At the end of April I will be going to Orlando for two whole weeks, by myself and therefore I have decided to do a few pre-travel posts as well as a daily travel blog diary whilst I am out there. Today’s post is all about skincare, haircare, cosmetics and toiletries which are all perfect for taking on holiday with you. This will be quite a lengthy blog post, but I wanted to give you my recommendations for those of you who are planning a holiday. In the coming weeks I will also be doing an in-flight essentials post, but let me know if there are any other holiday-themed posts you would like to see.
Haircare
I thought I would start from the top downwards, which means all things hair. Here are a few of my favourite haircare products, to help keep your hair in tip-top condition.
Diva Mini Pro Styling Hairdryer – Hairdryers in hotels don’t tend to be the best and so I often opt to take my own as I like to get ready as quickly as possible in order to make the most of my time abroad. This mini hairdryer is perfect for popping in your suitcase without taking up too much space or weight as well as drying your hair much speedier than the hairdryers you get in Orlando hotels, as these tend to be the type that are attached to the wall and go extremely slow. The Diva Mini Pro Styling Hairdryer is available here.
Lee Stafford Argan Oil Anti-Frizz Serum Spray and Nourishing Oil – I love this range from Lee Stafford, and as well all know, Argan Oil has so many amazing properties to keep your hair smooth at all times. The Anti-Frizz Serum Spray is definitely something I will be taking in my suitcase as Orlando is quite a humid place, and my hair ends up extremely frizzy, which is not a good look when I am going to be blogging and vlogging. I thought that the Nourishing Oil would be perfect after a day in the pool (think chlorine) or a day in the sunshine and heat, which would dry my hair out. You can check out all things Lee Stafford here.
Unite Beach Day – This texturising spray from Unite is perfect for a quick holiday look. It does come in quite a large bottle though and so I would recommend popping some into one of the smaller travel bottles. You simply spray onto damp or dry hair to give gorgeous beachy waves, as well as thickening the hair and providing lots of texture. I personally would add a spritz of dry shampoo on an evening, followed by this Beach Day spray to give a fab, natural look. Unite Beach Day is available here.
So…? Glamorous Dry Shampoo – I use dry shampoo every single week of my life, without fail – I use it to either refresh my hair or to give it a little volume and texture. Therefore, without doubt, I take a can or two of it on holiday. In Orlando I don’t go overboard with my appearance as it is so casual over there, and so rather than blowdrying my hair every single day, I can use a spritz of this sweet and sensual spray to keep my hair refreshed. You can check out the entire So…? range here.
Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray – This is without doubt a holiday staple in so many girls’ toiletry bags and is a cult brand in the world of hair. It is a salt water surf spray which adds body to fine hair and can be used on damp hair before styling or on dry hair for some instant lift. I found it worked best when I applied it on my damp hair before blowdrying, using just a few spritzes through the lengths and at the crown. For extra speediness, I then tip my head upside down and blow dry it through, just using my fingers to keep plumping up the hair or sometimes | prefer to let my hair dry naturally whilst I sit in the sunshine with a cocktail. Surf Spray is available here.
Ojon Rare Blend Oil – Okay, first up, just how pretty is this bottle? It is one of those products which I just want to place on my dressing table and leave there to admire it everyday. As mentioned before, my hair hates the heat and it really dries out due to chlorine in the pools and the sunshine. To use, you simply rub a small amount between your hands and apply it to the ends of damp hair. You could dispense this into a smaller travel bottle and add a little as you are in and out of the pool to give your hair extra nourishment. It smooths down and really hydrates the hair as well as smelling BEEEEYOOOUTIFULLL! Kinda fruity, perfect for holidays. Ojon Rare Blend Oil is available here.
Lush Karma Komba Shampoo Bar – Orlando has amazing shopping opportunities, and therefore I like to keep my suitcase weight down to a minimum, and this fabulous shampoo bar from Lush is perfect for that. No need for heavy shampoo and conditioner bottles, this lightweight bar fits perfectly into your toiletry bag. It lasts so long as well, you simply wet the hair and rub the shampoo bar onto the hair to create a lather and then rinse. Normally I do use conditioner, but if you take one of the oils along with you, this should suffice. Lush Karma Komba Shampoo Bar is available here.
Skincare for the Body
Holidays play havoc with our skin as well as hair and so it is super important to keep the skin well moisturised and looked after. Here are some of my holiday essentials for body skincare.
Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair Fragrance Free – When it comes to body moisturisers, you can’t go wrong with cult brand Vaseline. This fragrance free version is perfect for those of you with sensitive skin, like me to keep your skin nourished after a day in the warm sunshine and to protect against harsh air conditioning. This bottle is the perfect size for a two week holiday, and I usually use a regular moisturiser just before bedtime. The whole Vaseline range can be seen here.
The Body Shop Wild Argan Oil Radiant Oil – This super product can be used on both the body and hair, and so if you are conscious of keeping your products and suitcase weight to a minimum, this is a perfect go-to oil. It smells divine and you only need a small amount of the product for either the hair or body, and I also like to add a little to my bath water to add a little extra care to my skin whilst on holiday. The Body Shop Wild Argan Oil range can be found here.
Grace Cole Miniature Trio – As much as I don’t like to spend too much time getting ready on holiday, I do occasionally like to have a little pamper session if I am having an early night. This cute little set from Grace Cole includes Relaxing Bath Soak, Moisturising Body Lotion and Soothing Bath and Shower Gel all in the fresh scent of Grapefruit, Lime and Mint. It is perfect for a little me-time or also great if you are just going away for the weekend and only require mini products. Grace Cole products are available here.
Welleco Super Elixir – What on earth is this I hear you ask! This is an amazing product loved by many celebrities, and is a highly specialised alkalising greens supplement with vitamins, minerals and trace elements to assist wellness and vitality. I think it is super important to keep your immune system on top form whilst on holiday as there are often so many bugs and illnesses floating around. The Super Elixir powder contains a balanced blend of 45 key ingredients and helps to combat stress, fatigue and premature ageing. I think this is especially useful to help get over jet lag or after a long-haul flight. Super Elixir is available here.
Wilkinson Sword Quattro for Women – This razor is a fabulously nifty little invention as it is a regular razor and a bikini razor all in one. The regular shave part of the razor is at one end and includes a papaya and pearl complex to give long lasting smoothness – no one wants to see those stubbly legs on holiday! To keep looking perfect in your swimwear, the bikini trimmer side of this fab gadget is battery powered and is adjustable, meaning it can give you a range of sizes, much like a men’s hair trimmer! I think this really is an amazing idea for holidays, as I personally can get a little self-conscious towards the end of my holiday and with the Quattro I can keep trimmed at all times. You can view the Wilkinson Sword range here.
Sure Maximum Protection Deodorant – I don’t mean to go all gross on you, but higher-strength deodorants are a must for us British whilst abroad. We aren’t used to humid, dry, hot weather and so I like to step up my underarm protection to combat any unpleasant scents which may be lingering. Sure Maximum Protection is a product I use a lot, and is a creamy formula which dries ultra quick to keep you dry throughout the day. Sure Maximum Protection is available here.
Teeth
Not forgetting those pearly whites, here are two products I will be popping in my suitcase to ensure my gnashers stay clean and fresh.
Wisdom UV Pro Whitening Toothpaste – This is my everyday toothpaste, and I do tend to take a full tube of toothpaste away with me, as I find the miniatures great for flights but they don’t last very long on holiday. After having a brace for the last 15 months, I like to take great care in my dental hygiene and as I cannot have my teeth professionally whitened for a while, this whitening toothpaste helps to keep my teeth as white as naturally possible. Wisdom products are available here.
Wisdom Micro Power Toothbrush – I normally use an electric toothbrush, but I don’t like hauling it abroad with me, as I would need to take the charger as well. This is a great alternative to an electric toothbrush, as it is battery powered, and comes with an AAA battery, which can be replaced when it needs to be. It gives 20,000 cleaning vibrations per minute, which is definitely more than I could do with a manual toothbrush and also contains whitening filaments for improved stain removal and tooth whitening. This pretty pink brush can be viewed here.
Make Up
I try to keep my make-up to a minimum on holiday, as hot weather and cosmetics don’t often go too well. Here are some fab products perfect for travelling.
DHC Mascara Perfect Pro Double Protection – This is a really neat-sized tube of mascara, perfect to pop into a small cosmetics bag. Apart from the size, it is fab for travelling as you do not need to use eye make-up remover to get the mascara off. You simply wet the lashes with warm water and smooth the mascara away from the lashes with your fingertips. Easy! You can find out more about DHC here.
Smashbox Try It Kit Best Sellers – I love travel-sized cosmetics as you never need full size products on holiday and you can also try things you haven’t tried before, without spending a fortune. In this amazing little kit, you get five products, all of which are best sellers. There is a Photo Finish Lid Primer, a Photo Finish Foundation Primer, Limitless Eye Liner, Lip Enhancing Gloss and a Full Exposure Mascara. These little beauties are also great for carrying in your hand luggage for a make-up touch-up before landing. They are all generous sizes and the lipgloss is a really pretty, natural pink, with a hint of shimmer, perfect for evening or daytime wear. You can purchase the Smashbox Try It Kit Best Sellers here.
DHC Olive Virgin Oil Cotton Swabs – I don’t have much space between my lashes and eyelids and so I can never ever apply mascara without it going onto my lids – therefore I normally use cotton buds and a bottle of eye make-up remover to get rid of the excess mascara. But these handy little swabs are already filled with olive oil and so easily remove my mascara without me having to take a full tub of cotton buds and a full bottle of eye make-up remover. You simply tear off the amount you need and off you go! DHC Olive Virgin Oil Cotton Swabs are available here.
Smashbox Double Exposure Eyeshadow Palette – I have recently started wearing eyeshadow on a daily basis, but if I took all of my favourites, I would have quite a haul to take on holiday with me. This palette is perfect for travelling as it contains 14 gorgeous eyeshadow shades, in neutrals, pinks and darks, as well as some being matte and some shimmery. In fact there is a lovely matte brown which you could also use as an eyebrow powder. But that is not all, each of these 14 shades uniquely transform into 28 shades! You just use a drop of water and each one will either get more intense, more shimmery or more metallic. So you are not just carrying 14 gorgeous eyeshadow colours, you are getting 28 shades in one neat palette, which also comes with a high-quality double ended brush. Inside the palette you get a leaflet which tells you which shade transforms in which way and also a guide for different looks depending on your eye shape. The Smashbox Double Exposure Palette is available here.
Vaseline Lip Therapy in Cocoa Butter – Lip Balm is another essential when holidaying as my lips dry out so much from the heat and air conditioning. This neat little tin can be popped in my hand luggage or my day bag whilst out and about to protect my lips and keep them looking kissable. I particularly love the Cocoa Butter version of Vaseline’s Lip Therapy as it smells divine. The Vaseline range can be seen here.
DHC Oil Blotting Paper – This pretty pink and gold booklet of papers is fab for on the go to help reduce any shine that may occur during the day or on an evening. I tend to get quite shiny skin on holiday, after using suncream and other protective products and so these papers are perfect for ensuring I look photo-ready at any time. DHC is available here.
Facial Skin Care
My face tends to dry out much quicker than the rest of my skin and so I tend to use separate products on my face than the rest of my body. Again, here are my top products for facial skin care.
Sun Sense Daily Face SPF 50+ – This is a product which is perfect for making your skin look and feel good as well as protecting it from the sun. It has a high SPF of 50+ and a sheer tint which gives an invisible matte finish and is perfect for either oily or combination skin to keep the shine at bay. It feels great on the skin as it is not greasy in the slightest and I found that it soaked into my skin immediately. Sun Sense Daily Face is available here.
Time Bomb Black Ops Dark Circle Rescue – I suffer from dark circles on an everyday basis, as I am a terrible sleeper, and so after a long-haul flight and getting over jet lag, it is important I use a specific product for under my eyes. Black Ops serum helps cushion and protect the delicate eye area where tiny broken capillaries can appear as dark circles. I would use this in the morning and on an evening, concentrating on where the darkness is most prominent to brighten the area. It is also a nice small size and so great for travelling or popping in your hand luggage. Time Bomb is available here.
Clarins Skin Beauty Repair Concentrate – Another cute size, this serum is an amazing SOS treatment for sensitive skin. The sun can cause so much damage – externally and internally – to the skin and so it is super important to keep repairing and protecting the skin whilst on holiday. I suffer from redness and sensitive skin and this product is perfect for improving these problems, as well as soothing and revitalising the skin and giving soft and radiant skin. No need for the haggard Madge from Benidorm look with this hero product! Clarins Skin Beauty Repair Concentrate is available here.
Bare Minerals SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen – You may ask why I am doing a Sunscreen product in my Facial Skin Care choices, but this is sunscreen with a difference! It is a little tube with has a brush attached to it which gently buffs a tinted powder onto the face. It is perfect for days when you don’t want to wear make-up but may be afraid to bare your skin – I personally hate my bare skin and so this is great for boosting my confidence without wearing foundation – but still gives you protection of SPF 30. It is much like the Bare Minerals mineral foundations and can be buffed as much or as little as you want to create your desired coverage. Bare Minerals SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen is available here.
Time Bomb Take-Off Time Cleansing Cream – Cleansers are the most important skincare step, but they often come in huge heavy bottles – not this one. This tube of cleansing cream is still 125ml and will certainly last for a two week stay. It smells heavenly and as well as cleansing well, it moisturises and gently exfoliates the skin to rid it of all of the dead skin cells which appear daily. It is quick and easy to use too, applying a small amount to damp skin and then rinsing with warm water to keep your skin squeaky clean. Time Bomb skincare is available here.
Ultrasun Face Tinted Sun Protection – As mentioned before, I do suffer from quite sensitive skin and Ultrasun do an amazing range of sun protection to take care of this. Their tinted protection for the face is anti-ageing as well as giving the coverage of a tinted moisturiser. It blends into the skin really well and smells quite fruity, which I love as often with sensitive skincare products, they are fragrance free, which can be a little boring. This Sun Protection has an SPF 30 and so you can be safe in the knowledge that your skin is getting all the protection it needs, with a touch of added colour. Ultrasun Face Tinted Sun Protection is available here.
Suncare
Last, but certainly not least, the most important part of skincare when it comes to holidays, is sun care protection. I never ever skimp on sun care as I have quite pale skin with lots of moles and so whenever I am in the sunshine, it is important I use a high-quality and high-SPF product. Here are my recommendations.
Clarins Sun Care Cream SPF 20, After Sun Moisturiser and Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster
I adore Clarins for both cosmetics and skincare and therefore I knew their sun care would not letme down. I opted for an SPF20 which I will use in my second week, once my skin has gotten used to the sunshine and I (hopefully) have started to build up a tan. It comes in a bright yellow generously-sized tube and is a cream formula, which soaks into the skin really well.
After-Sun lotion is another holiday essential, and not just for use on burnt skin – I think it is extremely important to keep the skin moisturised after exposure to the sun and therefore this ultra-hydrating formula revitalises and replenishes the skin and protects it from signs of ageing. It smells gorgeous and has a really thick, luxurious texture to really nourish the skin when it needs it the most.
As I am travelling to Orlando in April, the British sun won’t have made much of an appearance by then and so that I am not too body-conscious by the pool, I like to add a little fake tan to give me a bit of a colour boost. The Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster is a made to measure self tan, which means you add either a small amount or large amount to your regular moisturiser therefore, controlling the colour of the end result. You can find these fab summer skincare Clarins products here.
Riemann P20 Sun Protection in SPF 30 and 50+ – The P20 range is such a popular sun care staple for so many families as you simple apply it just once a day – perfect for children who are desperate to get into the pool instead of waiting for Mum or Dad to apply lotion. Both the SPF 30 and 50+ are spray formulas, which I find so much easier for quicker application. I would apply the 50+ to my face to enable extra protection from the sun and to keep those pesky wrinkles at bay, and perhaps all over on the first day or two, then going onto the SPF 30. It gives up to 10 hours of sun protection, is extremely quick drying and is also very water resistant – perfect for your water babies. So instead of re-applying my lotion, I can spend the time sipping a cocktail by the pool. P20 Sun care is available here.
RMK UV Face Protector SPF 50 – As I previously mentioned, I personally think it is super important to take extra care with your facial sun protection and this fab product from RMK is made just for the face, with a very high SPF of 50. It is a great handbag or rucksack size and so is perfect for topping up your face during the day, when you are out and about or by the pool. I find that I am forever popping my sunglasses on and off, drinking, eating and wiping my face, and so of course my sun care is being taken off each time, which is why I find it handy to have a product like this with me wherever I go. RMK products are available here.
Ultrasun Extreme Sun Lotion SPF 50+ – This is another once a day sun care product, except this one is for ultra sensitive skin and so is perfect for me. It is a pump bottle which produces a creamy texture and contains no nasties, including perfume, mineral oils, emulsifiers or preservatives. It is also water-resistant and contains antioxidants, which are great for the skin and is fast-absorbing which means you don’t have to wait ages before getting dressed. I found this cream non-greasy which meant that I got fabulous sun protection without looking like an oil slick – always a winner for me! Ultrasun is available here.
Dermalogica Protection 50 Sport and After Sun Repair – Dermalogica is another of my favourite skin care brands, which always deliver outstanding results. Their Protection 50 Sport needs to be applied just 15 minutes before exposure to the sun and is a light cream that soaks into the skin really well. It is water-resistant, but does need to be applied 40 minutes before you enter the water – best to apply before you go for breakfast and then by the time you are ready for the pool it will provide you with all the protection you need.
The After Sun Repair from Dermalogica is one of my favourites as it is a really cooling, soothing balm, perfect after a day in the hot sunshine. It helps calm the skin and reduce any irritation brought on by sunburn as well as being the perfect treatment to prevent signs of ageing, which lets face it, we all know the skin brings on. Dermalogica Sun Care is available here.
Finally, please be aware that sun protection can go out of date, so please check the bottles before you go on holiday.
I hope you enjoyed this (very long) post, please let me know in the comments below if you have any other holiday essentials suggestions.
Love,
Kathryn xxx