KEY POINTS:
Every beach holiday I always seem to pack far too many skincare, beauty and body items in the unlikely event there will be time for lengthy glycolic peels and masks. Because three shades of eyeshadow really is overkill on the Coromandel, try and keep beauty products to practical, beach-oriented ones.
1. Hawaiian Tropic Island Glow Daily Moisturizer
$10.49 for 237ml
The new fake tanners are really moisturisers with a trace of self-tan. Much more natural. They're enough to take the shock of the white away after using for a day or two. If you keep going you increase your tan. Used as a daily moisturiser this "evens out your skin tone and gradually develops the glow of summer". Value for money.
From selected pharmacies and supermarkets.
2. Redken UV Rescue Protective Oil
$28.50 for 150ml
This is a leave-in oil that gives UVA and UVB protection to hair. You pay all that money for a lovely, believable hair colour, best not let it fade to something less flattering and possibly resembling your natural colour. This is water-resistant and has sparkly bits in it to add a nice shine as it goes about protecting hair. Worth the space it takes in the suitcase.
From selected hair salons.
3. Dermalogica Super Sensitive Faceblock SPF30
$99.80 for 50ml
This doesn't even count in the space-taking-up category it's so thoughtfully teeny. It's a chemical-free sunscreen for those with sensitive skin who find the chemical types irritating. Not your usual goopy kind of mineral UVA and UVB blocker either. This disappears easily into skin and has lavender, green tea and licorice to soothe.
From selected beauty therapy salons.
4. Bobbi Brown Beach Shimmer Body Powder Pink Sand
$94 for 9g
The beach fragrance in this smells better than any beach around these parts. The sand jasmine, sea spray and mandarin notes evoke those old tanning oils. There's almost more pleasure to be had lying back on your towel and inhaling this than the pretty pink, shimmery effect you get when you dust this over your body.
From Smith & Caughey Queen St.
5. Estee Lauder Sun Performance After Sun
$54 for 200ml
You've been good and applied the sunscreen religiously. Even so, skin needs apres-sun care in the form of an intensive moisturiser that also soothes. This is a "top-shelf continuous moisture creme" with aloe vera to do just that.
From selected department stores and pharmacies.
