The Travel Edit #1

Packing light may not be my forte but with a skincare stash which offers me choice and variety, I can at least be confident in the fact that a week away from home comforts won't have disastrous effects upon my skin. I also made the decision to travel makeup free (okay mascara and eyebrows don't count), as a week in a remote cottage on the coast of Scotland with five people who love my bare face to bits (or so they say) didn't really merit a full face of makeup. This decision proved a well-founded one and I'm certain my face will look and feel the better for it! I also made use of the holiday to test out lots of minis (I seem to accumulate them with the prowess of a magpie), and the lovely people over at Dr Jackson sent me an 'expedition box' packed with adorable miniature versions of their skincare range ahead of my trip.

Aesop Petitgrain Hydrating Body Gel* A summer essential in my book. I have a big pump bottle of the stuff at home but this tube is perfect for travelling with. A lightly fragranced, refreshing gel guaranteed to cool and soothe your limbs after a day in the sun. I like to think of it as a non-official aftersun...

TAAJ Cleansing Cream* Do-it-all cleansers are a travel necessity and this cleanser could not be more versatile. Its creamy texture is as light as a gel making this perfect for morning use but also an A* makeup remover. Gentle and moisturising, but also wrought through with tiny exfoliating pieces which provide a gentle daily exfoliation, this cleanser ticks all of the boxes. TAAJ is a French favourite which has recently arrived in the UK by way of high-street favourite TK MAXX so head to your nearest store fast!

Korres Citrus Body Milk A lighter alternative to winter's heavy body butters. Korres' soothing lotion leaves skin with a smooth, matte texture and fresh, uplifting scent. Rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin, E, and anti-oxidants this lotion provides long-lasting hydration as well as an energy boost to skin cells. A must buy for citrus lovers.

Lush Breath of Fresh Air Toner A multitasker if ever there was one - I use this both as a cleanser-removing toner in the evenings, and as a refreshing facial spray throughout the day. Perfect for the beach when it gets a bit hot, as well as for setting makeup or providing an extra boost of moisture beneath your night cream.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser An old favourite with just enough left to last for the week away. I think of this as The Body Shop's take on La Roche-Posay's Effaclar Duo (albeit not quite as effective), and apply it post-cleanse beneath my day cream and makeup. I didn't find its pore-minimising skills to be quite enough to add this to my repurchase list but it is an A+++ makeup base.

Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser I only wore makeup on the day that we arrived so this only saw one use, as my go-to follow up to a mini bottle of Bioderma. The hot cloth cleanser that started the trend, there really is little to say about this cult favourite that hasn't already been said on numerous occasions. It left my skin feeling soft, smooth and unaggravated - with a definite boost of moisture.

Aesop Flight Therapy* If you're prone to travel sickness then you'll no doubt have heard of the prowess of ginger in keeping queasiness at bay. Although the trip to Scotland didn't warrant use of a plane this is a staple in my handbag on any long car journey. A quick roll of this on my wrists pre-travel leaves them with a warm, sharp herbal scent - and (psychological or not) a quick sniff every so often worked wonders.

Byredo Gypsy Water Eau de Parfum I hoard these perfume minis throughout the year with the sole purpose of using them on my travels. They last a surprising amount of time, and save the worry and hassle of lugging around a big and breakable bottle of your usual. Gypsy Water is all things summer - fruity but not at all synthetic, with notes of bergamot, lemon, pine, and vanilla.

Dr Jackson Day Cream* A light, mattifying day cream with the added benefit of SPF, this has everything we ladies need from a day cream. And more. Enriched with kigelia, baobab, marual oil, and shea nut, this wonder product helps to ensure an even skin tone, reduce pigmentation, promote elasticity, and reduce redness and blemishes.

Dr Jackson Night Cream* A very similar formula to the above but with a richer, creamier consistency than its daytime alternative, and the inclusion of mango seed extract (a deeply moisturising anti-inflammatory) and frankincense oil (a naturally occurring AHA which helps to fade scars) - this, smells, GOOD.

Dr Jackson Face Oil* I was a little sceptical about using a rollerball applicator to apply oil to my face - before reading that bacteria can't actually survive in oil. This light, silky oil provides an A+++ moisture boost without leaving my skin greasy or oily in the morning (I'd hugely recommend it for oily skin sufferers).

What are your beauty travel essentials?

G x

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*PR sample