my ‘beach holiday essentials’ packing list…

Oh how I wish I could go back in time and tell 20 year old me to stock up on the SPF asap! It’s become such a staple for me in my day-to-day routine at home, there’s not a chance that I’d forget it whilst I’m away. With that said, no brand has mastered sunscreen quite like La Roche-Posay if you ask me. I’ve stocked up on their Anthelios SPF50+ Sun Cream and Anti-Shine Sun Protection SPF50+ Face Mist for this trip. It’s lightweight, it’s anything but greasy and can be applied around the eyes. Genuinely, no brand does sun protection better.

For after sun, I strip it all back and stick to aloe vera gel. Naturally soothing and restoring, it helps to calm my skin down if I’ve overdosed on the sunshine and helps to prevent the dreaded peel.

And finally, I always make sure that I have a hat on standby to keep the sun at bay in the heat of the day. This oversized visor from Reiss stole my heart a few weeks back and will be joining me on my upcoming trip, for sure.

If I fork out on corrective surgery a few months before I go away, you can bet all of your pennies on the fact that I’ve spent the past few weeks hunting down gorgeous swimwear to show off the results! And no brand does flattering swimwear quite like Arabella London. I have taken their swimwear away with me on pretty much every holiday I’ve been on since I first discovered the brand many years back and this year is no exception. 

In no particular order, I’m also loving (and packing) swimwear from Calzedonia (pictured), Visual Mood, Eberjay and Marysia. To say that their designers have exceeded my (already high) expectations for fun and flattering swimwear would be an understatement. Just thinking about wearing them in the coming days gets me ridiculously excited!

No beach holiday essentials packing list would be complete without a pair of good quality sunglasses, would it? So my Celine sunnies will be coming out to play. Yes, they’re on the pricier end of the spectrum admittedly but they can be relied on year on year, without fail. 

Whilst my husband’s Dad jokes are up there with some of the best (!), I’m rather excited about curling up in a hammock in the coming days and turning to Audible for entertainment as the waves crash on the sand around me. Though I’m yet to finalise my holiday listening list just yet, one thing I do know is that my new LG ear buds will be coming out to play. I mentioned why I love them in my spring favourites blog post so I won’t labour the point but if you’re going away and plan on listening to podcasts/music/books at some point, you’ll want a pair of these in your bag.

Ever since I purchased this water bottle last month, it has been my trusty companion come day or night. For that reason, it will 100% be venturing to the Maldives with us and will take pride of place in my beach bag on a daily basis. 

I’m even packing it in my hand luggage this weekend and plan to fill it up once I’ve got through security too! 

Not only does it look the part but it (importantly) keeps my water ice cold for hours on end. An essential for keeping hydrated whilst working on that tan!

No matter how much I’ve tried to fight them in the past, mozzies always find me and tuck in for a feast! With that in mind, I’m determined to keep the bugs at bay this trip and have upped my mosquito repellent game for this holiday as a result.

Along with the usual insect repellent spray (I bought this one from Jungle Formula), these plaited, insect repellent anklets/bracelets are coated in 100% citronella oil and can be worn by the whole family. I love the fact that they come in a variety of colours too. Matching bikini and insect repellent anklet anyone? Sign me up!

(You’ll be pleased to know that if all else fails, I’ve stocked up on Pinewood’s ‘Bite & Stings’ Relief Cream just in case, too!)