One suitcase for clothes, one suitcase for beauty prods...

I am definitely my Fathers daughter. My parents just took a month-long sojourn through Europe and I was in hysterics when my Mum was sending me text messages saying that everything coming out of my Dad’s suitcase was brand new with tags on. The man has an entire backup wardrobe in the spare bedroom, just in case his first one vapourises. He also has a penchant for the colour purple, but that’s a whole other post.

As I started to write my packing list for my trip this week (I’m off to Hawaii on Wednesday, don’t hate) I realised that I was doing exactly what my Dad just did but with beauty products. I have been stock-piling products, both that I have bought and been sent for review, to take with me. Of course I am going to raid Sephora like the rapture is upon us and it’s my last chance to shop there, but I figure if I’m only taking a pair of shorts, a singlet, a dress and a pair of thongs, then I have plenty of room in my suitcase to take stuff with me.

This is just a taste of what I’m packing. Yes, I seriously am taking 7 different types of sunscreen with me, and with good reason. I go through a lot of SPF on a Hawaiian holiday (a can of Banana Boat spray every two days), and each sunscreen I am taking has a different purpose. When I’m lying on the beach reading a book or a magazine, I’ll be covered in (4) Auscreen Coconut Spray because it’s 30+, 2 hours water resistant, sprays on and smells like coconut. All big ticks. When I’m hitting the outlet stores at Waikele, my limbs will be lathered in (7) Nivea Ultra Beach Protect. It has a hardcore 30+ that is capable of enduring many hours of shopping (hopefully my travelling companion is just as capable). Sunpouch (6) is the perfect handbag size sunscreen for reapplying to arms and legs in the late afternoon. It’s also a good one for the beach bag if we decide to hit up Hanauma Bay for some snorkelling.

Face is a different story. My skin doesn’t like sunscreen very much, and I find the best way to stop it going nuts on me is by constantly switching between brands. I’ll start the week alternating Olay Complete Defence 30+ (3) and Ella Bache Everyday Zinc 30+ (2). True Solutions All Day Moisture Tinted (5) will be my foundation substitute, because as if I can be bothered with slap on a beach/shopping holiday. I’ll round out the trip with Dermalogica Super Sensitive (1) because by the end of the trip my skin will need the sensitive-ness.

You will notice that everything is 30+. Did you know Aussies have different standards to the US when it comes to labelling sunscreens - I got into an argument once with an American about 100+ SPF and how it really wasn’t any more effective that 30+. True story. Google it.

I’ll show you the rest of the packing tomorrow. And maybe Wednesday. There is a lot to pack!
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