ON MY SHELF: MY HOLIDAY BEAUTY ESSENTIALS, PART ONE

The question I always get asked – what are my holiday beauty essentials? 

Being totally honest, there is so much – especially for someone like me who is a total beauty addict! I definitely stay loyal to brands and products I like – but I am also forever open to trying new launches and ranges. This subsequently means that my go-to beauty essentials do change from time to time, and are never all the same every holiday season. It depends on my skin and concerns for that specific month/year as well as what destination/climate of where I am lucky enough to be travelling to.

Key things when it comes to holiday beauty? Multi-use products, SPF (lots of it), lightweight make-up, wellness products to make those hotel rooms feel homely, and good quality masks to soothe sun kissed skin and thirsty skin.

As we speak, I am currently in California, and although not all of these items featured here fitted into my already overloaded suitcase – these are the products that I am currently obsessed with; a combination of trusted products, and new favourites for the holiday season!

Elemental Herbology Facial Souffle Overnight Cream: A relative new brand I have been using, and I am obsessed! One of my favourite products from this botanical brand is this super creamy mask which instantly hydrates, plumps, soothes and repairs; ideal if your skin in parched or overexposed from being out in the sun!
Caudalie Beauty Elixir: A firm beauty staple and iconic product which doesn’t need much introduction if you’re a beauty addict! This gorgeous facial mist – dubbed the “elixir of youth”, counting Victoria Beckham as a super fan – helps smooth features, tightens pores, and gives radiance. I use it in the morning after my moisturiser, or when I am travelling to hydrate and freshen!
Caudalie Purifying Mask: A new favourite from this french brand, and another great mask I am loving at the moment – this one helps balance and cleanse your skin, removes any excess oils (ideal for oily, holiday skin) – leaving your skin clear and with a lovely matte finish! With Zinc and Flax seeds it also helps minimise the appearance of any marks or blemishes.
Holistic Silk Eye Mask: The only eye mask I have ever religiously used, belongs to the beautiful brand Holistic Silk who produces luxurious masks made from soft silk and cotton velvet, all infused with calming lavender. It always comes with me on my travels!
Laura Mercier Flawless Skin SPF15: Another iconic cult favourite is this anti-aging face moisturiser with SPF; an ideal day cream with Argan Oil which helps hydrate and protect, and helps with those dreaded lines with their Green Tea extract. A cult (and personal) favourite, for good reason.

Perricone MD No Make-Up range (Foundation, Bronzer, Blusher, Mascara & Concealer): The countdown is finally over for the much anticipated launch of Perricone MDs extended No Make Up range. Their No Make Up Concealer and Foundation has been a firm favourite of mine for years now, so the joy was real when they recently just added a bronzer, blusher (LOVE) and mascara! Want that natural and dewy looking complexion? Look no further.
Aethic Sovée Suncscreen SPF15: I tend to go for higher factor than SPF15, but this is a really great and lightweight cream, which I tend to blend with my regular moisturiser. The thing I love the most about this brand though? As well as it being a local London-based skincare company, their sunscreen is ecocompatible and marine positive, addressing the global issue that most sunscreens kill coral. Bravo Aethic!
Vichy Ideal Soleil BB Tinted Cream SPF50: This is the ideal sunscreen for day-to-day use when I am out and about – not only does it have the high SPF; its also a tinted BB cream which covers and gives that smooth, non-oily finish.
Iowa Cell Protector SPF50: You after a high SPF in the sun which doesn’t leave your skin layered with grease? Iowa is the ideal choice, and a recent discovery, quickly becoming a firm favourite of mine for everyday use.

Elemis Cellutox Active Body Oil: I love this pre-holiday body oil, which helps smooth and firm (perfect for the bikini season.) With a powerful synergy of sea buckthorn, sea fennel, lemon and juniper essential oils – its the perfect body detox.
Phyto Spesific Baobab Oil: A great multi-purpose product for both hair and body – the ideal remedy for frizzy hair, hydrating your scalp, soothing and repairing any sun damage or sensitive skin. I love this oil for my holidays!
skyn ICELAND Glacial Cleansing Cloths: Although Im not a fan of using face wipes as part of my regular cleansing routine, these cleansing cloths from Scandi brand Skyn, are great when you need to freshen up after a day on the sun bed, city trekking or on-the-go!
Lanolips Original 101 Ointment: A regular bedside table and travel companion – this fragrance-free, multi-usage balm is ideal to aid chapped or itchy skin, dry lips and cuticles. I even pop it on my scars, which always redden under the sun – to smooth and soothe.
Sophie La Girafe Protection Cream: Originally a skincare brand created for babies – I am a big fan of this (yet another) multi-purpose product from Sophie La Girafe (and not only for its adorable packaging, I promise!). Their 3-in-1 S.O.S Protection cream is infused with soothing Aloe Vera and Lavender, ideal for irritated skin – as well Macadamia Wax and Shea Butter to protect the skin for damage caused by UV rays, wind and temperature changes. This cream should be a staple in everyones bathroom cabinet and travel toiletries!

Phytoplage After-sun Rehydrating Shampoo: Body and hair cleanser in-on – this gentle, hydrating and creamy shampoo is ideal for holiday, helping eliminating salt, sand and chlorine – leaving hair silky soft. I love a good no-fuzz product!
Green & Spring Take Flight Set: Everything you need for that mini-vacay! And it looks and smells lush too – win.
Green & Spring Relaxing Travel Candle Set: When you want to make those hotel rooms cozy, and you don’t want to be lugging a full size version with you. A set of three mini travel candles, with lavender, geranium and rosemary scents – the perfect calming remedy to unwind with!

I also always travel with a notebook to drot down memories, plans and ideas (my creative side is always on overdrive when I am on holiday!), my trusted Olympus PEN E-PL7 for all those holiday snaps, my go-to Louis Vuitton travel tote and a bikini (I am currently loving my customised one from Kini Swimwear).

What are your travel essentials?