What to pack in your vanity case

Compiled by PHYL CLARKE

You know when you’re going on holidays and the list of things that must be done before leaving is so long that you wonder if it’s all just too much to do?

My packing routine never varies. I select a co-ordinated stylish capsule of must-haves, then my daughter comes in and cuts it in half, so I end up with the perfect holiday wardrobe, and more room for books in my suitcase. The yoga DVD and the knitting must always come, although neither ever sees the light of day. A mixture of skin treats and not-so-glamorous but essential items take up the rest of the space.

A hydrating face mask which treats and plumps skin is especially beneficial after flying. The Body Shop Vitamin E sink-in mask (€16.50) is super-light but intensely hydrating and leaves skin glowing, so you look like you’ve been on holiday already.

I never travel without Sudocrem (€2.50) as it’s not something easily available abroad. This antiseptic healing cream has been in my medicine cabinet since my first baby was born and its uses go way beyond nappy rash. It works wonders on sunburn if you happen to miss a bit when applying sun lotion.

After a day at the beach, it’s heavenly to slather on a luxurious body cream after showering, so I’m packing Estée Lauder bronze goddess after-sun (€28). This potent cocktail of soothing and rehydrating ingredients are delivered in a rich cream that smells gorgeous and has a hint of colour, which helps to boost your tan.

There is no need to bother with weighty body scrubs or bulky body brushes as my trusty Japanese Wash Cloth (€22) does the lot and is light as a feather. The woven micro-fibres buff skin to a smooth finish. Buy online from spacenk.com.

St Tropez’s latest tanner just landed on my desk and I like the fact that it’s a two-in-one product giving protection with SPF50 while a gradual tanner gets to work, giving my pale face some believable colour (€19.95).

The legs will be out, so I’ll pop on some Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Or (€25) which is a multi-use dry body oil. The plant oils are combined with tiny golden particles that catch the light and add a subtle gleam to skin, emphasising a tan. It can also be used on hair to give a subtle highlighting effect.

My hair can be unpredictable in different climates, sometimes turning into a haystack, so I’ll throw in a couple of sachets of Aussie 3-Minute Miracle Reconstructor, which is great for an instant (well, three-minute) moisture surge and makes hair behave again (€1.99).

The Venus Embrace by Gillette (€10.99) is the quick compact way to hair removal on holiday and will give a much better result than borrowing your other half’s razor.

As far as make-up goes, I like to give my skin a holiday too, but for a little eye definition I’ll take Chanel’s Stylo Yeux eyelining pencil in the light-reflecting Rose Plantine shade (€21.50). These pencils are soft, making them very easy to use, plus they resist water and humidity, so they’ll stay the distance. My other colour essential is The Multiple by Nars (€41), which I’ll use as a cheek and lip tint.