If you’ve ever seen someone with mind-blowing artwork on their nails (the kind that makes you stop and say, ‘how’d they do that!’) then chances are you’ve seen Madeline Poole’s handiwork.  Here, the nail genius talks to us about her favorite purple shampoo, her obsession with foreign pharmacies, and her love of Crocs!

Describe your beauty routine when you’re traveling?

It’s usually stripped down a bit as I like to go as natural as possible when on vacation to give my skin a break. I focus on skin care and bring lots of fun masks and exfoliants with me.

What’s your hair routine when you’re traveling?

I don’t pay any attention to my hair. I always let it air-dry but when I’m in the city I’ll occasionally straighten a few pieces. I use a purple shampoo from Bleach London because I like my blonde hair to be slightly lavender – never brassy. When my hair is still wet I put Shu Uemura hair oil on the ends. It smells amazing and keeps my colored hair from drying out too much.

What are the beauty products you always bring on vacation ?

I always have my purple shampoo and hair oil. For lips I bring my favorite chapstick- it’s Weleda “Everon lip balm” and the MAC x Proenza Schoeler lipstick in “primrose” (it’s a sheer plum), just a light tint and very moisturizing, I wear it everyday and the bottle is insane – so beautiful! But my favorite matte lipstick is by NYX and costs just $6! On my skin I use Avené collection for sensitive rosacea prone skin and Dermalogica exfoliant. Every time I travel I find a new SPF because I love foreign pharmacies. I tend not to bring fragrance on trips with me but at home I wear Mondo Mondo in Doll or Summer + Smoke. My friend hand-blends them in her studio! For my nails I always have a great pedicure and usually clean nails, I groom them but rarely wear more than a base coat.

Favorite nail color for travel?

Either nothing or I like a clear or sheer tinted gelish color. But on my toes I’ll experiment. I like to wear dark like Deborah Lippman “just walk away Renee”, JINsoon “rhapsody” or Sally Hansen “jungle gem”.

When you’re traveling, do you do a regular mani/pedi or gels?

I do a regular pedicure on my toes–my toes always last long enough with regular polish, and I do a clear overlay of gels on my hands or just a base coat of regular polish.

Have you ever discovered a foreign beauty brand or product while you were traveling?

It’s one of my favorite things to do on vacation – searching through foreign pharmacies is the best. I buy skincare products and nail polishes in every country I visit. The best is in France, Italy and Japan. I love the full face mask at the pharmacies in Japan – you know the paper ones with the eye cut outs? I try different brands every time.

If your luggage was lost what are the 5 items you’d buy at the drugstore?

Sunscreen, a toothbrush, coconut oil, face wash and definitely a razor!

WHAT ARE YOUR MUST-HAVE ITEMS WHEN YOU’RE TRAVELING?

Haha, Crocs (what can I say…they’re great!), amazing sunglasses, playing cards.