Post Holiday Pamper

 

Post holiday, whilst a tan may be deceiving and make you look healthier than you are, your skin ain’t fooling anybody. Too many pastries, sugary cocktails and lat nights can play havoc on your complexion, not to mention the harm done by excessive exposure to the sun’s harmful (but so so lovely)  rays and the dehydration you can get from even the shortest of plane journeys. I’ve compiled a little checklist of ideas, lotions and potions to get you back to being 100% in no time at all.

1. Clean the Surface: Cleaning the surface aka cleansing, is to get all the gunk off your face and is without a doubt the first thing you should do post holiday. Pre cleanse with a micellar water like Bioderma or L’Oreal and then get to work with a moisturising balm that wont strip your skin. I personally love Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm which melts off makeup and dirt and then gently exfoliates my skin with a hot flannel.

2. Target the problem:  Next up prescribe yourself a face mask based on your skin worries. Post holiday my skin felt a little dull despite my tan, I wanted something brightening so this clay Cattier Masque Argile with aloe vera was just the ticket. Alternatives are the Elemental Herbology Facial Glow and REN’s Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask. If skin is blemish prone and on the oily side look out for masks that promise to ‘purify’. Origins Clear Improvements or Cattier’s Green Mint Clay Masque work wonders.

3. Tone up: Post face mask a toner is non negotiable, something like Serozinc is ideal as it hydrates as well as soothes, but equally something like Dermalogica Multi-Toner is perfect- you need something with an injection of moisture to counteract any dryness from the recycled plane air.

4. Nourish: Post toner pop on a serum and moisturiser that will nourish your skin without clogging your pores, I personally love Eucerin Dermo Purifying Night Care which is rich in lactic acid, or Dermalogica Intense Moisture Balance. Similarly a face oil is a wonderful alternative, Jurlique’s Antioxidant one is divine and works as an overnight treatment to replenish your skin. Under the eyes are the first place to show dehydration from lack of sleep and/or too much sun exposure- try something calming and hydrating like Ren’s Radiance Eye Gel. I also love to put a thick layer of lip balm on at this stage to target chapped sore lips, my current fave is French pharmacy cult Dermophil. But Blistex Medicare which is available in Boots and Superdrug is even better and works as the ultimate lip treatment. For added nourishment exfoliate your pout beforehand using a damp flannel.

5. Nail SOS: Remove whatever nail colour you’ve had one, if it’s shellac take a little plastic container, fill it with an acetone based nail polish remover, let them soak and then the colour should peel off. Post removal of colour pop on a nourishing nail oil to help your cuticles get back to normal- I love Essie’s cuticle pen.

6. Perfect your locks whilst you sleep: The last step is relatively straightforward, pop on a hair mask for extra nourishment, I love Bumble & Bumble Thirst Quenching Mask to undo any sun damage, similarly the Phyto Plage Rescue Masque is also lovely. Pop your hair up into a braid or bun, lay down a little towel on top of your pillow and go to sleep.

These simple steps should have you feeling perfect come the following morning when your alarm wakes you and it’s back to work and back to reality! If you enjoyed this post I might do a few more in this series to include health and fitness to combat an overload of holiday excess. Please leave comments and let me know!

 

Tijan xxx