Ultimate Summer Checklist: Everything to Do Before Your Vacation

Plan your outfits: The best way not to overpack when going on vacation is to prepare your outfits in advance. I love using Pinterest for this, it allows me to discover outfits that will work well for my destination, especially depending on the weather.

It also helps me see if I can reuse one bottom for several outfits. That way, I don’t end up buying anything unnecessary.

Book your beauty appointments in advance: We all know that as vacations approach, especially at the beginning of summer, it’s a real struggle to find an appointment with the esthetician or to get your nails done.

That’s why booking ahead ensures you’ll get a spot and it’s one less thing to worry about during the week leading up to your departure.

Creating checklists: Checklists are truly the best tool for planning your vacation. They help you make sure you don’t forget anything and you can always add to them if you think of something else.

I always create several: one for my checked suitcase, one for my carry-on, and one for my makeup bag. I also create one for things not to forget to do before leaving, it depends on your personal situation, but it could be dropping your cat off at your parents’ place or getting the necessary vaccines if you’re traveling to a tropical destination.

My little tip for carry-on luggage: I always bring a few essentials in case my checked bag gets lost or delayed, a change of underwear, basic toiletries (under 100 ml) and a pajama.

Last-minute essentials : Last-minute shopping always happens and it often brings more stress than anything else. That’s why two weeks before my departure, I set aside some time to buy them.

It can be things like: sunscreen, a plug adapter, a hat, or my medications (by the way, don’t forget to bring a copy of your prescription in case of an inspection or control).

The deep cleaning: The weekend before a trip, I love to schedule one cleaning session. Tackle tasks like vacuuming, mopping and dusting.

This frees up your pre-departure week for last-minute trip prep and ensures you return to a sparkling clean home. After a long journey, the last thing you want to worry about is cleaning !

Plan your meals to empty your fridge: the weekend before the trip is also the best moment to plan empty your fridge to avoid wasting your last groceries before leaving.

Prep your suitcase: The weekend before the week of your departure is the ideal time to pack your suitcase using the checklist you created several weeks earlier. You’ll see, it will go very quickly, and you’ll feel more relaxed heading into your final week of work.

Who has never had to get through a flight by scrolling through their photo gallery because they didn’t plan any entertainment ? Never again. Now, a few days before my departure, I plan a book to read during the flight or I download music or a movie. That way, if I can’t fall asleep, I have something to keep me busy.

4 days to go: Go to your nail appointment or do your manicure at home (even more budget-friendly). The trendy color this summer, I think, is coral and it looks amazing on tanned skin.

3 days to go: Prepare your skin for your esthetician appointment. I really like to do a good exfoliation to remove dead skin and prevent ingrown hairs when they grow back. It’s also great if you plan to apply self-tanner the next day.

2 days to go: Either it’s your esthetician appointment day or you’ve maybe decided to do your hair removal at home. I like doing it two days before so my skin has time to calm down, especially if I plan to swim or sunbathe on the first day of my vacation.

1 day to go, plan a SPA night : Relax the night before your trip ! Take a warm bath, do your hair and pamper your skin with some moisturizer. Don’t forget to finish packing your bags too and to take your passeport !