Beauty Editor Kim Jones shares her cooling holiday beauty buys,
Hurray! Holiday season is here. My boys have just finished school and we can't wait to head off en famille for some sun in a couple of weeks' time.
Packing clothes isn't a favourite pastime of mine. What to wear? Will it be hot or cold or in-between? How on earth can I whittle down my wardrobe?
But I've got my beauty-bag packing down to a fine art. As well as my usual moisturisers and make up, I sneak in a few other must-haves to help keep me (and the family) cool and comfortable in the heat. So I thought I'd share with you some of my favourite summer beauty buys which I'll be stowing away in my holiday holdall this year.
 I burn easily, so I'm constantly on the lookout for high-protection facial sunscreens that don't leave my skin looking shiny-white or like a sweaty oil slick. So, finding Vichy's new Capital Soleil high protection Face Emulsion Dry Touch made me want to kiss the tube! It absorbs easily with a no-shine formulation that really protects well. Meaning you can pop on some light make up over the top if you want to, without it sliding off your face in minutes. It's paraben free, costs £16 and is available from escentual.com or call 0800 169 6193 for your nearest stockist.
Though I'm not usually a fan of cleansing wipes (they tend to strip the skin and not do a thorough job), I do confess to packing a packet of these if I'm going away for just a few days. They're light and easy to use on the go, and I reckon my skin won't suffer for a short while without my usual creamy cleanser. What's more, you can use them to freshen up the family's perspiring foreheads and armpits through the day too! My favourite brand of the moment is the Yes To Cucumbers Facial Towelettes, priced £4.99 from victoriahealth.com. They're really moist so don't drag at the skin and they contain cucumber and aloe vera which are both great ingredients for soothing sun-kissed cheeks.
The heat can really make your eyes smart so look for the latest eye treatments (to reduce puffiness and the appearance of dark circles) delivered via icy-cooling metal rollerballs - they're perfect for pepping up over-heated peepers. Lots of skincare companies are adding these to their ranges. I really like L'Occitane's new Angelica Eye Roll-on, £15 from uk.loccitane.com. It's gentle enough to use around my son's hayfever eyes, too.
A cooling facial spritz is also a wise-buy. Choose one with moisturising ingredients to keep your sun-parched skin looking and feeling dewy and fresh all day. Benefit's Ultra Radiance Facial Re-Hydrating Mist, £19.50 (benefitcosmetics.co.uk) absorbs easily and is good for setting your make up too.
After-sun is vital after a day on the beach to cool, calm and moisturise thirsty body skin. And my latest discovery (though it's been around a while) is Dr Hauschka's After-Sun Lotion, £13.95 (drhauschka.co.uk). It contains Almond oil and Rose wax to moisturise, extract of Ice Plant to cool and carrot and calendula to nourish. What's more, it's really easily absorbed and used regularly, it can help you keep your tan for longer.
To freshen up during the day, I adore Temple Spa's 'Take A Grip' Dry Shower in a Bottle, from £4.25 (templespa.com). You can apply it all over the body -it contains arnica, aloe vera and menthol - and it soaks up stickiness and sweat then dries quickly like liquid talc. It smells super shower-fresh too. All the family will be fighting over this one!
Lastly, if you're trying to slim before your beach holiday, check out the New York Times' Bestseller 'The Carb Lover's Diet' £12.99, Octopus Books. Finally! A diet where potatoes, pasta, bread and pizza are all allowed. Happy holidays!
Kim Jones, Beauty Editor
July 2011
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