Summer is well and truly upon us, so lots of us are getting ready to pack our bags and head off to sunnier climes.

I am so looking forward to chilling out on the sandy beaches of Nerja in Spain with my family, but what I am determined not to do this year is over pack.

I don’t know about you, but I always seem to take far too many pairs of shoes and vast amounts of clothes that I never even wear.

I also take a month’s supply of hair conditioner and enough bug spray and skin lotions to start up my own pharmacy.

Planning is key and for this month’s column, I am hoping to guide you in packing what I consider to be the most useful beauty and makeup products for your holidays.

First, make sure to put the following in your inflight bag: a clear plastic zip bag for liquids, a small hand sanitizer, a biro and paper, a little packet of tissues, travel wet wipes, emergency Tampax/pad, 2 x Nurofen pills (or the likes), nail file, a packet of sugar-free mints and a spare top (especially if you are travelling with small children).

Next, the sun creams. I always take clear plastic zip bags to put all the sun products in.

Superdrug does a great range of clear plastic pouches/travel makeup bags that are so handy at just €6.49 for a pack of three. I also use them to put wet swim gear in, as well as for storing my fun holiday costume jewellery.

Sunscreen

Always look for sun creams that are SPF 30-50 plus. The best way to gauge how much to apply is two tablespoons’ worth of sunscreen if you are just covering your head, arms and neck, and four good tablespoons if you’re covering your entire body.

Don’t forget to apply to the ears, too. Apply your sunscreen every two to three hours and try to keep out of the direct sun between noon and 3pm when it is at its highest and hottest.

Always wear a hat/cap to keep the sun off your face and head and a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful rays.

You don’t want to be squinting into the sun as you will get crow’s feet, which can be very ageing and difficult to get rid of.

If you have pale, sensitive skin, one of my top choices is Avène Very High Protection Emulsion Spray SPF50+, available from Irish stockists including www.chtralee.ie for €20. Meanwhile, the Aldi Lacura range offers affordable sunscreens for the whole family for less than a fiver.

But perhaps my personal favourite is Caudalie Anti-Wrinkle Sun Cream SPF30. I always apply this on my face and neck every morning during the summer for maximum protection from the sun’s rays.

I purchased mine in The Medical Hall Pharmacy in Edenderry, but you can get it online at www.naturalskincare.ie/caudalie. It’s a winner product at €23.50.

A great SPF30 for the face, which can be worn under makeup, is Sculpted by Aimee Connolly Beauty Base, available at www.sculptedbyaimee.com and pharmacies nationwide for €24.99.

This gem is a three-in-one product: it works as a great primer, it’s full of nourishing hyaluronic acid and acts as a soft natural skin illuminator to brighten the skin tone.

Makeup

I keep my makeup very natural and light when on holiday. I get my eye lashes and brows tinted by my local beautician the day before I go away and I wear nail polish on my fingers/toes.

Essence Shine Last & Go Gel Nail Polish is so quick drying and long-lasting and comes in the most bright and beautiful colours.

I adore these polishes and cannot recommend them more highly at €1.95 from Penneys and selected pharmacies nationwide.

Flower Beauty Lift & Sculpt Contour Palette from Superdrug at €14.99 is a revelation. A slight shimmery bronzer/highlighter, this will give your skin a natural sun-kissed glow when applied with a small bronzing brush.

Bare Minerals Hydrating Foundation Stick SPF25 from stockists including www.boots.ie at €33 is water-based so does not dry out the skin.

This protecting liquid foundation is available in 20 different shades. It glides on effortlessly, leaving your skin looking flawless and beautiful – ideal for your holiday makeup bag.

Pretty eyes

Waterproof mascara, like Essence Lash Princess False Lash Mascara €4.10, is a must-have for the beach or poolside, while you can’t beat a natural lip gloss for a pretty holiday shimmer.

Though seeing as you are on holidays, why not go all out with a bright lipstick for the evenings?

Charlotte Tilbury has the most beautiful rich matte coral lipstick called Sexy Sienna at €32 from stockists including www.arnotts.ie

And ladies, as they used to say when I lived in Australia, don’t forget to “slip, slop, slap.” Slip on a shirt, slop on your 50+ sun factor and slap on a hat. Enjoy your holidays!