As Founder of Belgravia’s most revered salons, Neville Hair & Beauty, it’s safe to say Elena Lavagni has her pre-holiday beauty regime nailed.
The five-story townhouse that houses Neville’s has evolved from simply a hair salon with a stellar cast of stylists delivering honey-hued balayage, to now incorporates facials, nails, and body sculpting – with many treatments able to be carried out mid-blow dry.
Equipped with her favourite Rodial sheet masks, we delve into Elena Lavagni’s on-the-go beauty rituals.
What are your must do beauty rituals/treatments before you travel?
Living in London means I always feel quite pasty, so before heading off on a trip I treat myself to some self-tanning. Looking tanned automatically boosts my mood. Taking a flight also tends to make my face swell, so I like to pre-empt any unwanted swelling with a good draining and facial massage with Fere – our resident beautician. Last but not least, I book in for a mani-pedi with Holly Wolff and a five-day blow dry with Afroditi at Neville’s. I hold off on a haircut until I’m back from holiday as sun and sea can damage the hair.
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How do you adapt your beauty regime when you travel?
Whilst most of my beauty routine remains the same, I do tend to increase my fluid intake. By drinking loads of water, I can ensure my skin, hair, and nails retain moisture. I supplement my water intake with some moisturising masks for skin and hair, and ensure I apply more SPF than usual.
What is the best way to downsize your beauty products for travel?
I make sure to decant my products into travel-sized bottles if I’m going away for longer than a few days; this way I can take all of my home comforts at a fraction of the usual weight.
Do you prefer to pack travel minis or full-size beauty staples? And why?
I do prefer full-sized bottles if possible, because I can never be sure of how much I will need. Sometimes your skin can react differently to the same products because of external factors such as the weather, pollen count, and air conditioning.
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Do you have a regular plane beauty routine?
I recently discovered the Rodial under-eye masks and their Snake Neck mask and I’m obsessed. They are the perfect beauty product to prevent air conditioning from drying out my skin.
How do you unwind on holiday?
I read and try to exercise – basically I do the things I enjoy doing but struggle to find the time for when I’m at home or at work.
What has been you favourite vacation spa so far and why?
L’Andana in Tuscany, Italy. Immersed in the middle of the countryside in an amazing building, the Italian way of beauty is really present there. It’s also easy to emulate their routines at home.
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How do you overcome jet-lag skin when you land?
I try to drink as much water as possible, and keep my skin hydrated.
What are your top skincare make-up/hair tips when travelling?
Whilst travelling, don’t wear too much make up and avoid foundation. Use concealer if you need to, but your skin needs to be clear to reapply your SPF. Make sure to use lip balm and hand cream as often as possible. Put your hair in a bun or a clip after a fresh blow dry. With the heat, your hair tends to get limp so a loose bun will keep the hair fresh for the evening.
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What is your favourite location to shop for homegrown beauty?
I have recently discovered Philip Martins, an Italian haircare eco-sustainable company that produces products combining nature and science in an innovative way.
What’s on your beauty wish list right now?
I really like the silicon chest masks by Nurse Jamie that help to prevent wrinkles appearing on the décolletage after time in the sun.
THE PACKING LOWDOWN
Travel light or over-packer?
Over-packer.
Spa facial or massage?
Both!
Vacation air-dry or blow-dry?
Blow-dry.
Fake tan or au naturel?
Fake tan.
Desert island beauty product?
Sunscreen.
Any Questions or Tips to add?