If you’re headed out on a fitness-focused vacation, there are some key beauty items you should be sure to pack. Some retreats are a bit more down-and-dirty than others but even if you’re headed for a five-start resort, these items will help you feel fresh and clean throughout your trip. While some vacations focus on laying at the beach, a fitness retreat is likely to have you working up a sweat each day; packing for this type of getaway isn’t quite the same.
Here are my must-haves for a fitness retreat:
Let’s start with the case. I love Clarity pouches from Truffle ($36 for the large), they have a minimalist design, are sturdy, lie flat but expands when in use and is clear, making it extra easy to locate your items when you need them. No digging around blindly when you use this pouch.
Now let’s look inside, starting from left to right:
Vichy Capital Soleil SPF 50 Mousse: This sunscreen is divine. Yes, I used the word divine to describe sun block, stick with me. This product is mousse, super light and non greasy. It comes out of the can like hair mousse and spreads easily for application. It feels like a luxury using this product. You don’t have to work hard to rub it in, it’s light as air. I’m obsessed with it. Unfortunately it doesn’t come in small enough bottles for carry-on but if you’re checking a bag, splurge on this sunscreen.
Pacifica Purify Coconut Water Cleansing Wipes ($5.39 for 30, available at Target): These are ideal for when your face is feeling grimy but you aren’t by a sink. It might be after a morning run or surf and you just don’t have the energy to go back to your room to wash up. These smell like coconut and while I assume on your retreat you’ll be using these in a tropical location, these will make it feel even more tropical.
Slim Sonic Toothbrush ($14.99, available at Container Store): I have an amazing electric toothbrush at home but I’m not about to lug that on vacation. Before I found this electric travel toothbrush I always felt like my teeth weren’t sparkly clean on vacation. This battery-operated toothbrush does the trick when traveling.
Blistex Deep Renewal Lip Protectant with SPF 15 ($3.29): Because even though I lather myself head to toe in sunscreen, I often forget my lips. Toss this balm in your bag; it’s a protectant against rays but also soothing if you’re feeling chapped.
You Smell Like a Lemon Wipes ($5 for 12): Another great product when you can’t get to a sink or bathroom. If you’re feeling dirty after a workout or beach-side hang, these little wipes will make you feel a lil’ less disgusting. I will admit that on my last retreat I wanted to take full advantage of my last few hours on the beach that I went straight from the sand to the airport. Kinda gross, I know, but using these wipes made me less offensive to my airplane seat-mates (I hope?).
Whish Deodorant Swipes ($7 for 8): When will I learn that mini travel deodorants don’t work? I’ve bought them more times than I’d like to admit and within a day or two they’ve crumbled into pieces or the deodorant portion falls out of the plastic and onto the ground (just me? does that happen to anyone else?). They are essentially worthless. So that happened to me on my retreat and I was deodorant-less by day two. I personally think sharing deodorant is nasty (so please don’t ask to use mine, sorry!). Luckily, my friend had these swipes, one-time use deodorant wipes, paraben-free, sulfate-free, DEA-free, TEA-free, petrochemical-free (ok, I don’t know what most of those things are but it sure sounds great that these swipes to contain any of them!).
Aloe Gator Super Total Sunblock Gel SPF 40+ ($11.95 available at REI): This product doesn’t look like it belongs, but it does! If you are going on a water-focused retreat, like surf camp, buy this! I have very sensitive eyes and left all my surf sessions blind and crying. To emphasize how bad it got, I’d stand in the middle of the ocean with my eyes closed because my eyes stung so bad. I just prayed a wave didn’t crash on me. Towards the end of the retreat my instructor Helen (you are a life-saver Helen!) gave me some of her sunscreen. It’s weird at first, it kinda feels like hair gel but just trust it and put it all over your face. It doesn’t drip and it doesn’t get in your eyes and if it somehow does, it doesn’t sting them. It was a total game changer. It’s apparently the sunscreen of choice of professional surfers, scuba divers, sailors, climbers and so on (and now the choice of me!). Next time I have an oceanside trip, I’m loading up on Aloe Gator.
Book A Fitness Retreat!
Many of these products are great for every day use and are especially wonderful when traveling. If you’re looking for a fitness-focused trip, check out the offerings at Ketanga Fitness Retreats. Ketanga is a niche travel organizer specializing in active vacation packages, providing the opportunity to work out in beautiful, fun and unique locations with really amazing instructors. Ketanga is offering Shapin’ Up readers $100 off your next trip! They have a pilates-focused Florida getaway kicking off February 20th (spots still available!) and a few others coming up. Check out the full schedule and use code SHAPIN100 to grab your discounted rate.
