Beach holiday: what grooming procedures do you advise prior to departure?

[Countingthegreyhairs]

I don't normally visit beauty salons. This will be my first beach holiday ever (Tunisia) and first proper holiday in 8 years (normally visit relatives in UK and France). I'm nearly 44, very pale-skinned and feel pretty un-confident about revealing my body on the beach. Have got the clothes sorted but wd appreciate your advice on the grooming side of things pls.

Does this list sound OK or am I missing anything out?

hair-cut
3/4 leg hair removal
under-arm hair removal
bikini-line hair removal
pedicure

what would you do about fake tanning??

I'm having hair-cut 4 days before, but when should I have hair removal and pedicure done?

Sorry if this has been done before/very obvious but I'm a complete novice at all of this ... thanks!!

spray tan without doubt

Wax a couple of days before, you need 24 hours before you can sunbathe afterwards really, and of course if you spray tan you'll want to do that after the wax. I personally won't go anywhere without twisers

Hair removal - depends how fast it grows ? I usually have it done at least 4 days before cos I get a bit blotchy so it gives it chance to calm down

Pedicure - as late as possible (day or two before). Take some nail varnisher remover wipes with you just in case the polish gets chipped before the end of your holiday (if its 2 weeks +)

I don't normally have fake tans before a holiday but do use the Dove or Johnsons summer moisturisers for a week or so before

Exfoliate lots before your wax and any tanning application

Eyelash tint - therefore you won't be needing mascara during the day, when you are swimming you will be streak free!!

I deep condition hair as often as I can before I go so at least it starts out in good nick

Brilliant!! Blinked and have lots of lovely replies!! Thanks everyone.

Pinkblossom - I'd have never thought of an eyelash tint - sounds good -

Ruby Slippers - spray tan sounds a bit scary but as the it's only a 7 day holiday I think it might be worth it ... not sure I've seen them here in Belgium though ...but haven't exactly ever looked before tbh .... will investigate ...

If not, is the Dove and Johnson's good for pale skins?

Wonderstuff - my tweezers are my most prized beauty tool too - have very dark hair and pale skin - I'm constantly plucking .....

TillyScoutMum - I usually shave my legs and it grows back pretty soon after that (2 days). Does it take longer after waxing??

Not sure about the full fake tan however a couple of weeks of body loition with fake tan (e.g. Johnson holiday skin) might be a good idea.

Sorry - x posts -

thanks Mrs B - that's a really good tip - I've used olive oil to good effect for that - thxs for reminder ...

Hanaflower - thxs, normally do my own eyebrows but could be good to get them done professionally for once ....

I'm interested in threading, as waxing usually makes me go red for days .... is threading as effective?

Thanks Cardy and Hanaflower ...

crikey ... I know one needs to make more effort as one ages but this beauty business is a full-time job ... !!

Better start making appts ....

i highly recommend threading as well - i have my eyebrows done and the shape is great

spray tan - not scary - quick and easy and no stripping off in front of anyone

Get your eyelashes dyed then you don't have to worry about smudgy mascara.

Thank you again Ruby and thanks Buckets

OK - so just to be clear - what sort of gap is necessary between leg waxing and spray tanning ...

um - and what do you wear exactly when you go for a fake tan ... and does a live person spray you or a machine???? (don't relish idea of exposing my spaniel ear norks to strangers!!)

thnks Kama - um, that sounds a bit more complicated than I was expecting ...

thought we were going end of month but dh has just telephoned that we may have to bring hol forward to end next week

yikes!!!!

As I've just had my 'tanned' legs & arms widely admired in the playground, I'll share...

Exfoliate in the shower at least every other day on wet skin (Crabtree & Evelyn Rice Body Scrub or make your own with salt & olive oil & a drop of essential oil). Rub all over and then rinse off, it will remove any rough bits of skin before you attempt any sort of fake tan so you won't get orange knees etc. It will also whip a lot of the hairs on your arms off leaving them lovely and smooth.

After shower, head to toe Dove or Johnsons pale to normal tanning body lotion. Don't forget to wash your hands afterwards or you'll have orangutang orange palms!

Give nails at least two coats of polish so it chips less.

Rest of your list is perfect!

Have a great holiday. Tunisia is lovely.

soooo jealous - stuck at my desk and the idea of Tunisia sounds so appealing!

I am also really uncomfortable showing my saggy baggy bits on the beach and treated my self last year to a fake tan session at the clarins studio (I can never manage to fake tan very well on anything other than my legs).

Felt so much more confident on the beach in a tankini - being brown made me feel slimmer and younger

i am very hairy and waxing lasts about 2 weeks, 3 with plucking. i had a spray tan last year and felt better on the beach before real tan kicked in, it lasted about 3 days. stupidly i had manicure /pedicure day before tan, you should have tan first then pedicure, i take my own varnish so i can fill in any chips whilst away.

eyelash tint is a must ,go as dark as poss as it fades quick.

start exfoliatin a couple of weeks before your waxing,especially under arms and bikini.
i usually have waxing day before as i want it to last as long as poss.
have a lovely time.

i usually have my hair cut when i get back as i wear it up most of the hols.

thanks again Karma

Oh and thanks - that sounds like a regime I could cope with DuchessofNorksbride ...

will definitely do the tanning one way or t'other twinkletoys ... bronzed saggy bits being so much more attractive than pale variety ..

hifi - thanks for clarification - noted will tan first then pedicure ..

... after all you lovely lot have gone to the trouble of posting, I'm not sure Tunisia is going to happen owing to dh's job ... still trying to sort it out

all the advice is MUCH appreciated though ...going to go ahead in case everything magically sorts itself out over next week ....