For the last few years, holidaying hasn’t come easy. There’s been endless testing, form-filling and countless extra steps in the booking process. But, if you have managed to this year book a summer getaway — whether that be to one of the world’s best hotels or a luxurious roadtrip across Italy — then we salute you.
But we also worry for you. Because globe-trotting can be a taxing undertaking. While we’ve all been used to sitting at home, sunning ourselves in our gardens for the past two years, travelling can take its toll on your mind and (especially) your body. Which is why, in preparation for your next trip, we’ve worked up the perfect pre-holiday grooming guide.
So, before you even set foot on a plane, these simple steps will ensure that your skin and hair is prepared to be soaked in fiery sun and dunked into both salt-water waves or chlorine-treated pools. Just remember to pack the aftersun…
Get a jump on the jet lag with an eye serum
Do you really want to step back onto the beach with eyes that look like they haven’t seen a wink of sleep for a year? If the stress of organising and planning your first trip in two years has got to you, we’re not the slightest bit surprised. Frankly, it would be bizarre if your eyes hadn’t taken a hit. But there’s no reason to let that derail your holiday.
Haekels knows how it is: their Eye Bright Contour is primed to combat the effects of polluted air and increased screen time with a formula that contains ‘Kelp Bioferment’. Heath’s Eye Serum utilises ‘Persian Silk Tree Extract’ to hydrate, firm up and reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles; and Hawkins & Brimble has harnessed ingredients including Aloe Vera, Ginseng and Vitamin E to help you counteract the effects of any jet lag.
Prepare those pores for their days in the sun
If you’ve let your moisturising routine slip over winter, we forgive you. After all, who’s going to be able to tell that your skin is looking a little tired when the sun isn’t shining? But if you’re heading off on holiday, there’s no excuse. Under the full flarey, glarey scrutiny of the sun’s rays, there’s nowhere for blemishes to hide.
Q&A knows the drill, with a moisturiser that provides antioxidants to keep skin looking fresh and clear — whilst also tackling concerns that arise from oily or combination skin. The Fellowship’s ‘Advanced Moisturiser’ has an ingredient list that sounds like a holiday in itself: Borage, Sea Buckthorn and Prickly Pear, all of which keep skin nicely hydrated. And Hawkins & Brimble’s ‘Oil Control’ is packed with Vitamin E to keep skin moisturised and healthy.
Consider tanning before you touch down
If your skin looks as if it’s not seen the sun for months, that’s not a good for holiday morale. Instead, you should aim to be sufficiently bronzed for the first tip you make your way down to that pool: plus, we’d never advocate risking skin damage to get that perfect tan.
Tom Ford has these tanning needs taken care of with its ‘Bronzing Gel’: best used on the face, the water-based formula absorbs easily into the skin, and it’s packed with anti-ageing and antioxidant benefits. The Grey’s option is a little pricier, but worth it; a gradual glow and brimming with ‘Agnus Castus Extract’ to rejuvenate your skin. And, if the very idea of self-tanning terrifies the life out of you, opt for a subtle tinted moisturiser — courtesy of Warpaint.
Get your hair primed for those holiday conditions
If your hair has been known to the harmful holiday cocktail of salt, chlorine and sun, then it pays to pack both it and your carry-on with the weapons needed to keep it conditioned. The Fellowship is ready and waiting to strengthen your hair with its aptly-named ‘Strengthening Shampoo’, which boasts an enviable ingredient list of Amino Acids, Charcoal and Coconut.
That’s the hair on your head sorted; but if you’re sporting a beard this summer, don’t forget to nurture that beard hair: Murdock’s Beard Moisturiser will soften both the beard and the skin underneath, while Ruffians’ Argan Beard Oil is packed with natural nourishing oils to nourish and maintain a healthy beard and fresh skin.
Indulge in some pre-holiday manscaping
If you don’t want to step out onto the beach with scraggly, unshaven body hair, we’d recommend taking a refresher on the finer points of manscaping. To look sharp and sleek before you get on the plane, try eliminating unwanted chest hair, smoothing out those shoulders and keeping your nether regions in check.
Panasonic’s ‘ER-GB80’ trimmer is perfect; an all-in-one device geared towards full-body grooming. And, to prevent post-shave sore skin, Heath’s Post Shave Repair has you sorted; it’s a balm with Allantoin and Aloe Vera, guaranteed to soothe any problem areas. Or, for ingrown hairs, Tend Skin’s ‘Ingrown Hair Solution’ will reduce razor burn and redness. Because there’s no need to take those ingrown hairs on holiday with you.
Looking to pack a stellar fragrance in your holiday luggage? Experts explain how to find your perfect aftershave…
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