Traveling is thrilling, it makes us feel free and wild, but we still want to look fresh everywhere we go, right?
Here are a few tips for the wanderess who likes it natural.
Coconut oil
Yes, that's pretty much all I use, coconut oil nourishes both your body and hair.
You can leave everything behind: face moisturizer, body lotion, hand lotion, hair cream, lip balm.... Just put some organic coconut oil in a travel size bottle and it will do it all. You can also use it as a makeup remover and toothpaste.
Solid shampoo and soap
This is what I decided to try this year, and I must say I am hooked. These solids last for months, they take up less space than bottles (you waste less plastic too) and you can find organic, vegan and package free ones. Lush solids smell heavenly and on top of it, they are cruelty-free. Get a little box for them, just make sure it's not totally wet when you close it or the soap might crumble.
Reusable makeup pad
These are amazing: less waste of cotton and space saver! You can find them in a lot of places now, for the European wanderess, Kiko (cruelty-free brand) sells some at a low price. You use them in the same way as a cotton pad, just hand wash it after use.
DIY scrubs
You can use salt, coffee or sugar when you need to get rid of dead skin, or if you're peeling after a sunburn (be gentle with your skin!).
When you have a long flight just take a bit of sugar with a drop of coconut oil to scrub your face on the plane and you will land looking lovely and fresh.
DIY face mask
Wherever you are, you can find natural ingredients to make a face mask.
My favourite: a drop of lemon + a drop of coconut oil and a bit of honey. Leave it on for 15 minutes and it will leave your skin nice and bright, lemon is great to kill bacteria if you get pimples like I do.
Smooth feet with a nail file
When you're walking in flip flops all day or in walking boots you might get dry skin on your toes, just use a nail file to get rid of it (and file your nails while you're at it).
Pareo/sarong
Carry a sarong with you to use as a: towel, beach towel, scarf, headscarf, dress/skirt/top, blanket or sheet if you're not sure of the cleanliness of where you're staying.
Drink a lot of water
On the road you can sometimes forget to drink, or you might avoid drinking a lot when you're in a place where toilets are not very inviting. Your body needs it though, so remind yourself to drink a lot.
Remember, wherever you are and no matter how little you have slept, you will always look nicer with a smile on your face :)
