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
This is very timely- i’m flying to the UK for 7 weeks in a few weeks… I used to fly back to Australia and stock up on products at Boots, Heathrow… now I have two kids under 3 and I’ll be happy if I can pop a bit of Vaseline on my lips! Essentials for me when flying with kids – facial cleansing wipes (I have been known to forget these and have to double up baby wipes on face, eek!), moisturiser (preferably in a kid friendly tube so they can play with it when you’re changing the nappy), lipgloss (3 year old will remember this for me), water water water. I used to carry so many products – i’d rub foot balm into my feet, put the socks on, put the eye mask on, get samples from Harvey Nicks and Selfridges and try them all on during the flights – now I just try to survive, keep my kids quiet, make sure they are not in the way of any other passengers, avoid dirty looks for flying with two kids and suck up to the air stewards so they’ll give me an extra blanket.
Zoe all I can say is – ENJOY FLYING NOW WHILE YOU HAVE NO KIDS, CAN WATCH MOVIES, READ MAGAZINES and OPENLY DRINK ALCOHOL WITHOUT HAVING TO TELL TWO KIDS IT’S MUMMY’S MEDICINE…
Thanks for this post – I will maybe think positive and throw in a few of your suggestions…
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Baby wipes and face wipes are often pretty similar if not identical, I use baby wipes on my face because I am a cheap student and would rather not pay upwards of $6 for wipes! Ha ha.
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haha “Mummy’s Medicine” – absolutely love it!
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Yes, too funny.
I am doing the long haul to London next weekend with 2 small kids… and my biggest dilemma at the moment is the 100ml limit on carry on luggage liquids… do i take my rosehip oil and Jurlique Rosewater mist? Or do I take the Phenergan for the kids?!
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I thought it was 100ml limit per item? As long as all the liquids you take fit into a large glad bag? You should be able to fit it all
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Hey, I’m an airport security guard. As cmx said, it is 100ml per item, and you can take medications for the kids even if it is over 100ml x
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Oh brilliant. Thanks you guys x
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But if you pack a whole bag full of beauty stuff to go to Europe, isn’t that a bit like taking cocaine to Colombia? I’ll be going later this year, & I’m thinking of stocking up on stuff which is much cheaper than it is here.
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Just came back from an impromptu business trip to London and wished I had Miss Zoe in my house before I did my quick pack. Oh and packing for business meetings is different so I was at a bit of a loss.
The best things I brought for the plane trip were:
- Heel balm cream – on plane for enforced heel balming (when am I ever going to get 12 hours of little foot use)
- natio cleanser/scrub – for a one hit clean at the airport/in plane
-simple branded wipes – great to clean off the crap that planes seem to provide
-natio rosehip oil – finally taken the hint, smelt like a tea shop but skin like a baby when I landed.
Note – I also got to fly business class (yay) so having a hot towel and beds made it seem like an enforced beaty spa. Apart from the having to work bit.
Am having another trip in a month for holiday this time, any further hints about what good things to do for hair/face for the flights…
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Oh Zoe, I’m so jealous of your glamourous life, jetting off to Europe for months during our horrible winter! Have a fabulous time.
For my first big trip overseas (3 weeks in Asia last year) I spent ages meticulously planning what beauty stuff I would pack, and I even treated myself to a super cute Evo Hair & Body travel pack! Kept it even more simple though – just cetaphil, rosehip oil and a mini St Ives scrub. And eye cream. Got my sun protection from Hissfit tinted moisturiser. Got me through beautifully, because I’m lazy and who wants to spend time in the bathroom with a facemask when you could be on a deck in the rainforest drinking a cocktail? I barely used any of the make-up I packed though. The only thing I wish I bought was a pimple treatment, because every flight (there, back and in-between) ended with my getting a massive pimple on my chin! Not a great look in the holiday snaps!
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YES! The pimple (and cold sore if you get them) treatment stuff is a must-have. I agree with less makeup while on holidays definitely, however, I am going to be living in London, real life living with appointments and work and things, as opposed to being on holiday, so I will be taking my Real Life Makeup Artillery, as you will see in the next vid.
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Agree on the cold sore medication- found out to my horror that Zovirax (and similar meds) are prescription-only in the US, now I always make sure I take some along because I inevitably get a cold sore from the pre-trip stress and rushing, and the non-medicated stuff just does not cut it! Esp for those who get crazy cold sores like me!
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I’m one month into a four month frolic in Prague. Have had to ask bestie for 4 separate care packages, mostly because I ran out of my even skin tone corrector and assumed they used eyelash curlers and gradual/fake tan (turns out solariums are still pretty big here and there’s no garnier summer body). On the plus side, I’m down the road from a dr Hauschka store and bourjois healthy glow is roughly half the price. On the minus side, no one has heard of cookie dough.
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Hi Charlotte, is this the Clinique one? How long have you been using it for and how are your results? Have just started thinking I need to invest in some!
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Sorry – I meant even skintone serum (ultraceuticals), I think Zoe has mentioned it a couple of times. It’s an absolute god send. I tried the Clinique one for a good 16 weeks and was unimpressed. But then I’m a bit demanding and pretty much expect instantaneous, highly visible results….
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Don’t forget about the beaut lil Clio hair trimmer Zoe – I am loving mine.. bought after reading yr post
Happy Travels x
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I’ve looked and looked but can’t seem to find the Clio. where did you get it???
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Sorry for delay! Clio is avail at Target – in the beauty section – near the razors and shaving creams etc. It’s only $8 btw.. Seriously great for use between bikini waxologist/laser visits
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Krissy you’re a sweetheart for even replying in the first place. I looked in a bunch of Targets but no Clio
I also tried to look online to see who makes it to get in touch etc etc but nothing….the hunt continues!
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PS. Go to http://www.cliostyle.com or call 07 5526 3844 – for stockists and spare parts.
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…Oh and it’s called the Beautytrim – enjoy!
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Love your hair colour Zoe – dark suits you!
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NEED. HER. TOP.
Zoeeeeeee – where from, m’dear?
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Zoe, are you able to tell us what prodz you have on in the video? That lip colour is Amazing on you.
I will also second the Mario Badescu drying lotion, I don’t like to go anywhere without it. The buffering lotion is also a gem!
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Certainly!
I am wearing the new limited edition Clinique shade (Runway Coral) from the Karen Walker S/S 12 show, and some nudey-brown Revlon colorstay eye shadow and a heck load of Bobbi brown bronzer. Oh and Shiseido brow pencil. And MAC Opulash mascara. And Samoan Sand by OPI polish. And probably (“hopefully”) some deodorant.
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Therese Rawsthorne! Fancy as!
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Hi Zoe
Is it a new collection or have you has the top (or is it a dress) for a while as I cant seem to find it online.
Thanks
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It’s a bit old… last year maybe? Sorry, I hate that kind of answer when I ask someone where/when they got something. My favourite answer is, “Zara! Yesterday!”
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Its gorgeous!! Thanks for the info.
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There is a similar one online and it’s on sale!
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Hi Angela, they have a similar top to the one Zoe is wearing at The Iconic http://www.theiconic.com.au/Lili-Peplum-Top-32587.html
I saw it while shopping yesterday. Damn these new websites they are turning my savings into cents !!
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Mamamia! What about the Clairsonic!?
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Sadly no. Too hard power pointy-wise…
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But alas, it isn’t! I bought mine in the States and travelled everywere with it. Universal adapters are your friend.
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True. But also I am lazy.
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Oh no -poor Mia, I am getting separation anxiety for you
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I don’t want to talk about it. ;(.
Denial.
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