Hi John,
I am really excited as I have just been told I am getting a sun holiday as a New Year gift! The problem is I am as pale as a ghost right now and am afraid I will burn like a crisp. Any suggestions? I will only be gone for a week and I would like to come back with some colour.
Baz
Baz,
You are wise to be cautious. It is times like these that we end up doing damage that we regret later on. One of the most important things to do is to make sure your skin is well hydrated. The more water you get into your skin; the better. You can always get yourself a self-tan product so you don't arrive on the beach looking like the under belly of a fish and throw caution to the wind. I would also get a gradual self-tan product to use as an after-sun moisturiser. That way you will keep your skin well moisturised as well as ending the session looking like you got more than you really did.
Start your holiday with high protection and drop down after a few days. The first couple of days will seem like a waste of time, but the more slowly you develop your colour, the deeper and more lasting it is. The lowest you should go is an SPF15 for your face and body. Better safe than sorry. The tan is not going to last for longer than a month or so anyway so coming back from a week away with a little glow will be more than sufficient to make everyone else in the office jealous anyway!
Have a great time and well done for being careful...
Bon Voyage, John
John,
I am headed for a nice warm break in January but am scared to death of having all of my beauty products confiscated at customs. What are the regulations now on what you can and cannot take on the plane? Can I buy stuff in the Duty Free Shops without it being taken from me? I usually buy all of my sun products on my way out to save money. Any assistance?
Thanks, Gina
Gina,
Can you even imagine the amount of stuff they have taken over the last couple of years? I’ll bet the customs officials either have the best skin in the world or they are running the most high-end car boot sale on the planet! LOL I have lost more lip balms than I care to even think about. Mind you – you would think I would remember at this point. Anyway, the regulations are still that you can only carry 100ml. of any given product and it has to fit into a sealed clear bag. If you need more product than that, either buy it when you arrive (shampoo, conditioner, shower gels), or get it in the duty free when you are heading out.
Anything you buy in duty free is safe: just remember that you will have to have it in your check-in luggage on the way back home! I have heard of a few people who have been too eager and have opened their new gear while in the waiting area only to have it taken because it was not sealed anymore – so be wise to that. Often there is a second scan at the gate and that is where they get into trouble.
But 100ml. is a lot of product. That is a full-size cream. Plenty for even a month-long journey. Only take on the plane what you really think you will need. Emergency kit for if your luggage doesn’t arrive at the same time you do. What I have been recommending doing recently is buying a mass-market product for your holiday and just throwing the leftover away before coming home. Travel sizes are becoming much more common and your can get most of your essentials in a compact size if you look in a major chemist or grocery store.
Alternately, bring along products that are near the end anyway so if there is any problem you won’t be gutted to lose that limited edition favourite lippie or shadow. I know it is a pain but they really are doing it for our safety…
Have a great time, John
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