Whenever we girls hear the words “Hen Party Abroad” we immediately panic and start planning a crash diet and a million different appointments to pamper and preen ourselves in the run up to it. In fact, lets be real, we probably spend more money getting ready for it than we do on the actual flights.

Most of the time when I go on a family holiday, I don’t worry about being glam… I don’t wear make up during the day and my hair is permanently in a bun – but a hen party is a little different. We are with a group of girls, theres themes, pool parties, beat parties and lots and lots of instagram pics! Some of the things we do are practical, they help us look glam in the sun with ease… and some are the furthest thing from practical ever and we have to spend the time avoiding getting splashed or thrown in the pool incase we destroy them but sure thats all part of the fun! (or so we tell ourselves)

In the lead up to my friends Hen Party, I was stressing out trying to plan everything perfectly, get all of my appointments sorted and pick up some essentials. I was also lucky enough to have been sent some products which proved to be lifesavers on the trip so I thought I would put all of it into one post for you to see if some of my advice could help you guys if you are heading abroad on a girls trip soon.

Beautyworks Hair Extensions from Powder N’Pout Salon

My biggest nightmare on holidays is dealing with my hair. The heat, the humidity, the sun and the chlorine all really mess with it and leave it looking frizzy and dry so I decided to go for hair extensions this time. As much as they are time consuming to wash and dry, once they are styled they keep their shape, don’t frizz and also look super glam even when tied up in a ponytail. I chose to go for the Beautyworks hair from Powder N’Pout Salon choosing the 24 inch Gold Weft weave and a 20 inch celebrity choice weave on top. My own hair is so long and thick already that I needed the two sets to balance out as well as to blend the length. I initially went for a consultation with Aisling, the owner of Pn’P (which is totally free) and in this she advised me on the best weave to choose and she also did a colour match. If you decide to book your appointment for your weave, you then pay a deposit and return a week or so later to get the weave fitted. On the day of my fit, Aisling coloured my own hair and the extensions to match perfectly, then applied them, cut and blended them and then styled them. It is a super long process but so so worth it for the end result. I have to say… if you don’t have the time and patience to put into looking after them, washing, brushing and styling then I would strongly suggest you go for much less hair than I did as it is quite a challenge but if you do then its so worth it! I love them!

For more info or to book your appointment contact Powder n Pout Salon on Facebook here –>> https://www.facebook.com/powdernpoutsalon/

Eyelash Extensions with Locks And Lashes

I got my eyelash extensions done with Ciara from Locks And Lashes and I cannot recommend her enough. I always go to her when I want fabulous eyelashes and she never disappoints. She can do a really natural lash look or she can go as dramatic as you like. I love them for holidays as even with minimal makeup they make you feel glam! Ciara works in Letterkenny most days and in her home in Buncrana every Wednesday! Just be warned – get them professionally removed. I have an awful habit of just pulling mine out which takes a lot of my own lashes with them and leaves little bald patches lol! Not a good look!

Check out her Facebook here –> https://www.facebook.com/LocksandLashes12 or follow her on insta – Username: locks_and_lashes1

Nails by Jennifer at the Nail Studio

I couldn’t do a holiday post without mentioning Jennifer the nail Queen. Jen always does my nails and she can literally do any style, shape or length that you wish. She is also incredible at nail art! For hols I generally go for a neutral look, like a french manicure or this style which is french but with a twist and some diamonds to finish the look! Jennifer owns The Nail Studio in Derry and is definitely top of her game! In fact her and I are talking about collaborating with her doing one day a month in my boutique to cater to lots of clients in Buncrana – keep an eye out for this when we set a date.

To book your appointment or to get more info contact The Nail Studio via facebook here –>> https://www.facebook.com/TheNailStudioDerry/

Bare by Vogue Tan

I literally just got sent the Bare By Vogue Tan the week before I went away and I was really nervous to try a new tan when I had no idea what it was going to be like but I was so glad I took the risk. I used the Ultra Dark lotion the night before I left and showered it off the next day – it literally lasted the entire trip without streaking. I was in the pool, I used sun cream and it still didn’t move. I always go for a lotion over a mousse as I find it much more moisturising. Mousse tans always seem to gather around my dry skin and never apply as evenly, so for me the lotion is always best! If I had any criticism at all it would be that it was quite difficult to remove after the holiday but I didn’t mind then as it had been perfect the entire trip, I even got away with it for a good few days after returning home before I had to start scrubbing it.

Check out Bare by Vogue on their website – https://barebyvogue.com or you can also purchase it in most Penneys stores in Ireland.

River Island Bikini

I always find it so hard to get bikinis that fit as i’m quite a funny shape. My top half is a size 10, my waist is a size 8 and my hips are a size 12 so I always have to look for shops that sell the tops and bottoms separately and bottoms that fit me in the waist without sitting like a thong in the back… I know Love Island has made that a thing but its really REALLY not a trend I want to indulge in haha! We had a neon theme for one of the days and an all black theme for the other so I knew what to look for but it was still so hard to find one that flattered. I bought loads of them in Penney’s but none of them were the perfect fit and then I remembered that I had a beautiful black one from last year that I got in River Island so I re-wore that and had a look in there for a neon one also. They had quite a few in store but I fell in love with this coral one as it is my all time favourite colour to wear, especially with a tan. It was definitely a lot more pricey than the €6 Penney’s ones but worth it if you struggle, like me to find some to suit.

The coral version seems to be sold out online but its available in white, black and multicolour. Check out the entire River Island swimwear range here –>> https://www.riverisland.ie/c/women/swimwear–beachwear

Luna by Lisa Leave in Conditioner

Whether you have hair extensions or not, a leave in conditioner is vital in the sun and I love this one by Lisa Jordan. Although I didn’t wash my hair  whilst I was away I still sprayed this on the dry ends before going in the sun and I just felt this really helped keep the shine. If you do plan to wash your hair when you are away then I recommend spraying this whilst in the sun and before going into the chlorine. You can then use it on damp hair before blowdrying for some extra condition and shine. The Luna by Lisa spray now comes in a 100ml spray which is ideal for a short break, especially if you only have hand luggage!

For more info on the Luna by Lisa products or to locate stockists near you, check out their website – https://lunabylisa.ie

LMD x BPerfect Master Palette

I have had this palette for so long… in fact it is probably my third or fourth of them. Unfortunately I do know that they have now finished making this version but they are remastering it which is very exciting! I can’t wait to see what they come up with because this one has been my lifeline. It has so many makeup items that you need all in one palette. From eyeshadows to blusher and highlighter to contour, it’s the only palette I ever take away with me. Im literally praying that they keep all of my faves in the new version and don’t change it up too much.

To keep up to date with the remastered LMD x bPerfect Palette, keep an eye on their website https://www.bperfectcosmetics.com

Kevin Murphy Session Spray Flex

This Session Spray flex was the perfect hairspray to have with me! Again with a bottle small enough for hand luggage it was the perfect size and also the perfect mix of hold and flexibility for lovely summer beach waves. The smell of this spray is so so beautiful, it could actually pass for a fragrance rather than a hold spray. I found it really held my curls in place perfectly without leaving them dry and sticky like some hairsprays. I was also sent a larger version of this spray too which is now my holy grail product for styling my hair.

Official Kevin Murphy Website –>> https://kevinmurphystore.ie

Pretty Little Thing Co-Ord

One of the themes for the nights out on this hen was all black clothing which is quite a common and easy one for most hen parties. As it was abroad and quite warm I wanted to go for something cool and comfortable so this co-ord from pretty little thing was ideal. The skirt is ruched which is so flattering for most body shapes rather than being skin tight and the top is a stretch material. I probably wouldn’t go for this for a hen party in Ireland but I loved it for a night out in the heat.

Buy the Skirt here –>> https://www.prettylittlething.com/black-slinky-second-skin-ruched-midi-skirt.html

Buy the Top here –>> https://www.prettylittlething.com/black-second-skin-slinky-square-neck-crop-top.html

Image Prevention Daily Matte Moisturiser 32 spf

In recent years I have dealt with some pretty bad pigmentation on my skin after being in the sun, to the point where my face actually looks like it has been splattered with dirt. No matter what suncream I have ever used or how high the factor, I always got it every year until I discovered the Image prevention daily matte moisturiser. I use this every day, even at home but last Summer was the first time I ever tried it as just an spf and honestly, I would never use anything else again. I had zero pigmentation after two sun holidays last Summer and the same after the few days in Portugal! It doesn’t go oily under your makeup and it doesn’t cause flashback in pictures like some spfs do. I know that Image also do a factor 50 but I don’t think its matte so I haven’t tried it yet.

Buy the Image moisturiser online here –>> https://www.imageskincare.ie/r-prevention-matte-moisturizer-spf-32-95ml.html

Beach Skirt from Pretty Little Thing 

For beach wear and covers ups you can’t go wrong with Pretty Little Thing. This coral one was the perfect match for my bikini and was just £12 when I got it but has now been reduced to £10. I also have the black version of this and they are completely ideal for anyone who wants that little extra coverage for the pictures!

You can buy this exact one here –> https://www.prettylittlething.com/coral-tie-side-maxi-beach-skirt.html

I hope that was helpful for you guys and if you have any more questions about where to buy the items or things I would recommend then just send me a dm over on instagram (sequincinderella) and i’ll be happy to help.

Nicola x