Packing for your Holiday – Top Tips and Hair Essentials

Have you got a holiday coming up? Feeling overwhelmed with all that packing prep? We’ve got some top tips from what to pack, how to pack it and what to look out for when it comes to skin and hair care.

We all know packing can be a chore, but with some helpful shortcuts and handy tips the whole process should be a bit more enjoyable!

Top Tech

With our gadgets being like a third hand nowadays it’s hard to imagine travelling without them. But long journeys, delays and cancellations mean battery life can deplete and we’re stuck without communication or entertainment. A portable battery pack can be an absolute saviour and with so many options on the market now you’ll be spoilt for choice. These handy little packs are easily charged at home before you head off on your travels and  can be used to charge phones and tablets.

If you love your music, mini speakers are an absolute must when it comes to travel. These cute little noise makers hook up to your phone or tablet using wifi and will amplify your tunes while you get ready for an evening out, or are perfect for lounging around on the beach.

Know your Stars

When it comes to taking care of your skin and protecting yourself from the sun we all know how important it is to use a good SPF. But did you know about the star rating?

The NHS Website explains: “The sun protection factor, or SPF, is a measure of the amount of ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) protection.SPFs are rated on a scale of 2-50+ based on the level of protection they offer, with 50+ offering the strongest form of UVB protection.”

“The star rating measures the amount of ultraviolet A radiation (UVA) protection. You should see a star rating of up to five stars on UK sunscreens. The higher the star rating, the better.The letters “UVA” inside a circle is a European marking. This means the UVA protection is at least one third of the SPF value and meets EU recommendations.”

Protect your Hair

It’s easy to forget that your hair needs protection too. Much like our skin, the sun can cause damage to our hair’s quality, colour and texture. Using the best product possible is vital in maintaining hair health.

It will, of course, depend on your hair type and if you have any colour on the hair, so it’s worth having a chat with your stylist and seeing what they recommend. But in general, you should always take a hat on holiday, especially if you have thin or thinning hair.

In terms of product, it’s important to remember your hair goes through a lot while on holiday from sun exposure to chlorine from pools. Not to mention salt water and sand as well as the change in the water while visiting new places.

Cleanse, hydrate and protect is our motto – something you can read about on our summer hair prep post here.

And of course, don’t forget your travel minis! There is nothing worse than packing full size product when travelling. They take up half valuable room in your suitcase.  And the last thing you want to do is leave expensive haircare at the hotel. We have mini OSIS hairsprays in salon and the fab handy Redken travel packs.

Some final thoughts…

• Roll not fold! Rolling clothes will help them stay crease free!
• Pack a laundry bag to keep your worn clothes in
• Take a waterproof bag to put any wet swimwear in if you plan on swimming on your last day
• Baby wipes are your friend, even if you haven’t got a baby. Stain removal, cleaning hands, wiping surfaces. The list is endless.
• Ensure everyone’s clothes are evenly distributed across the luggage. If one suitcase is lost, at least all of your party will have something to wear.

We’d love to hear if you have any top tips for travelling. Let us know in the comments or on Facebook! And don’t forget if you need a pre-holiday refresh, or a post-holiday retouch, you can book online, via Facebook or call us on 01472694900

Happy Holidays!