BY ZOE FOSTER Sometimes, especially after The Most Disappointing Summer in History, us Strayans take ourselves off to Europe during winter for a bit of sun and fun and maybe even a plum.
Being that we live so stinkin’ far away from the country of Europe (I’m joking, put your maps away), we often stay over there for 2-3 weeks (or, if you’re a bum of an author with a penchant for gyro like me, 2-3 months) to make all that travel – and all that cost of travel – worthwhile.
Obviously, we need a fair amount of Beauty Stuff to keep us looking good and smelling even better during that time. And so I thought, since I myself am making my voyage to Europe this very week, I would outline the basics of beauty packing for such a trip. LESS is BEST, girls. (And I know some of you will watch this video and be amazed that this is considered “less” but remember, I am a beauty editor, and as such genetically predisposed to overpacking my toiletry bags.
The video below refers to the skin and hair (and nails) but not the makeup, because that gets its own video. I concede that compared to glittery eye makeup tutorials, it’s not a very exciting video, but hopefully it’s slightly less dull than me writing the list out.
Speaking of dull, here are some of the essentials that didn’t even make the non-exciting video!!! Get ready for thrills!!!!!
- Mario Badescu Drying Lotion to stop all pending spot attacks
- A Gillette Venus disposable razor (I like the moisture strip! What can I say)
- 7383494 brown hair elastics
- Hotel-size body wash and body lotion to tide me over til I can joyously raid a pharmacy
Don’t worry, the deodorant (Dove with the pink lid, I am moderately fanatical about its scent) and hand cream (Lanolips rose hand cream) and lip balm (Suvana paw paw) etc are coming too, but they get to fly up with me and my 16 trashy magazines, because they bought me a better Christmas present.
If you can’t watch the video, here are the products Zoe is taking:
Olay Complete Defence SPF30+ Daily Moisturising Lotion
Priori CoffeeBerry Revitalizing Cleanser
La Mer The Refining Facial
Trilogy Rosehip Oil
Sodashi Nourishing Repair Treatment
Decleor “Flower Petals” mask
Clinique Self-Tanner
UV Triple Guard Natural
Goldwell Dual Senses shampoo and conditioner
Pantene 3 Minute Miracle Treatment
Original Mineral Frizzy Logic
L’Oreal Professional Superdust
Batiste Dry Shampoo
OPI dry sand nail polish
Have I forgotten anything? Be a lamb and let me know, won’t you. Hate to arrive and discover I’ve left behind my Magimix.
Zoe is an author, columnist and porridge fan. Her books include the beauty bible Amazing Face, dating and relationship guide Textbook Romance, and three novels, Air Kisses, Playing The Field and The Younger Man. Find more info on her here, or supervise on her daily procrastination here and here.
Please understand that Zoë cannot respond to ALL your questions – but never fear, there are readers that are bound to know the answers, so don’t be afraid to ask.
What do you pack when you go away?
Comments
159 Comments so far
Hi Zoe,
Can you tell me the best beauty buys to be found at Sephora?
Cheers!
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this is disturbing.
I can see Zoe is passionate about this stuff and seems lovely.
But this list and the explanations make me shake my head.
Is the outcome of of evolution + 100 years of freedom, sanitation, nutrition and education ? Our feminist grand-mothers and Anzac grandfather would be wondering why they bothered to fight for us, so that we can worry about what to do if there is no nail salon on our overseas holidays.
This dinner party is becoming vacuous and disappointing.
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Hi Zoe
Great post as usual… can I just ask here your white shirt you are wearing is from?
Hope you are enjoying Greece… try and get to Kastellorizo if you get chance… amazing place
Cheers
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Hi Zoe
Great list
Thanks you got me into Trilogy rosehip oil, I wanted to let you know about another which I have discovered in France. I found this avocado one… So- Bio Avocat oil is about 8 euros from Carrefour http://www.sobio-etic.com/huile_de_beaute_avocat_bio-p1331885.html and i love it (LOVE wandering around foreign supermarkets/pharmacies)
Its made my skin all glowy and lovely and I was even I.D ed for buying wine recently (could be related…)
Have a great trip
ps DOP Almond flavoured shower gel is also AMAZING
Lx
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Zoe, I need your assistance.
I’m currently overseas studying, and have been since the start of the year. Problem being – after years of casually seeing lots of different hairdressers back home, I finally took the leap and committed to one, fabulous one who could do wicked things with my thick, curly mane. I bet you can now guess the problem. I’ve haven’t been to a hairdresser in five months, and it’s starting to become a quite dire situation. My question to you is – how in the world do I pick a good hairdresser (basically on sight) in a foreign land? I’m frightened that I’ll put my hair into the hands someone who does not appreciate the eccentricities of my hair.
PS. You’re an inspiration and I read the 4-hour work week because of you.
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Thanks Zoe for the little list above.
I recently took my rosehip oil overseas and the packaging didn’t like being in a plane very much. I had double wrapped it in plastic, but still wanted to get out of the bottle very quickly. It is a fab product, but my recommendation to MMers is make sure you take one that seals close really well. Otherwise everything else in your toiletries bag will be feeling the benefits of rosehip oil & not you!!
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Loved the post from Zoe. I was a fan of primped and followed Zoe over to Mama Mia. I never saw any backlash or negative comments at Primped and it makes me sad seeing some of the comments. Seriously what is wrong with some people.
Loved the post and would love to see a video on how you plan on tackling brows, waxing, hair colouring and cutting while you are overseas. Safe travels.
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Completely agree.
I followed Zoe with extreme enthusiasm to Mamamia as was devo when she left primped… and have realized people can be really mean here!
It saddens me that people go out of their way to write rude and nasty comments to someone who always comes across as kind and lovely. Disappointing
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I feel the same way. I used to enjoy reading through threads but now it so hard to pick through to find relevant posts whilst trying to avoid the negativity and hate. I admit I am overly sensitive to negativity, but still….it really gets me down.
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Agree. Agree.agree.
I stopped reading a while back because of all the nasty comments.
Glad to be back but I’m not likely to read comments, or I just glance through them.
Before I stopped and unsubscribed I voiced my concern a few times – with negative results!!
Things do seem to have improved which is great.
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Yes! Please do a cruelty free post. That would be amaze!
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I posted this comment on your make up post put its the same for this one. Great post but it would be great if you could do a post of good products you use that are not tested on animals. I love watching alot of your primped videos too but many of the products you use test on animals, which I won’t buy.
Something to think about
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Ok, maybe I’m the only non-rich person reading this, but some of this stuff: really??
The La Mer product is $200 for 100mL. The Sodashi hair treatment is $130.70 for 50mL.
That is extraordinary. Even if a couple of the other products on the list are more modest, I’m not sure how to read this list. Are we meant to see it as the Normal Person’s Guide To Packing Their Toiletry Bag??
It would be awesome if Zoe could try listing her favourite expeeeeensive products and ALSO a lower-cost reasonable equivalent. Please?
This is just not realistic for the average person.
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This post isn’t what you should pack it was a peep inside what ZOE packs! If she wants to use expensive products she can!
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Exactly. I fail to see how some people find this concept so difficult to grasp.
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No eye cream?
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Thanks Zoe! I like your relaxed, no fuss way of explaining cosmetics.
Just a tip though – I returned from Africa 3 days ago and if you’re planning on going anywhere in the ‘developing world’, don’t assume you can buy the stuff you need. I can assure you, it is almost impossible to find SPF30 sunscreen in a supermarket in Botswana!
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Agreed! It was near impossible to find sunscreen in Ethiopia, too. And it was incredibly expensive!
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so hard to follow sometimes, in Amazing Face you favour chemical exfoliant over physical exfoliant so i am waiting on my Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant in the post any day now, but here you say the opposite so im super confused???
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You will note that Zoe mentions this is because when you are on a hot-weather holiday and your skin is getting lots of sun etc you might not want the powerful chemical exfoliant.
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that’s an awesome product, you won’t regret it- last for ages, and does a great job!
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Um, Zoe, where was this post in Feb when I was packing for 8 months in Europe?!
I agree, you can buy everything everywhere (pretty much… but sometimes the labels are tricky in non-English speaking countries…)
I found all my Clinique stuff is heaps cheaper here than in Aus, and I even bought my new compact online and had it delivered for cheaper again.
When we head away from Budapest, I get better and better at packing.
I am a HUGE fan of the tiny empty travel bottles. I got some new ones from Boots yesterday in London and I decant everything into them for travel. I also kept all my Clinique mini things (you know, the ones from the Myer promotions, when they say spend $60 and your cleanser and toner are $59 so you buy a lipgloss to get mini things? yeah, that.) so I have about 3 tubes of tiny moisturiser, hand cream, eye cream, body lotion, etc.
Tea Tree Oil was something I forgot so I found that in Boots in the UK – nowhere to be seen in bloody Budapest! – and I have found that plenty of salons stock great brands of haircare here too.
Waxaway Bump Eraiser for ingrowns was a good thing to bring, as was my generic cortisone cream for eczema (try explaining that in Hungarian), and Bepanthen, my saviour.
I totally brought my GHD – this fringe needs a little straightening out regularly. When we go away, I blow dry/GHD-style my hair and take dry shampoo for the last day (usually 3 days away max) – this routine gives fabulous hair for days 1 & 2 and saves oodles of time for me. Don’t forget the shower cap! (And steal them from hotels as spares!)
Happy travels, Zoe! x
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Hi Zoe & MMs
I bought some dry shampoo recently (Cedel, Brunette) and found it makes my hair, in my opinion, look worse… what am I doing wrong?
TIA,
Joanne.
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You know, I have always loved Batiste, and recently (after the post here on dry shampoo) rushed out and bought a whole bunch of others to try.
Wow. They all made my hair look crapola! So I am sticking to the Batiste. The Cedel one was dreadful for me. Perhaps different ones work better for different people? Batiste makes a brunette one too
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Yeah, I’m finding the Cedel one… workable but average compared to others I’ve tried. I can use it but definitely have to do more to it, ponytail, hairspray etc. Try a different brand Joanne, hopefully you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
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I ducked down to priceline yesterday at work to get a mini bottle of dry shampoo to keep at work – was planning on getting Batiste but they only had the full size bottles so I got the Cedel for dark hair and it was horrible! It smelt SO bad and it didn’t seem to help at all… Sticking with Batiste next time!
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I was hoping for a post like this! I am going to Europe in 7 weeks..still deciding whether to take my hair straightener..my hair just looks awful without it….But if Zoe can live without it I guess I can try….
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Embrace new (small) products IE hair dust, or a curl enhancing spray and live up the bed hair!!
…and save space for more shopping…
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I agree with cmx – “bed hair”, top knots and floppy sun hats are your new best friend!
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Hi Zoe,
I was wondering how long, on average, you spend getting ready in the morning (prep, make-up, hair)? I find that I take anywhere from 30min to an hour and I have no way near as much stuff to get through as you do!
Have a safe flight!
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Erm toothbrush and toothpaste?! In Japan at the moment and forgot to bring toothpaste
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haha yeah and what about deodorant???
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I think she said the deodorant is coming on the plane with her?
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Hi Zoe,
Just purchased the clarasonic Mia from your reccomendation – absolutely love it!! Just wondering, would it be worth taking this overseas or would it be to much of a hassle?
Amy
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Brilliant stuff Zoe
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Loved watching this! Handy for cleaning out the bathroom cabinet, too.
PS. Try to fit some fun in among the work x
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Why is a hair straightener a silly thing to take overseas?
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“Nothingy” – a great word!
I have found that when I pack my toilet bag for a holiday, I take stuff I don’t use at home. So when I pack for this coming overseas trip, I am taking the least I can – and of course I can’t use as much as you lovely ladies here. This is what I’ve decided on – two hair products (Dove oil and Bodyshop curling cream), an Afro comb and fine comb, lipgloss, shea butter and perfume. I’m taking my own shampoo and conditioner in my case, and buying teeny samples of Dermaveen for the carryon.
Unfortunately I need to take so much medication (creams and bath/shower stuff) – I need to take 10 kilos of my specially made up vaseline for a 6 week trip!!! (Plus 300 g in carryon) But FORTUNATELY, thanks to my dermatologist and the lovely medical officer at the airline, I get an additional luggage allowance to hold my creams, and so you know what that means – MORE room for my shopping on the way back!!
Wishing you a wonderful trip Zoe
Enjoy!
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Great post as always .. Thanks Zoe. As an aside though, some parts of Australia had awesome weather over summer!
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Was watching your ACA appearance with a Dermatologist and he said, “Who’s that, yeah, she’s pretty right on”. Although, he’s almost 70, so when he said “right on”, he didn’t mean you were really cool, just that you know your stuff.
I am back on the OLAY after a weird sensitivity problem in my late 20s and find it a good all rounder, agree there.
Love your posts. There should be a ZF app.
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Hi Zoe,
Can’t. concentrate. on. video. – Must know which lip stick/gloss/paint you are wearing. I’m in love. Then maybe can re-watch video with more concentration.
x
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zoe has mentioned further down in comments what makeup she is wearing.
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Hope you and Hamish (and Andy) have a fabulous time in Europe!! Enjoy it, have fun taking in the sights and shops!
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I wish I could hit Boots and Superdrug. So miss Boots 3 for 2 specials.
Liz Earle is a lovely UK brand, her Cleanse & Polish is divine. Give it a go, Zoe.
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a cleanser full of antioxidants? because cleansers stay on the skin for so long? :s I’ve never understood the purpose of fluffed up cleansers with all these fancy gimmick ingredients. Cleansers get washed off after a minute or so, no ingredients – no matter how fantastic, like various antioxidants can work efficiently or stay on the skin when washed off within a minute.
I learnt this years ago and it’s saved me HUNDREDS of dollars. But everything else about this is marvellous and love your work regardless
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Yes I too was confused by this – I’ve generally been told by people I trust that simple cleansers are just fine because the fancy ingredients aren’t on your skin long enough to do anything?
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It’s a common misconception. Lots of my girlfriends will fall for any product if the word ‘collagen’ or ‘antioxidants’ is on the bottle. Through my work as a makeup artist I’ve encountered several dermatologists who preach that cleansers needent be a fussy or expensive thing. They are simply to remove left over makeup residue and mildly cleanse the skin clean of the days grime. Vitamin C and A is marvellous, but better not washed down the drain. This is why Cetaphil is resoundingly popular with dermatologists, it does exactly what a cleanser should and is priced accordingly.
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Is anyone else having trouble with this video? It stops for me at the 1:21 mark and I can’t even skip ahead… I neeeeed to watch this…
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What about your cat, Meowbert?
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Yes, what about Meowbert?!
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I was going to ask that too! Who is looking after the most Meowy of Berts?
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I take Señor Furrypants to his Grandma and Grandpa’s when I am away. It simultaneously delights and saddens me that he loves them as much as me.
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Zoe thanks for the advice but as most beauticians advise you should always use the same brand as much as possible on your skin and hair so you are not increasing the amounts of chemicals you put on your skin or hair. On one note you use UV, then L’Oreal, then Olay and then Triology. This is the perfect cocktail of chemical reactions similar to what drinking champagne and baileys does to the stomach.
I travel non stop around the world and whilst I agree with you somewhat a more simple complete list like the following is more of a “reflection” of what us everyday women would actually pack.
1. Pantene travel pack 100ml shampoo and conditioner
2. Nourish Dry Shampoo (yes you can take aerosols in your luggage) much better fragrance than Battiste.
3. Nivea Everday Essentials Face Cream (you can then buy this in every country)
4. Nivea 2 in 1 Cleanser and Toner (save on taking cleanser, scrub and toner)
5. Nourish Dry Skin lotion 250ml (perfect travel size for 4 weeks) also available in the US and UK.
6. Nivea sensitive Roll on Deo (fits in the handbag so you have it on the plane)
All this comes under $50… Cheap, great brands and easily purchased at pharmacies, supermarkets etc.
Just a thought…
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That’s interesting what you say about the ‘blend of chemicals’ etc… I always thought beauticians always suggested you stick to one product because they sold a specific product and wanted you to buy from them (likewise with consultants at the counters at DJ’s etc).
Not dissing your comment at all, just now wondering what the ‘right thing’ to do is!
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That does not really make any sense..
there are just as many different chemicals in all your different Nivea products as there are in Zoe’s, just because they are from different brands does not mean they have more or less chemicals than the products you use (look on the back of all your Nivea products and I can assure you the list of different ingredients will be just as long).
As someone who prefers to use only natural ingredients on my face and body I would never use Nivea or Pantene because of all the harmful chemicals in them. Also, it does not make sense to to say that using different brands is like combining alcohol in your stomach.. I can tell you as a nutritionist that the chemical reactions that take place in your stomach are nothing like the chemical reactions that occur outside your body, regardless of the products you may or may not use on your face at different times during the day!
P.s Do you work for Nivea?
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Just interested Kate do you actually know what you are talking about? I don’t think you do. I’m a Cosmetic Pharmacist and what Creative Noodle has written is exactly true. The reason most of you fashionistas get blemishes, redness and breakouts is due to your lack of brand loyalty and the swapping of brands.
How educated are you on Natural? Are you aware of the mountain of loop holes we use to claim natural? I bet you even colour your hair, but forget about the chemical use there.
Your reference to her comment on the alcohol mixture shows the lack of understanding even more. It was a metaphor to show that combining a bubbly sulphur based wine with a milky bourbon based drink can cause irratation the same way different brands can have on your skin.
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No I don’t work for Nivea. My point was purely about using one brand. Who has the time to find, shop for or the memory to get all these products? To clarify I never said thy don’t have chemicals I just said that each brand uses their own mix so it’s safer to stick with one.
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I disagree.
The “one brand” rule is perpetuated by cosmetics companies that want customers to use ALL of their products and nobody else’s.
I know, I work in cosmetics.
The only products that you need to worry about in terms of “mixing” are actives like Vit C, Retinol, Glycolic Acid etc, in which case it’s not good to double up because it can be too harsh on the skin.
Apart from that… my advice is, mix and match to your heart’s desire!
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Laura – completely agree with you. It is most definitely a marketing ploy (I work in the industry too) – though of course some skincare routines are designed to compliment eachother – but that’s not to say you couldn’t substitute another brands’ similar product in with your routine. Just like you said – it’s the strong ingredients like C, A, glycolics etc that you have to be careful with, as you don’t want to overload your skin.
Sidenote: I can guarantee that the majority of consumer brands all use the very similar ingredients anyway, sticking to one won’t make any difference.
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OK let’s look at the products as a European
Olay Complete Defence SPF30+ Daily Moisturising Lotion – bring, highest we have is SPF15 in that range
Priori CoffeeBerry Revitalizing Cleanser – amazon.co.uk do sell, but bring
La Mer The Refining Facial – bring but really use a flannel! Too easy.
Trilogy Rosehip Oil – sold in Boots, but more expensive. Bring.
Sodashi Nourishing Repair Treatment – same price from their UK site, bring.
Decleor “Flower Petals” mask – French brand, QVC UK are cheap for them
Clinique Self-Tanner – to the world home of fake tan?! No.
UV Triple Guard Natural – Bring. You may switch tp La Roche Posay though
Goldwell Dual Senses shampoo and conditioner – German brand at hairdressers. Watch London water, is VERY hard.
Pantene 3 Minute Miracle Treatment – common as drizzle in a London summer
Original Mineral Frizzy Logic – take if you like, similar products here
L’Oreal Professional Superdust – the Schwarzkopf cheapo one is good and easy to find
Batiste Dry Shampoo – British brand which you will find no cheaper elsewhere on planet. They also do coloured/glitter/NON-AEROSOL/etc. variants
OPI dry sand nail polish – about same, nails currently big in UK, is a real trend so no you don’t have to DIY. Opi same price, Essie now widely stocked and very cheap.
Hope this helps! I’d bring Bushman bug stuff as the Aussie stuff smells better than the stuff you get here and you’ll need it if you even go North in summer.
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Kat, this might be the finest and most useful comment any one has ever written to me since I was a little boy blogging on stink beetles back in the early 70s. Thank you!
La Roche Posay WILL be purchased. And hard.
Ps Kat, I feel that to avoid looking like a complete dingus I must tell you I am on a teeny Greek island writing A Book for the first month, which is why I need to take so many of these things with me. But come June? BOOTS BEST BE READY.
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Am grinning like a chimp on speed
But do try Daxita *points down*, she is a marvel for brows
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I lived in Santorini for 2 months to escape the London winter when I lived over there.. you are going to have the most amazing time, I love Greece. Sooo jealous. Have a gyros and some tzatziki for me
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Zoe, this might TMI, so feel free to ignore… but when I used to live in London, I visited a friend for a month on a tiny Greek island and she had me bring over several months worth of tampons for her. She didn’t like what was on offer on the small island she was living on.
Sorry, it’s not even beauty-related but reading your comment about being on a small Greek Island just made me remember!
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Ooooh GOOD INFO. Efkharistó!
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Zoe, I was recently in the UK for a month. I think I spent more in Boots than I did anywhere else. I cannot believe how much we have to pay for cosmetics etc in Australia!
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Zoe! what are you going to do when you get to the end of your maintenance cycle, will you trust anyone else to do your brows?
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That is a whole other (terrifying) post.
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zoe! you changed your dp! love it! x
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As Lien is to Oz, Daxita is to the UK:
http://www.athertoncox.co.uk/eyelash-extensions-by-daxita-at-atherton-cox
Trust.
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Zoe, what is your no.1 foundation to match fake tan?
Thanks, Lucy x
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Zoe, we have the same hairstyle today!
And this post could not be more perfect. I am off to the UK for 5 weeks in about 10 days time.
My Batiste Dry Shampoo – I thought I wouldn’t be able to take that being in an aerosol can? Have those rules changed now?
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Aerosols should be fine in your checked luggage, so long as they have their lid on.
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Hey, I’m an airport security guard. Rules still apply but as Elle Bee said, anything is fine in your checked luggage. Everything in carry on must be under 100mls x
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Wow a four-month holiday in Europe. How do you afford it on a writer’s salary?
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I believe his name is Hamish…
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Whoa. That’s not cool. Zoe is a fiercely independent and financially successful writer and has been since way before Hamish was her partner.
Put your manners back in.
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amen mia
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Here, here Mia that comment was cruel, clearly untrue and definately uncalled for!!!
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Not to mention sexist. Zoe Foster has her own career, what her partner does for a living is irrelevant.
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Whoa Mia…..overreaction much…If i was sitting around at your dinner party and heard both comments i’d actually be more put off by your “put your manners back in” comment, than someone having an ignorant shit stir. Hmmm just remembering the WTF, awkward silence and giggles that followed when Tom Cruise told Peter Overton on Sixty Minutes to do the same thing…Please tell me you used that line for shits and giggles and weren’t being serious?!?
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I believe it’s called saving.
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wow. Snakey.
I believe that The Zoester will still be working while overseas so still earning a wage….. so put your claws back.
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If Zoe has tips on how to save this much money then I’d rather see a video on that than on which expensive beauty products to take on holiday. I want to know how to get to the four-month holiday stage first.
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A lot of the things on Zoe’s list are available from the supermarket or chemist. And like ‘a’ said above, a trip like this can be the result of lots of saving. When I wanted to travel for several months around Europe I saved my tooshi off. It was worth everything I missed out on while saving!
Please read this post for what it is, and don’t be questioning Zoe on how she can afford stuff. It’s none of anyone’s beeswax.
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Looks like you’re reading the wrong blog then AT.
Here’s a link that may be more suited:
http://www.smh.com.au/money/saving
I’m not sure how you got Zoe mixed up with Mark Bouris.
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ahahaha nice steph:)
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Hey AT, my job comes with me wherever I go. I work the entire time I’m away; columns, blogs, freelance and books don’t care where they’re written. I worked for many years full time at mags, while writing books on weekends to be able to get to this stage. Worth it, but. So worth it.
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Good girl Zoe. I’ve admired your work for ages and realise there must be a lot of work behind the scenes to achieve such success. Don’t be put off by the envy of others.
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Wow, only in Australia would you get such a knock-down type comment, sheesh! I’m sure you deserve everything good in your life Zoe, and hope your time in Europe is great. I wouldn’t explain yourself to the critics, only gives them energy.
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Thanks Kaz! Problem is, dad asks me the same question…
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Yeah, but that’s a Dad thing… they’re meant to ask stuff like that and if you’re eating properly and getting enough sleep. Then they check to see if you have enough money before telling you to have a good time. My Dad and I live in separate countries, I’m 30 something – and looking at 40 looming large on the horizon – with 2.5 kids (the .5 would be still gestating) and my Dad, to this day, asks if I need any money before I finish a phone call or visit. *lol* The nicest thing is when I get a card in the mail and it has a prepaid Visa gift card with a note telling me to do something nice for myself… so sweet.
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I suspect the comment was made because Hamish (and Andy) are going to Europe for the gap year show, and the person thought that Zoe was going to spend some time with Hamish so they weren’t apart for so long…but I might be wrong (as I am quite often).
Well done, Zoe, on working so hard so that you can have this type of career – it’s what a lot of women (people) would aspire to, and you set a good example!
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I have a question Zoe!
I’m going backpacking in a few months and space/weight is very precious, especially for ‘luxury’ items. Is there a tinted moisturiser with SPF that you can recommend?
I have previously used Dior Hydra Life, but it is only SPF 20 and I would prefer better sun protection, if possible.
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Hi Leah, my dermatologist put me on to Rationale Probase. It’s 30+ and zinc oxide based. Sheer cover with a foundation brush but buildable. Comes in plastic pump tube perfect for travel. XX
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Hey Leah, i can highly reccommend Invisible Zinc Tinted daywear with SPF 30+.
I buy mine at Priceline. I use it everyday and also take it with me whenever i travel. Its the perfect size. It’s a 50ml tube of anti ageing moisturising sunscreen. Love, Love!
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My staples are tweezers and a little bottle of hand sanitiser.
and when I travel I always take old undies, bras and shoes so I can throw them out before I come home, so there is more room for shopping. And just in case your bag gets searched you dont have a bag of dirty underwear on display to the world.
My husband laughed at the contents of the bin in our hotel room last time we left to come home. It had an old pair of birkenstocks, an old purse (I bought a new one), old sunglasses (I bought new ones), 2 old bras and 5 tatty old pairs of undies.
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Agreed Lu! I severely over estimated my ability to cart my very heavy suitcase around Europe on my first trip there. My sister and I were forced to say goodbye to many, many things including underwear, handbags, and a heap of clothes.
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“I severely over estimated my ability to cart my very heavy suitcase around Europe on my first trip there”
Travelling by train? I found that was the quickest way to make me turn into a light packer, all that dragging a suitcase on & off trains.
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Yes! All by train. Especially hard when there is usually about 3-4 ladder-style steps to get on board!
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I take old chuck-outs/leave behinds/giveaways TOO! Aren’t we clever.
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The best tip I got was when I backpacked around Europe and fortunately the weather co-operated. My jeans became shorts for the hotter months thanks to my swiss army knife.
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I’m heading on a 14week trip around Europe on Saturday. Have a 65lt backpack with wheels, smaller for getting on and off trains. Last time I did a big trip I organized a friend in Sydney to accept parcels from me. It’s usually easy easy enough to post back a few of the handbags and nick acts purchased. I’ll do the same again this time. Thanks for the idea on the throwaway undies, I might do that too.
Oh and a Longchamp shopper is an essential if you can pick one up over there. You don’t look like a tourist as much
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For shorter trips, collect samples – Aesop has great samples as does Kheils. I stock up throughout the year, and when I travel for week-ish periods of time, take samples and throw out the packages as they are used. Makes for a MUCH lighter toiletry bag.
And I always take the left over (LEFT OVER as in, I’ve already used them) little shampoo and conditioner bottles from nicer hotels…or rather, hotels with good quality products – and this saves space and weight as well for the next trip to places with not so nice products.
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my fav post in ages! thanks zoe. i LOVE this kind of post.
your ‘no fuss’ travel kit becomes my everyday kit
x
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Hi Zoe – you’re a lucky girl!!
Can you please repeat what hairbrush you are using, I didn’t quite catch the name of it.
Cheers
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It’s colloquially called the Denman, but Denman is actually the brand. It’s a styler brush, I think they call it.
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Every girl travelling needs a tube of anti fungal cream , a must for any bits that need application, feet, vag, groin! Oh and band aids, you just do more walking and end up with a blister , guaranteed !
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i seem to remember a Zoe’s 30 under $30 list for products, I am, let’s say, not flush with cash and some of these products are way out of my saving to go overseas fund range….any chance there are cheaper alternatives?
All that said I do write down everything Zoe recommends, and I have amazing face as well….but a little help on $$ alternatives??
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Yes, all of these products come in supermarket or prestige price points. What I try to do is give you the list of “things” (e.g. cleanser, sunscreen, dry shampoo, hair dust) and you choose which brands or price level suits you.
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Zoe, is the Clinique fake tan you talked about good for sensitive skin? I am constantly on the hunt for gradual fake tans that don’t make my skin crazy cat itchy!
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Have you tried Eco Tan? All natural ingredients and suitable for supa-sensitives. I’m such a convert. It’s Moisturising , colour is deep but so natural and lasts a good 5-6 days.
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I mix it with some moisturizer because it can be a bit intense. I use ecotan on my face too – mixed with some moisturizer.
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Am loving your red lipstick – what is it?!!
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I was going to ask the same question…
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Keep reading the comments its down below
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Excuse my ignorance, but what does ‘penchant for gyro’ mean ?
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Gyros are a delicious Greek treat. That I managed to eat every day! Not unlike a souvlaki.
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Oh Zoe! So timely! I am 2 weeks away from departing for a year long backpacking adventure (6 months Europe, 1 month Nepal, 1 month India,4 months SE Asia) and I was agonising about what to pack… considering I’ll have to carry it around for a year! Can’t wait for the make-up post! xox
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Hi Jessie,
I did a year backpacking in Asia and Africa last year. My advice- most things can be bought; at least in the bigger cities and tourist heavy place eg Bangkok, KL, Mumbai and surprisingly Kathmandu (lots of tourists) – bangkok even has Boots there are Tescos (big UK supermarket) in Malaysia and 7/11′s stock a number of recognizable brands of shampoo etc Lots of places in India stock a nice brand of herbal/natural cleansers and moisturizer (sorry cant remember the name sorry but its everywhere) Biggest problems were finding skin products without whitening and hair conditioner. If i did it again I would bring the biggest conditioner I could fit in my bag and another tube of tinted moisturizer.
Hope this helps
x
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Himalaya is the lovely brand in India. It has great everything – masks, cleansers, scrubs etc. I brought heaps home in my suitcase.
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Writing lists of “things to pack” is one of my favourite things to do, ever. (I’m a strange one!)
I’m going to NY for Christmas and I have already written my packing list.
That said, as minimalist and organised as I am in my lists, I always end up throwing a ton of extra “just in case” things at the last minute!
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