My Vietnam Experience / RealGap Review

As you know I recently returned from a four week trip travelling around the North of Vietnam - the 'Vietnam Experience' which I booked with RealGap (see their website here). All year I had told myself that I wanted to travel somewhere this summer as its the last summer before I finish University and head into the real world, so I thought it would be a perfect time to go. 

I debated about asking friends to travel with or even going alone, but in the end I decided that I wanted a trip where I could where I could meet new people and be completely in control of where I was going without having to compromise with friends when it came to budget and location. Obviously there is a small risk that you will end up on a trip with people you don't get on with, but with 14 others on mine I thought that risk was pretty small. Luckily, my group was amazing and we all bonded extremely quickly - I certainly made some friends for life!

And my final reason for booking through RealGap was the fact that once it was booked that was it. No working out routes, no booking accommodation, no booking transport... The itinerary was all organised for you and all that was left to do was booking flights. If you are going on your first trip alone it definitely puts you at ease as it's pretty risk-free and safe!

Now the trip itself. Vietnam was absolutely stunning, I can't even describe how beautiful and interesting a country it is. With it's incredibly rich and recent history full of war and conflict, it is amazing how the country has rebuilt itself in a short time. Every place we went to was so different; Hanoi and it's crazy roads full of motorbikes and street food felt like worlds away from the quiet and stunning countryside scenery of Sapa.

Excuse the sweaty back - we had just trekked for 10km!

The Itinerary had a few flaws, a few boring days where we felt like we were just wasting time, but on the whole there was a great mix of activities and excursions and also provided plenty of time to bond with the group over food and drinks in the evenings. The Vietnamese guides we had were great and taught us a lot about traditions and cultures whilst also being part of the group and, by the end of the trip, good friends.

Highlights of my trip:

• Seeing various temples and learning about Buddhism
• Cycling through the stunning scenery in Tam Coc
• Tasting endless delicious Vietnamese Spring Rolls
• Spending a night at the Hot Springs and the National Park in more basic accommodation
• Experiencing the Night Bus on our trip to Hoi An (not part of the itinerary, we organised this amongst ourselves)
• Trekking through Sapa
• Staying with the home-stay family in Sapa (the food was amazing!)
• Kayaking through caves at Halong Bay
• Jumping off the boat at Halong Bay

Scenery in Tam Coc

Whether with RealGap, with friends, or alone - if you feel like trying something new and stepping out of your comfort zone - travel. Yes it can be expensive but as a friend of mine said the other day, it is what life is all about. Not saying you need to travel to the other side of the world either - my year I spent in France was the best year of my life so far and I am so thankful that I did it.

It will teach you more about yourself and other cultures than you ever imagined. Saying yes to that trip that you have been thinking about for years will be the best decision you make, I promise.

Which country is top of your travelling list?

Alice x

For more photos of my time away, see my last post here

Cleansing Water

One of the many advantages to living in France is the easy access to great skin-care products! I heard so much about Bioderma through the blogging world so could't wait to see what all the hype was about. I have also tried Sephora's own version so I thought i'd give you my thoughts on the new trend of 'cleansing waters'.

Bioderma travel size - RRP €3.50
Sephora mini cleansing water - RRP €3.00

I am the most lazy person when it comes to cleansing my skin - its just boring and timely lets be honest. So these cleansing waters are definitely right up my street! I just pour a few drops onto a cotton pad, wipe over my face and voila - done. They are both extremely similar products and do pretty much the same thing - they are unscented, gentle on the eyes and great for sensitive skin. If I had to pick one it would be Bioderma just because I feel like it really takes every spot of make-up off gently.

Do you like to use cleansing waters?

Alice x

Maybelline 'The Falsies' Mascara - Review

Today I am going to do a short review on the Maybelline 'The Falsies' Mascara. Its a product which I have seen loved by loads of people all over youtube and blogs so I thought it was about time I picked it up! It was on offer for about £4 when I purchased it so not bad price-wise.

Maybelline 'The Falsies' Mascara in 'black drama' - RRP 7.99

It definitely does a great job of giving my lashes length and curl - I particularly like the curved wand as it makes it so much easier to apply. Below you can see before and after pictures to see it's effect...

Before

After

So as you can see they give amazing length and give a spidery effect which I like. The only downside to this product would be that I find it smudges underneath my eye during the day a little.So maybe when it runs out I will think about buying the waterproof version as I feel it may stay put for longer.

If it wasn't on offer i'm not sure I would pay £7.99 for it as I feel there are cheaper mascaras which do pretty much the same thing. But for £4 I can't complain!

Overall a great mascara though and definitely one of my favourites :)

Alice x

Wake Me Up Foundation - Review

Hey hey,

So I have been in need of a new foundation for a while as I was running low; and I have pale skin, it is not always easy to find a good colour match as well as good coverage! My last foundation was Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation and, although it was definitely the best foundation I had tried so far, I had heard a lot of good things about Rimmel's Wake Me Up Foundation. 

After trying it for a week or so now I think its a really great foundation and doesn't break the bank at £7.99. It claims to have an 'anti-fatigue effect + radiant glow' which I think it is true as it makes my pale skin look healthy and awake. The fact it has SPF 15 is a plus as well, especially, again, for paler skin as it is more sensitive to sun damage.

Overall, I would definitely repurchase :)

Alice x

Everyday Make-up

Hello again :)

I have decided to do a 'beauty' related post today and show you my everyday make up and the products I use. In no way am I a make-up expert, if anything i'm still learning but hopefully this will interest someone! My everyday make-up is usually similar to this, the only part I switch up really is my eye-shadow and the use of bronzer (as you can see I haven't used it today though I do sometimes to contour).

I often wing out my liquid eye-liner although it is hard to see here.

1. Boujour Healthy Mix in No. 51 and 17 'Hide & Chic' in Soft Ivory
2. Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in No. 1 Fair
3. NYC Smooth Skin Pressed Face Powder
4. Collection 2000 Fast Stroke Eyeliner in Black and Eye Pencil in Black (I think also C-2000)
5. Maybelline Colour Tattoo 24hr in 05 - Eternal Gold
6. Natural Collection Blush in Dusky Pink

I mix these two foundations as I am at the point where they are both running out and niether are the right colour for my skin. However I purchased Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation today so once I start to use that I will be sure to tell you my thoughts on it! I will also be reviewing the Colour Tattoo soon as I have really enjoyed using it recently as it is so quick and easy.
The Collection 200 concealer is my Holy Grail product - I am definitely lost without it as it is amazing. The other products I don't have much to say for - I repurchase them all as they are cheap and cheerful and do the job really. I am definitely someone who doesn't like to spend a lot on make-up as I feel it can be such a waste if the product is then rubbish and also at the end of the day I can think of better things to spend my money on than high-end make up products.
I have just realised that I haven't included my mascara - I use 17 Peep Show mascara which I find is definitely one of the better mascaras I have used.

I definitely go on peoples advice so that I know that the product I am buying will be good - so please let me know of any recommendations you might have for me!

I hope you are having a lovely day :)

Alice x