First holiday prep

[LelliNelli]

I'm leaving for my first ever holiday abroad in 2 months and am basically looking for top tips in terms of prep.
I've started healthy eating and am hoping to lose about a stone (I'll still be overweight but I imagine I'll be more comfortable).

I'm super pasty white and don't tan easily and I was thinking about a spray tan before I leave so I don't dazzle anyone. I've had mixed opinions about this in the office. Some say it's a terrible idea and it'll come off straight away, some say do it but I'll come back paler because the tan will wear away and I won't tan or that I should go for it and it will be fine. I don't plan on cooking all day and will be wearing suncream but I feel like with a fake tan I'll feel for confident.

I was also thinking about getting waxed and getting eyelash extensions (never had these before but get very sweaty in the heat and don't want panda eyes, plus they seem easier to get up and go). How much in advance should these be done?

Are there any other preps I should be doing? Thank you so much in advance

How exciting, hope you enjoy your first holiday! Don’t sweat it (pardon the pun), you don’t necessarily need to engage in beauty pageants levels of grooming. Remember the holiday is supposed to be fun and relaxing, that everyone else will be too busy enjoying themselves to worry about how you look on the beach and the only essential is sunscreen.

Personally I’d skip the eyelash extensions and just buy a waterproof mascara. Not sure what you’re taking about waxing, if it’s legs/underarms and you usually shave say every other day then it can save time but if you haven’t had it don’t before you might not get that good results. If you do get a wax make sure it’s a few days before to avoid any redness. Bikini line is probably a given if you’re wearing high cut swimwear, that’s the only thing you’ve mentioned that I’d personally view as essential. I’d also be wary of the spray tan if you’re going to be swimming. I’m also very pale but I don’t see it as something to change.

Thanks Troubled
I may skip the extensions because I can be a bit of a hair plucker when I'm stressed.
I was thinking about legs and bikini waxing so I'm smooth the whole time. Would it be worth doing this a week or a few days before?

I have quite bad cellulite which always looks better when the skin is darker so I feel like it would make me self concious. I'm quite worried I'll chicken out of bikinis and wear a cover up all the time but I just want to enjoy myself

Take really good sun screen and forget the fake tan. I'm really pale and did the st tropez salon tan for my first holiday abroad - I looked awful! The colour was wrong and as it wore off I just looked dirty, which dropped my confidence. Be pale and interesting. Protect your skin well and moisturise really well.

If you're looking at eyelashes I can recommend LVL lashes. Because I'm pale I've got fair eyelashes and always look piggy-eyed without mascara, but did LVLs before my last holiday and was really impressed.

May be worth sorting the bikini area if that will make you feel confident and comfortable.

Packing-wise, take clothes that fit but maybe have a little bit of extra room. Most people get a bit of fluid retention on holiday, and you're likely to be relaxed with food and drink so a bit of weight gain is normal too. Taking clothes that only just fit will mean that they may just end up in the case unworn if you gain a bit while away.

Don't go mad taking tons of shoes. Comfy sandals which can do day and evenings and a walking pair is usually enough. Don't waste your luggage allowance on footwear that you probably won't wear.

Decant your favourite toiletries into smaller bottles and tubs to save weight and space.

Lay out all of the outfits you want to wear, then take 1/3 away. If you don't love it or feel great in it, it doesn't go. If it can't be combined with something else to make an outfit, it doesn't go. Take as much of a capsule or mix and match wardrobe as possible to reduce weight in the case and make choosing outfits easier. Anything that can be worn one day, then rinsed out and jazzed up for an evening is a bonus, like a maxi dress or nice top.

Pinterest have loads of packing light suggestions.

I always get a tan before holiday. Choose a salon which lets you pick how dark they do you. Sienna x is good for this. Tan evens out cellulite etc. It won't stop you from tanning/burning though so you must use sunscreen.

If you do decide to get waxed then I usually go with about 3 days before; that’s enough time to ensure any redness has gone but close enough to ensure you’re still super smooth at the end of the holiday. Then if you decide to get the spray tan book that at least 24 hours after the wax. So say wax on Wednesday, tan on Friday, fly on Saturday.

gary that's helpful thanks. It's the cellulite I want to hide. I don't plan on being in the sun without lotion but just want a nice colour instead of looking like a corpse

I'm very pale and at this time of year I start using this after my bath and it just takes the edge off the white so I don't frighten anyone when I get my legs out!