Holiday Beauty: what’s in my beauty case

As my regular beauties would know, I am going on a holiday soon – to the sunny arcs of California, then to the Hamptons and the ultimate city, NYC. Last week I shortlisted the contents of my in-flight beauty bag. This week I am doing the same, but for my beauty case. I am determined to pack light – my Sephora shopping list is longer than my ‘things to do in the USA list’ after all. But there are a few favourites no girl can go without, even if she does have the Eden of beauty products glowing on the horizon. See below for my beauty stowaways, which cover off on the basics of skincare without weighing down luggage or taking up room where shiny new products should be in their place.

PS. For more holiday beauty and inspiration see here.

Biotherm Biosource cleansing mousse for oily/combination skin. This is a new product and has not quite reached cult status for me yet – the classically French fragrance (floral, subtly soapy, strong but pretty) which seems to pervade all Gallic beauty products is in full force here, but it does grow on you. It makes the skin feel super soft and cleans nicely. The pale aqua and white tube will look becoming on my hotel vanity too, which is of course extremely important.

Invisible Zinc Cleanser with 12% Glycolic. I know that a woman packing light should not be packing two cleansers but I am tempted. My main concern with travelling light is packing products which look after my two dualistic skin needs – irritability due to flying and new water and environments, and oiliness. The latter skin need demands regular exfoliation. This cleanser, the milky non-foaming type, does just that but in a manner which does not frighten the skin by coming across all foamy and lathery. For those new to glycolic products this may cause initial sensitivity but for seasoned performers such as yours truly it is a wonderful, wonderful product. Especially because it is surprisingly hard to find AHA cleansers sans sulphates.

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. If I decide to leave my Invisible Zinc cleanser languishing (or pining) in by bathroom at home in Australia I will definitely need to pack this cylindrical lovely. It says daily use but I find it too drying for daily so every second or third day is perfect for me. Ps my other favourite exfoliator is the strong but effective Alpha H Micro Cleanse. Smells like peppermint, works like a trooper. But no … must not pack both of them … think of Sephora …

Invisible Zinc Environmental Skin Protector. I have been using  Invisible Zinc face sunscreens for years – I also love the Tinted Daywear version in Light. The Environmental Skin Protector is lighter in consistency but still retains that slightly dense texture which puts some people off but which makes me feel like my skin is happily cocooned and protected from the sun.  I have super oily skin and blackheads keep insisting they are best friends with me but this product never breaks me out and the zinc, did you know, is great for calming and balancing (ie preventing too much oil) the skin. It is an all mineral sunscreen range too – my eyes cannot handle a lot of chemical sunscreen ingredients – so Invisible Zinc goes wherever I go. Mix it with a little foundation or illuminator (I love Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser) and perfect, protected skin is yours.

Skinceuticals Epidermal Repair. With a name like that and a body like a long skinny medicinal tube, Epidermal Repair may come across as all cold and clinical and, dare I say it, boring. But this is such a wonder product. Initially marketed for use on post-surgery or post beauty procedure skin, this is actually really fantastic on rosacea prone skin, sensitivity prone skin, and oily skin prone to dehydration (my hand is up on all three counts). A beautiful day or night moisturizer that can be layered over serums and under other products and is light on application yet rich in texture. Regular use does help my blotchiness to look, well, less blotchy. Besides, I have such a thing for medicinal looking and sounding products. Give me a white lab coat any time.

Ultraceuticals Ultra C Sheer cream. Along with the Invisible Zinc Tinted Daywear, this is the only facial skincare product I have consistently used for several years. Vitamin C is magic on skin because it strengthens its resilience to UV damage while prompting healthier collagen production – collagen is like the glue that keeps skin elastic and strong. I wear this every day.

Plus the beauties already booked into my in-flight beauty bag, like my beloved Korres Yoghurt Mask and Ultraceuticals Ultra Moisturisers (face and eye).

All products available from Adore Beauty.

Stay tuned for my holiday makeup shortlist. xx