RAROTONGA

While you’re all shivering in New Zealand, we are lounging by the lagoon at the Pacific Resort, Rarotonga. It’s 28 degrees here, with a slight off shore breeze and the odd flurry of showers. It’s divine.

We’re here to celebrate a friend’s wedding on Friday.

A few have asked… what essentials do you pack for a tropical holiday? Well, this is the loot I have brought this time. Actually, this is only half of it… my makeup bag is the heaviest object in my suitcase. And you know what else? I forgot shampoo and conditioner! FML

I brought with me countless items of sunblock because I have an absolute adversity to getting burnt. Or too much of a tan. I blame it on the countless power point presentations I’ve endured in beauty seminars where the no-sun, no skin cancer rule has been drilled into me. (What you don’t see here is the Clinique City Block in my handbag).

Clockwise from bottom left:

Clarins Infant Sunscreen, this goes on thick and made little miss’s skin white which was good – she was completely blocked.

MAC Tinted Moisturiser, i didn’t wear makeup during the day but at night this was great at giving me a bit of coverage.

Faceworks Environmental Protector, $50, this was great at protecting my face and decolletage from the ravages of the sun.

Hissyfit Body Luxe, this has an SPF in it so was great to make sure I got protection on legs, where I’m least likely to keep applying.

Invisible Zinc 4Hr Water Resistant sunblock, I have had some dodgy moles cut out of my back so I always make sure I block my body completely and this does the trick. Not ideal if you do want to tan as it is pretty hard to get much colour with this one.

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Self Tan, I kept intending to cheat and help the tan along… but instead I think I’ll do it when I get home as it fades.

Estee Lauder, Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator, this was great at making my skin look fresh and dewy.

What do you take when you go away? Are you one of those clever people that puts everything into smaller pots or do you lug a hefty toilet bag like I do?

Tamsin xoxo