One of the great things about being on honeymoon is that you don't have to get up every day, blow dry your hair and put on a whole face of makeup to go to work.
However, you've just had the most beautiful day of your life, so you don't want to let yourself go for your new husband just yet. You also should pretty yourself even just a bit for the permanent photos that you'll be looking at for years to come.
Looking naturally pretty will come easy if you're eating raw food and drinking a lot of fresh juice, but if you're hitting the buffet and champagne a bit too much (like I am!), then you might need some help to get that "natural" look.
It's a drag lugging around a lot of toiletries, cosmetics and equipment around with you, so everything has to do double duty. Likewise, there will be so many better things to do and it would be a shame to spend any unnecessary time getting ready.
Firstly, ensure that all of your makeup, sunscreen and toiletries are organic, natural and as fragrance free as possible. That reduces any potential allergies and reactions - even if you've used them before. Most health shops will have travel size versions of your favourite products (make sure they are under 100mls if you intend to carry them in your hand luggage), or you can buy small containers to decant at home.
You won't need a full foundation, especially if you're going somewhere warm where you'll get a flattering tan. A light, tinted moisturiser will do fine, and perhaps some cream or mineral blush to give you an additional rosy glow. Or forget foundation all together, and just sweep a bit of bronzer over the parts where the sun hits your face. You can even use the bronzer as a natural looking eyeshadow.
You may want to get your eye-lashes or eyebrows tinted before you go so you don't have to wear mascara, but I've yet to find one that's totally organic, so you'll be putting pretty heavy chemicals near your face. A safe, hypo-allergenic and water-proof mascara in a lighter brown rather than a black will give your eyes definition. Fill in your eyebrows with a waterproof pencil or eyeshadow to match your brows which might get lighter in the sun.
A bit of light lip gloss in a natural shade or a tinted chapstick will make you feel pretty and made up without looking overdone or fussy.
Don't bother with a hair-dryer. I've found that almost every hotel and resort around the world has one. If you want to curl your hair, forget the tongs, you can do simple pin curls with some bobby pins (or kirby grips) by just wrapping the curl around your finger close to your head. If you normally fry your hair with straighteners, at least take a day to let your natural curls come through. I find that my hair looks even better with salt water, but try and rinse out any chlorine from hotel pools.
Get everything waxed before you go and you don't need to carry razors or shaving cream. Suntan lotion can double as moisturiser and get after-sun lotion with mosquito repellent, so you don't have to get additional insect spray.
Most importantly, use a plastic sealed toiletries bag so if anything explodes, your clothes are protected. If you are really paranoid, you can seal containers with tape but check lids before you repack.
Lastly, get a decent amount of sleep, drink a lot of water and smile lots. Suck in your stomach for every photo. You'll look and feel pretty anyway. It's a wonderful, happy and relaxing time and it will go by so fast, so do your grooming quickly and head out the door to enjoy your new life with your new husband.
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Denise is currently a travel blogger for The Honeymoon Testers travelling around the world with her husband Mark testing the best wedding and honeymoon spots in the world.
