Holiday Essentials // Packing not so light

Packing for holiday is always a stressful feat, with the constant pressure to pack light and only take what you 'need,' when you feel like you need everything you own! Out of sheer excitement for our holiday in a couple of weeks, I've genuinely started packing already, to avoid last minute panics, and here are a few of my 'essentials,' ha!  

To start with, here are a few things I consider a 'must' by the pool. Swimwear goes without saying really, and this Seafolly bikini* is my latest addition and also my new favourite. The top especially, is a super flattering fit, and stripes will always be loved by me. I usually take a few different styles of bikini on holiday to avoid obvious strap lines. I also picked up this towel from Simply Beach last year. They're not the cheapest, but so worth it for the soft feel and sheer size of them. I love lazing by the pool, and spend most of the day wearing a floppy hat and sunglasses, mainly so I can read my books without squinting, but the hat also protects my hair and scalp. This year I've got myself a £1 Primark head band to keep my fringe out of my face, and for lunchtime, A light cover up and my trusty flip flops. I got this French Connection cover up for £15 from TKMaxx, and the Etnies flip flops are years old - Worn away and covered in puppy bites, but they're still the comfiest I've ever had, even over havaianas!

Sunscreen is another necessity, and last year I loved using this Ambre Solaire moisturising oil formula which smells delicious, so I picked it up again this year, alongside some Charles Worthington hair UV protection that I've been using for years. I'm also taking a Dr. Jart BB cream with SPF for protection with a bit of light coverage, and a Herbalife Vitamin C face quenching spray* for a refreshing treat every now and then. 

And heres the make up I've decided to take - I don't tend to wear much make up on holiday except for a tiny bit at night, but can't bear the thought of going with out choice. Rather than take a full foundation bottle, I've got a sample of my usual foundation a couple of shades up, to accommodate for the amazing tan that I'll have. I try to take products that I know will double up, such as my HD brows palette - That'll do for eyeshadow too, and I can use it wet for eyeliner if I so wish, and my Laura Mercier palette is good for bronzer, blush, highlighter and lip colour,  but I'm still taking a few other products in 'mini' sizes to save on space. The only full sized products I'm taking are my Origins Concealer (do mini concealers even exist)? Lancome tangerine blush and Benefits Coralista as I know this colour suits me with a tan, and a few Susan Posnick goodies as they double up quite well. This eyedefine pen* has a highlighting shadow on the other end, and this light mineral powder* is super portable with a built in brush, so that'll be carried around with me in the evening too! 

Now, looking at this picture, I feel perhaps haircare is my downfall when it comes to packing light, but the sun damages my already brittle hair so much if I don't fight back. Because my hair has faded quite a bit, I'm taking some dark coloured Batiste and Phyto chocolate gloss* to use to keep my colour as it should be - I'm terrified of the sun dying my roots blonde, I'm just about getting away with it thus far, but don't see the point in re-dying my hair until I'm home! 
I'm also taking my full sized Kerastase Ciment Thermique heat protector - Its chunky, but almost empty so I won't have to bring this home. For cleansing, I'm taking some Lush Rehab shampoo to clarify and repair, as well as some mini Aussie that I won't bother bringing home when I've done. I'm taking some of my favourite hair mask from Macadamia*, and have visions of sitting on the balcony reading my book with it penetrating my hair in the heat, and I'll be using a few spritz of the UV spray too for good measure. 
For styling, I've just popped some hair oil into a temporary pump, some sea salt/wax spray, because I know half the time I won't bother styling it 'properly,' and some Dehumidifyer spray. Seriously, if you take anything with you in the heat, take this to avoid frizz. 

With skincare, I try to keep it simple. Some people take trips as an opportunity to use up sample sachets and the like, but I will only take samples of products I've already tried, loved, and I know won't flare up my temperamental skin. I'm taking a few cleansers and small samples of Bioderma. The Omorovicza cleansing balm (I'm desperate for the full size), will double up as a soothing mask if I need it, and this mini Nuxe oil will be enough to inject some much needed moisture too if necessary, alongside some standard skincare I know I'm fine with. I avoid taking perfume, but instead take two small vials to leave behind if I don't use them up. 

Are you going on holiday this year?

What are your holiday essentials?

S xx