How to look "polished" while staying in hotels/on holiday

[askii]

How on earth do people manage to look polished when contending with bad hotel lighting/air con/hard water etc when staying in hotels or on holiday? I'm always envious of those who manage to look so effortless in these situations

I think it’s less to do with how much money you spend and more to do with awareness of what suits you and choosing colours well.

Unless you are holidaying in a very snobby resort, 90% of people aren’t going to notice if you have an expensive handbag/beach bag, nor are they going to notice if you’ve applied cuticle cream every day.

When I’ve been on holiday, the people who look the most polished and put together are the ones who have kept it simple - no bright garish colours or prints, no bright blue ridiculously long nails, nothing skin tight etc. Just nice, well fitted cover ups/lightweight dresses for evening, tan/black accessories and simple jewellery.

The only thing I notice is bad sunburn that looks like it will need skin grafts, I don't notice how people are dressed etc. Lots of British people don't look after their skin on holiday. It makes me wince.

I don't manage to look polished anywhere so at least it's not a shock for anyone on holiday.

@Droolylabradors Ha ha SE England dweller here too. My main issue on holkday is often ending up with loads of soap or shampoo residue as I have used the "home" amount.

My make up on holiday is fake tan for the face and lipstick.
I am fortunate enough to have decent skin plus dark eyes, dark eyelashes and dark eyebrows (which I keep neat).

The only other concession I make is a lovely pedicure just before I go. I do my own finger nails, so they were fairly short and had a coat of Sally Hanson nail strengthener on them.

I'm pretty lazy low maintenance.

I grew up in South East England and I know exactly what posters mean about hard water. The water where we stayed in Greece was even harder.

I always get a lash tint and brow shape the day before. Leave in conditioner in the morning every day. Lots of moisturiser and suncream.
Loose clothes, flat sandles, minimal makeup, light perfume for the evening.

Hair up all the time. Nice hair claws, no worries.

Loose floaty wide leg trousers, patterned. Plain tops.

A comfortable walking sandal. A comfortable pair of flats

NOTHING that needs ironing. Nothing!

Like others MY comfort is paramount, I don't give a damn about how others see me.

A lot of ‘holiday wear’ is not conducive to looking polished.

Usually the floral / jungle type prints in bright colours are not flattering at all. Same with anything too short / too tight.

Most people don’t look good in shorts (I know, I know, controversial)

Try and stick to a neutral palate and less is more. Think maxi dresses in black, or loose linen trousers with a drapey flattering vest top. Plus understated gold jewellery.

Large sunglasses and a neutral, good quality bag.

Get eyebrows done and eyelash lift.

This post makes me realise that holidays are far from relaxing. I can hardly fall asleep due to noises, loud aircon, lift, etc. there is hardly any proper lighting in the bathroom to do make-up (aside from Sani where there were magnifying mirrors). Then you start comparing yourself to those slim women who just look so effortlessly put together. Then there's extortionate prices, heat, delays...I think staying at home is the way to go.

@Mushroo

If you are slim linen looks amazing but for those of us carrying weight especially with larger appendages in front it really doesn't work, cotton with a subtle floral pattern is more flattering (not jungle though, no never) I have a few, all monsoon and all below the knee

It's very liberating to not worry about what you look like and what anyone else thinks. Most people will just look at you and think, oh that's a person and then they'll carry on with their holiday. If fewer people tried to look polished, none of us would need to worry about that kind of thing.

Try it and then enjoy yourself.

Most of the problem is thinking that holidays demand different clothes. Just wear regular hot weather clothes! You don't need special 'fun' prints or orthopaedic sandals. And why would you take an expensive bag to the beach?

I don't have separate "holiday clothes" except for swimwear and beach towel. I wear the same hot weather clothes on holiday as I do at home.

This 🤣

I'd just settle for not looking like I'd been raised from the dead 🤣

Yeah I don't get this either. I didn't have to buy anything new for my holiday recently apart from maternity swimwear.

The hotel we have just stayed in had poor lighting in the bathroom, but excellent lighting in the room. It also had a washbasin in the room with a well lit mirror. The bedroom itself was huge and had a sofa, fridge and kettle. I don't think we could have done better TBH.

For me getting dressed up for dinner is an important part of my holiday enjoyment. Nothing flashy but a nice dress or jumpsuit and some makeup makes me feel good. At home dinner is normally soup or salad in my pjs so having three courses in a nice outfit feels like an occasion.

Yes, I like getting dressed up for dinner, but in my case it would be a summer dress that I already own after having spent all day in shorts or swimwear then having a shower.

People just don't dress up like they used to. We never stay AI or half board and always eat out in local restaurants, and everyone is pretty casual these days.

Another one here who doesn't have special holiday clothes. However I do have a few dresses that get more of a run out on holiday as it is often not warm enough here in the UK to weae them a lot.

And, be 20 and have not eaten properly in the run up.

not just clothes...people get their eyebrows done, manicure, pedicure, waxing, hair cut and dyed, buy makeup for hot weather...ends up costing nearly as much as the holiday and takes up about as much time!

the only thing they don't bother with is suncream, ironically.

I do have some 'holiday clothes' - eg sundresses that are brighter than I'd wear here, but others I'd wear at home. City break or UK holidays I don't have special clothes, although generally would pack my favourite and better quality stuff.

think the dressing up thing is a bit package holiday

Thats a bit catty!

Most of the problem is thinking that holidays demand different clothes. Just wear regular hot weather clothes! You don't need special 'fun' prints or orthopaedic sandals. And why would you take an expensive bag to the beach?

I have a complete holiday wardrobe, I’m going on nine foreign holidays this year so will get plenty of wear out of my clothes.