Boots 'Holiday Essentials' Haul

Every time I go on my holibobs, there's always a few beauty essentials that come along with me. I hate being unorganised when I go on holiday and being the beauty obsessor that I am, the thought of forgetting to take along said essentials sends me straight into panic mode. With this being said, a trip to Boots before going away on holiday is one of my top priorities. With this being said, on Saturday my boyfriend and I made our way to Boots and rummaged around the isles like mad people looking for all things holiday. Here's what went straight into my basket ...

Hair

Batiste Cherry Dry Shampoo

If like me you wash your hair everyday on holiday (a days worth of chlorine or sea water sends my hair wild) you're probably wondering why I'm taking along a dry shampoo. Now although I won't be using it to refresh any oily roots between washes, I will be using it for volume and texture and to give my freshly washed hair a bit of body instead. Plus it smells like cherries, yum!

VO5 Give Me Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner

I've used the volume version of these vo5 shampoo and conditioners in the past and absolutely loved them. I found the shampoo lathers up really nicely and the conditioner makes my hair much more manageable and tangle-free. However, as I'm going to a hot destination, I decided to try the moisture range instead. My hair is prone to drying out and sitting in the sun all day will only add to that so I'm hoping this will help my locks remain healthy and glossy. I also thought these bottles were an ideal size for a weeks worth of use too - not too big and not too small.

Boots Extra Firm Hairspray

I can't say this is hairspray of choice but it was the cheapest mini I could find. I don't use hairspray a great deal so I wasn't willing to splash out on a mini bottle for one week away when I have humongous bottles of the stuff at home. This one is Boots own and has an extra firm hold so I'm sure it will do its job.

Toni & Guy Salt Spray

When I'm on holiday, I'm very lazy with my hair. When its hot outside and there's humidity in the air, the last thing I want to do is use heat on it. I tend to go for quick and easy styles like natural beach waves or top knots instead. Thats where a Sea Salt spray like this one from Toni & Guy comes in very handy. Just a quick spritz over the hair transforms locks from frizzy to 'messy chic'. I'm sure I'll be using this most evenings and the super cute mini bottle means its travel friendly too.

Sun Protection

Piz Buin After Sun

After a long day of baking myself in the sun, I love nothing more than slathering on a cooling After Sun. Not only does After Sun sooth the skin and heal any burnt bits faster, it also moisturises and leaves the skin feeling supple and soft. As well as all that goodness, this one from Piz Buin also contains a 'tan intensifying' plant extract. Oooh, golden glowy skin, here I come.

Garnier Golden Protect Factor 20

I bought this factor 20 Garnier oil to use on my arms and legs. You're probably wondering whey I'm only going to be using this on those areas but I'll get onto that in the next product summary. I really like the fact this is an oil SPF as I find them much easier to use than white lotions that seem to take forever and a day to absorb into the skin. I'm hoping it does what it says on the tin and helps me achieve a golden tan whilst preventing sunburn.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL 50+ Nutritive Oil & Gel-Cream*

Okay this is a little bit of a cheat as I was sent these products and didn't buy them myself. However, they are from Boots and they are a holiday essential so it made sense for me to include them. This new range of tanning products from La Roche-Posay are aimed at those who have very sensitive skin and need a high protection, hence the factor 50+. Now you might be thinking, "who in their right mind would wear factor 50, you won't get a tan". However, as someone with exceptionally sensitive skin and someone who once got so sunburnt they ended up getting an injection in hospital, wearing a high factor is hugely important to me. I'm planning on using the nutritive oil on my chest and stomach as they're both prone to sun burn and the gel-cream on my face which again, is very prone to getting burnt. 

Vichy 50+ Capital Soleil Velvety Cream*

Again, this is a bit of a cheat as it was sent to me along with the La Roche-Posay products and again its a high factor 50+ sun protection. Specifically designed for the face this SPF also contains hyaluronic acid and light silicone to instantly plump the skin and provide water resistance. I've tried it out as a normal moisturising cream and like most Vichy products, its absolutely lovely. It sinks in effortlessly and I imagine this will be a great one to slather all over my face without it clogging up my skin and making me look greasy.

Body & Miscellaneous

Boots Cucumber Cleansing Wipes

Yes I bought some face wipes, don't judge me. I know face wipes aren't the best things to use on the skin and they certainly aren't ideal to use instead of a cleanser but for a week away, they're handy to have. I decided to get these cucumber ones from Boots own range as the cucumber should have a nice cooling effect on my skin after long days in the sun. Also, when I go on holiday, the last thing I want to do is faff around with a laborious skincare routine. If I want to trade my expensive cleansers for some cheap face wipes for a few days, I bloomin' well will. I am going on holiday to relax after all.

Original Source Lime Shower Gel

Shower gel - a boring yet essential beauty product. After long sweaty days in the sun, this Original Source shower gel with its zesty lime scent is sure to leave me feeling refreshed and clean.

Sure Cotton Deodorant

Another boring yet essential product this time in the form of a Sure deodorant. I'm sure you all know why I bought this. Other than the fresh cotton scent, nobody wants to risk ruining their favourite holiday outfit with pesky sweat patches.

Venus Pro Skin Razor

I don't know why but every time I go away on holiday, I buy a new razor. I've got no idea why the one currently sat in my shower just doesn't cut it (no pun intended) but it just doesn't. Does anyone else do this or is that just me and my strange habits? Anyway, this one from Venus comes with 3 blades and shower gel shave bars. This means theres no need to use a shaving gel as the nifty little gel shave bars help to protect the skin and provide a smooth shave. Oh, now I can't that "Ooh baby she's got it" song from the Venus advert out of my head. Damn! 

Hair Ties & Grips

Another thing I buy before every holiday, hair ties and girps. As I mentioned earlier, I tend to throw my hair up in messy buns and what not when I'm away so these essential for helping me achieve that. I bought them both in blonde shades so they should go undetected in my hair. There's nothing worse than blonde hair with loads of black hair pins everywhere. No no no!

So there we have it, a few holiday essentials I picked up on a recent trip to Boots. Of course this isn't everything I'll be taking with me - I already had most of the other essentials like toothpaste, plug adaptors and insect repellent at home. You can't forget about insect repellent - those damn mossies!

Have I missed anything? What are your holiday essentials?

Lots of Love,