10 beauty tips for backpackers

10 beauty tips for backpackers

I believe it was Naomi Wolf who spoke of a “tax” that women pay because they are women. This tax is paid in the form of time: minutes and hours that turn into days and weeks that we spend applying eyeliner, blow-drying hair, filling in eyebrows, dabbing lipstick, filing nails, trimming split ends, and the multitude of other things we do to maintain our appearance. On a work day, it takes me an hour to get ready from the morning shower to the door. Peter needs a maximum of 30 minutes – including morning coffee.

Being on the move should be liberating. It's designed to relieve social pressure to look attractive and allow you to embrace the ugly comfort of hemp skirts and Birkenstocks. This is mostly fine because I don't want to spend an hour every day trying to make myself look presentable, but I also don't want to look like a mess. I don't want that weathered look that some long-term travelers end up with: straggly hair, wrinkled skin under an armful of ethnic bracelets. I want to look happy and healthy and radiant.

It took me a long time to learn that smarts and beauty aren't mutually exclusive, so I have no qualms about admitting that I want to look good on the street. I spoke to the beauty editors and experts in my contact list to get their top beauty tips for backpackers

1. Don't touch your face

This is extremely important when you are on the go. Planes, trains, and long bus rides in unfamiliar surroundings leave your hands crawling with dirt, even if you can't see it. Touching your face with dirty hands will give you spots, pimples, and breakouts, so do your best to refrain. Resting your cheek on your hand while dreamily sipping coffee may look cute, but it's terrible for your skin. If you are a repeat offender, make sure you carry an antibacterial hand gel and use it regularly.

Also, don't scratch bites - on the face or otherwise. Soothe a bite with some antiseptic cream (I use Savlon) and let it go!

2. Focus on improving your skin – not covering it

Instead of covering up your skin for a flawless finish, focus on improving it. There are all the obvious things - drinking lots of water, cutting back on sugar, using sunscreen - but sometimes you need something heavier than that. Three months before leaving, I started using a Lactic 50% Gel Peel from Perfect Image (imported from the US) once a week. It works wonders on blackheads and reduces pores like magic. It is durable so make sure you read all instructions carefully.

I also use Paula’s Choice Liquid Exfoliant every night, which leaves my skin looking fresh and renewed. This is much easier than sloshing on foundation every morning only to have it melt in the sun.

3. Reduce eye bags

One of my biggest beauty flaws is the stubborn dark circles under my eyes. Unfortunately I haven't found a miracle solution yet, but there are things that have helped. First, Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair is worth the high price. I stopped using it when my last bottle ran out and opted for a cheap alternative - within two weeks I looked like Michael Jackson in Thriller (and not the human version).

Of course I bought another bottle straight away. Another method of combating this is daily iron supplementation – I take Floradix tablets. Finally, I was told that eating light fruits also helps (kiwi, grapes, strawberries, papaya, guava). Also make sure you get enough sleep and pack an eye mask.

4. Protect your hair

First the basics: Don't skip using conditioner or spending too much time in the sun (see point 9). Preparation is also very important. Here, too, I started caring for my hair with castor oil once a week three months before departure. A large bottle costs a few pounds, so it's a great alternative to expensive products like Moroccan hair oil and argan oil. I rub the oil into my hair from roots to ends and leave it on overnight. I probably won't take one on the road with me to keep my pack as light as possible, but it definitely helped prepare my hair for the impending onslaught. Finally, I take Viviscal hair supplements once a day. Again, it's quite expensive, but it does what it says on the box.

5. Use a convenient alternative to dry shampoo

Dry shampoo has been a godsend for women with fine, limp hair like mine. A spray at the end of a long day at work spices it up for an evening. Unfortunately, a bottle doesn't last very long and unless Batiste's market coverage is much broader than I expected, I won't be able to buy one on a tiny island in the South Pacific. As such, I take a small bottle of talcum powder with me.

This is a better solution for blondes than brunettes, but works as long as it's blended well enough. Simply tilt your hair down, sprinkle some powder on your palm and run it through your scalp and roots, making sure to massage it in properly. The powder absorbs excess grease and oil and leaves your hair immediately fresh. I read that pure cocoa is a good alternative for brunettes, but I have yet to try it.

6. Pack the ultimate multi-purpose product

Vaseline. It is priceless. It protects your lips; soothes cuts, burns, wounds and abrasions; tames flyaway hair; gives volume to eyelashes; moisturizes the cuticles; adds a healthy glow to cheekbones, calms windswept brows and more. Pack a pot and keep it in the fridge so it doesn't melt. You will use it.

7. Don't overdo it with the perfume

A summer spritz or five might keep you smelling fresh, but it will attract mosquitoes. If you stay indoors, you're less likely to be affected, but if you go outside in a fruity or floral scent, you're likely to attract the pesky buggers. Stay as natural as possible.

8. Wax up, wax off

As mentioned in 5 Backpacker Problems Only Women Will Understand, dealing with unwanted hair on the road can be difficult. Shaving doesn't take very long and can be expensive. Growing is slow and reliable treatments can be difficult to obtain on remote islands. That's why I chose a Philips SatinPerfect epilator. Cordless and suitable for wet/dry use, it comes with a full suite of accessories (cleaning brush, removable shaving head, storage bag, etc.) and isn't nearly as painful as I remembered. It's best suited to hair 3-4mm long, so you may get imperfect results on shorter or longer hair, but otherwise it works like a dream!

9. Be very careful about the sun

Peter insists on using SPF 15 because I wear that and always end up getting burned. This time I made him pack a bottle of SPF30 too. Start high at the start of your trip and work your way down as you get used to the sun. Remember: It may be a good vitamin D course, but it's bad for you in many other ways! It dries out the moisture in your skin, increases your risk of developing skin cancer, causes wrinkles, ruins your hair and can make you tired. Take regular breaks and of course always wear sunscreen and a hat if possible.

10. Don't overindulge!

I know, I know - you're on vacation, but don't overeat and get regular exercise, be it walking, hiking, swimming or another form of recreational sport. If you're on a budget, it can go one of two ways: you eat a lot of lean, healthy food like fruit and salad, or you eat a lot of cheap junk food like fries and burgers. Make a conscious effort to make healthy choices. Eating junk may be fine if you're on a two-week break in Morocco, but if you do it on a long-term trip, you'll look and feel pretty bad.

It's important to remember that few of us can look like Goddess Gisele on the beach, but we can make healthy choices that will help us in the long run. Go forth and conquer.

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots

      .