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After a year of canceled plans and lots of home time, we were finally able to take some trips this summer. I used to have my packing plan down to a science and could pack for a weekend away in a matter of minutes, especially when it came to my beauty products and skincare—I had all my travel sizes and backup products ready to go. With recent travels though, I found myself scrambling trying to remember what essentials I needed to pack and how to maximize space. I found myself on a recent trip with four moisturizers (when one would have done the trick) and random products I never use. That’s when I realized I need some beauty travel tips.
After chatting with Laura Lemon, founder of Lemon Laine—my favorite retail shop for all things natural beauty and wellness—I realized I’m not alone. Apparently, a lot of fellow beauty-lovers have had similar challenges. If you can relate and desperately could use a beauty packing refresher, scroll on for Laura’s top beauty travel tips for maximizing space while still making sure you have all your favorite necessities.
Read on for all of Lemon’s beauty travel tips and products!
Your Beauty Packing List:
But first, our bare essentials beauty packing list:
Skincare:
- Face wash
- Cotton pads and cups
- Toner
- Serum / Moisturizer / Eye cream
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
Bodycare:
- Shower gel
- Razor
- Body lotion
- Deodorant
- Perfume
- Nail clippers
- Dental floss
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
Haircare:
- Shampoo / Conditioner
- Hairbrush
- Hairstyling products (think: hair spray, serum, dry shampoo, etc.)
- Curling iron or straightener if absolutely necessary!
- Hairbands and bobby pins
Makeup:
- Makeup tools and brushes
- Foundation / tinted moisturizer / concealer
- Blush/bronzer
- Highlighter (a nice face oil lightly patted on the top of your cheekbones can double as a highlighter too!)
- Eyeshadow (can double as an eyeliner. Just get your liner brush damp and swirl into the shadow to make the perfect custom liner)
- Mascara
- Brow products (gel, pencil, etc.)
- Lipstick or gloss
Beauty Travel Tips and Tricks:
Lean on multi-purpose products.
A no-brainer on saving space, multi-purpose products are more multi than you might think. Speaking from experience, a single jar of Egyptian Magic Balm can save you if you accidentally leave your toiletry bag behind. I’ve used it for a face cleansing balm and as a finishing oil for my hair, and everything in between. Another go-to is makeup that doubles as skincare. Larky’s Mineral Powder Sunscreen, which contains antioxidants like resveratrol and green tea that help protect your skin along with SPF 30, saves you from having to bring along both another makeup powder and any additional face sun protection. Another great multi-purpose product is a cream blush, which you can use in three ways as your lip balm, blush, and eyeshadow. A personal favorite is Ilia Multistick in Dreamer.
Make your own minis.
Vacation is not the time to experiment with a whole new skincare routine. Bring along what is already working for you. In particular, be sure to take a travel-size of your current cleanser. Your skin will already feel off because of the new climate and different pH in the tap water so you want to make sure it has something familiar to avoid breakouts or dry skin. I love using portable, silicone travel bottles because they make them so easy to refill again and again.
Take a smell down nostalgia lane.
When packing for a trip to Paris several years ago, I added a mini rollerball of a new fragrance line that I had been wanting to test out for Lemon Laine. It was the best last-minute packaging decision because now every time I smell it, it takes me back to wandering the cozy streets of the Marais with my husband. From now on, I try to pair a new fragrance with any trip, big or small. If you want to save room for souvenirs, look for a body lotion like Le Paradis Tahiti Body Balm or Riddle Milky Spray Body Lotion that can double as your fragrance. You won’t regret the scent memory you’ll have forever.
Don’t forget your sunscreen.
Did you know that airplane travel (especially if you have the window seat!), exposes you to some of the highest UV levels your skin will encounter on a regular basis? Be sure to prep your skin well before take-off, plus keep it handy for the rest of your trip.