Packing for trips beyond the weekend can mean overstuffed suitcases of items you never use. I get it. You’re planning for all of the what-ifs. Been there, done that, and I have the sweaty memories to show for it. (After lugging my bags around on the cobblestone streets of Portugal, I quickly learned that less is truly the only way to go.) If you’ve ever found yourself in a similar situation, you know it’s a workout you didn’t sign up for, and if said streets or stations have any elevation…send…help.
Shoes and beauty products are two places, in particular, I’ve struggled with in the past. As a beauty editor, I once thought traveling was *the* opportune time to put all of the new products I’ve been wanting to try to the test. Plot twist: I rarely tried the new stuff until I was back home, and I simply ended up carrying a bunch of extra weight for no reason. This Travel season, I’m opting out of overstuffing and in to packing mindfully—aka switching out larger packaging for products I love in smaller doses. It also means thinking about what I’m really going to use. Curating this list was more complex than I thought, but I did it. Keep scrolling to see my top picks and the best beauty products I recommend for traveling.
I discovered this case on TikTok (the girlies love it), and it’s truly the best addition to my travel routine. Before this case, I was packing three to four little bags filled with hair products, makeup, skincare, and miscellaneous things. With this case, I can store everything in one place and can actually see it all too. I find the medium size option is the perfect, but if you’re a chronic over-packer, the large may be your best option.
This gel-to-oil cleanser rinses away the day without stripping the skin. The glass bottle is great for at-home use, but this mini size is excellent for travel. And if you’re worried about running out quickly, don’t. A little goes a long way, just make sure to apply it to dry skin first!
This cream-to-milk cleanser is the first step in my skincare routine, and coupling it with a warm towel on my face feels heavenly. Additionally, the clean formula is packaged in a tube that can be packed in any bag without taking up too much space.
I can’t remember the last time I used a peel at home. However, this one from Shani Darden is a clear winner for me. This peel makes my skin brighter and softer without overstimulating my reactive skin. Because it’s both a peel and mask in one, you’re killing two birds with one stone while taking up minimal space.
If you enjoy a 12-step skincare routine, I absolutely love that for you, but for me, it’s just too many steps. (Not too mention, packing multiple bottles—even if they’re only one ounce—can take up way too much space.) I love that this cult-love essence has vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and a host of other ingredients curated to hydrate, brighten, and restore in just one step.
This service has been a game-changer for me. I don’t have to leave my home to see a derm or pick up my prescription. That means no pre-trip prescription refill anxiety, and the team checks in often to ensure the formula is working for me sans irritation.
Heavy moisturizers aren’t typically my thing, so I always pack an ultra-hydrating serum. This honey-infused formula nourishes my skin without breaking it out, and the gorgeous packaging fits into my organizer with ease. Plus, since it has a pump, I don’t have to worry about spills.
Want a skin nourisher sans actives that takes up zero space in a carry-on, is eco-conscience, and gives you just the right dose every time? You’ve met your match with these capsules.
Masks are a travel essential for me, and because my skin is congestion-prone, I like investing in masks that prevent breakouts while also keeping my skin supple and hydrated. Not only does this formula help combat new pimples, but it’s also formulated with soothing green tea to help reduce inflammation, and honey to encourage skin cell repair.
Sleep masks are one of the essentials that help me sleep on long-haul flights and when I’m adjusting to a new time zone. The band keeps this in place whether I’m trying to get comfy on the plane or nestling into my pillow, and I can fold it up and place it in my backpack with ease.
I slather this formula on my lips every night. However, packing a large tub of Vaseline just isn’t space-conscious. Luckily, there are mini tubs that fit in my backpack and cosmetic organizer.
This innovative set not only keeps my gums and teeth healthy, but the UV case disinfects, charges, and keeps all of the essentials in one place.
I love my large jars of physical body exfoliators, but they just aren’t ideal for a less-is-more approach to packing. Enter this chemical exfoliating serum that’s formulated with glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids alongside gluconolactone to help smooth the skin and unclog pores while you sleep. The fact that it’s housed in a 3.38-ounce bottle wins it bonus points
Since I can’t pack all my shower time products from Costa Brazil, I’ll settle for this travel-sized body oil infused with passion fruit, pataua, and bacuri butter. It smells like a dream and melts into the skin without messy, oily residue.
How so little of this formula is needed for SPF coverage is beyond me. For that reason, it makes an excellent travel companion because the mini bottle can fit into even the snuggest of packing spaces.
Since my second fibroid surgery, I’ve become a supplement girlie. But traveling with bottles of my HUM Nutrition essentials like OMG Omega the Great, Here Comes The Sun, Gut Instinct and my Arrae Bloat Alchemy Capsules overload my backpack. But, Cadence’s latest launch offers a customizable system with a range of sizes and a new extender option to store more if you’re planning a long travel excursion. For example, for my larger supplements (the fish oil), the large is definitely needed. But for my probiotics and vitamin D, the medium option is perfect. These truly help save space, keep me organized, and they’re pretty.
I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this shave cream as much as I do, but the silky rosehip and sea buckthorn oil-infused cream leaves my legs smooth and hydrated after each use. Not to mention, the tube packaging makes it easy to pack versus a traditional can or bottle of shaving cream.
I can’t get enough of this skin care-infused primer formulated with Augustinus Bader’s signature TFC8 technology. In addition to using it under my makeup, I love using the bronze-tinted formula when I’m traveling bare-faced (which is most days).
Liquid foundations are one of my least favorite products to pack. Firstly, they take up tons of space. Secondly, there’s a huge risk of spillage. This foundation stick not only matches my skin to the letter without mixing colors, but the stick travels like a champ and comes with a built-in kabuki brush that makes for easy and effortless blending.
From full-face coverage to contouring, this multi-pencil can do it all. Instead of my usual bronzer compact, I used this pencil to contour when I’m on the go and trying to save space. Just be sure to pack a jumbo sharpener!
This blush is an internet sensation; sometimes, when things are overhyped, they don’t live up to their reputation. Not here. This oil blush is beautiful on everything from bare skin to full-bodied makeup looks—and the tiny packaging makes it perfect for packing.
Loose powders were my go-to until I discovered this one. Not only is the little gold compact beautiful, but the talc-free formula sets makeup, stops oil in its tracks, and looks great on my brown skin. No ash in sight.
Brows are essential, and one thing I always struggle with is filling them in without overdoing it. This eyebrow wax packs in the pigment, and I can leave my brow pencil at home. Additionally, the formula is easy to work with and looks natural, even if I get a little heavy-handed.
Monochromatic looks are a simple way to brighten the face without using an overabundance of products. This newbie from Ami Colé is a buildable multitasker, as you can apply the fragrance-free formula to the cheeks and lips. The shade Flame is currently my go-to.
I really enjoy creating depth on my lids with bronzey, gold hues. This five-piece compact from Dior is all I need.
When Rare Beauty first launched, I fell in love with the blush and this setting mist. I’ve only just realized it comes in a mini, and it’s now a part of my travel beauty toolkit.
I am too lazy of a beauty girl to clean multiple brushes and sponges—it’s just not going to happen. I feel like the brand was thinking of me when it designed this brush. I use it to blend my foundation, concealer, contour, and blush! This might be a beauty faux pas, but it works swimmingly for me.
Multiple broken full-sized perfume bottles later, I don’t even think about traveling with them anymore. I love the notes of Glossier You, and it’s cool I can bring the fragrance with me in a tiny solid form that I can drop into any bag I’m carrying—even a fanny pack!
This new drop is rockstar material if you’re traveling for festival season or a concert, and the leather, saffron, and rose notes really jump out. This one is worth a spritz if you like unique, less floral fragrances.
This fragrance sparked my love of perfume, mainly because I loved the bottle. I can take the handy mini size wherever I go in the same stiletto-shaped bottle! For application, the bottle’s heel pops off, unlike the full-sized bottle which has a spray pump.
I typically have my hair braided when I travel, but I don’t neglect washing, conditioning, and replenishing the moisture of my curls. With Pattern’s three-piece set, I get all my essentials nestled into one travel-friendly mesh bag. Hot tip: I also add the mini mousse into the mix reset my braids, post-wash.
Okay. This mud mask isn’t exactly travel-sized, but I love using it on my scalp when wearing scalp braids because it keeps my scalp flake-free and feeling its best. So, it always comes with me. Luckily, because it’s housed in a tube, it’s easy to wedge into even the most overstuffed suitcase.
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