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A-list holiday beauty

Helen Tither
14/ 7/2008

EVEN super-chic soap starlets need a little beauty TLC before they jet off for summer. As Style discovered when we popped along to the relaunch of Harvey Nichols' beauty salon, Urban Retreat.

Trying out beauty treats alongside the movers and shakers of Manchester, we spotted several stylish faces from the small screen getting top tips on how to look good this summer.

Not surprising, when you consider some of the top names in British beauty were on hand to launch their revamped concessions in the salon.

We followed in the celebrities' glamorous footsteps to pick up some A-list travel tips when it comes to looking good on holiday.

MAKE UP

Fresh from his stint on How to Look Good Naked, celebrity make-up artist Daniel Sandler was on hand to offer Coronation Street star Samia Smith some summer make-up tips at his new Urban Retreat concession.

"The key is packing the right products - especially when you are going somewhere hot and sunny," he says. "Avoid thick gloopy and creamy products as these will just melt in the sun. Instead go for waterproof silicone-based make-up." Here are his top tips for Style readers{hellip}

Anything cream-based is a no-no - including eye pencils and thick lipsticks as these will melt.

Look for waterproof products for a longer-lasting finish.

Colourwise, dark smoky colours will just look grubby with a tan, so go for lilacs, silvers and light shades.

If you just take one product pick a nice waterproof mascara. If you can't find one you like, try your normal make with Urban Retreat waterproof mascara Top Coat, £7.95, over the top.

Skip foundation on the beach for a nice light tinted moisturiser with SPF to protect against the sun's rays.

BODY

Hollyoaks starlet Claire Cooper, aka the soap's Jacqui Malota, was snapped in the new "pedicure thrones".

"I'm jetting off to Nice for a girlie weekend with my mates," she smiles, champagne in hand. "So my feet need to be looking fab." Urban Retreat body care expert, and Style columnist, Sam Marshall says a pedicure is one of the top pre-holiday treatments to have before you jet away.

"A pedicure is an absolute must, as you are going to be showing your feet off all holiday in sandals and heels," she says. "If you are tempted to do your own at home, make sure you don't scrub too much skin off - leave a small amount of build up to help protect your feet.

"Or, try doing your own on holiday by making a scrub out of sand on the beach."

Here's Sam's other top three pre-holiday treatments:

Spray tan One of the top salon treats to have you feeling good before you get away. Timed right, the tan can give you confidence as you hit the beach, fading gradually as your natural tan builds.

Facial Choose a hydrating facial to get skin in tip top condition, and boost moisture before that draining flight.

Wax Make sure you time waxings right - so you need one the day before you go away to make sure there's no unsightly regrowth a few days into your trip!

HAIR

Andrew Barn, of Barn//it at Urban Retreat, warns not to forget your locks while you go away.

"Everyone thinks about suntan lotion and looking after their body - but nobody remembers the damage the sun can do to your hair," he says. "Here are some top tips for before, after, and during your break."

Cut I would recommend a cut before your hols - and a trim to chop off split ends and sun damage when you get back.

Sun protection Your hair should be treated to an SPF, just like your body. I would recommend a protein spray.

Go with the flow Don't worry about too much styling on holiday - have a `hair holiday' by just going with the flow and letting curls and waves go wild. For perfect beach hair, spray a hair protection cream into wet hair, tie it up and later in the evening let it down for perfect beach waves.

TLC When the holiday's over reassess your hair's condition and apply a moisturising mask from Shu Uemura or Philip Kingsley's Elasticiser.

If you can't be bothered to style your hair while you're away - hide split ends with a fabulously realistic hair piece from the new Vicki Ullah Wig Boudoir range at Urban Retreat - with ponytail extensions starting around £12.95.

NAILS

Nail technician to the stars Leighton Denny was on hand to offer Hollyoaks starlet Jessica Fox (aka Nancy Hayton) a manicure. Fresh from polishing Jade Jagger's talons - in his Perfect to Party shade - before she jetted off to Ibiza, he had this holiday advice for fab fingernails.

Always have your manicure at the last minute before you go - and take a bottle of topcoat with you for touch-ups.

Nails grow really fast in the sun as heat boosts circulation, so get them well-filed before you jet off.

Treat cuticles to prevent them drying out with a nourishing treatment like my Cuti-Lips balm, £6, which can be used on nails and lips.

Go for a fab holiday shade in something bright and breezy - you shouldn't be doing anything arduous enough to chip them while you are away.

Style's favourite holiday shade is Leighton's So LA, priced £10.