Two days ’til Mexico!

Although I’m fortunate to travel quite often, very rarely is it for vacation.  Also, when I travel, it’s often to big cities or smaller areas that aren’t typical tourist hotspots. On Sunday I’ll be jetting off to Cancun, Mexico to spend a few days just relaxing, eating, drinking, tanning and swimming, and I couldn’t be more excited.

My boyfriend and I planned this trip about a month ago and since then I’ve been strategically thinking of what I want to bring. I’ve already made a few stops at Forever 21 to pick up some beach essentials (a new bathing suit and a floppy sun hat), but since I’m a beauty junkie, I’ve put a lot of thought into what I want to bring cosmetic-wise. And let’s not forget the pre-Mexico prep.

So here, dear readers, is my list of must-have items for a sunny vacation..

Pre-vacation prep

An absolute must is hair removal. Make sure you book a waxing or sugaring appointment a couple days before you jet off. And I’m not talking legs here (I just shave my legs); since I plan on spending the majority of time in minimal clothing and a bathing suit, booking a brazilian is a must.

For facial hair, I’ve been plucking and shaping my brows forever, however, I’ve been treating my upper lip with the Tria Beauty Hair Removal Laser 4X, which has considerably reduced the hair in that area, so I don’t have to worry about a pesky girl-stache.

For nails, I’m planning on wearing press-on nails, which is something I often do when I travel. I don’t like bringing nail polish with me in case it opens during the flight (and not to mention the drying time), so instead I love using press-on nails. I love these tropical ones by Kiss Nails, and although these were from last year, they also have many other beautiful designs as well.  For the toes, I often go for a pedicure before a vacation (especially a beach or pool-filled one).

Finally, since I don’t tan that well I like going for a spray tan or a self-tanning mousse I apply myself. I teamed up with OrganicTan Winnipeg for one of their airbrush tans (and their SunnaSmile teeth whitening treatment for a pearlescent smile). If I don’t go for a spray tan, I’ll often either apply a self tanner, such as Vita Liberata or St. Tropez a few nights in a row prior to takeoff.

Vacation essentials

From the perfect foundation (with SPF!) to a waterproof mascara, here are some items making the flight over to Cancun with me.

• Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara
• Vichy After Sun Double Usage (to use on wet or dry skin, which soothes the feel of skin, refreshes and hydrates skin after sun exposure)
• A body and facial sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)
• Smashbox Camera Ready BB Water Broad Spectrum SPF 30 (for day)
• Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Water Foundation (for night)
• Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Skin Twinkle Lighting Palette
• Some colourful eyeliners
• A contour kit
• Must-have brushes and a Beauty Blender
• A collection of matte lipsticks (bold pinks, nudes, and mauves)

I would love to know what your vacation essentials include, let me know in the comments below!

Also, don’t forget to enter my signed Demi Lovato CD and Lovatics by Demi New York Color prize pack, as well as my Genuine Health giveaways!

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