Exfoliation, hair extensions, new hair colours – the holidays are the perfect time to take your mind off things and treat yourself to a new look. A new look, a new life, as the famous saying goes. A fresh start to begin a new chapter in your daily life.

And there’s nothing better than make-up to help us change our appearance so we can make the most of these new days.

In this article, we’ll be looking at how to combine make-up and holidays – two words that don’t often go hand in hand but can certainly be linked. To do this, we’ll first look at the essential products for holidays, then we’ll explore the various options for changing your look whilst on holiday, and finally we’ll delve into the best moments for a makeover whilst on holiday.

Make-up on holiday – what’s it all about?

Here are some active ingredients that are highly regarded within the make-up industry. Glycerine and silicone are chemical compounds found in many tubes and palettes of make-up. They have multiple uses, and whether you’re on holiday or going about your daily life, we recommend choosing products that list these ingredients.

Sun cream.

A summer essential, sun cream is an important addition to your make-up bag if it isn’t already part of your skincare routine. Its purpose is quite simply to reduce the sunburn you’re likely to get.

Lip gloss, or as it is more commonly known, gloss.

It is mainly composed of oils with moisturising properties, such as castor oil, and synthetic polymers such as hydrogenated polyisobutene. It is a highly effective product for protecting the lips from various environmental aggressors whilst on holiday.

Lip gloss needs no introduction; it is now more of an essential handbag accessory than an item in a make-up bag. It can be worn day or night and gives your face a radiant, youthful glow. Whether on holiday or in everyday life, it is an important beauty product for women.

Facial Repair

We recommend five oils to repair your skin whilst on holiday, for as the ancient Greeks said, ‘kalos kagathos’ – ‘a healthy mind in a healthy body’. We, for our part, embrace the metaphor of ‘a repaired face for a restored mind’. These oils are natural products available online. They are oils and blends that have stood the test of time across several generations, and whose benefits are well established: cornflower floral water, rosehip oil, aloe vera gel, calendula oil, and chamomile-based cosmetics.

Cornflower floral water

Cornflower floral water has been known since the Middle Ages for its soothing, decongestant and refreshing properties. It is used for eye care and for sensitive skin.

It will be an excellent companion on your holidays, and a great alternative to your make-up.

Rosehip oil

Rosehip oil, or wild rose oil, is an exceptional plant-based skincare product renowned for its powerful regenerating, anti-ageing and restorative properties for the skin. On holiday, it’s your go-to product for keeping your skin looking youthful as the years go by.

Aloe vera gel

Aloe vera gel is an internationally renowned remedy and is undoubtedly the most popular of our five facial repair products. Aloe vera gel is a 100 per cent natural product that heals and nourishes the skin like no other.

Indeed, the plant acts as a powerful humectant that locks moisture deep within the epidermis and aids in the skin’s cellular regeneration.

Calendula oil

Less well known but just as useful in the world of beauty, calendula oil is an excellent wound-healer and a very effective anti-inflammatory, as it is naturally extracted from a plant. The oil softens the skin and is less viscous than aloe vera gel; it is ideal for sensitive and delicate skin, including that of babies.

Chamomile oil

It’s certainly a matter of cultural heritage, but whilst writing this article we learnt that chamomile – which is widely used nowadays for tea – was once used as a facial remedy. In particular, an oil called ‘bisabolol’ is extracted from the yellow chamomile flowers. It has anti-inflammatory and scar-healing properties.

Alongside these natural ingredients, completely synthetic compounds are also used whilst on holiday. They’ll help you look youthful and full of energy whilst you’re relaxing. Retinoids, a biochemical compound derived from vitamin A, are a key ingredient found in many anti-ageing serums and will help you feel revitalised just by looking at yourself.

Make-up setting spray

When you’re on holiday and want to try out a new look, make-up setting spray will be your best ally for showing off your new look in all weathers, and even whilst you’re relaxing. It is mainly composed of film-forming agents, solvents and polymers such as PVP and PVA. Make-up setting spray helps keep your make-up in place on your skin, whether it’s raining, there’s a gust of wind, or even in sweltering heat. If you want to change your look whilst on holiday and keep the changes in place, make-up setting spray is the best product to have. Whilst it can be substituted with rosewater sprays, or even light warm water baths mixed with diluted make-up, make-up setting spray will help you maintain your holiday look in all possible conditions.

Changing your look

When it comes to changing your look, there are several options available to you: re-line and set your eyes to create almond-shaped eyes with a rounder or more tapered contour, depending on your preference; apply powder to your skin to lighten or darken your complexion; or add highlights to emphasise certain features of your face. The range of possibilities is vast, whether you’re adding or removing elements to your appearance.

Changing your head will give you the chance to feel differently in your body and to be perceived differently. The face reveals personality traits; changing the appearance of your head will therefore influence the way you behave.

Changing your head can be just as enjoyable an experience as your holiday itself. It is something that can bring you positive emotions, a sense of well-being and entertainment.

You can change your head yourself or by calling on the services of professionals: make-up artists, face-painting services, and so on. There are plenty of options to help you feel pampered whilst on holiday.

The best time to change your look.

Carnivals and festivals

As you might expect, carnivals and festivals are the perfect time to give yourself a new look. These celebrations encourage letting your hair down and being open to new experiences, making them the ideal time to try out a new look.

Ordinary holidays, but also ‘homecations’

Less common but just as festive, holidays away from home – or even holidays spent in your own neighbourhood – are great opportunities to put on make-up and dress up to add a more joyful and cheerful touch to your time off.

Medical holidays

Whilst ordinary holidays are times when one can temporarily change one’s appearance, medical holidays are generally the type of holiday that aims to bring about permanent changes to one’s appearance. Whether these involve facial alterations or physical changes, medical holidays are trips that combine beauty treatments with a period of rest.