GRACE'S MUSINGS: Summer Ease

This week I'm in Monaco to speak at the INNOCOS Summit. It’s a work trip, so I definitely need to be wise with my packing and travel light – multifunctional outfits that I can dress up or down and that will take me effortlessly from the boardroom to the beach to the bar, together with makeup, skincare and supplement products that won’t make my suitcase feel as if I’m dragging along the kitchen sink! 

Whether it’s a work trip, a staycation or taking to the skies for a more tropical summer holiday, packing sparingly, carefully and wisely is the way forward if you want to take the headache out of pre-trip preparations and not feel weighed down by too much suitcase clutter. Here are some of my essentials for travelling light and my favourite female-founded brands to give you some inspiration and simplify your packing.  

A select few

Top of my list is to take just a few select multipurpose, easy-to-wear garments that pack down to virtually nothing, won’t crease, and can be dressed up or down to suit any occasion at any time.  

I’m a huge fan of Ridley London who design beautiful, individually made pieces that take you seamlessly from day to night. Founded by Camilla Ridley “to empower more women to look and feel their very best”, their ethos is to celebrate individuality and, like Studio10, make you feel and look your most be-you-tiful!  Simply choose a style and a print and then each garment is individually made to order and tailored to fit your unique shape. 

I particularly love their easy to wear, floral, floaty dresses that move effortlessly through the day and into the evening. Team with heels for a touch of glamour or dress down with trainers for a relaxed summer vibe. 

A bag for the season

A strong, spacious and stylish bag is an essential summer item for work or holiday trips, and my ‘Grace’ Rae Feather basket from the eponymous founder of luxurious basket bags, accessories, clothing and homeware virtually never leaves my shoulder when I’m away. Beautifully woven palm straw with leather handles and detail make this bag perfect for any travel occasion, and for a sophisticated bespoke touch, you can add stripes and personalised initials. 

As a traveller at heart, the inspiration for her first collection came from her travel diaries, and she wanted to make resort wear and accessories that were luxurious and stylish, but also comfortable, so for me this is the perfect brand to consider if you’re planning a trip. And if you’re looking for some holiday inspiration, follow the RF Travel Club on their website as they discover new destinations to travel to this summer.  

Nutrition on the road

Gabriela Peacock, founder of GP Nutrition, is all about balance, ever mindful of the nutrition our body needs, and for me this is even more important when I’m away from home and out of step with my usual routine – but what I don’t want is to be filling my suitcase with endless bottles of vitamins and supplements, and this is where the GP products are perfect. 

The GP Nutrition supplements are no fuss, easy to take and ideal for travel. I particularly love their adaptogens, which adjust to your body’s needs and responses to stress, anxiety and fatigue and bring the body back into steady balance – something we definitely need when we’re away.

Their Gold Combination – Super Blend and Essential Trio is ideal for travel and designed to cover and replenish your daily intake of vitamins and minerals. It’s just three capsules and a powder that you simply stir into cold water, blend into a smoothie or sprinkle over whatever breakfast you choose. A brilliant on-the-go supplement for your suitcase essentials.  

Essential only skincare 

Travel skincare and makeup need to be pared down to the absolute minimum, and as founder of Studio10 I have this down to a fine art! All you need are just three or four essential products that are multipurpose to take you through the day and into the evening. 

35 Thousand Founder and CEO Misty Reich has designed a luxury skincare brand especially for women on the go who juggle family, work and travel and who want to keep their skin healthy. For me, a perfect travel all-in-one morning skincare product is their All-In Day Serum SPF30 that defends against the sun, pollution and blue light, and has a broad spectrum mineral tint to leave your skin looking naturally flawless. Applying your makeup straight on top means that this product really is all you need as a travel essential.      

For your travel makeup I recommend two key multipurpose products. Our  Studio10 Age Repair Perfect Canvas SPF30 is the perfect holiday must-have to transform your complexion with healthy looking skin in an instant. It gives you medium to full coverage, without looking heavy or cakey, and evens your skin tone by covering pigmentation, dark circles and redness, so there’s no need for any concealer. 

Finally, our Perfect Bronze Glow-plexion gives you a healthy flush of holiday colour with perfectly balanced red-brown pigments that create a glowing and radiant ultra-natural tan. It’s deeply hydrating formula is perfect for skin that’s exposed to intense sunlight, and it’s multipurpose functions means you can apply a wash to the eyelids as a brightening eyeshadow, or mix with your body moisturiser to create a top-to-toe natural tan.