If you’re going on holiday, here’s when to do your beauty stuff

Upcoming holidays inspire two things: extreme smugness, and military planning. We’ll leave you to the gloating part, while we deal with the organisation: scheduling your beauty calendar. If you’re choosing to dabble in pre-holiday treatments (each to their own), it’s good to know when to head to the salon. Why? Because we all like to keep our skin healthy, and hair fresh. So before you head to your wondrous destination, here’s a run down of when to book your beauty appointments.

By Rachel Spedding

• 1 A month to go: dye your hair

  If you’re heading for warmer climes, sunny rays will be a problem for freshly dyed locks, so make sure to book your appointment at least a month in advance. UV can alter the colour – fading and lightening – and no one wants their hard-earned cash investment (of hair dye) to fall victim to the sunshine. Try going one shade darker in colour, as it’s sure to lighten naturally, and nourish your locks with UV protecting products.
• 2 A week to go: waxing

  Waxing takes more planning, as you’ll need to ensure hair is the right length for removal (that’s around ½ inch for the best results). Warm weather can irritate just-waxed skin, while swimming pools and sun cream aren’t a good mix for exposed hair follicles. Book your wax appointment around a week before you fly, to allow time for your skin to heal.
• 3 Three days to go: hair cut

  A hair cut three-four days before your trip will help to keep it in good condition. The amount of sun exposure and time spent dunked in chlorine will determine if you’ll need another cut once you’re back home. Remember to lather on the conditioner if you’re spending lots of time outdoors as sun and sea water will strip the moisture.
• 4 Two days to go: lash tint

  No more enduring panda eyes or flakey waterproof mascara – go for a lash tint instead. Do so one-two weeks before your holiday (with a patch test at least 24 hours beforehand), to make the most of your defined lashes. If you’re tinting brows too, a few days pre-holiday will give the colour time to settle. You can book both treatments at once – a little pre-hol pamper, lovely.
• 5 One day to go (pre-mani): spray tan

  Sure, it’s not for everyone, but if you’re desperate for some colour and want to protect your skin, layer up the SPF (factor 100 is now a thing, FYI), and head for a spray tan instead. With the right prep – lots of exfoliation and daily moisturising from two weeks prior – your tan could last beyond a week. Make sure to wax before your tan to avoid skin irritation. Oh, and pro tip – add a dollop of gradual tanner to your aftersun to keep the glow going throughout your holiday.
• 6 One day to go: manicure

  Nothing worse than a chipped manicure on holiday (except for your local shop running out of Calippos). For the longest-lasting mani, go gel. It’s notoriously tough stuff and pretty much holiday-proof, lasting up to four weeks. The shade selection is huge, and the UV cured polish is high-shine. If you’d prefer a polish that will come off a little easier (though the gel removal process is really simple, promise), go for the classic mani.
• 7 The morning of: a hydrating hair mask

  A conditioning hair treatment is a good idea on the morning of your holiday (between magazine and plane snacks buying). Soothing your scalp and maintaining moisture in your locks will help to protect your hair from sun damage while away. It's also nice to have a little relaxation time before you endure two weeks of lying on a lounger and eating everything in beautiful surrounds (torturous). Try a mask at home, or pop to the salon – any excuse.

  With Treatwell, you can book beauty online at all your favourite salons – simple, hassle-free, and you can do it on the go. Discover amazing spas in your area.