So, I finally did make one of my booked holidays – to Ibiza (the quiet side!) with Tim and my brother, his wife, my sister and her husband. We had an amazing time – a lot of laughter, far too much wine and wonderful food. I swam, listened to podcasts under a sun umbrella, had afternoon snoozes and played Scrabble by the pool. I’m sort of okay now – updates in Premium Subscriber on Substack coming up soon – and because I’m a nosy sort of a person who loves to see other peoples’ make up bags, I thought I’d show you what I took in the ever-changing travel allowance bag.
I’ve got a very old and battered, clear Chantecaille bag that is the perfect substitute for the plastic bag offered at airports. I’m sure it was part of a press set but I can’t remember exactly where I got it. This small selection got me through the four days with ease – don’t forget if you’re traveling somewhere warm, chances are the light is much more flattering than when you’re here in the colder light of the day. Always, by the way, take a few ‘golden hour’ photos because we never look more lovely than in that pre-sunset glow.
Here we go:
CHANEL Les Beiges Eau de Teint (limited edition travel size no longer available but full size is 30ml) £55 HERE. It’s Light Deep, but I’m better with Medium Light which I’ve linked to because it’s rarely in stock.
Isa Knox UV Sun Pro Sun Fluid SPF50 (70ml) which I used on my face – we had any old sunscreen for bodies – a mix of Hawaiian Tropic, Piz Buin and Soltan (between the three couples) – which we shared and left the last vestiges behind. I’ve used Isa Knox (on offer for £14 HERE on and off most of the summer and I’d buy it again in a heartbeat because it’s an ideal weight, beautiful on the skin in terms of texture.
Bare Mineral Core Coverage Brush is a perfect mini size – it has a lid somewhere but I couldn’t find it (it’s discontinued but try the Precision Foundation Brush instead which I’ve linked HERE). I used it to apply Les Beiges tint and to blend my blushers.
Tatcha The Kissu Lip Mask feels like an essential – I have dry lips almost all of the time and have to work quite hard for them to feel smooth. Even though it’s not a long flight to Ibiza, by the time we hit the tarmac I could feel my lips starting to shrivel! I used it on and off all day and used extra at night and love it for its light feel but strong action. It’s £27 but worth every penny (especially with central heating about to go on) HERE.
A tubing mascara feels the most sensible for any holiday where there will be water. I took RUM After Party, £22, in black (although in this morning’s photo I’m wearing the new Stila one which I’ll review tomorrow) – no notes – it just did the job immaculately through pool and sea. It’s HERE.
Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner in Bronze for my inner rims – and outer sometimes – is my go-to whether I’m on holiday or not. It’s more of a gilt gold than bronze but gives depth and a little smoulder and it’s soft beyond belief. The downside of the softness is that it wears down quickly so of course, I had to take a sharpener too . I’m on at least my third liner in this colour. It’s £32 HERE.
I used Troublemaker Bubble Trouble shimmery gloss during the day for an elevation on plain lips. It’s such an impressive formula for the £4 it costs and I love the way it’s light catchy in a subtle way. It’s £4 HERE.
Gucci Voile Lipstick in Goldie Red, £38, is an absolute favourite lipstick of mine – it’s the one I wear the most by a long way and I’m on my second. I like the fact that it’s less intense than a full-on lipstick while giving definite colour and feels moisturising and comfortable on the lips. It’s HERE. When I bought my replacement last time I got a free Gucci tote/beach bag that I really liked – I wasn’t expecting it so it’s always worth buying directly from the brand where possible to make the most of any samples or promotions they’re doing.
Ilia Blush, £36, in Whisper is just the job for the lightest of definition on the cheeks. It’s a crème formula stick and really couldn’t be easier to use – you can give your eyelids a swipe too to brighten them. It’s HERE.
I also took Milk Make Up Lip & Cheek stick in Werk (because it’s absolutely tiny but still costs £22!) which is a deep peachy shade that is a very easy wear. If you’re wearing it on lips, I think a gloss topper brings it to life a bit more because it’s quite matte, but on cheeks, again – a very easy, unobtrusive wear. It’s HERE.
I didn’t use the Malin + Goetz travel size (part of a set) Vitamin B5 Body Moisturiser because the hotel had a lovely Ibiza brand so I tried that instead, but M+G is a great after sun hydrator because it’s so light on the skin but super nourishing. Full size is £38 HERE.
Emma Hardy Moringa Cleansing Balm in a travel size (£10) has replaced my trusty Clinique Take The Day Off mini as that is now too long in the tooth to use and the EH cleansing balm is one of my favourites anyway for being beautifully melty and effective. It’s HERE.
The yellow cream decanted into the little plastic jar is Tursian R4 Spotlight Energizing Radiance Moisturiser which is just the business when it comes to complete hydration and skin smoothing. It’s expensive at £150 HERE but goodness, it works.
My final last-minute chuck-in was the Gemz Rainy Day Anti Frizz Waterless Conditioner that I reviewed a couple of weeks ago to have just in case. Let me tell you, I had the most atrocious hair – it was sort of a hirsute descent into madness as the days went by and the curls got more and more out of control. The only thing that gave my poor hair any relief was the tiniest little tin (not shown) of decanted Paul Yacomine D’Or Blonde Repair, £36 HERE, and I should have taken the whole bottle because I’d probably have used it just to look the right side of sanity.
Oh, and the dull stuff – deodorant etc I made Tim put in his bag. Any holiday must haves for you? Like I said, I’m nosy – I need to know !
