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My dirty little travel beauty secrets

My dirty little travel beauty secrets

Everyone has a couple of dirty little secrets so it’s time to air them out and let you in on a few of my travel secrets. My travel secrets might not be as juicy as you’re expecting. Actually, some of them are kind of gross. But being a little bit gross makes travelling so much easier. It’s time to let your standards slip…

After you’ve been backpacking for an extended period of time you definitely let your standards slips. There was a time when I put my makeup on every day and wouldn’t leave the house with a hair out of place. But these days I couldn’t care less and I’m usually having too much fun to worry about my hair. I’m all about having a good time and making travel as easy and stress-free as possible!

So here are my dirty little travel secrets to make travel easier.

 

I barely ever wash my hair while I’m away

This one stems from the fact that I have really dry hair anyway so when I overwash it it turns into a giant frizzy beehive. I also have A LOT of hair so even when I’m at home I just can’t be bothered washing, blow drying, straightening, curling and taming my mane.

Over the years I’ve got into the habit of washing my hair about every 5 days and now it doesn’t get greasy at all.

This is also awesome for long weekends away because it means I can pack light. I don’t need to bring a dryer, GHDs, shampoo, conditioner, brushes, heat protection or styling spray. I just pack a comb, some dry shampoo and maybe a hat or a head scarf.

I like the COLAB Dry Shampoo because it’s cheap and adds lots of extra volume. It’s currently £2.49 and buy one get one free at Superdrug.

Note: If you’re thinking, ‘Why do you need all that hair stuff?’ I hate you. Particularly if you’re one of those people whose hair dries in a perfect little bob. My hair dries like I’ve just had a fight with a lion so all this stuff is absolutely necessary.

 

I steal all the beauty products from the hotel bathroom

I’m not even sure why I still do this one. I have an entire cupboard filled with miniature shampoos, body lotions and sewing kits!

 

I apply all my makeup with my fingers

I got this tip from a friend who is a makeup artist and said she always applies makeup with her fingers. Makeup brushes are bulky and filled with bacteria, whereas your hands are always nice and clean and you’ll save some space in your case if you leave them at home.

If you use creamy blushers, bronzers and eye shadows it’s much easier to apply with your fingers. Loose powders are virtually impossible to apply with your fingers.

Here are some of my favourites…

 

I blag beauty samples I have no intention of buying

I regularly go to department stores and act all interested in a particular foundation, perfume or moisturizer so they’ll give me lots of beauty samples. Samples are great for travelling because they take up next to no room and you don’t need to bring anything home with you.

Note: the posher the store, the more samples they’ll give you! Also note that they don’t give samples away at the airport because they know you won’t be back to buy the product.

 

I never shave my legs

No, I’m not a hairy-legged tree-hugger (although kudos if you are).

My mum gave me one beauty tip when I was younger and that was to never shave my legs and ALWAYS wax. As a teenager I couldn’t afford to get my legs waxed all the time so I learned to do it myself using home kits. I’m now an expert DIY leg waxer. And because I’ve been waxing my legs for so long I guess I must have killed half the hair follicles because I barely have any hairs on my legs now.

Waxing is so much better while you’re travelling because you don’t need to bother packing razors and shaving foam. If you’re travelling with hand luggage sometimes they’ll take razor blades off you at the airport.

I use the Veet Easy Grip Wax Strips. I wouldn’t bother with the cheaper versions such as Boots or Superdrug own-brands – they’re not as good and they’ll end up hurting like hell without removing any hair.

 

I steal my baby’s beauty products

Sorry George. Baby beauty products are so good I wrote a whole post about it.

Beauty products I’m stealing from my baby.

 

So there are my dirty little travel secrets. Now it’s time to share yours.

 

 

 

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Sunday 28th of February 2016

[…] Anyone else just want them all?Read more:My dirty little travel beauty secrets10 things to pack in your hand […]

Ali

Wednesday 30th of September 2015

I'm so jealous that you can go 5 days without washing your hair! Mine is greasy after about 24 hours, less if I'm in a humid place. I'll sometimes (ok often) wait 2 days to wash my hair just because I'm lazy, but that's really the limit if I'm going out in public. I love free samples too, but I hardly ever wear make-up so I'm not sure why I bother saving those samples!

TheTravelHack

Thursday 1st of October 2015

The crazy beehive of hive is usually a pain in the ass but great for travelling!

Kathryn

Sunday 20th of September 2015

I don't wash my hair that often either. It actually looks better after a few days of not washing.

Also, I got to hotel breakfasts in my PJs. Not if they blatantly look like PJs but if I'm sleeping in leggings and a singlet top, I'll just put a jacket over the top for breakfast. Mostly because I hate showering and getting dressed before I've eaten.

TheTravelHack

Thursday 1st of October 2015

That's a good one - there's no point getting dressed just to go back and have a shower and get dressed again!

Lauren

Sunday 20th of September 2015

Haha oh the last one- I'm not a mum BUT I do bring baby wipes everywhere. I'll also confess that I've had to shower in a sink multiple times :) #guilty.

TheTravelHack

Thursday 1st of October 2015

A sink shower is better than no shower at all!

Claire Robinson

Friday 18th of September 2015

Ditto to ALL of those! Except the baby one - you mean mummy you ;) Cx

TheTravelHack

Thursday 1st of October 2015

The baby products are the best. And they're so cheap!