Holiday preppin'

I'm going on holiday the weekend after next and I am soooo looking forward to it. The weather has been so hit & miss since the summer teaser we had at Easter so I'm looking forward to a week of sunny weather (fingers crossed!).  In the weeks leading up to going on holiday, I have my usual wax and hairdresser appointments but I also do some home prep to get my limbs, skin and hair ready for summer, which I'm going to share with you today.

Hair: My hair is prone to frizz and is naturally very dry so I'm using Olaplex twice weekly at the moment, to repair and strengthen my hair. I'd like to say that I'm leaving it to dry naturally as that's what would be best for my hair but I just can't do that because my hair is neither wavy nor straight - left to dry naturally, it just looks unkempt. Instead, I'm using Colour Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray, which controls frizz and locks moisture out so my hair is humidity-proofed. This lasts for around 2/3 washes so there is no product buildup as you don't need to use it more than once weekly. I also have a mini bottle, which I will bring on holiday and hopefully that will prevent me from looking like Monica from Friends in Barbados! I also make sure that my scalp is healthy by using Omorovicza Revitalizing Scalp Mask once weekly, which removes any dry skin and revitalizes my scalp. Full review here.

Body: Exfoliation is key. Skin always looks better when dead skin cells are removed and any subsequent products can work more effectively on exfoliated skin. I dry body brush daily to get my lymphatic system moving but I also exfoliate in the bath or shower with Clinique Sparkle Skin Exfoliating Body Cream as I can use this on my feet too. It's a gentle scrub that won't tear the skin but is also effective and leaves the skin smooth and soft. To ensure that my skin is well hydrated, I am using Ecooking body lotion, which contains hyaluronic acid and niacinamide among other skin-nourishing ingredients. What I love about this lotion is that it packs a punch in terms of how it moisturises the skin but it doesn't feel heavy or greasy and absorbs immediately. For my feet, I'm still loving Margaret Dabbs Foot Hygiene Cream because it leaves my skin baby soft but it also contains salicylic acid and tea tree oil, which help to stop infection, which can occur when feet get sweaty as the temperature rises, so it's a win/win product. 

Skin: I tend not to use any retinol or strong acids when I'm on holiday as they make the skin more sensitive to the sun and although I wear a high SPF, I don't want to risk any reaction or damage to my skin. Therefore, I am using these products very regularly now so that my skin will look good and be even in tone and, hopefully, blemish-free. I'm using Dr Dennis Gross Alpha-Beta Pads because they are miracle workers and texture erasers, which will ensure my skin is as even as possible. Full review here. Two or three nights a week, I'm using Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream (full review here), which has helped to refine my pores and diminish fine lines. I won't use either of these products when I am away but using them regularly in advance will ensure even, smooth skin. I am also using Daytox Hydrating H Serum because it is packed with hyaluronic acid, which attracts moisture but this serum also protects against free radicals, which cause damage to the skin. I've noticed that my skin is looking less inflamed since I introduced this serum to my routine.  It is lightweight and has a silky texture that absorbs immediately and layers well with other products. I drink a lot of water every day anyway so I don't need to up that but I've started using Rejuvenated Collagen Shots again as I always see a difference in my skin when I use this product - skin appears plump and more elasticized but also less inflamed, so I decided to repurchase in advance of the holiday. Full review here. 

I don't get many salon treatments before holiday as I prefer to keep on top of things myself. I couldn't bear the thought of waxing myself so I visit a salon for that and, of course, my hairdresser for a trim and to refresh my colour but pretty much everything else I do myself. I also get eye lash extensions applied as I love that they give my eyes some definition without the need for makeup in the day time (I've never found a waterproof mascara that is actually waterproof). I've never had gel or acyrlic nails applied but I can see the attraction for holidays so maybe some day I'll have them done but for now, I'm happy to paint my own nails.

Do you do any special prep for holidays? I'd love to hear!

Thanks for reading! 

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All products are bought by me, unless otherwise stated. The Daytox Serum & Ecooking body lotion were kindly sent to me. The Omorovicza Scalp Mask and Margaret Dabbs Foot Hygiene Cream were previously kindly sent to me. Opinion is always my own. Affiliate links may be used.