Need some holiday beauty tips please

[AlCrowley]

Holiday is 3 weeks away. I've managed to lose almost a stone in the 6 months since DD was born but am still feeling fat, lumpy and decidedly less than glamorous

Does anyone have any beauty tips I could try now that might mean I feel a bit less frumpy by the time we fly? SIL's will be there too looking gorgeous and I'm already dreading it.

Have a spray tan, highlight your hair, have a mani and a pedi and you'll feel faaaaaaaaaabulous!

If you want to go the whole hog, get eyelash extensions too, they're fab on hols as no mascara needed AT ALL for swimming, sipping cocktails...£50 ish per set..will last the whole hols and some.

Also, buy some great by the pool throw on dresses, so you look like you've made no effort, but you'll look divine. I always like a sarong tied in a halterneck, big dark glasses and a large cosmopolitan for my poolside attire. (GOD, am I dreaming...I am usually chasing a 7yr old and stopping a 20mnth old from diving in head first.... I can dream tho!)

Hair cut and deep conditioning treatment.

I'll be chasing a 3 year old and feeding a 7 month old Mary but I like the sound of sarong dresses. I'm having a nightmare finding anything poolside-ish that I can easily extract a boob from without totally undressing - not good when you're on holiday with the FIL!!

If anyone's got some suggestions for some nice dresses (bearing in mind I'm 5'1" and about a size 12/14) then I would love to have a look. Been outting off my holiday shopping in the hope of losing more weight before we go so I've still got plenty to buy.

Got a hairdressers appointment booked for the weekend before we go so will definitely book for the deep conditioning treatment and am very tempted to splash out on some highlights too. DH loves me with blonde hair (is brunette at the moment) so lightening it would probably get his seal of approval.

Might have to do the mani and pedicure myself then though to save him the heart attack over my beauty bill

What sort of dresses are you after? Am v similar size to you and find Warehouse silk ones v good but they don't seem to have any nice ones online at the mo.

Something cool for sitting by the pool/going to the beach in and for eating out in the evenings. I need to be able to breastfeed while wearing them which is causing me problems as all feeding dresses seem to be multi-layered (so probably hot) and all normal dresses would need to be all but removed to get access.

Silk, while lovely, would probably get ruined the second I leaked or DD sicked on me

Have a look at that 15 quid M&S one that everybody is raving about in another thread. I didn't like it at all but you could deffo breast feed in it.

I've had a look but I can't see which thread might be the M&S dress one. What's the title?

Definately highlights and a french manicure on toes looks really nice and lasts ages on holiday

link to dress on this thread
tis cheap enough to get a few colours
I bought it on black the other day and it's lovely,perfect for around the pool or lunch

Thanks ggirl. Do you think it would pull out of the way enough for a feed?

Will have to see if they have one in our local store. I've got a 32GG chest so I always have tp try V necks, they can look awful if they're not roomy enough!

I think it'll be fine, I have ff boobs and it's ok on me. There is a tie behind the neck that you could loosen to flop your boob out,

Will pop in and try to find it this week. Thanks

Wax, spray tan (holiday skin if on a budget), eyebrows, hair & pedicure.

Buy some lovely dresses and shoes that you feel good in.

I am carrying a bit of extra baby weight too but have tanned skin, nice eyebrows and gorgeous hands and feet (thanks to beautician!) I feel good.

I definitely need something to even up my tan! My arms are getting quite coloured thanks to being outside when running but my legs are still pasty! I'm not getting my tummy out so it doesn't really matter what colour that is.

Question though - how do you self tan your back? DH is a massive grump when it comes to self tan and is unlikely to want to help.

And will Self/Spray tan look OK on my stretch marks? I have them on my thighs all the way down to my knees

Have been eplilating regularly but might book a wax just to clear up any stragglers (and do my bikini line which I just can't face epilating!) and made sure I was thoroughly exfoliated in the shower last night after my run before coating myself in baby oil. I feel softer already

I use the saint tropez everyday or garnier holiday skin in the darker colour and they seem fine on my stretch marks on my thighs. Personally I think the garnier is much better and is cheaper too.

I force my dh to do my back, he hates it but does oblige under duress If yours won't and you can't get anyone else to do it then perhaps try one of the self spray ones. Think some have a 3rd off in boots at the mo.

Where are you going?

Portugal. Never been before

Al, I started the thread re the M&S Beach Dress, tis lovely and will definetly be ok for breastfeeding. I bought 2 as it was so cheap, and if you read the thread some kind soul posted a 10% discount code too..

Ooh, thanks Mary.

Do you think it'll cover my lumpy tum too?

This website has a couple of nice nursing swimming cossies, not bad prices either.

This kaftan from John Lewis is rather glam too and good for covering up when you've had enough sun. Or this one is just £15.

I've got pretty dry hair and found combing through cheap conditioner each morning before tying it up helped to protect from the sun and chlorine.

Big stylish sun shades always look gorgeous too.

Have a wonderful holiday

DO you know, I'd always assumed there would be no such thing as a breastfeeding swimsuit!

Liking the halterneck one. It's patterned to disguise my shape

I like the kaftan too.

Will definitely try the conditioner trick. My hair is beginning to get back to normal but is still quite dry after pregnancy.

I quite like this top in black. Looks pretty stylish, although it's a double layer it still looks quite cool.

This one is really pretty too, though strapless, so not sure whether you'd go for that.

Thought this dress was pretty too, though not glam, might look nice with tanned skin and a pair of strappy sandals for evenings.

Quite like these maxi dresses too, very summery.

Primark have some brilliant sunglasses in atm. I bought a pair for £1 which brilliant are Marc Jacobs rip offs and very flattering - a kind of taupy grey colour.

Definitely get your feet in shape - either have a pedicure or just file and paint your toenails yourself. I think orange and corally colours look lovely with a tan.

I think simple dressing is the key to looking and feeling good when it is hot - so a kaftan rather than a tshirt and skirt iyswim.

Have a look at the holiday travel thread on S&B too - there are some good general pointers. As I've said on there I think a good scarf is really important for a holiday.

No Primark in Milton Keynes

We do have a new TK Maxx though...

I've been working in my feet for a few weeks. BFing makes my skin really dry so they're a complete mess. Looking much better now though. Will have to get myself some new holiday polish to make myself feel special

Off to check out that thread....