Packing for holiday always seems like a fun thing to do in advance (I can’t be the only one who drags the suitcase out of the loft a few weeks before to get in the holiday spirit?) but it can be frustrating activity for a beauty junkie. It’s impossible to cram as many lotions and potions into my suitcase as I need and stay under the weight allowance – so I am forced to ditch some in favour of others (painful when my beauty cupboard is brimming with fabulous holiday products).

Over the years, however, I have worked out that some things are unnecessary, as other holiday products can easily multi-task. So this week, I thought I’d share my top list of what to pack and what to leave at home.

Leave at home – Shaving Foam

Use instead – Hair Conditioner

Pack – L’Occitane Repairing Conditioner for Dry Hair, £12.69.

Smooth legs are a necessity on holiday – and if your method of hair removal is a razor, it can be tempting to stash that heavy tin of shaving foam in your suitcase too. But believe me; your hair conditioner will make a fabulous replacement on holiday. Smooth a 10-pence sized amount over each leg before shaving and the blade will glide effortlessly over skin.

Leave at home – Eye Makeup Remover

Use instead – Cleansing Facial Wipes

Pack – Klorane Make Up Remover Wipes, £6.24

No need to pack heavy bottles of makeup remover and cleanser for your holiday, as one pack of wipes is enough to leave you fresh-faced for a whole fortnight (cleansing skin and eyes both morning and night). They are lightweight, so won’t weigh down your suitcase and are disposable, so will free up space for souvenirs on the return leg.

Leave at home – Day Moisturiser

Use instead – Facial Suntan lotion

Pack – Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Cream for Face UVB 50+, £13.60.

With sun protection creams offering ever-advanced anti-ageing and skincare benefits – such as 24-hour hydration, wrinkle smoothing, and firming properties – there is really no need to carry a separate day cream in your holiday wash bag. Apply it every morning and your skin will be protected from UVA and UVB rays, whilst leaving it plumped and glowing every evening.

Leave at home – Makeup Bag

Use instead – All-in-one Makeup Palette

Pack – Stila Collectable Beach Palette 2 Haute in the Hamptons, £10.

your skin boasting a holiday glow, your base needs to be minimal – with shadows and blushers reserved for evenings only. So leave behind that heavy makeup bag and pack a lightweight palette that will cover every eventuality. If you want to pack a mascara and eyeliner, they won’t take up much space – but I recommend keeping things simple and saving those precious extra ounces for flip-flops and chick lit.