Melanie Morris gets travel tips from the pros on hair, feet and face
HOT HOLIDAY HAIR
By session stylist, James Mooney
To prevent hair from turning into straw on holiday, use a creamy leave-in conditioner that contains a UV filter to protect it from sun damage. To use, wash hair and then apply a 50p-size dollop, comb through hair - if you have long hair, put it in a plait to look stylish on the beach. If hair is short, slick it back with an SPF hair oil to protect it.
In the evening, comb Kiehl's Grooming Aid though for wet-look shine and hold. A side parting works especially well. Alternatively, to keep long, curly hair under control in the heat, try a spritz of Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray to keep the hair defrizzed and glam. At night, tie it back into a slick bun and add a funky hair accessory at the side.
HEAVENLY HOOVES
By Jennifer Naughton, therapist at The Tethra Spa, Merrion Hotel, Dublin 2
Soak feet in warm water for five or 10 minutes. Then clip nails straight across. Return to soak and then file nails into shape.
Massage cuticle cream into the base of the toenail, follow with more soaking and then push cuticles back using a rubber-tipped hoof stick (more gentle than an orange stick). Never cut cuticles.
Exfoliate using a foot product, good body scrub or mix of olive oil and sea salt. If there's a build up of hard skin, rub it with a pedifile. Don't take a blade to your own feet - leave that to a chiropodist.
Apply a moisturising foot lotion.
Polish when you have plenty of time. Always use a basecoat to stop nails discolouring. When applying colour, run varnish down the length of the nail and then across the free edge at the top. This seals the polish and prevents chipping. Apply a topcoat and keep toes open for 12 hours to allow full drying. No socks, no closed shoes. It'll only smudge.
To make your polish look glossy and last longer, reapply topcoat every two days.
PERFECT FOUNDATION
By Paula Callan-O'Keeffe, Senior Artist, MAC cosmetics
Start with a good primer. In the hot weather, oily skins should chose a mattifying product while other types would benefit from a spritz of hydrating spray rather than full-on moisturiser.
Apply foundation with a brush. I find a blusher brush best; it's softest and gives a good, even coverage. Brushes are especially good for those with fine lines or large pores as they help press the product into the skin.
Concealer comes after foundation, as you then know what needs to be hidden. Use a red-tinted product to disguise under-eye shadows. A blue-toned concealer is best for blemishes and red colouring on the cheeks. Again, use a brush and blend.
Always use powder. It sets the foundation and adds polish to the finished look. Those with dry skins should go the talc-free route.
Finally, contour using a product that's no more than two shades darker than your natural tone. And highlight cheekbones and cupid's bow with an iridescent powder or MAC Strobe Cream.