So, you’ll probably know from my blog/Instagram/snapchat (theellenextdoor) etc. that I’ve been travelling quite a lot lately. And I love it. I really, really do. But there’s one thing that I don’t like about travelling and that’s simply that your skin, body (and mind, only me that has the airport panics every time?) takes a massive toll. We all know that flying, air con, being out in the sun and pacing around in polluted cities hugely affect our skin so for me, taking a travel bag packed full of lotions and potions – lols, I clearly fell asleep 23 years old and woke up 83 – to keep not just my skin but my whole body in tip top condition is an absolute must.
I also take my laptop packed full of Grey’s Anatomy downloads and Harry Potter books because, you know, gotta keep that mind happy as larry too 😉
Skincare
Starting with skincare. There is nothing better than slathering on rich creams and using beautiful oils to remove makeup when you’re away from home, so my travel skincare tends to be made up of the most nourishing, luxurious products I can get my mitts on (plus, when you’re in a bathroom as sassy as this bad boy, who doesn’t want nice products lining the sink #clicheblogger). My first pick is always the Oskia renaissance gel. It is the most beautiful gel to oil based formula that removes every scrap of makeup in seconds. It’s gentle and soft on the skin, perfect for all skin types and it’s just that one product that you genuinely look forward to using after a long day because it’s so dreamy.
Then I go in with the Pixi glow tonic pads which are a travel addicts dream. I am a self confessed fangirl of glow tonic so when I received these pads, I knew that they were going to be my travel heros. So quick, so easy, and the product itself – in case you’ve never heard of it – is an incredible toner with glycolic acid (which sounds scary af but it’s actually super gentle), it makes your skin tighter and brighter and much more alive looking [insert hands up/hallelujah emoji’s here].
My travel moisturiser of choice is the Body Shop oil’s of life moisturiser simply because I adore it day and night. It’s super light but packs such a nourishing punch. It smells incredible, it hydrates the skin beautifully, I seriously just can’t get enough!
Finally in my “please help make me look alive and presentable. K, thanks, bye” regime is the Elizabeth Arden Prevage City smart spf 50 and it’s kinda the most genius product around. Apart from having an amazingly high spf, it has a slight tint which immediately makes you look so glowy and healthy and it has a protective barrier which stops pollution sinking into your pores. Bearing in mind that London is one of the most polluted cities in the world, this is an everyday essential but it just does so many wonders for your skin that I have to take it with me wherever I go.
Caring for your body and intimate skin
Now, I am really excited to talk to you about this topic and this brand today because for some reason completely unbeknown to me, it’s a bit of a taboo subject. I’m talking about our private parts, nether regions, whatever you want to call it, that’s what we’re talking about right now. Femfresh is a brand that knows skin, intimately. It’s based around caring for those intimate parts by balancing your pH levels – which differ from the rest of your body so of course, it just makes sense that normal shower gels are too harsh on those areas. The thing is, it’s just common sense, but because the subject is taboo and nobody really talks about it, it tends to make it seem like a much bigger deal. It’s just skin. It’s absolutely no different to your arms, legs, stomach and so on… so why do we take the time to care for those parts but not our intimate areas? Femfresh aren’t a problem solution brand, they’re a brand full of products made to use everyday with the added benefits that you know it’s caring for your skin, and doesn’t that feel good to know that you’ve made the extra effort to take care of yourself? Femfresh have an incredible range of products so there will always be something that works for you. A few of my favourites are the travel wipes, absolutely perfect for travel when you don’t have time to shower – i.e at festivals, on planes etc. – so you can use them all over your body without worrying that it’s going to irritate your intimate skin. The shower gel is absolutely perfect as not only does it smell amazing, it’s incredibly moisturising and feels so luxurious on the skin. This, without the amazing benefits of balancing the pH would be a lovely shower gel anyway, but add in the fact that it’s gentle to your whole body? It’s the perfect shower essential. The sprays are also equally fab to use as a deodorant and general freshen up. We really just need this to be a subject that people aren’t too scared to talk about. Femfresh are an incredible brand that know skin intimately, and we should too.
Hair care
I am extremely lazy when it comes to my hair. Maybe it’s because no matter what I do it always ends up looking like Hagrid dragged through a hedge backwards but it always seems to be my last priority. Two things I absolutely can’t live without however is the Kerastase Couture styling L’incroyable blowdry cream – lol, Kerastase, give us a break and pick a name I don’t need to copy and paste next time – which is a lazy hair day dream, it just does so much. It’s a heat protectant, has longwear hold, controls frizz, fights humidity… it’s just my saviour right now.
And then there’s the Batiste dry shampoo which is without a doubt the most nostalgic product I own. It just does the job. It prolongs washing your hair – yes, yes, yes!! – gives you a boost of volume and makes hairstyles last longer. So much love for this little babe. It’s the original, and it’s the best!
Bodycare
Continuing on with bodycare, I absolutely can’t do without a body scrub and lotion when I travel as my legs immediately turn into a basilisk – you knew I wasn’t going to get through a whole post without referencing Harry Potter somewhere – and first up in my “help Ellie not be a flaky franny” arson, the White Company body scrub. There is something about this scrub that is just so incredibly spa like, I can’t help but completely zen out when using it. It perfectly exfoliates your skin without being too harsh and leaves you silky smooth and ready to be slathered in moisturiser. When it comes to body lotion, it has to work amazingly well and smell like a dreamboat because otherwise I am incredibly lazy with it and will just shun it. The Clarins moisture rich body lotion is exactly that, it’s fresh and comforting and actually makes me want to use it. Use this at the end of a pamper session – or just any old day – and I promise your limbs will love you for it.
The Miscellaneous others
Those items that you know you need but are never at the top of your list – yes makeup and luxurious pamper products cross my mind before the absolute essentials and yes I need to check my priorities – but of course, a toothpaste always comes with me and it’s always the Arm and Hammer total pro. Now, I do actually have travel versions of this but am I the only one that has the travel fear of running out of toothpaste? That’ll be just me then… So a full sized version is packed tightly into my travel bag and this one is just so perfect for the ultimate fresh and clean feeling, knowing that it’s taking care of the condition of your teeth too. Deodorant is completely personal but I’ve used the Mitchum advanced control for years now and it just does the best job of keeping things smelling fresh and that sweat at bay.
God I’m so attractive.
And then finishing on a much more glam note, Jo Malone’s newest – and in my opinion, most incredible – drop in the form of Basil and neroli. Released this September, it’s the brand’s first citrus floral and honestly, you really do have to check it out if you’re a JM fan because it is easily one of my all time favourite scents. It’s like, it’s fresh, it’s floral.. it’s the perfect daytime with a difference scent and as somebody very fickle, I can confirm that I’ve been wearing this for a good 4 months and still absolutely adore it. A must have for all year round and all places too, perfect for travel.
So that brings this travel bag essentials post to an end. I’d absolutely love to know what you always have to take with you when you go away? What one thing can’t you live without?
As always, thanks so much for reading!
xx
This post was sponsored by Femfresh but all photos, thoughts and love of a brand that looks after our skin so well, my own.
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