Holiday Beauty Essentials

Whether you’re spending a week sightseeing in a city or plan to be horizontal by the pool, a full face of makeup isn’t necessarily practical or desirable on holiday. If, however, you don’t fancy going completely bare-faced, there are plenty of products to stash in your suitcase that will see you through. The latest lightweight, no-smudge formulas mean you can save face even if you do spend all day in the pool…

dr dennis gross hyaluronic marine oil-free cushion

Start With Your Skin

Clear, bright and glowing skin always looks healthy whatever your destination, so ideal for a fresh-faced holiday look. Start with an invigorating cleanse, we like the grapefruit and green tea infused Elemental Herbology Vital Cleanse Facial Cleanser which will gently wake up skin. Then, ensure skin is well moisturised as the sightseeing in the sun and living it up in saltwater or chlorine can quickly cause dehydration. A lightweight, easily absorbed moisturiser with hyaluronic acid will keep skin hydrated for longer, try Dr Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Oil-Free Moisture Cushion.

A Protective Base

As well as protecting skin from uncomfortable sunburn, sunscreen is proven to prevent premature ageing and indispensable if you’re out and about all day. For protection plus skincare benefits, try an SPF primer like Nars Smooth & Protect Primer SPF50 which works to lock moisture into the skin, while blurring imperfections and disguising pores. If you plan to spend the day taking selfies while you take in the sights and want a little more coverage, try a tinted BB Cream such as Shiseido Wetforce Sports BB Cream SPF50 which has a flattering, glowing tint and offers waterproof sun protection.

If you need more targeted coverage, take your usual base and apply directly to imperfections as a concealer. To ensure your skin is protected, mist with Soleil Toujours Organic Set & Protect Micro Mist SPF30, and keep it in your holiday basket for regular re-application.

Bronze & Highlight

Give your look dimension and shade with smudge-proof cream or gel textures that are ideal for the warm weather conditions. This look demands a natural finish so apply with your fingers and let your natural skin show through. Save space in your suitcase and pack the multi-tasking By Terry Glow-Expert Duo Stick which contains a bronzer and highlighter in one, perfect for compact clutches; simply glide the bronze side across the temples, bridge of nose and just below the cheekbones, then blend with fingers. Next swipe the highlighting side over tops of cheekbones, brow bones and Cupid ’s bow.

Lips & Eyes

Both lips and eyes can be very sensitive to the sun, so ensure they’re well protected with sunglasses and SPF at all times. Try a handy stick formula like Coola SPF50 Mineral Sport Sunscreen Stick, the shea butter-enriched formula will ensure sensitive spots stay both hydrated and protected. To avoid water and sweat smudging your makeup, we recommend lightly defining eyes as close to the upper lash line as possible using the incredibly long-wearing Chantecaille Waterproof Eye Liner. Not only is it a long-lasting makeup solution, it’ll impart a pulled-together, polished finish that’s perfect for impromptu alfresco lunching.

Not just for beach days, the soft, blendable and water-resistant Becca Beach Tint can be used on eye lids, lips and cheeks for a unified, flattering look. It’s worth having a lash tint before you go away, but if you want curl and volume as well as colour, then look no further than Eyeko Beach Waterproof Mascara, specially formulated to withstand every holiday eventuality.