Beauty

OVERFLOWING TOILETRY BAG AND OVERBAGGAGE?

This way you avoid that hassle, but you still go on vacation looking your absolute best

A city trip I often plan trips and I really enjoy the anticipation that people talk about. Believe me, I think I am the champion of anticipation, because I empty Pinterest with the cutest addresses, collecting fun items, and online shopping, ensuring I have a suitable wardrobe for the planned city. And then comes the point where that entire wardrobe needs to be packed into a suitcase. Okay, I admit: I'm pretty good at that too. Until the moment comes that a toiletry bag also needs to be included. That's when it all goes wrong. It's never just one toiletry bag; it's usually three. One with makeup, one with necessary skincare, and one stuffed with sunscreen, aftersun, and those kinds of essentials you don't want to miss in a sunny place. If you also travel with hand luggage and have three toiletry bags, that guarantees a packing disaster.

Now, after quite a few city trips, I've learned a bit from that. I still have three toiletry bags because I just love going on vacation organized and tidy, but those toiletry bags are no longer so stuffed that the zipper is about to burst. I now know that I don't use half of it, so all those creams and shampoos that I do take are extremely important and therefore indispensable.

Well-made up in the sun

If you're as much of a coward as I am, you prefer not to go to the beach naked. I like to have a layer of foundation on my face so that all those imperfections are neatly covered. Bobbi Brown's BB Cream is really thin and has a protection factor of 35, allowing you to carefree push your nose into the sun.

BB CREAM SPF 35, €39, Bobbi Brown

Smart serum

A serum always sounds like a luxury item, but believe me: that's exactly what you need on vacation. The sun naturally affects the skin, and I'm not just talking about that tan that appears on the skin. You can also end up with some lines and wrinkles. This smart serum is super clever: it does exactly what your skin needs and also gives a huge moisture boost. Your skin will only glow more from that.

Smart Serum, 10 ml, €10.15, Clinique

Moisture boost

Moisture, moisture, moisture. Your skin really drinks up water. So you should also apply moisturizer like crazy. The sun dries out your skin terribly, and if you don't nourish it well enough, your skin won't show that tan either. The best remedy is to apply as much as possible and keep the skin supple. Treat it a little.

Moisture Surge, 30 ml, €20, Clinique

Squinting your eyes

All day long with sunglasses on or squinting against the sun? Then you know that after the vacation, you might be able to count some extra wrinkles on your face. An extra cream for that thin skin around your eyes can’t hurt.

ANR Eye 5ml + Mini Concealer, €9.95, Estée Lauder

Golden locks

This set is your essential. Believe me, you want to pack it all in your suitcase. MoroccanOil smells like vacation, so the feeling of enjoyment only gets bigger. And the fact that your hair is no longer a bunch of straw is actually just a bonus. By using the mask, oil, and shampoo, you get the most beautiful beachy look you could wish for. Not enough space in your suitcase? Then just pack the shampoo and oil in your suitcase. That will also do the trick.

Hair set, €34.45, Moroccanoil

Sunscreen

To not roll off the beach like a lobster. To not see the well-tanned skin flakes off your body after three weeks. To actually just be as well-groomed as possible and enjoy your color for as long as possible.

Sun Delicate Soothing Cream, SPF 50, €28.95, Lancaster

Smoothest legs on the beach

To have the softest, smoothest, and shiniest legs on the beach (and thus on land), you need to check out Prospector Co. They have incredibly nice shaving products that say goodbye to all stubble and don't just leave you with a dull skin. And you really only need a drop, so even if you're on vacation for three weeks, this little tube will still be enough.

10 ml tube, $5, Prospector.co