My holiday checklist…
You would think that after so much travelling in my 20s, I would be an expert packer, right? Wrong. Oh so wrong! There’s often items I think I won’t need, that I end up repurchasing when I’m there out of desperation. There’s products I deem essential as I’m shoving them in my toilet bag that never see the light of day when I arrive. I’m hopeless!
I’m writing this post for myself as much as you lot, I want to have a beauty checklist to come back to so I know what’s important to me. A go-to lineup that I can run through as I pack to make the entire process streamlined and stress-free.
The ‘Do It All’ Palette
I don’t tend to wear a lot of makeup when I’m away (or even when I’m at home!) but I do see it as a time to experiment a little and try products and looks I wouldn’t usually wear. I usually pack a few new products that I’ve been meaning to try so I can have a bit of fun with them, and this is where palettes come in to play. Anything that contains a blusher, bronzer and a few eyeshadows goes straight in to my makeup bag, it’s a great way to save on baggage restrictions and try new products.
The NARS Hot Nights Palette* was my first pick when it came to packing – they’re always my go-to for palettes because they curate such a good selection of tones. The golden hues are perfect for achieving a sunkissed golden glow, offering an everyday hit of bronze and a few options for amping it up in the eve too.
An Ultra Quenching Moisturiser
I constantly feel like my skin is lacking on the ol’ moisture front, but definitely more so on holiday with the sea and sun zapping my complexion of hydration. I always make sure to travel with a properly quenching pick to ensure my skin feels soft and plump. The Kiehl’s Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream* was my plus one on my last holiday and I completely fell in love – as did my husband, who now has his own pot.
This feels soothing, smoothing and delicious hydrating on parched complexions, it’s a toiletry bag essential for your next getaway!
All The SPF
Oh yes, the suncream is always packed whether it’s a sunny vaycay or not. For body, I usually pick something like the Caudalie Suncare Oil* because it’s lightweight and smells delicious.
For face, I adore the La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF50+ because it’s the only facial suncream I’ve found that never irritates my eyes. It sinks in instantly, doesn’t break me out and applies instantly. Forever my go-to!
A Hydrating Face Mask
Whenever I’m on a sunny getaway, I love to shower off after a day by the pool or beach and then go heavy with the hydration! I usually apply a face mask after drying off, and then nap with it on before heading out for dinner.
My favourite for travelling is of course the Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask, it really is the perfect pick-me-up for skin in need. My complexion is always super glowing and healthy after a dose of this!
The Best Body Lotion
There’s one product I pack with me for every single getaway, and that’s the Sol De Janeiro Bum Bum Cream*! Not only does this smell like holidays, it has the most flawless formulation! I love applying it all over after a shower, it sinks in instantly and leaves me feeling wonderful! I was once sent a mini size of this (available on Cult Beauty) and now I just top it up from my full size tub every time I go away. Honestly, it’s my favourite body cream!
Always A Hair Mask
I always feel like a hair mask is such a unnecessary item to pack for a few days away, but after a day or two of chlorine and sea water, I always regret not taking one! My hair really suffers in the sun, so putting a mask in before I swim or before a shower always makes such a big difference. I really rate the Kerastase Soleil Mask, it’s designed for hair that’s been subjected to harsh sun and sea so it’s the perfect companion for summer holidays!
Of course, there’s definitely more than I ram in to my case before jetting off, but this is a good start! I feel like everything else (my base, perfume, lash curlers, cleanser) easily falls in to place, but there’s it’s always a hair mask or body lotion that I think I don’t need… and always end up missing!
What are your holiday staples? Any advice for this terrible packer?!
