Planning a holiday can be super exciting, but let's be honest - it can also be a bit stressful, especially when it comes to getting your hair and beauty game on point.
When you're jetting off to a sunny beach or exploring a new city, you want to look and feel your best.
This can mean booking your pre-holiday hair appointment at the right time, getting a cute mani-pedi to match your holiday outfits and getting your skin into tip-top condition for tanning. You’ll also need to consider things like holiday makeup, travel hair care and packing essentials to keep your glam while you’re away.
Organising all these things can feel overwhelming - but don't worry, we’re here to help you get holiday ready with our essential holiday prep countdown planner and checklist.
So, sit back, relax, and let's get you prepped for your next big vacay!
4 Weeks Before Your Holiday: Hit the Sunbeds
Everyone wants a natural tan for their holidays - it looks great, fades evenly and doesn't smell. Starting your tan 6-4 weeks before your holiday allows enough time to build a solid base tan and also helps your skin gradually build tolerance to the sun - perfect if you're planning a holiday in a sunny destination.
(If you plan to use fake tan, skip this step and move on to the next part of our prep guide!)
Here's how to prep a natural tan 6-4 weeks before your holiday:
- Build a regular tan schedule, aiming for 2-3 sunbed sessions per week, over 6-4 weeks. This gives your skin time to build a base tan.
- If you’re new to tanning, start with short sessions to let your skin adjust, then gradually increase the duration. This means you’re less likely to burn on holiday.
- Speed up your sunbed tan by using tan accelerators. For the best results, check out our blog on how to use tan accelerators.
Don’t Forget!
Invest in a tan accelerator that you can use before your holiday and while you're away. Drinkable Tan Shots are one of our favourites! Take one before each sunbed session, then bring a few with you on your trip. At just 60 ml per shot, they’re even hand luggage friendly.
2 Weeks Before Your Holiday: Visit Your Hairdresser
Preparing your hair about 2 weeks before your holiday is crucial to ensure it looks its best and is ready to handle sun, chlorine and sea salt. If you're heading to a colder destination, this prep will also help your hair stay healthy and resilient against the cold weather.
So make sure to book your hairdresser appointment for approx. 2 weeks before your holiday. If you’re a DIY girlie, set aside time in your own schedule a few weeks before your holiday to prep your hair.
Here’s how to prep your hair 2 weeks before your holiday:
- Get your colour done so it has time to settle before exposure to sun, chlorine and sun cream. Also consider getting a fresh trim to get rid of any dead ends.
- If you wear hair extensions full time, you’ll need to get these maintained or re-fitted. This allows time for your scalp to settle before your holiday.
- If you don’t have extensions but want to feel more glam on holiday, bring synthetic clip-in extensions. These are ideal for holidays as you can take them out during the day to avoid damage from sea salt, chlorine or suncream. Colourful extensions are also great for creating vibrant braids for party holidays, festivals or hen-do’s!
Don’t Forget!
Salon-quality haircare shouldn't stop just because you're on holiday - bring the Color Wow Smooth Party Hair Set with you. It’s the perfect size for packing and contains everything you need to keep your hair clean and frizz-free in humid countries.
10 Days Before Your Holiday: Care For Your Feet
Feet are often something we forget about, until it's time to put on our sandals on holiday and it's too late! Preparing your feet about 10 days before your holiday makes sure they’re smooth, soft and ready to show off in sandals. This also allows enough time to prevent any last-minute issues like dry skin or ingrown toenails.
Here’s how to prep your feet 10 days before your holiday:
- Soak your feet daily in the bath or a foot spa, then exfoliate with a foot scrub to remove dead skin cells. For stubborn hard skin, use a pumice stone, foot file or foot mask boots.
- Moisturise your feet every night with creams or foot balms to keep them soft and hydrated.
- Keep your nails trimmed and filed to avoid ingrown toenails. At this time you might also be thinking about potential nail polish colours for your toes. Always go for gel polish, as these are longer lasting than regular nail polish.
Don’t Forget!
For a complete foot care solution, try the Kaeso Pedicure Kit. It includes a foot soak, scrub, mask and lotion to prep feet before going on holiday, plus a foot spray to keep your feet fresh and smelling great while you’re away!
1 week Before Your Holiday: Focus on Skincare
Starting skin prep about one week before your holiday is usually enough time to get a smooth radiant complexion before you set off. Exfoliating helps to remove dead skin cells, so your skin looks fresh and is ready to absorb moisture and any fake tan you might apply.
Here’s how to prep your skin 1 week before your holiday:
- Start exfoliating one week beforehand to shed dead skin cells. Repeat this process twice during the week and be gentle around sensitive areas like your face, armpits or the skin behind your knees.
- Make sure to use an effective yet gentle exfoliator, like the Kaeso Beauty Pomegranate Sugar Body Scrub, with either a body brush or an exfoliator mitt.
- Remember to follow up with a hydrating moisturiser or lotion on dry areas every night to keep your skin hydrated.
Don’t Forget!
Chlorine from the your hotel swimming pool can be damaging, so pack a good cleanser and moisturiser to keep your skin in tip-top condition. Why not try our Kaeso Beauty Kits before you go and while you’re on holiday - these come in options for Oily-Combination Skin, Normal-Dry Skin and Sensitive Skin!
5 Days Before Your Holiday: Organise Your Makeup
Preparing your makeup bag about 5 days before your holiday ensures you have all the right beauty essentials without overpacking. It's important to consider the climate and activities you’ll be doing to choose the right products. A family holiday filled with relaxing beach days, will require a much different makeup bag to a girls party holiday!
Here’s how to prep your makeup bag 5 days before your holiday:
- For a daytime summer holiday look, go for a “barely there” style. Skip the foundation and opt for an SPF moisturiser, hydrating concealer, cream blush/bronzer and setting spray to lock your makeup in place.
- Choose creamy makeup products, as they sit better on the skin in both sunny and cold climates. Multi-use products like contour sticks for cheeks, lips, and eyes are also great for saving space in your bag.
- Wash your makeup brushes and sponges to ensure they are clean and ready to use, which helps prevent spots.
Don’t Forget!
Being on holiday means you don’t have your usual beauty equipment at hand. So think ahead - make sure to bring essentials like a travel makeup bag, a portable travel mirror and even a travel hairdryer.
4 Days Before Your Holiday: Prep Brows & Lashes
Nothing says “holiday” better than groomed brows and lashes! Which can help you look fabulous even without makeup. This is great if you want to look a little more put together when you’re travelling, without having to do a full face of makeup. It also saves you time on your beauty routine while away, so you won't need to pack lots of brow and lash products.
Here’s how to prep your brows and lashes 4 days before your holiday:
- Getting your brows tinted, waxed or laminated 4 days before your holiday gives them time to settle. Tints will fade slightly to a more natural colour and any redness from waxing will subside (especially important for sensitive skin). Laminated brows need to stay cool, dry and out of the sun for 48 hours, so doing this 4 days in advance means you can dive into holiday activities as soon as you arrive.
- Lash extensions, LVL lashes or a lash tint requires 48 hours to cure properly. If you prefer to do this at home, look for quality at-home kits. Alternatively, bringing false lashes on holiday is beneficial as they are easy to apply and remove, giving you flexibility with your look.
Don’t Forget!
If you don’t want to pay a salon price tag, why not tint your brows and lashes at home? Try the Apraise Eyebrow & Lash Tinting Starter Kit, which can be used before your holiday and when you come home.
3 Days Before Your Holiday: Paint Your Nails
Preparing your nails 3 days before your holiday makes sure they look fresh and are likely to last longer throughout your trip. Doing this before applying fake tan also prevents your natural nails from getting stained. Win-win!
Here’s how to prep your nails 3 days before your holiday:
- If you’re getting nail extensions, choose between gel and acrylic nails. Gels are flexible and natural-looking, while acrylics are durable and great for longer nails.
- Whatever type of holiday you’re going, you’ll want your nail colour to reflect it! If you're heading to a tropical destination or plan to party while you’re away, opt for bright summery colours like those in our Festival Nail Collection.
- If you’re off to a relaxing seaside destination, choose a classic white colour or tranquil blue tones like those from our Under the Sea Nail Collection.
Don’t Forget!
Bring a small manicure kit with you on holiday, including a nail file, buffer and your chosen nail polish for quick touch-ups. This ensures your nails stay perfect throughout your trip!
2 Days Before Your Holiday: Shave or Wax
Holiday in T-2 days, you know what that means…hair removal day!
Shaving or waxing approximately 2 days before your holiday is prime. It allows just enough time for your pores to close and for any potential irritation/redness to subside, while also ensuring your hair doesn’t grow back in time for the first days of your trip.
(While this time frame generally works for most people, if your hair growth rate is very fast you may want to push this task to the day before you leave.)
Here’s how to shave/wax 2 days before your holiday:
- When shaving your legs and armpits, use a sharp razor with a gentle unscented shaving cream to avoid irritation. Be extra careful around your bikini area, as you don't want any nasty cuts or shaving bumps.
- For waxing, make sure to grow your body hair to the right length for effective removal. If you’re experienced in home waxing you can DIY, otherwise it’s best to visit a beauty professional for your first time.
- Whatever you choose, stick to a hair removal method your skin is used to. Trying something new could cause your skin to react negatively just before your holiday!
Don’t Forget!
To maintain smooth skin on holiday, bring a small beauty razor for quick touch-ups as needed around your bikini line or face. Just remember to pack this in your hold baggage, not hand luggage.
1 Day Before Your Holiday: Fake Tan & Pack Essentials
It’s the final day before your holiday, so at this point you should be looking fabulous! Your hair is prepped, your nails are on point and your skin will be feeling smooth and hair-free. The last two things you need to prepare are your hand luggage and fake tan (if you’re choosing to use fake tan!)
Here’s how to prep your hand luggage and fake tan, the day before your holiday:
- If you’re using self-tanners at home, make sure to apply these at least 24hrs in advance. You could apply the morning before your trip, let it develop throughout the day and then rinse before bed. .
- If you're getting your tan done professionally, this should be booked in for the morning before your trip, and then rinsed off the morning of.
- For your hand luggage, lay out beauty essentials you think you’ll need while you’re travelling. Think deodorant, lip balm, facial mist, hand sanitiser, hair brush etc. It’s good to have these within easy reach.
Don’t Forget!
Your skin needs to be clean before fake tanning (chemicals in deodorant and perfumes can interact with fake tanners, and make your tan turn green!) Use a tan primer like the Lusso Tan Perfect Primer for Face and Body. It works perfectly with the Lusso Tanning Mousse that comes in both medium and dark shades.
Create Your Own Holiday Prep Checklist
Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and relax on your holiday. Don't stress too much over the preparation - follow our tips, and you'll be holiday ready in no time.
To make things even easier, create your own holiday prep checklist using this blog as inspiration, and tick off each task as you go. (Even if your holiday is just two weeks away, you can still tackle all these beauty tasks by creating a condensed version of our list to fit your own timeline).
Enjoy your holiday, we hope you make lots of happy (and beautiful) memories! 🥰