FACE: HOLIDAY PREP LIKE A PRO, FROM HEAD TO TOE
You've booked the holiday, sorted your outfits and now it's time for poolside prep. While I don't believe in arduous dieting to get bikini ready (pass the Tayto, please), some personal maintenance goes a long way to ensuring I'm good to go on arrival. For me, holidays = total relaxation, including a low maintenance beauty routine, though of course I want to look good while sipping my Cava sangria by the pool. Follow my pre holiday timeline on how to prep like a pro and arrive beach-ready at your destination. It goes without saying that not all of these are essential, but I've tried to include something for everyone!
TWO WEEKS TO GO
SMOOTH IT - Gently exfoliate your body every few days to slough off dead skin and prepare for tanning, whether real or faux. Your skin will feel softer, body lotion will absorb more easily and you'll avoid ingrown hairs. Try Sanctuary Salt Scrub for silky smooth limbs. I also have a great YONKA exfoliator shower crème if you prefer the creamier type.
READY STEADY TAN - If you're heading to hot climates, prep skin with a tan accelerating cream to boost melanin levels and help you tan more quickly with less chance of burning. I like Gatineau Tan Accelerating Lotion to help prepare for and prolong tanning in the sun.
HYDRATE - Apply a rich body lotion daily to nourish and hydrate those limbs that have been under wraps all Winter! Personally I love a Body Shop Body Butter – Pink Grapefruit, Mojito and Mango are my faves… But don’t forget drinking lots of water and eating a plant-rich diet hydrates your biggest organ from within too.
Hydrating hair should not be forgotten about either. Use a rich mask for a few hours before washing hair or an oil afterwards to deeply condition your locks before sun exposure. Personally I love the Bumble & Bumble overnight masque for damage repair and some good old coconut oil for afterwards.
ONE WEEK TO GO
CHOP CHOP - sun and seawater can lead to frazzled locks, so boost your hair with a trim before you go and use a rich conditioner while away.
BRAZILIAN (no, not that one) - Treat yourself to a Brazilian Blow dry - a deeply conditioning, smoothing blow dry that leaves hair looking extra silky for a couple of months post treatment. Worth every penny if you're frizz-prone and want to avoid blow drying in hot climates.
TRAVEL BEAUTY - Make sure you have all the beauty products you need to bring with you packed and ready, preferably in miniature form. Hopefully you'll need very little if you follow these tips!
48 HOURS TO GO
DE-FUZZ - Always remove hair before self-tanning to avoid patchiness, as the top layer of skin can be removed along with the hair. If waxing, be sure to leave at least 24-36 hours before tanning. Wear loose clothes on long haul flights to avoid redness and ingrown hairs, especially after a Brazillian!
THE BROWS HAVE IT - A brow tint adds definition and helps us look groomed even without makeup. Whether tinting and/or waxing, do this a couple of days before jetting off to allow skin time to settle before flying. Add in lashes if you're not going for extensions. I use Michelle in Holywood Brows near my home in Holywood. She is quite simply amazeballs.
GET GLOSSY - A gel mani & pedi means zero chips and waking up to immaculate nails every morning of your holiday, plus they look ultra glossy in the sunlight!
THE DAY BEFORE
Set aside a few hours the day before you jet off for beauty treatments with the shortest lasting power, to make the most of them while you're away.
LOVELY LASHES - The last thing you want is panda eyes after swimming and lash extensions offer the ultimate minimal maintenance. They instantly prettify and mean you wake up looking 'done' every darn day... and you can get away with no other eye makeup.
LVL lashes are my second favourite option - a tint and lash perm that leaves lashes looking naturally long and curled, as if wearing mascara. They seem to work best if your lashes are already pretty good on their own; personally I prefer extensions for more of a wow factor, but Michelle from Holywood Brows does the best LVL Lashes if this is your choice.
GLOW ON - Don't DIY tan if you're not used to it... there's no hiding a streaky tan in a bikini. A spray tan ensures a seamless all over glow with no need to bake for hours in the scorching sun! I love a He-Shi spray tan for a perfectly even, skin-kind golden glow in a shade to suit your colouring. If you do decide to DIY, look out for our Tanning Tips feature coming soon.
That's it... super smooth skin, a golden glow, freshly trimmed locks, fabulous lashes, glossy nails and gorgeous brows. Slip on your swimsuit and you're good to go... happy holidays!
