As the holiday countdown begins, there’s one thing just as important as booking your flights and packing your suitcase: getting your beauty prep sorted, and a bit of planning goes a long way when it comes to treatments. Trust me, leaving it all until the last minute is a recipe for stress (and patchy tan…) – so here’s the best order for your summer holiday beauty plans.
Wax on…
Start with the basics: if waxing is on your list, this should be one of the first things you book in. Freshly waxed skin is the perfect base for everything else, especially spray tanning. The same goes for eyelash and eyebrow tints and lash lifts. These treatments need to be done before any tanning happens, otherwise you risk fading your tan or ending up with uneven results. No one wants that just before they jet off.
Lifts and Tints
Lash lifts and tints in particular are a holiday favourite. Imagine waking up every morning with your lashes already looking long, dark and lifted – no mascara needed. It’s perfect for pool days, beach trips, and those warm resort evenings where you’ve just about got the energy to put on a nice dress – never mind a full face of makeup. Pair that with neatly tinted brows and you’ve got a low-maintenance look that still feels polished.
Tanning Nicely
Once those are done, it’s time to think about your spray tan. This is usually best booked around 24–48 hours before you travel, depending on your preference. It gives the colour time to develop properly and settle into your skin. Just make sure all your prep (exfoliating, shaving, waxing) is done beforehand so your tan goes on evenly and lasts as long as possible.
Mani / Pedi Time
Now, here’s where a lot of people get caught out: nails. It might feel natural to get your manicure and pedicure done early, but if you’re planning a spray tan, hold off! Spray tans (and things like curry, fake tan top-ups, or even certain lotions) can stain lighter nail colours, especially whites, pastels and nudes. It’s frustrating to spend time picking the perfect shade, only for it to turn slightly yellow or dull before you’ve even reached the airport.
Instead, book your gel mani and pedi after your spray tan. This keeps your polish looking fresh, clean and exactly how you want it for your holiday. Plus it’s a nice final step that pulls everything together – your tan is glowing, your lashes are done, and your nails are perfect. Holiday mode is activated.
Book Them In
The key to all of this is planning ahead. Popular appointments fill up quickly as the holiday season approaches, so it’s worth thinking about your timeline early. Map out what treatments you want, when they need to happen, and give me a call to get them booked in advance. Not only does this guarantee you get the slots you need, but it also means you can enjoy the lead-up to your trip without any last-minute panic.
A simple order to keep in mind:
Waxing, tints and lash lifts first → spray tan next → nails last.
It’s such a small thing, but getting the order right makes a huge difference to how everything looks and lasts. And when you’re on holiday, the last thing you want to worry about is streaky tan, faded brows or stained nails.
So if you’ve got some summer holiday sun and fun on the horizon, now’s the time to start looking at your appointments. Future You – sipping something cold by the pool, looking effortlessly put together – will be very glad you did. Contact me today to book them in.
And there’s more…
I’ve got blog posts for all your post-treatment needs, and you might find these ones especially helpful for keeping everything looking perfect as you pack your bags!
Get Your Eyebrows on Point – Waxing, Tinting and some Dos and Don’ts
