The top of the country's waterlogged, the bottom end's parched; there's a credit crunch, we're given free money and told to spend it - bit of a topsy turvy few months in Australia really, and now I have to get my head around packing for foreign tropical climes while encased in jumper and ugh boots with the heating up way higher than the carbon cops would ever tolerate. I'm off on holiday, beauties - to South-East Asia. Tricky times, indeed.
You see, I don't quite know what to take. It's a luxury spa resort sort of holiday (truly, I'm doing it for you; promise I'll write) so while I've got the sunscreens locked in, I'm unsure of what my other cosmetic needs might be.
Five-star resort protocol, 24-hour humidity and skin-wrinkling equatorial sun: I'm out of my comfort zone. Tonight I've been desperately flinging random cosmetic candidates into the open cases that carpet the diningroom floor (I can't even decide which bag to take). At the moment, I'm taking the lot.
Not feasible obviously and probably unnecessary. First stop is a luxury hotel in Singapore, which boasts a huge outdoor pool and a health club specialising in revitalisation. Kick, kick! My aromatherapised self will then be springing to more indulgence at a famed spa village in Malaysia, on the South China Sea. Splash, splash! My next destination is most definitely a topsy-turvy beauty environment. Surprise, surprise!
I know I'll be five-star but do the mosquitoes know that? Is makeup de rigeur for evenings? Will makeup even stick in the tropics? Self-tanner - yes or no? What about a little shimmer? Will waxing needs be able to be met?
I do have some definites that either served me well last summer or which have recently come on to the market and to my attention. I can recommend them after testing various competitors, sometimes to my disadvantage. They include:
# KMS California Beach Protectant, a thick creamy sun protector for the hair you put in before and between swims.
# Lancome L'Extreme waterproof mascara (though I do so long for the Oscillation waterproof, which is launching on August 30) and matching remover.
# Natio's new Spa with Organics body butter - lightly scented, really rich and luxurious but, like most Natio products, good value for money. The body polish is lovely too.
# Invisble Zinc's Tinted Daywear, which has a sheer, non-greasy tint with an SPF 30 (being me, I'll also be wearing the waterproof Invisible Zinc underneath).
# Aveda Sun Care Hair and Body Cleanser, which replaces chlorine waft with Aveda-divine aroma.
# Nad's Ingrow Solution: say no more. A recent, fortuitous discovery.
# Half a dozen super snazzy stripy toilet bags from Jimeale New York arrived in the post (from Australia) today. I don't want to have to use them all so....
Please send your product recommendations and any beauty tips for my trip. I've never been to Asia before. Or a resort like Shangri-la. I'll share my observations and discoveries in as much glorious details as I can summon spaside if you will be kind enough to give me the benefit of your experience so I can get this jolly packing done and a Singapore Sling or two dusted. Cheers.
I've just discovered the Nad's Ingrow Solution too!
I'm currently trialling it.. fingers crossed it works. Did it work for you?
I'm curious if there are other products that do the same thing, as i have a real problem with ingrown hairs on my thighs.
As for resort makeup, i stayed at the Shangri-La in Sabah and only used minimal makeup - it was always being removed for the spa treatments anyway and i was going to the beach/pool everyday!
Waterproof mascara, lipgloss, sunscreen for the day, and i added powder and blush for night time. I travelled very lightly!
Have a great trip!
- Posted by: Luxe at June 2, 2009 9:54 AM
Definetely pack lightly with the make up. Mascara, cheek tint or creme, powder & lipgloss will be enough.
I imagine you wouldn't feel like piling on the makeup with your post facial glow!
Have a great trip & let us know about all your treatments!
- Posted by: Christina at June 3, 2009 9:33 AM