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essentials

Whether it's a girl's trip to a Spanish beach resort or a backpacking adventure through South East Asia, there are a few essentials you can't afford to forget about.

While travelling is one of the most exciting and enriching things we can do, leaving the important items at home has the potential to ruin your trip.

Many of the standards we keep up at home fly out the window as soon as we step onto foreign soil, but there are some things you always need to bear in mind.

From eyewear, to health products, to electronic lifesavers, here's your essential guide to everything you'll need to take with you when travelling, wherever the destination.

Source: Pixabay

Carry-On

Your carry-on bag should always be reserved for the most important items, especially any relating to your health and wellbeing.

That means any medications you need should always be carry-on items, as well as any special equipment or health-related items that you need to function.

It's also a good idea to have some "travel versions" of items that you regularly use.

If you're visually impaired, your best bet is to bring contacts, no prescription needed, along with you in your backpack or handbag.

If you're worried about where to pick some up or have already left for the airport, it's now easier (and faster) than ever to get no RX contact lenses online.

Simply order your contacts without prescription from a trusted retailer and you'll receive them in no time. Similar rules apply to everyday items such as tampons, painkillers and bug-repellent sprays, all hang-luggage material.

Also make sure to pack a change of underwear and any device chargers in your carry-on – baggage going missing is not unheard of and these are things you don't want to be caught without!

Source: Shutterstock

Suitcase

Some items can be stuffed into your suitcase to be used upon arrival in your destination.

Make sure to pack clothing for every weather (and enough clothes for a few days at least), as well as however much makeup is needed to get you through the day.

It's also recommended that you pack a towel in case your accommodation doesn't provide one, as well as a sleeping bag liner in order to avoid any nasty surprises in a hostel dorm room bed.

Also make sure to throw in larger liquids such as moisturiser, shampoo, wet wipes (a true godsend) and any other toiletries you can think of, and you will be prepared.

Source: Pixabay

Electronics

The truly savvy traveller knows to take the right electronics on board with them.

Luckily, all you really need is an average modern smartphone, as long as you've downloaded the right apps.

Wherever you're going, consider downloaded apps specifically run by the public transport authorities of your destination. Also make sure to get apps detailing air pollution, temperature, pollen count and local SPV.

You can take steps towards meeting other successful women on the go with popular friendship apps such as MeetUp, so you can expand your global network.

The key to smart travel is looking after yourself. Once the essentials are taken care of, the rest will fall into place.

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The final festival of the Irish summer is fast approaching, and the thought of packing for it is already exhausting.

We’ve decided to make things a little easier for you by rounding up our festival beauty essentials list, so you don’t even have to think about what to add to the contents of your beauty bag.

NOTE Ultra Black Dipliner €5.95,  PS… Brow Gel Mascara, €1.50

Starting with the eyes, most of us like to slather on the eye makeup for a festival, to make a statement without a huge amount of effort.

If you want to look ‘done’ without a full face, then a lashing of mascara teamed with these two products is the way to go.

First up, a simple brow gel from Penneys much-loved PS… range (which is now certified cruelty-free, btw). This gel is tinted, adding definition to sparse brows while tidying fuller ones.

To make tired. three-day-weekend eyes stand out, a slick and flick of winged liner will do the trick, and NOTE Cosmetics does a douzy of one, in an ultra-black opaque formulation.

e.l.f. Aqua Beauty Molten Liquid Eyeshadow €7.25, KISS Blow Out Lash €6.00

For an elevated eye look, we’re all about the one step eyeshadow. At a festival, there’s no time to be faffing about with cut creases and blending.

e.l.f has launched a range of metallic liquid eyeshadows, for a shimmery eye look in one brush stroke. It’s also enriched with Purified Water and Vitamin E to help hydrate the skin – essential at a festival for tired eyes.

If you’re not a lash extensions gal, a pair of fluffy eyelashes can take your festival makeup look from afternoon bop to rave in the woods real quick.

We’re hankering after the new Blow Out Lash line from KISS, who are bringing you the wispy lash look on a budget.

PrettyLittleThing In your dreams tahitian gold face gems €9.80

For some added sparkle and as a finishing touch, we’re all about the face gems.

While the more the merrier seems to be the look du jour, there’s nothing wrong with a more subtle sparkle – like these Tahitian games from PrettyLittleThing.

With just 3 gem clusters making up the set, it’s a classic but low maintenance festival look.

Uriage Thermal Water Spray 50ml €5.00, Garnier Skin Naturals Quilted Cleansing Wipes €2.49, PAYOT Déodorant Fraîcheur Energisant €13.95

While makeup is a pleasant addition to a festival look, we also need a few other beauty essentials in our arsenal.

If we’re lucky enough to get hot weather, a refreshing cool-down thermal spray is a must have to avoid dried-out skin and general over heating. Uriage Thermal Water Spray has the highest concentration of minerals and trace elements of any spray out there, so we’re packing a mini version in our side pocket.

Makeup removal can be a tall order when you’re falling into a tent at 5am, so frankly while we know makeup wipes are a skin sin, you can’t really pack a festival makeup bag without them. We’re opting for these Garnier Cleansing Wipes that even take off waterproof makeup.

Lastly, we want to take a really good deodorant with us (just in case the queue for the showers is outrageous). PAYOT Déodorant Fraîcheur Energisant has the most divine scent of bamboo and green tea, keeping us fresh to death all weekend long.

Redken’s Color Extend Blondage Shampoo €11.95, Garnier Fresh-Mix Face Sheet Shot Mask With Vitamin C €5.95 from pharmacies

Now, once you manage to drag yourself home on the Monday, you may want to take on some pampering tasks to make you look human again for work on Tuesday (S.O.S).

First up is a shower, obviously, but while you’re in there blondies, you may want to take account of the damage your processed locks could have acquired from three days of sun. Redken’s Color Extend Blondage Shampoo banishes brassiness and will have your blonde looking so fresh it will seem like you stepped out of a Stradbally salon rather than a field.

Once the kettle is boiling and you have the hair up in a towel, it’s time to address the skin issue. Understandably, once all the glitter has been washed away, your skin may resemble a mountain precipice – slightly grey and a little bumpy after three days and nights of drinking.

A serum infused sheet mask will sort you right out, and we’re lusting after the good work of Garnier, who have served up a Vitamin C Shot Tissue Mask.

Vitamin C is a skin saviour, with anti ageing and brightening benefits. If your skin cant wait, you could even pop it on on the bus home from the festival.

Festival beauty bag, sorted.

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It's about that time of year again. Evenings are getting shorter, there's a definite chill in the air, and college students across the country are gearing up for another semester of tight deadlines and mid-week partying. 

And whether you're a fresher or a fourth year, it's essential to start the year out in the right foot. 

From laptops to stationary, shopping for college supplies can seem like a daunting task. But never fear – we've done the all hard work for you. 

Here's our top pick of this year's back to college essentials. 

1. Laptop

So, this one is kind of obvious, but important to mention none the less. Whether a you're total tech newbie, or just looking for an upgrade, August is the perfect time to invest in a new piece of kit.

With so many back to college offers just dying to be snapped up, make sure to shop around for the best deals. 

HP Notebook –  €429.99 Currys PC World

2. Headphones

Whether you need to drown out the sounds of a packed canteen, or simply want to unwind with your favourite album on the bus home, headphones are an essential part of college survival – trust us.  

Beats by Dr Dre Solo 3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones – €309.99 Littlewoods Ireland 

3. FitBit 

Let's face it between study and socialising, many students just don't have the time to focus on their health – which is why it's a lot easier to let a gadget do it for you. 

Designed to help you become more active, eat a better and sleep well, a FitBit is the perfect choice for a anyone looking to keep their health on track while studying. 

After all , those late nights, early classes and liquid lunches can really take their toll.

Fitbit Alta HR Black RRP: €149.99 – Currys PC World 

4. Printer

We've all been there. Your essay is due in 15 minutes and someone has chosen that exact moment to print out two copies of their 20,000 word thesis. 

Save yourself the stress and do it at home.

HP Deskjet 3720 AIO Wireless Printer – €79.99 Currys PC World

5. Bag 

It's got to be enough to hold those heavy textbooks, yet stylish enough to bring along to those post-lecture pints. 

It's a fine line. 

Black quilted backpack – €47.00 River Island 

6. Planner/ Notebook

Sure, you could use your phone or laptop to keep track of important dates and deadlines, but there's something oddly satisfying about keeping track of your schedule the old fashioned way. 

Happy Jackson Great Ideas A5 Notebook  – €12.99 Littlewoods Ireland

7. Reusable Coffee Cup

Even if you're not a coffee drinker, a good thermal flask must for those early commutes. 

Whether it's a black americano, a refreshing herbal tea, or just some left over soup from the night fore, there's something very comforting about a warm little pick-me-up on a frosty morning. 

Travel Mug – €6.00 Dunnes Stores 

8. Smoothie Maker 

While the contents of your fridge may not scream health and wellness, chances are you'll be able to forage enough fruits and veggies to whip something together. 

Perfect for an on-to-go breakfast or post-lecture snack, a good quality blender is a welcome addition to any student kitchen. 

Brevill VBL134 Blend-Active Personal Blender  – €39.99 Littlewoods Ireland 

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Summer is right around the corner, and we've already started thinking about where we want to jet off to on our holidays.

There is nothing better than taking a city break with friends or heading off to the sun, but it can be seriously inconvenient if we forget something along the way.

Here are a few things we always forget, so make sure you put them on your list of travel essentials. 

1. Toothbrush

This is definitely the most important essential that people forget to bring all the time.

The best thing to do is have a travel toothbrush specifically ready for going on holidays with you, that way you can leave your usual one at home to languish without worrying about having to remember it the morning of your flight. 

SONIC Chic has just unveiled their Urban Collection, which includes six gorgeous, holiday-worth designs that fit perfectly into your travel bag. 

The eclectic range of electric toothbrushes are available from Boots for a complete bargain at €14.95.

 

2. Flip flops

There is no excuse to forget flip flops when you can get them cheap as chips on the high street and in Penneys. 

Buying them at home before you go is a good option, as often seaside vendors abroad charge a bit more for them, knowing that people have forgotten them at home. 

Penneys have so many gorgeous styles at the moment, including these two pairs, which come in at only €1.00 and €2.00 respectively. 

3. Chargers and adapters

You can pick up adapters easily in the airport on your way, but be sure to hold on to them when you return so you can use them again and again. 

Chargers are another often forgotten item, so make sure you have one stashed away in the pocket of your handbag at all times. 

4. Headphones 

There is nothing worse than having a long journey ahead of you with no headphones available. 

These can be bought from pretty much anywhere, but it's so annoying to have to spend money on something you already have at home, so make sure to pack these the night before. 

 

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5. Tea bags 

Yes, we know it's a bit of a cliché, but sometimes all you want in the evenings is a decent cuppa. 

Just pop a few tea bags in your case for emergencies and you're good to go.

The tea bags can also help keep your clothes fresh on long-haul flights thanks to the odour absorbing power of tea. 

Feature image: Instagram/pavlinajagrova

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You did it: you sat and survived your Leaving Cert – even nabbing a miraculous B1 in Honours Irish in process. You collected your results and held tight until yesterday morning when CAO tallies were released. 

In short, you’re now a proper adult; ready and willing to embark on your third-level education.

In fact, you reckon you have a whole host of challenging matters totally sorted: Sixth Year holiday; Debs date; term-time accommodation… not to mention a few mean dance-floor moves.

Still, have you considered the essentials? You know – like things to actually cook food with? Or devices on which to study?

No? Well, at least from next week Aldi is releasing a load of AMAZING kitchen essentials, gadgets and technology items to make the transition to college as hassle free as possible.

On sale from Thursday August 27 (stick the date in your phone), we reckon that a load of returning second, third, and fourth years will be updating their kitchens and their desks too with a few of the bargains.

 

 

Mini oven; €27.99

Accessories include baking tray, grill rack and tray handle – available in black, red or white. 

Double hot-plate; €29.99 

Super handy as it means you can have two pots cooking at once. Comes with an adjustable thermostat. 

Table-top fridge; €89.99 

This has a 45-litre capacity and an icebox with two fixed door racks with a removable wire shelf. Available in black or white.

One-cup coffee maker; €19.99 

Yes! One of our favourites, it features a reusable mesh filter and also includes a stainless steel thermo travel mug with a lid, so you can bring your morning coffee to lectures with you.  

Plus…
 
Kitchen basics, from €1.99

Don’t forget about Aldi’s oven dish (€4.49), colourful wok (€5.99), chip and pizza tray (€3.49) and kitchen tools (€1.99 each) including a slotted turner, spaghetti spoon, masher, ladle or slotted spoon.

Kitchen gadgets, €1.99 each 

Get a cheese grater, peeler, pizza cutter, tin opener, garlic press or corkscrew. Available in five colours.

Sandwich box, €2.99 each 

Keep your sandwiches and snacks fresh in Aldi boxes – a must-have for anyone on a budget. Available in blue, pink or green.

 

And away from the kitchen, Aldi also has some handy, great-value gadgets for study…
 
MEDION AKOYA notebook; €229.99

An ideal budget-buy. It’s lightweight and features Windows 10 Home and Intel HD graphics. It also has a HD display, 32GB of flash memory, and 2GB memory. Then there’s the high-definition audio with two loudspeakers, an integrated webcam and microphone, and up to nine-hours of battery life.

 

Multi-purpose powerbank; €14.99

The pocket-sized power bank is the perfect accessory for travel or when you know you’ll be out all day and will need to charge your devices at some stage.

 

Bluetooth headphones; €24.99

High-quality sound on the move! These headphones are nice and light and allow you to stream music and phonecalls wirelessly. Available in four colours.

 

For all of the above and more to make the transition back to college even easier, head to Aldi on Thursday August 27 while stocks last. 

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With Electric Picnic just around the corner, our beauty expert Odette tells us what we need to look fresh all weekend.

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