So, I went on holiday. But not just any holiday, this was camping. In rural France. With three kids. Which, you might (rightly) guess was a kind of beauty endurance test.
But I made it through, and I’m back with you today to share the items in my washbag which made it possible for me to emerge from the moth-ridden toilet block looking respectable enough not to frighten the ducks. Yes, there were ducks. But that’s another story.
First up was my set of minis – you have to have one of those, don’t you? I went for Yes To Cucumbers, because their Ultimate Calming Facial Kit, £19.99, has a packet of 10 wipes (a perfect amount) a teeny Soothing Daily Calming Facial Moisturizer, which is great after a hot day, and a Soothing Eye Gel for any post sunshine puffiness.
On the subject of cooling, I was very happy to have remembered my Caudalie Organic Grape Water spray, £6. The kids think it’s a hilarious game, I think it’s doing wonderful grapey moisturising things to my skin.
Keep it in your handbag on long journeys and everyone’s a winner.
Another one that worked for the whole family is the frankly genius Philip Kingsley Swimcap, £10.30, which not only conditions and protects from chlorine but also shields against weathering from the sun (UV damage), salt water and wind. Every day I put a tiny blob on the kids’ heads, and a more sizeable one on my lengthy locks, and nobody has come home looking remotely haystack-like.
I also had to begrudgingly chuck in a few items just for the offspring. I’m generous like that. I went for Green Baby’s Starter Set, £14.96, because it had a fabulous lavender-scented sleep balm alongside the usual washes and lotions, ideal for settling the youngest in a noisy tent.
Finally, what would a trip away be without a multi-tasker? My choice was the wonderful Lanolips 101 Ointment, £11, which I used on everything from dry bits to cuts, and even as a lip balm and cuticle rescuer after the chlorine from the swimming pool had done its damage.
Next year, let’s a get a villa though…