When we go on holiday, we want to be feeling and looking our best. In this post, I’m going to be sharing with you what I do to prepare for my holiday. As well as how I look after my skin when I’m away.
Face:
When I am on holiday, I like to keep my make-up to a minimum. So, I want my skin to be in the best possible condition before I go away – this gives me the confidence to go make-up free without a worry. To do this I ensure I stick to my skincare routine of cleansing, exfoliating, applying a serum and a moisturiser.
I repeat this routine twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. For my full skincare routine, you can read my post here. In addition to religiously following my daily skincare routine, I also like to do two face masks a week. The face mask I use is BeautyCounter’s Charcoal Facial Mask.
Body:
When the layers from the colder months are swapped for swimwear, I want my skin to be looking fresh and supple. To achieve this result, I change up my shower routine.
The products I use to get me beach ready are the BeautyCounter Sugar Body Scrub in Lemongrass, Citrus Mimosa Body Bar and Citrus Mimosa Body Butter.
Each of these products has a specific purpose, I use the body scrub to exfoliate my skin. The brown sugar within the formula removes dead skin cells (dull skin) and leaves my skin glowing.
The body bar is one of my favourite products, but I don’t just use the body bar for the glorious citrus mimosa scent (all though this is reason enough). I enjoy lathering it over my body to find it softens my skin without drying it out – I have had this problem with other body bars.
Finally, the body butter, no shower routine would be complete without a hydrating product. I choose to use a body butter because of the rich and thick formula which leaves my skin feeling super hydrated.
What To Pack:
Face:
As I mentioned above when I’m on holiday I like to keep my make-up to a minimum. If you girls can relate to the feeling of your make-up melting off your face in the heat, you’ll know why.
When I go to the beach or by the pool, I simply apply mineral based sunscreen to my face alongside lashings of mascara. I use the BeautyCounter CounterSun Mineral Sunscreen Stick in SPF30. It is a handy travel size, so I throw this in my beach bag to top it up throughout the day.
The mascara I use is my trusty BeautyCounter Lengthening Mascara. It lasts the whole day and makes me feel put together and confident.
Body:
After preparing my body for my holiday, I like to maintain the condition of my skin while I’m away.
To do this I like to take my favourite products with me – body wash, body lotion, hand cream and body bar. They are all in my favourite scent, which is citrus mimosa (if you haven’t guessed by now), it is highly refreshing and gets you in the mood for summer.
In addition to my body favourites, I of course pack sunscreen. I use the BeautyCounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Mist in SPF30, I buy the full size to ensure it lasts the whole holiday, but it is also available in a handy travel size which is perfect for days out.
I opt for the mist over the lotion for easy and convenient application, this is also particularly good for impatient children.
While stocking up on all the above products, I was excited to come across two new BeautyCounter products. They are:
- the Countersun Tinted Mineral Sunscreen Mist in SPF30, and
- the Countersun After Sun Cooling Gel.
As a lover of sunscreen mists, I was intrigued to see BeautyCounter had realised another one. However, this one comes with a twist, as well as providing protection from the sun it is also tinted to help even your skin tone.
I think this is a great product, especially at the start of your holiday before you have caught a tan. The second product being the after-sun cooling gel, this is the first after-sun product BeautyCounter has realised, prior to this I simply used aloe-vera as a substitute.
I am intrigued to try this, with its formula made up of aloe and California poppy extract, it is said to be ‘cool on contact to help soothe skin post UV exposure and boost hydration’. It also has a monoi scent which is apparently ‘vacation in a bottle’ – could this be competition for my current favourite citrus mimosa scent?!
I am looking forward to trying these two new products and of course, will share with you my thoughts on both.
How To Look After Your Skin On Holiday:
Make-up removal is even more important than usual in the warmer months, as we’re outdoors more and exposed to increased levels of air pollution. Also, we’re generally sweatier. Because of this, I would recommend using an oil-free formula to remove makeup. I use BeautyCounter One-Step Makeup Remover Wipes which in addition to being oil free also contains soothing aloe-vera.
I also like to cleanse my skin using CounterControl Clear Pore Cleanser, because after a day of wearing suncream and sweating, I often feel as though my pores are clogged. I have previously experienced breakouts due to this, so adding this step helps to keep the breakouts away.
Protecting your skin from the sun is something I have written about in a previous post, but I cannot emphasise the importance of it enough. Any sun damage you experience is as permanent as a tattoo. So, to prevent your skin from becoming sun damaged – and potentially causing your skin to age quicker (no one wants this!!) follow my handy steps to protect your skin.
Firstly, knowing how often to apply sunscreen; you should slather on a layer of sunscreen every two hours (and after every swim).
Secondly, how much sunscreen you should apply? You should look to apply at least two tablespoons over your body for enough coverage.
Finally, it is important to be aware that if your makeup or moisturizer contains an SPF rating this combined with your sunscreen will not equal a higher protection level. You will only be protected by the highest stated factor out of the products and it will not be increased.
How do you prepare for your holiday?