So, I’ve just booked my first holiday abroad, in five years and I am so flipping excited. It’s been soo long since I travelled anywhere outside the UK and I’m travelling to my dream destination! I’m finally going to Italy! See, dreams do come true. It must have been the power of visualisation.

Anyway, I’ve been on cloud nine since my host accepted my reservation on Airbnb which is unusual, for me at least, but to celebrate I wanted to talk about de-stressing essentials. Mainly because it’s been so long since I was on a plane, and I’m really excited, but I know that I am one of those people who gets stressed when they travel.

I’m also aware that the cost-of-living crisis is hitting families hard this year in the UK and so I wanted to publish a series of budget friendly posts. I get that I am lucky to be going away this year, as many people are struggling, so in keeping with my usual collection of high quality products, I also wanted to choose products that won’t break the bank…

So here are my top travel bag de-stressing essentials. I think they’d be perfect for the night before, the day you travel and the day after, leaving you chilled out and looking your best for your holiday.

My Top De-Stressing Travel Essentials

1. St Tropez gradual Tan…

So, I’m terrible at fake tan, but I love ST Tropez in Shower gradual tan. Mainly because it’s just really easy and quick. You apply it as a cream to the skin in the shower. Leave it for 3 Minutes and wash off. The Tan develops in 24 hours, and this is a light tan, so it’s subtle and buildable. I love that it’s made with almond oil, leaving the skin really soft and its fool proof.

It ticks all my boxes and is just a super simple go to. But to my absolute horror, St Tropez have discontinued my favourite tanning product, and in my opinion their best! I’m so disappointed- so I’m currently looking for a replacement, comment below if you have any suggestions!

2. Hyaluronic Makeup Primer

So, I got this on Amazon and didn’t know what to expect. It cost £5.99 which is really reasonable. I haven’t heard of the brand so I wasn’t expecting much, and I was unsure if Hyaluronic acid would really work in a primer, but I was pleasantly surprised. It gives skin a dewy finish and a flawless appearance. So, I thought it would be good to use while you travel, either by itself or over a tinted moisturiser.

If you wear under makeup, it smooths the appearance of pores and helps makeup stay put. It also stops your makeup from drying out if you get very dry skin like me. It is a thin primer, but I like that. I think it would be perfect for traveling to give you a glow without clogging pores.

3. Aveda Botanical Repair

Powered by plant extracts this leave in conditioner is perfect for dry hair. It’s not too heavy and wearable for a few days at least. Obviously, I bleach my hair, so it gets really dry, and I have been lusting over this this summer. I would still recommend conditioning hair, but this could make you go longer between having to wash and style it so it’s a travel must. I also like the scent of this stuff, so yeah, it’s relaxing too.

4. Thea Warming Eye Mask

This black suede like warming eye mask is perfect for travelling and taking time to relax and unwind. It’s also reusable too which I like, it’s not a onetime purchase and I love the warming sensation on your face and eyes. Simply pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds and then pop it on. The warming of the mask releases essential oils in the eyes.

It also helps to relieve dry itchy eyes- which I always get when I’m travelling! Planes are the worst for skin, ears and dry eyes. I also really like the Blephaclean wipes. They would be good to use before applying the eye mask, but honestly, I thought they were great when I went glamping at pinewood park.

I suffer from dry eyes and these two products have really helped me during the crazy heatwave in the UK so I just know they’ll be perfect to stick in my travel bag. I also like to use the eye mask after I’ve been staring at a screen all day, it soothes my tiered eyes and headaches- perfect for destressing. The eye mask costs £19.99 and is available from Thea professional eye care.

5. Benefit Hollywood Glo

Okay, so again it’s old school, maybe I need to update my tanning game but this stuff is like an instant tan and glo in one pot. I’ve tried many other products, the most similar was probably nui shimmer oil- but that stuff is crazy expensive. Although the pot is perfect for travelling. I guess it would be good for your face.

This tin is the perfect size to carry around with you and top up your tan. It gives your legs a gorgeous shimmery tint and it simply belongs in my travel bag. I couldn’t leave without it.

6. Thea Dry Eye spray and drops

I love this spray and featured it in my travel bag Instagram video. You simply spray it over closed eyes and then blink. I’ve tried lots of different dry eye products and honestly, it’s just good to finally find one that works. Luckily, I don’t get hay fever, but it says it’s good for that too. It instantly relives that dry scratching sensation, so it has to be in my travel bag essentials.

The eye drops are good too but a little harder to apply. So, I think the Zaspray has to make it into my travel bag essentials as they give you instant relief and is super easy to apply which is perfect for de-stressing. It cost £13.99

Thea professional eyecare is the winner then, and I highly recommend their eye products for travelling and dry eyes. Visit Thea here to see their full range of eye care products.

Thanks for reading,

Soph.

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