The Birchbag is creating quite the storm for the month of July, and we have worked with some of the UK’s top beauty gurus to curate four beautifully coloured bags inspired by their favourite destinations. Here, Fiona Joseph, Conde Nast Traveller Fashion & Beauty Director, shares her aqua “Hydra” Birchbag and all the essentials she loves to travel with too…
Are you a beach or pool person and why?
Definitely a beach girl. I love a long beach walk whatever the time of year, a blustery picnic on Holkham beach in Norfolk or when it is so hot you have to keep your feet in the surf at Byron Bay in Australia. The sand between your toes, the salt on your skin, you can’t beat that feeling. It sums up everything a holiday for me is all about, the sense of nature and nurture. I love the sound of the surf at night, finding unusual shells to take home and discovering unusual beach boutiques and new swimwear labels in far flung places. A swimming pool just can’t create that kind of magic but if I had to pick one, I’d happily lie by the pool at Hotel du Cap Eden Roc in Antibes for the whole summer.
How would you style your Birchbag?
Denim shorts, and Eres swimsuit, and a Zoe Karssen white t-shirt with tan leather sandals from Ancient Greek Sandals, I like to keep it simple on holiday with fun and bright accessories and my favourite navy Celine sunglasses
How does your beauty regime change when you’re away?
I use far more hair products, to protect from sun damage and ultimately repair! Plane journeys are the worst, so if I can find an airport with a blow-dry bar its the best feeling to get on a plane with nice bouncy hair and not an entirely static head on arrival. There aren’t enough of these in airports though. The best one I’ve found so far is in Sao Paulo – quite a long way to go for a blow-dry! I’ll always travel with a clay face mask too, my skin always breaks out when I’m travelling so ill take something to calm it down and reduce inflammation from sunburn too.
What’s your one travel-related beauty secret that you always abide by?
Hand sanitiser from Aesop – I can’t bear the chemical ones and have slight OCD about cleanliness in airports and airplanes, I swear by this one and it has a lovely scent. And it’s not so much a secret but a pedicure at Knightsbridge Nail Centre will last for at least a month, I always try and book in here before a trip.
What are your 3 top must-see tips for Hydra in Greece?
Zoe’s jewellery store on the waterfront at Hydra – she has great Greek accessories designers along with her own handmade jewellery and authentic greek sandals.
Ostria seafood restaurant tucked away behind the harbour front with its pastel dip-dyed chairs that serves the most incredible Calamari and shrimp.
Overlooking the harbour on the far east corner is Spilia Cafe & Cocktail bar and restaurant where you can step straight down into the sea off the rocks after a long lunch. It has spectacular views and is a serious sun trap.
My Travel Beauty Essentials
Liz Earle Skin Boost Tonic – I take this everywhere with me for inflight and after a long day on the beach, instant dewy fresh skin and calming too, I keep one with me at all times.
Korres Guava Lip Butter Pot – I’ve never been able to wear lip colour so love the texture and subtle gloss of these pots, not to mention the fruity scent.
Caudalie Divine Oil Scrub – I’d describe this as a spa in a pot. It works brilliantly on legs and arms which tend to suffer the most when exposed to sun on holidays after months undercover. It leaves skin buffed and glowing.
I Dare You Liaison de Parfum – I tend to always take a new perfume on holiday in the sun, particularly warm, woody fragrances, and the more off-beat the better, its like adopting a new character for holiday the same way we tend to dress differently too.
Laura Mercier Long Lash Mascara – It’s always about the eyes for me on holiday, so a strong and lengthening mascaras is the quickest and strongest way to look good without spending too much time in front of the mirror.