When it comes to hygiene on the road, men usually get by with very little. They will surely forgive the slightly gender-stereotyped focus of this article series. Especially in the wild, personal grooming and basic hygiene can be a tougher nut to crack for women. However, a few good tips and the art of compromise will make this hesitant step out of the comfort zone easier for them too.
Hike ≠ walk on the catwalk
The first and most essential recommendation is surprisingly simple – lower your expectations! Just because you enjoy perfect make-up and an elegant outfit in everyday life does not mean you need to head to the mountains in high heels. If you still want to treat yourself to a stylish look, go for it. However, choose one that is also functional and suitable for sports.
In terms of make-up, definitely settle for a minimalist approach and give up on perfectly straightened hair right away. Simply stop focusing for a while on how you look to others and turn your attention to the beauty that the surroundings offer you. There will certainly be no shortage of it in nature.
Some things, of course, can be handled in advance so you don't have to worry about them during those few days in nature. Before you leave, take care of all the procedures you don't do every day, such as nail and eyebrow grooming, or perhaps waxing or skin cleansing.
Space as a scarce commodity
If you are heading out camping or on another type of adventure trip with just a backpack, you will soon realize after starting the packing process that you have much less space than you originally imagined. You will also carry every extra bit of weight on your shoulders for days, so think very carefully about how many things you need. As for toiletries, you can easily get by with various samples and travel-sized versions. If you are traveling with a group, coordinate with each other and choose larger packages to share. For decorative cosmetics, a concealer or BB cream with a UV filter and waterproof mascara will be more than enough. Various multi-purpose products are also a good choice.
If your backpack allows, neatly store all your products in a compact toiletry bag. Many of them even solve the issue of packing a mirror for you. However, if you only have gaps and spaces left between other essentials, distribute your toiletries around the backpack, but preferably put them in an extra bag so they don't stain your clothes.
To be safe, do not pack cosmetic products you have no previous experience with – unpleasant allergies are even more unpleasant away from home. Therefore, prefer proven products in smaller packaging or pour them into your own compact bottles.
A shower can be a luxury
Although using sanitary facilities in most campsites is not exactly the most pleasant experience, an even worse option is not being able to use a shower at all. In such a case, wet wipes, or a textile washcloth and a small solid soap will be helpful. Also, think about an effective antiperspirant, which is certainly not a cure-all, but will help eliminate unpleasant odors for those around you. Of course, this is an emergency solution. At the first possible opportunity, take a shower or a stream of acceptable cleanliness and temperature by storm!
Solve hair styling, which will probably not look salon-fresh the next morning, simply by tying it back with a hair tie. Alternatively, help yourself with various hair clips or a stylish head covering, which will also protect you from sunstroke. A handy helper is also dry shampoo, whether in powder form or as a spray.
Beauty comes from within
Maybe it's a bit of a cliché, but its truth has been confirmed many times. If you want to be beautiful on the outside, pay attention to what you put in your mouth. Consistently following a balanced diet is quite difficult on the go – instead of unnamed wafers, get your energy for the trip from fresh or dried fruit and nuts, which are comparably compact. After a long day, ideally treat yourself to a full meal, while avoiding excess processed meats and salt, which cause unsightly swelling.
But what is truly essential is a regular and sufficient hydration regime, which should be covered primarily by clean water, or enriched sports drinks.
Practical tips at the end
- Yoni brushes – handy eco-friendly sticks that promise perfect teeth cleaning even without the use of water and toothpaste
- Small quick-drying towel – doesn't take up much space, weighs very little, and thanks to microfiber, it's dry in no time
- Coconut oil in a small package – serves as a makeup remover, balm, for teeth cleaning, or soothing the skin
- Something for disinfection – for example, tea tree oil or plum brandy, which disinfects and warms you up internally too :-)
What can't you head out camping or into nature without?
