Key to travelling light

I hate flying. I had a minor panic attack on a propeller flight a couple of years back and I haven’t quite got over it. So from the minute I snap on my seatbelt, I sit there with sweaty palms and a fixed grimace and wait for the drinks trolley to roll my way.

Of course, the whole flying experience has been made a lot worse thanks to the packing experience, and we now have to display to the entire security queue just how high maintenance we are, and believe me, I’ve noticed the looks as I bring out my stuffedto-the-gills clear plastic bag. But, aside from the fact that I loathe editing my bathroom cabinet down to a few absolute essentials, it’s something I’ve got pretty good at.

The first thing to tackle is what to pack in your hand luggage. I generally take short-haul flights so I don’t really need to use products mid-flight, but if you are on a long haul then it’s a good idea to take on a decanted amount of your favourite moisturiser (oils work best in cabin-conditions or try Weleda’s brilliant Skin Food, €11.64). A thermal water spray is also one that’s definitely worth the money - they’re generally cheap, and they make all the difference. I can’t live without one for redeye short hops - they’re perfect for waking the skin up and making you feel instantly refreshed. Look out for ones by Evian and La Roche Posay.

When it comes to holiday essentials, I’m happy enough to buy body moisturiser, shampoo and conditioner while I’m away, but there are definitely a few things that I am always determined to bring, particularly on a sun holiday.

Number one is sunscreen for the face: I’m addicted to the Roc Soleil Protection + range I wrote about last week, so I always bring a tube with me wherever I go during the summer. Under it, every day I apply a thin layer of Clarins’s excellent Instant Smooth Self-Tanning, €25.42, which is a fantastic alternative to make up. As well as perfecting the skin, it gives a veil of colour which means you can go as high factor as possible on the face and stay younger for longer. Perfect.

I’m a total sucker for mini products in any form, but I really love Moa’s The Mini Green Balm, €5.85. It’s great for dry and itchy skin, bumps, bruises, just darn handy really. I’m also pretty delighted that the Queen of Multitaskers Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream comes in 30ml, €19, which makes it airport-security friendly. You can use it absolutely everywhere too — lips, hair, body.

The shops are now full of mini-sized products which are absolutely tailor-made to take away. I’m hooked on Aussie’s 3 Minute Miracle Sachets, about €1.20 — they’re particularly good for hair that’s been suffering from an onslaught of chlorine, sea and sand. Keep it in for 10 minutes if you can — works wonders on especially dry hair.

Max Factor’s Mini Nail Polishes, €4.99 are a total winner for summer, too. They’re tiny and come in a really great range of colours. I’m currently very fond of Cool Jade and Cappucino — one on your hands and one on your feet. Cute as can be. And for the absolute minimum of mess when you want to take it all off, try Quickies Nail Polish Remover Pads, €2.55. For holiday handiness, it doesn’t get better than that.