This Summer, I went to Sicily for ten days and travelled around the entire island. Here are my Summer vacation essentials that I used the most and the fashion + beauty buys I’d recommend for a holiday in a hot, humid climate.
Panache Swimsuit
For my fellow members of the big titty committee, this Spirit Rita Plunge Swimsuit from Panache is a best seller for a reason! I’m a 34F and I’ve never found a swimsuit that makes my boobs look this good! And it’s not just because it’s got underwires. It looks and feels like it’s been designed as a really good bra first and foremost. And then made to be a really flattering (dare I say sexy…) swimsuit, that’s also incredibly comfortable! The smooth, slimming fit is thanks to an inner “powermesh” liner for medium tummy control. It’s also made out of a really unusual, knitted honeycomb textured fabric that isn’t thick and bulky and dries almost instantly once you’re out of the water. Which I love, because I hate that soggy swimsuit feeling!
Panache Strapless Bra
AVAILABLE IN BLACK, WHITE + NUDE
Second item on the big titty committee agenda, is the Faith Moulded Strapless Bra also by Panache. A good strapless bra is an absolute summer vacation essential, and I’ve tried lots over the years. But this one is by far the best! It’s underwired, of course. And because of the plastic boning along side seams it ensures a supportive and stable fit, that gives you the nicest shape. This strapless bra is both flattering and slimming, unlike many others where I’m spilling out the sides or it kind of flattens my boobs to keep them in place. This one held them in, held them up and stayed in place. And let me tell you, the back strap did not budge! It was really hot and humid, and I was sweating a lot. But this strapless bra has wide silicone elastic along the back strap and sides. So it offers stability, making sure the bra stays in place all day long. Highly, highly recommend!
Disclosure: Panache is a family business, owned by my cousins. Items are often gifted because I’m family, but there’s never any obligation to post and I don’t earn any commission on any links I share, which aren’t affiliated.
Megababe Thigh Rescue
I was in Lisbon last year and had such bad chaffing and heat rash in between my thighs that I could barely walk. It wasn’t just uncomfortable, it was painful! Sicily in August is a lot hotter than Lisbon in March, so I needed something to make sure I had an effortless glide in between my thighs when walking around and exploring the island. I asked my Instagram followers for advice and everyone said the Megababe Thigh Anti Friction Rescue Stick – use code CURLMAVEN for 20% off at Cult Beauty. I got the unscented version and it was a game changer! Like, I don’t know how I lived without it!
I’m not sure if you’re only supposed to apply it when you’re wearing a dress. Because I found it absorbed into my linen shorts. I hate it when shorts ride up the middle of your thighs and then you still get the chaffing and chub rub. But maybe I applied too much? They were fine once I got back home and put them in the wash though. If you’re looking for good quality, 100% linen shorts, with a flattering fit that don’t cost a fortune. The ones from & Other Stories are the best, and come in the perfect neutral colours that go with everything.
Fussy Natural Deodorant
I mentioned the Fussy Natural Deodorant in my Amazon Summer Essentials article. But I’m recommending it again, because this deodorant held up in 42 degree heat and humidity!! (that’s 107 fahrenheit) The 100% vegan formula is paraben and aluminium free, lightweight and nourishing. It can be reapplied without feeling cakey, which is another summer vacation essential. I love the simple packaging and muted colours. The scents are much more subtle than other natural deodorants on the market – and they even have an unscented version. I’ve also found Fussy Natural Deodorant to be the most effective natural deodorant that I’ve tried. So if you haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend that you do.
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun SPF 50+
One of my favourite SPF’s is the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ PA++++. It’s reef friendly, so a perfect island summer vacation essential. Made with 30% rice extract, this unscented sunscreen is suitable for all skin types, but especially if you’ve got sensitive skin. The super-lightweight cream formula doesn’t give a white cast, absorbs almost instantly and doesn’t cause breakouts. It’s also really affordable! This 2 pack is available from Amazon, and often discounted. Or you can get 21% off Beauty of Joseon at LOOKFANTASTIC using code CURLMAVEN.
Only Curls Baseball Cap
Usually I bring my beloved packable Felix Bucket Hat by Janessa Leoné with me on vacation. But it was just too hot and humid to wear my down or even have it in a braid down my back. Only Curls sent me their satin lined baseball cap and it was perfect! The opening at the back was bigger than other similar styles I’ve seen. Which meant I could tie my hair up in a high ponytail so it was completely off my neck. Keeping me cool when walking around, and keeping my hair out of the water when I was swimming. It comes in lots of different colours too. And you can also get money off when you use code CURLMAVEN at checkout.
Small Crossbody Bag
Although I can’t find the exact one I have, this small crossbody bag from Cos is the perfect summer vacation essential! I got a similar one earlier this year when I was in Copenhagen. This one is just the rouched version, also available in silver and cream. Made from 100% leather which is so buttery and soft. It’s the perfect size to fit a phone, lip balm, small sunscreen, room key and car keys. It even fits a Kindle, which I always bring with me to dinner if I’m on my own. Which if you’ve read this article, you’ll know I go on a sacred solo vacation every year as part of my self care routine. I wear my Cos crossbody bag all the time at home too, it’s the perfect minimalist bag that holds the essentials but with a chic, elevated style. Here’s the woven version of my one.
Reformation Ludo Flat Sandal
I follow Natalie Borton on Instagram and she wears the Ludo Toe Ring Strappy Flat Sandals from Reformation all the time. They’re made from the same soft, glove leather as the crossbody bag from Cos. The thin straps of the sandal match the thin straps of the crossbody bag too. So paired together they instantly bring a look together. Even if it’s just a dress or the Panache swimsuit with a pair of linen shorts. The Ludo Sandals are expensive, but they’re incredibly soft and surprisingly comfortable! There’s a slight cushion to them. And although the website says customers find they run narrow, I’ve got wide feet. And like all leather shoes, they stretch a little and now they’re perfect. I wore them all day, every day and my feet were never sore. And I was walking on cobble stone streets, up and down steep hills and stony paths. To me, they’re the perfect Summer sandal that go with everything.
EasyPark App
This is the European summer vacation essential you didn’t even know you needed, but it’s going to make your life so much easier. If you’re driving or hiring a car to travel around mainland Europe, you need to download the EasyPark App. One of my Airbnb hosts recommended it to me and it took all the stress out of finding and paying for parking. It looks like Google or Apple Maps when you open it up, and anywhere you see blue highlighted streets or sections, that’s where you can park – and there’s loads! Simply set up your payment details and car registration on the app. It then tracks your location and where you’ve parked. Select how long you’d like to park there and it shows you how much that will cost. You have the option to extend your parking, or end it early and it only charges you for how long you stay. The parking locations are really good too, I was able to park along beaches and in city centres.
I hope you found these Summer Vacation Essentials helpful. If you have any questions about any of the products mentioned, pop them in the comments. I’ll do a follow up article with my holiday haircare tips, advice + product recommendations soon. Make sure you subscribe to the Curl Maven Collective Newsletter to discover your hair porosity, receive exclusive content and stay updated on new products + services. Follow me on Pinterest and Instagram @curlmaven and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more tips, advice + tutorials.
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*This article contains some gifted items and affiliated links and discount codes. This doesn’t effect my opinion or the way in which I write about products featured on this site.
