Why a simple beauty plan makes summer travel easier
A summer break is one of the few times many of us spend hours in strong sun, chlorinated pools, salt water and air conditioning, often while wanting to look well rested in photos. Those conditions dry out skin and hair and can make a carefully planned routine fall apart within a day or two. Starting with a short list of what you already know works for you is more useful than buying a new product for every problem.
Before you shop, decide what the holiday actually involves. A beach trip needs sun protection and hair care that copes with salt. A city break with long evenings needs make-up that lasts and a fragrance you are comfortable wearing in the heat. Booking any salon appointments, trying a new lash style or testing a whitening product should happen a few weeks before departure, so that you have time to notice any reaction or adjust if something does not suit you.
How to choose what to buy and what to book
Start with the products you already use and check whether they will travel. Liquids need to fit within the airline limit for hand luggage, and a small bottle or sample size is often enough for a week or two. Look at the ingredients you rely on if your skin is sensitive, and note what you wear on a normal day. Holiday routines tend to work best when they are close to your home routine, because unfamiliar products are the most common cause of irritation in new surroundings.
For sun protection, check the label for both the SPF and UVA protection, and choose a formula you can apply easily and reapply without rubbing it into your eyes. Heavy creams can feel uncomfortable in a warm climate, while very light formulas may need more frequent application. For haircare, a lightweight leave-in or oil is often more practical than a heavy mask you need to rinse out, especially if you have limited bathroom time. For make-up, a waterproof mascara and a tinted base usually do more than a large palette, and they are simpler to remove after a sweaty day.
Test every new product at home first, and book appointments early enough to fix anything that does not suit your skin or hair before you fly.
From the editors
Common mistakes include buying several new products just before leaving, which leaves no time to test them, and packing every item you own. Another frequent error is booking a complicated treatment too close to the trip, such as a deep peel or a long lash application, which can leave you with redness or a tired look on day one. Teeth whitening is a case where the instructions matter: follow the timings given, and if your teeth or gums are sensitive, speak to your dentist before you start.
What to pack and book for summer
For each item we name a store where you can start comparing.
Broad-spectrum sunscreen in travel size
Choose a daily face sunscreen you already know suits your skin, and pack a higher factor for the first few days when you are less used to the sun. Check the label for UVA protection as well as the SPF.
Search termstravel sunscreen · face sun protection · UVA protection
Our recommendationlaroche-posay.co.ukSun care firstCompact skincare trio
A gentle cleanser, a moisturiser and a light serum cover most needs in a warm climate. Decanting into small bottles keeps the routine simple and within hand luggage limits.
Search termstravel skincare · cleanser and moisturiser · small size skincare
Our recommendationtatcha.co.ukSkin essentialsLeave-in conditioner or hair oil
A lightweight hair oil or leave-in product helps protect lengths from salt, chlorine and sun. It also makes styling easier if the humidity changes how your hair behaves.
Search termshair oil · leave-in conditioner · hair protection holiday
Our recommendationkerastase.co.ukHair care for travelStrip lashes and a lash glue
Strip lashes give a fuller look for evening photos and take less time than a salon appointment. Practise applying them at home before you go so you are not learning on holiday.
Search termsstrip lashes · false eyelashes · lash glue
Our recommendationtattilashes.comLashes for photosEveryday make-up edit
A tinted sun-friendly base, a waterproof mascara and one lip shade cover most days and evenings. Keeping the kit to a few products reduces what you need to carry and wash off in the heat.
Search termsholiday make-up · waterproof mascara · tinted base
Our recommendationyslbeauty.co.ukMake-up and fragrancePre-holiday salon appointment
A haircut, blow-dry, manicure or facial booked a week or two before departure leaves time to adjust if you have a reaction. Booking online makes it easier to fit around work and packing.
Search termshair appointment before holiday · beauty treatment booking · salon booking
Our recommendationtreatwell.co.ukBook ahead
Where to start shopping
Begin with a list of what you will use on each day of the trip, including the beach, evenings and any photos. Check your current supplies, then fill gaps with travel sizes rather than full bottles. Sun protection and a simple skincare routine should come first, because they matter on every day of the holiday. You can find a gentle cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen at La Roche-Posay, at laroche-posay.co.uk, which is a sensible starting point if your skin is easily irritated.
Next, decide which appointments are worth booking. Treatwell at treatwell.co.uk lets you browse salons, read reviews and book hair or beauty treatments online, so you can secure a slot a week or two before you go. If you want lashes for evening photos, look at Tatti Lashes at tattilashes.com, where strip lashes and application tools are available. Test any new look at home first, then pack the rest in a clear bag so you can check it quickly at the airport.
Before you order
- Make a list of what you will use each day, including sun care, skincare, hair, make-up and evening pieces.
- Check the airline's liquid rules and decant products into travel-size containers.
- Test any new make-up, lash glue or whitening product at home for at least a few days.
- Check that your sunscreen has both SPF and UVA protection and suits your skin.
- Book salon or treatment appointments one to two weeks before you leave.
- Pack a small kit for touch-ups, including blotting papers, lip balm and a travel brush.
- Confirm any treatment aftercare instructions and pack what you need for them.
The stores at a glance
treatwell.co.uk
Book aheadTreatwell at treatwell.co.uk lets you compare salons, read reviews and book hair and beauty appointments before you leave, so you are not hunting for a slot in the final week.
Recommended for Pre-holiday salon appointment
laroche-posay.co.uk
Sun care firstLa Roche-Posay at laroche-posay.co.uk is useful for sunscreen and gentle cleansers if you want skin protection and simple daily products for a hot, bright holiday.
Recommended for Broad-spectrum sunscreen in travel size
tatcha.co.uk
Skin essentialsTatcha at tatcha.co.uk suits a short, carefully chosen skincare routine of cleanser, moisturiser and serum that is easy to carry in hand luggage.
Recommended for Compact skincare trio
kerastase.co.uk
Hair care for travelKérastase at kerastase.co.uk offers conditioners, masks and hair oil, which help if sea, pool and sun are likely to dry out your hair.
Recommended for Leave-in conditioner or hair oil
tattilashes.com
Lashes for photosTatti Lashes at tattilashes.com offers strip lashes and application tools, useful if you want a polished look for photos without a full salon appointment.
Recommended for Strip lashes and a lash glue
yslbeauty.co.uk
Make-up and fragranceYSL Beauty at yslbeauty.co.uk covers make-up and fragrance, so you can pick evening pieces and a signature scent in one place.
Recommended for Everyday make-up edit
directteethwhitening.io
Whitening before photosDirect Teeth Whitening at directteethwhitening.io sells home whitening strips and gels, which some people use in the weeks before a trip if their teeth are healthy and they follow the instructions.
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Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I book salon appointments?
Booking about one to two weeks before departure gives you time to notice any reaction and to rebook if needed. Treatments that involve strong products or lash application are best done a little earlier.
What beauty products should I pack in hand luggage?
Liquids need to fit within the airline limit for hand luggage, so use travel sizes. Keep sunscreen, a basic skincare routine and any medication in an easy-to-reach bag, and check your airline's rules before you fly.
Should I try a new product on holiday?
It is better to test anything new at home first. Unfamiliar products are a common cause of irritation, and sun and sea water can make reactions harder to judge.
Is home teeth whitening suitable before a holiday?
It can be used in the weeks before a trip if your teeth and gums are healthy and you follow the instructions closely. If your teeth are sensitive or you have dental work, ask your dentist first.
TransparencySome links to stores may be partner links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission – the price stays the same for you. We choose the stores independently. How we make money
