Spending on holiday beauty prep: is it worth it?

The third reason was purely indulgent. The little voice of persuasion went along the lines of, ‘‘you’re going on holiday as a treat and this is part of the holiday treat package, go on, do it.’’ So into the spray tan tent I went.

I spent about $200 on a wax, haircut, eyelash extensions and spray tan, which is, in fact, a bargain. The average tan costs $50, waxing another $50, eyelash extensions $50, a good cut and colour can reach up to $400 and a mani/pedi is about $100. This all adds up to a grand total of nearly $700 possible to be spent on beauty prep.

So, now we get down to whether my $200 was worth it.

The eyelash extensions I immediately regretted. If I were to do it again, I would go for an eyelash tint. I hadn’t really released, despite choosing the ‘‘natural set’’, how doll-like eyelash extensions would make me look, not really my style.

The second reason is entirely practical. You can imagine, being a water-baby at heart, the groan that escaped my lips when the beauty therapist said ‘‘now just so you know, don’t get your eyelashes wet because they’ll fall out.’’

Now, let’s talk about this spray tan. It was the first one I had got and again, instantly regretted it. But this is only because I had to go back into the office sticky and uncomfortable. As soon as it settled I felt great. There were no more doubts about getting into a bikini.

However, I can only assume that the people who told me getting a spray tan before a holiday was a great idea because it lasts the whole week were ‘‘lie by the pool and don’t move a muscle’’ people. Because this must be the only way a spray tan doesn’t get scrubbed off by sea salt, a towel dry, sightseeing and generally doing any activity that makes you sweat. By the third day I was getting a bit patchy. So out came the gradual tanner in the desperate hope that this would even it out. It didn’t really but at least I was patchy shades of tan instead of tan with white spots.

A haircut was a no-brainer good idea, not only because I was in dire need of a chop, but because healthy hair is always a good option. And getting it a week out allowed it to settle a bit.

Waxing. Another no-brainer. The next one is already scheduled into my calender. It’s not just on holiday you need this.

So in conclusion? Wax, yes; haircut, yes (but only if you really need one); eyelash extensions, no (eyelash tint all the way); spray tan, a reluctant yes – I concede it got a bit patchy, but the body confidence it inspired can’t be measured.