Beach Bag Essentials
This year's summer destination was Dubai and with temperatures as high as 44 °C I needed to ensure I had the right products for my hair and skin. These are my essential items for your beach bags this summer.
1. Sun protection
I have used the same sun block for my face for the last few years. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Sun Cream Fluid in SPF 50+ is the only product which ensures I don't break out, it's water resistant and the fluid formula ensures even application which blends in seamlessly to my skin. It offers UVA and UVB protection and this is the only sun protection I have found that does not leave a greasy residue on my face which means less break outs my beauties! You can purchase this from Boots and it comes in 50ml which means I can probably use this for around 3 or 4 holidays or even more depending on the duration of my stay.
2. Pre shampoo treatment
I always ensure I have a good pre shampoo treatment, your hair deserves the extra TLC. This treatment is fabulous because it’s highly concentrated product is designed to smooth your hair, leaving it incredibly supple. The Philip Kingsley Elasticizer even has an added sunscreen protection. The idea of the treatment is to provide an elasticising effect and to give your hair the added strength it needs whilst leaving it soft, supple and manageable. When I’m in and out of the sea and washing my hair every day this is perfect to apply to my hair before I wash it. I make sure I concentrate this product at the ends of my hair and leave it for about 10 minutes.
3. Reconstructing milk
Kérastase Resistance Ciment Thermique is a heat activated reconstructing milk. I use this on holiday as a leave in treatment before I go to the beach. I ensure I concentrate this treatment through the full length of my hair. It’s formula works to strengthen and rebuild the hair and it also protects the outer layer. I also use this before using heat styling tools on holiday. This product will help with less breakages and will also cut down on your blow dry time.
4. Shimmering dry oil
We all want to glow on holiday and this shimmer oil is beautiful. I normally rely on my L'Occitane shimmer oil but I loved the colour of this shimmer in the bottle and I wasn’t disappointed! It gives you a beautiful bronze glow which leaves small flickers of shimmer on your skin which pick up light effortlessly. I couldn’t get enough of this Body Shop oil on holiday- especially once my tan started developing. It doesn’t leave an oily residue and I would put this on every evening before getting ready for dinner to showcase my tan. I didn’t even get through a quarter of this bottle in 10 days so this will be used for my future holidays or for the summer evenings in the UK.
5. Foundation Toner
Now we all have that dreaded moment- third day of your holiday when you apply your foundation and you know straight away that it’s not your colour match anymore! I always take a quick picture on my phone with the flash to check. However, to avoid using excess bronzer hoping everything will seamlessly blend I’ve found a solution. The honey bronze drops of sun from Body shop can be added to your foundation and concealer to give you that matte holiday glow. I start off with three drops but add more drops depending on how much I have tanned. What’s fabulous about this product is there is no shimmer and blends seamlessly into your foundation and it doesn’t leave an orange tinge to the skin.
6. Body Polish
To ensure I am getting the best tan I make sure my skin is exfoliated on holiday. I always take a travel Santuary Spa gentle polish scrub. You can find these in the travel section in Boots and they are usually on a 3 for 2 offer. It’s a beautiful invigorating body polish which is gentle enough to use every day.
7. Pimple Zapper
Another essential item is the tea tree witch hazel; blemish stick from Boots. You never know when you might get the odd pimple on your face or even your body on holiday, so this is my little saviour. I don’t apply the balm directly to the skin from the tube otherwise I have to disinfect it after every use, so I use a cotton bud and dab the affected area with the product. This works really well for me when my skin has been exposed to the sun and is quite sensitive.
8. Embellished sandals
My last essential is an embellished pair of flat sandals. Even though half of my luggage consists of shoes, I never end up wearing my heels because quite frankly I just want to be relaxed and give my legs a break. I always ensure I have a pair of jewelled sandals for evening dinners which will go perfectly with most outfits. This pair is from River Island which has a jelly base which I love. I wore these with most of my floaty maxi dresses and denim cut off shorts.
