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.