Travel is a beautiful thing, so you should consider yourself lucky if you are often able to travel to new and foreign places around the world. For anyone treating the world as their oyster, it’s possible to gain invaluable knowledge of different cultures, and you might even learn a thing or two about yourself along the way.
The thing that’s not always so easy, however, is looking fly while on the move. Keeping up with appearances during time on the road is easier said than done. This is especially true when visiting the more remote destinations of the world, like traveling from Halong to Ninh Binh in Vietnam. It may be difficult to look and feel your best while on the world, but following these tips will help.
Simplify Your Normal Beauty Routine
While in the comforts of your own home (and your own bathroom) you have access to every beauty product and hair appliance known to man. This is not the case when you embark on a journey to a foreign country, unless of course you pack an entire extra suitcase dedicated to beauty. The trick is to simplify your normal beauty routine and only pack the essentials.
Try not to panic too much about leaving behind that anti-aging serum or foregoing your regularly-used hair straightener. Trust us when we tell you that you’ll look just fine without these things. In fact, you might come to realize that you actually look better without the things you thought you have always considered to be essential.
You’ll definitely feel better by not spending every waking minute of your fun travel adventure spending time on your appearance. The main thing to remember is to keep things simple; it might just give you a new appreciation for the more “natural” look.
Take Note of Airline and TSA Rules
Sure, it’s important to leave behind the non-essential beauty items, but there are some beauty products that you just can’t live without. This is especially the case for individuals with overly sensitive skin. If this applies to you, then it is not suggested that you stray too far away from the normal routine.
Don’t forget these essentials, but also consider the TSA and Airline rules while packing. TSA currently only allows liquids in 3.4 ounce containers or less. There’s nothing worse than packing that $100 face cream for rosacea, only to have it confiscated by TSA since it did not meet the requirements for making it through security. Most drug stores sell TSA-approved bottles and containers, so stock up on these if you must.
Applying Makeup is Essentially a Waste of Time
Most people don’t give a hoot about whether or not you wear makeup on a daily basis, especially your fellow travelers. When you embark on a long term backpacking trip, you’ll quickly realize that almost nobody wears makeup. Sure, there is always one girl staying in your hostel who is the exception to this rule.
But as soon as you see how much time that girl wastes on applying makeup for no one in particular, you’ll realize that makeup is no longer a necessity. It might take some time to get used to, but research has shown that not wearing makeup can ultimately make women more comfortable in their own skin.
Psychology Today says that there is “a positive correlation between frequent use of cosmetics and anxiety, self-consciousness, and conformity. Women who reported wearing makeup less frequently tended to have higher social confidence, emotional stability, and self-esteem.” Although it might feel strange at first, you’re better off foregoing a full-on makeup routine in the long run.
Stop Worrying and Start Smiling
When you are constantly filled with travel-related queries and concerns, chances are you won’t feel at your absolute best (both physically and mentally). Try to stop worrying so much, especially when it comes to your diet. Eating healthy can be difficult while traveling, so just accept that you won’t always be able to eat organic, grain-free, or whatever diet you typically follow.
This is the time to enjoy life, gorge yourself on Pad Thai, and just stop worrying about every little thing. And remember to smile and laugh whenever you can. Research shows that smiling can actually improve overall health. NBC performed a study on the topic and found that “smiling can trick your brain into believing you’re happy which can then spur actual feelings of happiness. Even forcing a fake smile can legitimately reduce stress and lower your heart rate.”
