Between work, family, and vacations, I travel a LOT. Packing up and heading out on a plane to somewhere new is probably one of my favorite experiences (behind getting some bangin’ new makeup, of course.) You might think that after hundreds of flights I would have figured out how to efficiently pack my beauty routine, but alas, no such luck.
Between worrying that products will break, crack, or leak, attempting to pare down my huge stash of products to a packable amount, and trying to comply with TSA regulations for my carry-on luggage, traveling with beauty products can be a real pain in the you-know-what. While I like to switch my stash up depending on the type of trip I’m headed out on (graphic winged liner doesn’t really suit a conservative work trip), I do have a core of five products that I pack religiously.
Keep reading below to read about these five products and why I love them.
First up is my skincare soulmate, the Clarisonic Mia.
This is the smaller, less expensive – and in my opinion, more travel friendly – version of Clarisonic’s original brush. The concept is simple: you pair the brush with your current cleanser, and the vibrations of thebristles help to exfoliate, remove makeup, and unclog pores. This a critical component of my travel kit because my skin tends to freak out when I’m on planes/in cars/in different climates than I’m used to, and when I don’t bring it with me I come back with roughly textured, broken out skin. (For all my sensitive-skin girls, don’t let the idea of a scrubbing brush freak you out; they make a sensitive head that imparts all the benefits without irritating your skin!)
Next, a tried-and-true favorite in the form of MAC Fix+.
This product has been a staple in my routine for the last ten years. I use it in three different ways when traveling: 1) I apply it before my makeup as a primer, thus eliminating the need to pack a separate primer; 2) I spritz it after I finish my makeup to remove any powdery finish and boost the wear-time of my makeup; and 3) I spray it whenever my skin starts to feel dry, which is a very common occurrence on planes! How is that for multipurpose?! Oh, and they make it in a travel size, which is ideal for keeping in my carry-on.
I can’t forget my beloved Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Petal.
This is another longtime favorite of mine; I wouldn’t be surprised if I’ve been through 20+ tubes since I first discovered it. It’s a thick, emollient, ridiculously hydrating lip treatment that smells absolutely divine. Like I mentioned before, my already-dry-skin tends to get even drier on flights, and I find myself constantly reaching for this bad boy. This shade in particular – Petal – is fabulous because it departs a light pink sheen that says “I tried, but not too hard”, and isn’t that what we all want to look like? I know it’s expensive for a glorified chapstick, but I really do think that it outperforms cheaper alternatives and is worth the price tag.
This Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Powder is a [relatively] new addition, but it’s quickly become my go-to.
Having a face powder is critical, or at least for me it is, because I tend to get flushed or sweaty and just like to freshen up throughout travel days (and any day, for that matter.) I don’t like to layer liquid on top of a finished makeup look, so powder is my touch-up of choice. This one…oh my LAWD you guys, it’s like silk. I thought the whole “airbrush” thing was just gimmicky hype, but when applied over my makeup, it really does my skin look poreless, smooth, and radiant, with a nice light/medium layer of coverage.
Last, but not least, is the infallible and indelible Laura Mercier Caviar Stick.
I don’t really have words to describe how obsessed I am with these eyeshadow sticks. They come in a range of shimmery shades from light, frosted pale gold to a dark chocolatey brown. Why do they work well with travel? Well, for one, they’re not liquid or powder, so they won’t leak, break, or cause any issues with TSA’s liquid regulations. Since they’re in a stick formula, you can swipe them over your lid and blend out with your fingers for a quick, no-fuss, yet still polished look. More importantly, they are pigmented as hell with unparalleled lasting power, and God knows that I don’t want to retouch my makeup when I’m busy running around on a trip!
What do you swear by when you’re on-the-go? Have you tried these products?
xx
