I know they say it’s the most wonderful time of the year (and it IS!), but that doesn’t stop some (or most?) of us from dreaming up vacations for the second the snow hits. Here in Philly, the magic of Christmas usually signals the start AND stop of the magic of winter, and the second the lights and tinsel disappear, the snow plows and salt trucks come out to play and it’s a sad time for all.
A few winters ago, I had the ~immense pleasure~ of spending some time at an all-inclusive resort down in Mexico, and it’s safe to say that’s the *best* way to spend January. This year, we don’t have any tropical getaways in the books just yet – until some VERY fun plans come February for our very first Disney cruise + a quick getaway to Disney World!
The whole fam is #stoked (sans Liv who doesn’t know yet – keep it a secret, eh? 😉 ). I, for one, have already started packing.
I kid you not.
My polka dot bikini is ready, my Minnie ears are ready – I AM READY. Or, at least, I’m getting ready. And one way I’m getting ready ahead of time is by figuring out the best products to take with me – especially since a.) I’ve never traveled with Olivia before and need to save some space, and b.) I’ve never been on a cruise before and need to be prepared.
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the things on my own list lately that are helping me prep my skin especially.
- Exfoliate + hydrate. All over, people! For exfoliation, make sure you’re getting a good manual AND chemical exfoliation on your skin. A manual exfoliation means using products and/or tools to assist, like a good sugar scrub (here’s my favorite !) and a good cleansing brush. Make sure you’ve got a chemical exfoliant in your skincare routine, too, to assist in unclogging pores and getting that brighter glow in a gentler way. Glycolic acid is one of my favorite ingredients to look for – here’s ! Once you’re all exfoliated and have the bad stuff off and out, it’s time to put the good stuff in and on! Make sure you’re using a quality moisturizer all over your body – preferably one without parabens or bad stuff inside – as well as a great facial moisturizer both morning AND night, even if you have oily skin. (Pro tip: Oilier skin could actually be an indicator of DEhydration, since your body produces oil as a natural means of adding moisture! So if you’ve got too much oil happening, it could mean it’s time to hydrate more!). Beyond that, drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water every day. So, if you weigh 120 pounds, drink 60 ounces of water. Capiche? Gives you that healthy, hydrated glow from the inside out!
- Prepare your flight essentials. Being up in the sky might be great for the imagination, but it AIN’T great for your complexion. I once heard a dermatologist say that your skin is used to humidity levels in the air between 40-70% – and on airplanes, there’s only about 20% in the air. This 100% contributes to your skin being dr, red, or flaky after a flight. You also have less blood flow to your face given the higher altitudes, which can also make things duller than usual. AND, beyond that, salty airport snacks or less physical activity can cause you to retain water more, making your face puffier, and any travel anxieties can up the production of your stress hormones, triggering more redness, or even flare up skin conditions you may have. All in all – no bueno, yo. Prep some flight-friendly essentials ahead of time: a hydrating sheet mask, a solid moisturizer, a refillable water bottle, and SPF, since those UV rays are that much stronger when you’re that much closer to the sun. 😉
- Get a good shave. And I mean a reaaaaaally good shave. Ain’t nobody got time for missed spots or razor burn, especially when you’re headed down to a tropical paradise. I’m usually the queen of two things come winter. 1.) Resorting to shaving only below the knees when I can, or 2.) dry shaving in a gif, only to be left with red, painful bumps. I mean COME ON, Erica, get it together. I’m a grown-up. I should not be planning my shave days like my shampoo days and weaving them around my social calendar, yet HERE I AM. To fix that, I’ve been using Philips SatinShave Advanced. And yes – it’s an electric shaver. It’s a throwback to my learning-to-shave days, but really, for good reason. This handy dandy device is the latest premium electric shaver designed for us ladies who want a safer, more comfortable shave for sensitive skin. And raise your hand if you experience more sensitive skin in winter? YUP, that’s what I thought. 😉 It’s got an award-winning design and is cordless, with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with an hour lifespan, making it the perfect travel companion. (Am I the only one who gets nervous traveling with an actual razor blade in her bag?) Beyond that, it’s designed to leave you with smooth skin for your WHOLE body, including your legs, bikini area AND underarms (bless up). AND that’s not all – you can also use it wet OR dry (music to my last-minute ears). It leaves you with less cuts, shaving bumps, and/or irritation thanks to its single floating foil shaver head with pearl tip trimmers, so it’s truly the perfect little gizmo to have on hand in your toiletry bag on your next tropical trip.
- Minimize your makeup routine. I’ve never been one to doll up on vacation – heck, my goal is typically to wear the least amount of makeup possible, especially at the beach. Before trips, I pare down my makeup bag to the bare minimal essentials: my CC+ cream with SPF, an all-over shimmer or highlight, lip balm, and a good waterproof mascara are my must-haves.
I already feel much more ready for a vacation – just pass mama a piña colada and call it the Carribbean. 😉 Don’t forget to pick up a Philips SatinShave Advanced, especially if you’re done with cuts and burns and just want a safer, more comfortable shave all over and on-the-go. It comes with a cleaning brush, storage pouch, + charger, so you’ll be all set!
What are your vacation preparation essentials? And have you tried a Philips SatinShave Advanced yet?
Do you have any fun tropical getaways on the books upcoming? Hope so – ’tis the season! 😉
*Thanks to Philips, a brand I lovelovelove, for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions + thoughts presented are entirely my own. Thank YOU for supporting the brands that support Coming Up Roses!
