Packing for a holiday is both exciting and daunting. There’s nothing worse than getting over the other side of the world and remembering everything you forgot. Then doing a mad dash to a supermarket to try to figure out what weird bottle is sunscreen and which is shampoo. I’ve had to do this, google translate in tow, so many times now that it’s forced me to be a better packer.
Skincare (and some haircare) is always the number one ‘must get right’ when I go away. I hate spending money on replacing products, especially when it’s not your favourite go-to. So today I thought I’d share some of my newer choices that are sitting in my suitcase, all ready for my flight on Friday.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Day Serum
A fancy vitamin C serum that’s going to save my skin from the European summer, at least that’s what I’m hoping. For real though, Vitamin C serums are amazing for your skin and Drunk Elephant is known for there’s – the perfect elixir to save sun-exposed skin.
Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi™ Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops
If you haven’t seen how beautiful this product is, you need to check it out! It’s a gorgeous bronzy shade that you can mix into your moisturizer to give you a skin kissed glow while protecting your skin from pollution and other nasties. This is one of those treat yourself products that you then find you can’t live without.
Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm™
Obviously, since I’m going into summer I need to take with me ALL the lip balms. This one I consider my treatment balm because it’s full of different oils that nourish your lips. Kind of like a post-sun drink of water.
Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face Superscreen SPF 50+
Of course, my go-to face sunscreen is coming with me. I’ve mentioned this before on the blog but just wanted to include this in case you were in the market for a new one. I switched to this because it’s ultra-smooth to blend, works amazingly and doesn’t leave you feeling sticky. Plus, my make up applies over this as though it’s a primer. Such a good find and you’re welcome.
Isle Of Paradise Self Tanning Drops
Oh baby, if only I could tell you the number of people I’ve got to run (yes, run!) down and get these in preparation for a big night. Well, let’s just say I should be making a commission off these. Anyway – these self-tanning drops are amazing for your face because A. you’ve been a good skin carer wearing your sunscreen and now have a white face and B. they’re so easy to use you can throw on and forget. I mix a few drops into my moisturiser at night and by morning I look like I’ve had a day in the sun, without the UV damage. WIN-WIN.
Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3
Not exactly skincare, but I thought I’d chuck in a couple of hair favourites. First up is Olaplex which you should all know by now that I love. It always makes my hair feel so much better in this crazy Auckland frizz-loving weather. It’s great for any hair type and I use it as a treatment after swimming a lot at the beach because we all know how intense that can be on your hair. Can’t fault it, just love it.
Pureology Strength Cure Split End Salve
This needs no explanation but I’ll try anyway. Someone wrote that it was a salve that faked a fresh cut and you know what, I feel like they weren’t wrong. This salve is amazing when you’re suffering from those “I should probably get a haircut, but with what money?” moments. I chuck a pump into my ends when my hair is still wet and it miraculously dries kind of together as though my ends aren’t completely shit. Hello, winning product.
Summer Fridays R&R Masque
Look, I get it, Summer Friday’s needs no introduction. However; hello, hi, this is baby R&R – the newest of the line to make it into my collection. With grounded rose powder (yes, it’s that luxurious) and a scent to match, this masque was sure to be a hit. On top of the usual deliciousness though is a masque that not only moisturizes but buffs away dead skin so you’re left with a lovely afterglow. Another product to delve into the Vitamin C realm and without fault. To give my skin the TLC it needs during traveling I couldn’t think of any better gift.
Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream
An eye cream that makes you look like you’ve had a full 12 hour sleep when you’ve barely had 5? Sold. I’ve always been a huge fan of Origins products, for their simplicity and the fact that they just work. This eye cream doesn’t disappoint. For someone who’s navigating that mid-twenties “I feel like I’m aging but am I really?” period, I feel like this is a great addition to my daily routine. It’s light and perfect for summer.
Loccitane Almond Shower Gel
I have 100% mentioned this before but I’ll do it again: I LOVE THIS. I have a big bottle I’ve been savoring and saving strictly for leg shaving only. I do use it for my body on occasion but I can’t get past how great of a shave it gives my legs. I used to use coconut oil but I have switched to this and you best believe all my mini bottles are coming with me on vacay. There’s no better time to have a great shave than on holiday in Europe. Capeesh.
Hourglass Unreal High Shine Volumizing Lip Gloss
When I’m on holiday I like to wear minimal makeup. Partly because it will probably melt off anyway, and partly because I get lazy. Either way, lipgloss is my go-to vs. lipstick. The exclusive Mecca Glow shade is a beautiful orange tint that looks amazing paired with your carefree BB cream holiday skin. I’m obsessed.
Bondi Sands Lip Balms with SPF 50+ and Vitamin E
Two more lip blams that are coming with me on my adventures. These two are new from Bondi Sands and as per they do everything you want a lip balm to do. I use the SPF 50+ one during the day and the Vitamin E one at night to repair. Having a lip balm with a good SPF is essential because you forget how easy it is to burn your lips – VERY easy. No one wants scaly, cracked lips so trust me on this one, okay?
Bondi Sands Gloss Finishing Gloss Glow
I’ve gone over this in my previous Bondi Sands: Is It Worth The Hype article so if you’re curious, go check that out. Basically, this is amazing at making your body look glowy and bronzed. I mix a bit into my moisturizer for a healthy glow, or buffed in with a mitt for more intensity.
Bondi Sands Coconut Beach Suncreen Oil SPF 30
I mean, who doesn’t want to tan at the beach? I’ve been using some variation of Bondi Sands tanning oil for years and I swear by it when you need to kick start the tanning process. I love this one in particular because it has a high SPF which protects your skin while you tan. Plus, this one smells lovely.
Bondi Sands Coconut Beach Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+
Most importantly, a good sunscreen is a must on holiday. I often struggle to buy good ones overseas so taking one with me has become a normality. The Bondi Sands one is amazing because it’s a really high SPF but it easy to rub in, it smells like coconut and it’s really nourishing.
