Holiday skincare - and suitcase-sized - must-packs

There are new travel-friendly skincare products to help save weight, space and money looking good on holiday. Beauty editor Stephanie Smith checks them out. Plus Celeb Get the Look and Beauty Update's Products of the Week.
CELEB GET THE LOOK: The Duchess of Sussex, seen at the Nelson Mandela centenary exhibition, keeps her make-up simple, just full lashes plus blush and matching lip gloss. Try Joan Collins Timeless Beauty Divine Lips, £18, and Contour Velvet Blusher, £22, Marks & Spencer. Picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA WireCELEB GET THE LOOK: The Duchess of Sussex, seen at the Nelson Mandela centenary exhibition, keeps her make-up simple, just full lashes plus blush and matching lip gloss. Try Joan Collins Timeless Beauty Divine Lips, £18, and Contour Velvet Blusher, £22, Marks & Spencer. Picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
CELEB GET THE LOOK: The Duchess of Sussex, seen at the Nelson Mandela centenary exhibition, keeps her make-up simple, just full lashes plus blush and matching lip gloss. Try Joan Collins Timeless Beauty Divine Lips, £18, and Contour Velvet Blusher, £22, Marks & Spencer. Picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

Skincare and hair products are holiday musts (we all want to look our best and stay protected against ageing sun rays), but they really do take up considerable room and weight in your suitcase.

It’s a good idea to collect and build up a stash of samples of skincare and perfume from magazines and department store counters, although there may well be some products you cannot be without, such as your favourite night moisturiser or fragrance. Try to buy the smallest sizes you can, or splash out on them at duty free, but do bear in mind that you have to pack them in your case on the return journey.

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Look out for special travel packs, which can save a great deal of money, space and inconvenience. Elemis’s Jet Set Travel Collection has cleanser, day cream, shampoo, conditioner, shower cream, body cream and eye mask in travel sizes, enough for at least a week away, and costing £45.

Elemis Jet Set Travel Collection, £45, at Elemis.com.Elemis Jet Set Travel Collection, £45, at Elemis.com.
Elemis Jet Set Travel Collection, £45, at Elemis.com.

If you want to decant your usual products, check out Muji.eu for small plastic bottles and all manner of travel-friendly products, at very reasonable prices. I always decant my favourite shampoo and conditioner.Mini Elnett hairspray and a travel size of volumising hair mousse are musts for my fine, limp hair, too.

Pack a sachet of face mask, so you can repair and nourish your skin at least once on holiday and you will probably find that you need a good serum or night oil (or maybe both) to combat the day’s rays.

Drops are big news in the suncare beauty business, meaning both self-tan drops and SPF drops you can add to your moisturiser. These are space saving and surprisingly effective. Look out for Dr Sebagh Self-Tanning Drops, £35; Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Tan Drops, £35, Space NK; and Dr Barbara Sturm Sun Drops, £105, Space NK).

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Before you set off for your holiday, get your lashes and brows dyed, either professionally or by doing it yourself, using Eyelure Dyebrow, £7.49, which lasts for up to six weeks, and saves a fortune. Plus no panda eyes when you hit the pool.