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HOLA everybody. I was recently asked how I look so good when I’m travelling?! MASSIVE compliment because I really really do not feel like that is the case at all. However, it got me thinking, maybe people would be interested in some travel tips , like how a girl keeps herself looking decent on the road?! Sooo I’ve started working on a series of blog posts along the lines of how to stay looking good and feeling great while travelling the world. Full of all my top travel tips for looking good while travelling. Here’s the first instalment; How to stay fresh while travelling.
Deodorants
STICK STICK STICK STICK! Now I know a lot of you prefer sprays, but honestly they just do not last as long as a stick. I don’t mean any of that roll on business. When you’re on 18hr buses or hauling your backpack around in 30 degree heat you need a solid stick deodorant to stop you from smelling like a rugby team’s locker room. I used Dove Maximum Protection. It lasts 48 hours so you don’t have to apply it every day meaning one stick can last you for months of travelling. I used it in Thailand, Indonesia, The Philippines, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. I’m a fairly sweaty person (yep, sexy) and even I managed to stay smelling fresh my entire trip.
Solid Perfume
This is one of my top travel tips ! Solid perfume is something I have only started to use in the past few months, but it has revolutionised my packing! Before I discovered solid perfume I was lobbing a full bottle of perfume around in my backpack. Those things are heavy. Plus, I only wore the same perfume for the entire trip because it was all I had! However, with solid perfume, this isn’t a problem any more. It looks like a small tin of lip balm so it weighs nothing and fits into my pocket. It’s also a solid so I can take it in my hand luggage without having to put it in a clear plastic bag like you do with liquids.
Since it’s so small you could bring several different fragrances with you for a bit of variety. All you need is a little bit dabbed on your pulse points and you’re fresh as a daisy. I’m currently obsessed with Vanillary from LUSH. I love LUSH for a MILLION reasons; they don’t do animal testing, all their ingredients are fresh, organic and vegetarian. So if you want to know how to stay fresh while travelling, ask the girls at LUSH to point you in the direction of their solid perfume. I hope this one of my travel tips might change your packing experience!
The Lady Garden
Now, don’t get all embarrassed, we all have private parts, and being a lady I have a vagina so that’s what I’m going to talk about. A girl’s got to keep herself fresh downstairs for everyone’s benefit. Before I discovered the amazing products that I’m going to tell you about below, I was using things like wipes that didn’t really make me feel any different. I was basically just using them because I reckoned if I didn’t have access to a shower I probably should use something. However, when I discovered SASS (thanks to my amazing sister), a couple of months ago, it changed everything.
Now, the ladies at SASS have an array of amazing products but today I’m going to focus on the intimate refreshing mist. First of all none of their products are animal tested and they are all suitable for sensitive skin (obviously considering where you’re using them). The mist smells fresh and crisp and the packaging is very discreet. It’s also only 30ml so you can bring it on the plane with you for a quick freshen up during those long-haul flights. Just two quick sprays and that’s all you need to stay fresh while travelling. You’ll find all the SASS products in Boots stores.
Baby Wipes
Now I have no brand preference with these, I just bring them everywhere! They’re usually on every traveller’s list of travel tips. They are perfect for flights when you feel stale and awful, or long hikes where you don’t have access to showers. For festivals and camping baby wipes are a life saver. Also, I use face wipes for make up removal because, honestly, the less liquids I have to pack the better! Basically you can never over value the importance of baby wipes while travelling.
Facial Mist
I’ve only recently gotten into this but I’m a firm believer now. Just one spritz keeps you fresh and feeling cool on those hot days. My favourite is MONU Spa’s Rosewood reviving mist. With lemon, rosewood and geranium it’s incredibly zesty and fresh. Keep it in your day bag while travelling to cool yourself down and stay fresh.
I Don’t Do Anti-Bacterial
Right, I know I’m a pharmacist so I should be all for anti-bacterial everything, but I just am not. I don’t believe in Purelle-ing the shit out of everything. I’m 100% not into it. My body is fairly sturdy and I have a fine immune system. It’s just not necessary. However, if you have immune system issues, sure, bring some anti-bacterial gel if you think you really need it. But honestly, I’ve only ever gotten sick once in my years of travelling without it. Plus I find it really dries my skin out and, to be honest, is one of those stereotypical signs of a tourist. It’s ok to get a little dirty sometimes, take that how you will.
So there you have it, that’s how I stay fresh while travelling. You now know all my top travel tips for keeping clean and smelling wonderful. What about you? Have you got any hints or tips for staying fresh? Leave them in the comments below! I’d love to hear them 🙂
You surprised me with the solid perfume, never heard of that, or I guess none of the Philippine product is doing that as well (this I have to check, not sure of it), but I’m excited that there’s such thing as solid perfume, I always bring my bottled perfume, which obviously is a pain of adding another impact to my baggage. I’ve been experimenting for years for different types of perfume and bottle to bring just so to lessen everything, this sounds really perfect, will try to check that out.
Awesome post Tara, a lot of women can relate to this. As a tour guide, I am also being asked what do I bring in my backpack and how do I keep my posture clean and how do I stay fresh all day long despite having crazy destinations at times in the Philippines.
Awww cool. Thanks for the comment Ferna. I hope you find some solid perfume!!! 🙂 safe travels xx
Solid perfume – this is genius! I am heading down to LUSH asap! This will change my travelling in the future. Thanks for the tip!
Hahaha. Amazing! Love this comment. Thanks Abbi 🙂
Another excellent, informative, witty blog Tara. Remind me o give you some “Moroccan” perfume to try when you get home.
Heading to SouthEast Asia in September and will definitely be investing in stick deodorant and solid perfume!
As a greasy person, I’m also a big fan of dry shampoo and oil absorbing sheets when I know I’m not going to be near a shower for a few days. And eyedrops. Eyedrops are a lifesaver after long flights.
Where are you off to Marianne? For how long? Yeah I’m saving dry shampoo for the haircare section. Oil Blotting sheets are a good idea!! 🙂
Genius idea with the solid perfume!!
Thanks for the tip on “the lady garden” (lol), too.
I always think about getting a facial mist for flights and hot weather. You’ve given me a push to actually get some. Great post.
Thanks so much for the kind word. Hahah. Yep, gotta talk about the lady garden every once in a while! 😛
Glad you liked the post!! Xx
I have not really considered solid perfume before, but I think I’ll give it a go – thanks for the tip.
Facial mist is a new favourite of mine too, especially on the plane, as are baby-wipes. Another favourite of mine is Moroccan oil. I put it on my hair to tame the frizz and I use it on my face at night. It’s great for taking make-up off and makes my skin feel much more cleansed than soap or face-wash (you have to remove it with a towel soaked in water as hot as you can cope with). It lasts for ages so you only need a really small bottle.
Like you, I also avoid the anti-bacterial stuff. It really dries out my skin and feels horrible. I have been living in India for a year without it, and I haven’t been sick yet 🙂
Wow. That’s good going in India! 🙂 yeah I’m definitely going to be talking about moroccon oil in a future post hopefully 🙂
Solid perfume is the best!
Great tips for travel, I especially like the solid perfume, had not heard of it and bringing a bottle of perfume is a hassle, takes up too much room. Going to look for some facial mist as well – that is a great idea for a quick freshener and especially while flying. For deodorant I switched over to a crystal natural deodorant several years ago – the crystal lasts for ages and I found a small travel size at the drugstore here in Austin.
Oh I used to use one of those but I just didn’t like the feel of it as much as the Dove one. The solid perfume seems to be the thing that most people have commented on! It really does help with packing so much 🙂
Yes girl! Gotta keep it fresh when you’re out and about! Your personality really shines through your posts. Gonna have to follow you!