I don't want to look like a hippy!

Dear Anna,
I am going on a short holiday to Venice next month (before you ask, I have off-set my flight) and would like to purchase environmentally friendly beauty products and clothes before I go.

In particular I am interested in sunscreens and anything that comes in travel sizes as I would like to take just one bag on as hand luggage.

Whilst I want to go green, I want to avoid looking like Neil, the hippy from the Young Ones.
Do you have any ideas?

Greenly Yours,
Tamsin Butterworth, Stocksfield

Hi Tamsin,
Thank you for your email, I have lots of items that I could recommend to you.
As you are going to a stylish city, the recommendations that I am going to make to you will hopefully keep you looking and smelling as elegant as the beautiful Italian ladies that you will come across.

CLOTHES
I used to live near Venice and know how hot it can be at that time of year so in terms of clothes you want something that is chic, cool, could be worn both evening and day, can be mixed and matched and that will fit in to your small holdall.

Ethical fashion house, People Tree, are holding their summer clearance sale.
These are amongst the clothes I would purchase for such a trip if it were me (all prices quoted are the substantially reduced sale price).

Delia Summer Dress (£19) teamed with the light weight Bolero cardigan (£22.50)
This classy but different Block print wrap dress (£32.50)
Essential Little Black dress (£24)
Kimono top (£34)
Petal T-Shirt (£10) - I already have this T-Shirt and have had many compliments
Scoop Neck Tunic (£14)
Culottes (£14)
Cropped Trousers (22.50)
Summer Camisole Pyjamas (£19)

SUNSCREEN
I have been a devotee of Green People's organic, chemical free sunscreens for a number of years.
I use them on my children too and have had very good feedback from friends with fair skin and those with skin allergies.
The Spf22 lotion costs £15.99 and can found on-line or in Waitrose or John Lewis.

MAKE-UP
This is where I get excited, because I have recently made the world's most amazing discovery for women everywhere.

Never waste money again on those eye shadows that come with three colours when you actually only want one!

Aveda the botanical skin care specialists, who have a concession in Fenwicks, have recently come out with the environmentals range.
This is mix and match make up at its best.

For £12 you purchase a small thin compact made of recycled aluminium, which includes a mirror.

At the bottom of the compact is a magnetic strip which provides a base for your own choices of foundation with sponge, blusher and two eye shadows.

Items costs between £10-20. I bought a number of colours and when I am going out I just pop in the colours that I am going to need for that night.
The compact is small enough to fit in any pocket or large purse.

TOILETRIES
I would take a trip to Boots and purchase a number of travel bottle and fill them with your favourite shampoo, shower gel etc.

Neal's Yard Remedies in the Royal Arcade offer a vast range of gorgeously smelling shampoos and toiletries. Better still they are in the middle of a summer sale, with many items selling for 50% less.

My own favourite for this summer is the Caribbean Therapy Collection from Aveda.
Ingredients include Passion fruit, Mango and Coconut and the aroma is so uplifting that it really evokes a sense of summertime.
Products include a Body scrub (£25), Body cleanser (£16) and flower water (£12) which also acts as a light body moisturiser.

Aveda also do their own travel kit (£12.50), which comes in a hand-washable abaca fibre bag with 4* 50ml bottles, 1*30ml jar, 1 *spray pump and 1* label sheet.

The Body shop, with their variety of shampoos and travel sized products, in another good place to try.

I hope that this is useful to you Tamsin and have a lovely holiday.

Best Wishes
Anna