pasta and gelato. Not really a new food, but completely different to what we have in the UK.

Favourite way to travel?

It's a tie between planes and trains; there's nothing more magical than soaring through the sky and landing somewhere new, and with trains, I love how peaceful the journeys are.  

Cities or beaches?

I'm a massive beach lover, I grew up by the seaside so anywhere with a beach I love. However, when it comes to travelling, I think I prefer cities more, as there's loads to explore.

Who do you like to travel with?

I love to travel with my twin sister, or go on a gals trip. Travelling with different people offers a unique experience to the next.

What was the best deal you ever managed to get? What did you do with the extra money? @igaberry1

I like this question a lot, as I'm always on the hunt for deals! I have to say the best deal was my trip to Rome and Venice. I managed to get flights to Rome for like £40, flights home from Venice around the same price, and a £20 train ride between Rome and Venice (which can usually be £90+). With the spare money, we had a fancy meal in both Rome and Venice, dining in St Marks Square, which really was a luxurious experience.

I hope you enjoyed this travel Q&A. What is your favourite country you've visited?

Thank you for reading <3

Well hello to you my reader chums! Whether you're a teen or young adult, going on a flight for the first time can be a new and exciting experience. If you're a first-time traveller and unsure of the airport system, what to pack or where to even begin planning the flying process, I'm going to share my tips I've learnt over the past few years of travelling.

Here are my 10 top tips for first time flyers...

Search for the best deals - The first step of the flying experience is booking your flight, and finding the best flight time for you. You can go directly on airlines websites, however I find it easier to use Skyscanner. This website compares all flight times and prices for your dates, and shows the best deals. You can also alter the times of your flight once you've clicked on a deal, which usually increases the cost a little more, however it's a useful tool. Once you've chosen your flight, it'll take you directly to the airline's website where you'll pay and fill in your details.

See when you're able to check in - Checking into a flight is pretty important, and can usually be done between a few days to a month before. Most airlines allow you to check in around 48 hours before, however EasyJet for instance lets you check in up to a month before which is very useful. 

When you've checked in you'll need to get your boarding pass - you can either print it out, or download the airline's mobile app and have it on there to scan at the airport.

Buy travel insurance - One of the most important things to consider when flying is travel insurance. If your flight is delayed or cancelled completely, travel insurance will allow you to get your money back and rebook. It's also helpful if you fall ill, or lose your luggage at the airport.

Hand luggage rules - Whether you're having a cabin case as your only luggage or travelling with a handbag, it's useful to know the hand luggage rules. The three main things to consider are the size of your bag, liquids and what you can't bring in your hand luggage.

Each airline will have a limit on how large the cabin bag can be, and before your flight I'd recommend having a quick Google of your chosen airline to find this out, otherwise they may make you put it with the main luggage and you'll have to pay an additional fee. When it comes to liquids, every individual liquid has to be under 100ml and fit in one 20 x 20cm bag. They provide these plastic bags at the airport, however I like to use a see through makeup bag when I travel because I can pack it before I go and it saves a lot of hassle at the airport. You can buy clear bags in places like Superdrug or Boots - mine was from Boots and only cost £4. Apart from obvious things not to bring in your luggage including sharp objects, one thing many people forget is you can't bring aerosols - so if you've got deodorant, either buy a roll-on or pack it in your hold on luggage.

Weigh your baggage - If you're going on a longer trip or simply pack a lot, make sure to weigh your suitcase (hold luggage) before you leave home. Before the suitcase goes onto the plane, it'll be weighed and if it's over the limit for that flight, you usually have to pay a certain fee for every added kilo. Each airline will have a different weight limit for their hold luggage so again, research this before you pack.

Keep all documents in one place - When you travel, you'll have a few important documents with you including your passport, insurance, boarding passports, accommodation information and any other important bits, so it's handy to have them all in once place. I'd recommend bringing a see through wallet file to put it all in so you're able to carry it around together, and if you need an important file, can take the designated folder out without having to search your handbag.

Bring things to do - It may go without saying but whether it's a short or long flight, it's good to keep occupied. On a longer flight, entertainment is sorted with the complimentary TVs, however on a shorter flight, you'll need to bring the entertainment. There's plenty of things you can do: read a book, colour in, write a story, listen to music, a podcast, or simply have a nap. But make sure you don't miss your first ever landing - always keep your eyes peels once the pilot has announced landing.

Keep hydrated - Flights can be pretty draining and dehydrating. You're essentially sat down for several hours without much movement and that's bound to make you tired. The best things to do is keep hydrated and eat so when you get off the flight you don't feel too groggy.

Bring a travel pillow - If you want a nap or not, a travel pillow is a massive life saver on a flight. After a while, seats can get a little uncomfortable, however with a travel pillow in tow, it'll add a little comfort back into your flight experience - and plus it makes for a better sleep position than the dangling head.

Enjoy it - Last but not least, enjoy your first flight experience! It's new and exciting, and hopefully the start to even more adventures around the globe. The world is your oyster - go and explore it.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What tips do you have for first-time flyers?

Thank you for reading <3

Well hello to you my reader chums! I'm not entirely sure how it happened, but we're somehow already in May and the summer season is now fast approaching. April was a busy month and time really seemed to sweep by. Over the fast few weeks, I've been enjoying a couple of new products and a novel which I'm excited to share with my readers.

Here are my April monthly favourites...

Real Techniques 'targeted blending brush'

Real Techniques are my favourite ever brush brand. All their brushes and sponges I've tried have always been of top quality and delivered the perfect results, and I love trying out their new varieties. I received their limited edition, 'ready set glow kit' for Christmas which included the 'targeted blending brush'. I'm a bit of a brush hoarder that when I receive new brushes, I don't use them straight away as I'll just grab for my go to brushes on a daily basis. However, over the past few weeks, I've been obsessing over this brush to blend concealer under my eyes. It's quite a dense brush but super gentle to use underneath the eyes without tugging. The brush blends with ease and helps achieves a very natural but well-covered look.

Gone Girl book

Reading is one of my favourite hobbies and lately I've finally got back into the habit of reading on my commute and delving in the world of fictional stories, once more. A book which definitely deserves a mention is Gone Girl. This book came out years and years ago, however I never got round to reading it. I can see why it was hyped, is a best seller and got turned into a film - the book is insanely brilliant, I loved it. It's one of those addictive page turner books which suck you in until it is complete.

The plot line is based around the couple Nick and Amy. On the day of their 5th wedding anniversary Amy goes missing and the police suspect Nick. All the evidence is pinned against him and the riveting story unfolds about what really happened to Amy. The storyline was well thought out, I loved learning more and more about the characters and how every single factor unveiled. I honestly couldn't recommend this book enough! It has so many twists and turns, and the detailed descriptions are superb.

L'Occitane foot cream 

Something that's always on my agenda is to moisturise more because generally, I always forget and only take the time in the summer when my legs are on show. However, as my feet have been really dry lately, I've been using the L'Occtinae cream to soothe them. I've never really tried a good foot cream before because I would typically use one of my standard body lotions. I think that's where I've been going wrong as I've found this cream has really been doing the trick. Its lavender scented, has a beautiful thick consistency and blends into the skin with ease.

Simple 'micellar facial gel wash'

I don't change my face wash up very often, however recently I wanted to see what else the high street had in store and picked up Simple's 'micellar facial gel wash'. I'm a big fan of Simple because their products are super gentle on the skin and do the job quite nicely. What I love most about this is one, the gel-like consistency and two, the lack of scent. If a product isn't scented, then I know I'm not putting additional chemicals or perfumes onto the skin. Looking for a natural new face wash? This is the one to go for - and it's affordable too.

Lisbon city break

Travel is my favourite thing and I had to mention my latest adventure in these April favourites. Last month, I went to Lisbon for a swift city break with my best friends, to soak up the sunshine, do a spot of sightseeing and eat some good food. Lisbon has a rustic appeal, with traditional trams and plenty of rich history to discover. I loved learning more about the city, exploring the tucked away streets and delving into the Portuguese culture. If you're heading to this city soon, check out my 3 day guide to Lisbon.

I hope you enjoyed these monthly favourites. Which products have you been loving this month?

Thank you for reading <3