Off to get some winter sun this year? Don’t finish your packing without ensuring you have all the beauty essentials you need. Here is our tailored edit…
Including the sun protection we trust to keep you safe on the beach (especially if you’ve been out of the sunshine for a while) and the skin-pampering products to take you from city break to the slopes, these are the winter sun beauty essentials the CF team won’t travel without right now.
1. SPF: the beach holiday
Triangl
In desperate need of some R&R in the sunshine now that the weather has turned colder in the UK? Whether you head to the island oases of Maldives or the white sand beaches of the Caribbean, luckily there are plenty of sun-drenched destinations beckoning that allow you to do very little should that be your dream right now.
It goes without saying that sunscreen is your number one packing essential for a winter sun beach holiday. In particular, you should look for high factors as your skin is likely to be more sensitive to the sun if you haven’t enjoyed its rays for a while. Make sure your kids are suitably protected with extra high-factors too. If you hate heavy formulas that make the sand stick to you as you sunbathe, look to lighter-weight sprays for your body and sensitive skin-safe facial products. Our favourites include those from Sun Bum, La Roche-Posay, and Shiseido.
2. After sun: the active holiday
Hunza G
From regular dips in the sea, to sporty activities including surfing and beachside yoga, an active winter sun holiday can be just the ticket to destress. But, you do need to make sure you have the tools with you in your suitcase to look after your skin and hair in the process. After all, your skin can become irritated not only by too much sun exposure, but also the dehydrating effect of chlorine or saltwater. The same is true for your hair, which can become knotty and faded.
Our advice: why not turn your pre-dinner shower into a pampering ritual. Use a nourishing hair mask to moisturise your tresses or even use a preventive treatment such as Philip Kingsley’s mask to stop dryness happening in the first place. Be preventive in your approach to bodycare too. Aftersun (such as from Institut Esthederm and Dr Barbara Sturm) is not just for when you have the misfortune of burning, it is actually best used daily to really lock-in moisture to your skin.
3. Glow-boosting makeup: the city break
DeMellier
When you are exploring new city sights in the sunshine, you want your makeup to last as long as you do – even if the temperatures are climbing in the winter sun. That requires packing makeup essentials with longevity in mind – choosing lightweight layers over full coverage so you really can’t go wrong with a really good lightweight primer, such as Milk Makeup’s Hydro Grip to hold everything place.
To save on space in your cosmetics case, we recommend looking for multitasking makeup products too (especially if you are only travelling for a long weekend). That includes moisturising tints, such as Erborian’s classic CC Cream to diffuse away redness, and lip and cheek enhancers like that give you a really natural-looking glow from day one of your holiday.
4. Skin nourishing products: skiing
MATCHESFASHION
Winter sun might traditionally involve the beach and noticeably warm temperatures, but although the slopes might be snow-covered while you ski, the sun is often still very much shining as you shoot off down the mountains. In fact, that’s why you can so often return with rather prominent tan lines and a sunburnt nose to show for it. Having the right beauty essentials to hand can keep that at bay!
Without repeating ourselves too much, sun protection is essential when skiing – especially if you want to enjoy some apres-ski in the sunshine too. Don’t forget about your lips in particular, which are especially at risk of becoming dry, chapped, and burnt, especially post-exercise. We love Bondi Sands’ SPF 50 Lip Balm. Prioritise barrier-protecting products, such as Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Barrier Balm and Glow Hub’s Skin Trip Treatment Lotion. This will keep your complexion plump and hydrated whatever the weather.
Lead image credit: Triangl
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