My Travel Kit / Beauty and Skincare
Those that know me know I love to travel for leisure, but I also travel for work. I’ve almost got it down to a science when it comes to my cosmetics and toiletries. Yes, I have bought duplicates of my most prized possessions in skincare and makeup to permanently keep in a travel case, which I then easily throw into my luggage before a trip. For me, I still need to be comfortable while traveling. I want my favorite products handy and don’t want to sacrifice any of my routine just because I’m not at home. Sometimes this means I have to take products I only have one of in a separate little bag, but that’s a trip-by-trip choice. The below are my staples that I always have with me when I’m on the go.
What can’t you leave home without?
THE BAG:
Makeup bags and storage have always been the bane of my existence. This is mainly due to the fact it’s impossible for me to put anything back where it should go, at least in a way that makes sense. My counters are always covered in my makeup after I’ve gotten ready—luckily I know most Into the Gloss #topshelfie pics are super staged as well. This, however, is truly what my travel bag looks like (even if everything is just thrown in). I went with the Toiletry Pouch from Mochithings in Wine. I love that bottles can stand up in the largest compartment and you can easily hang the bag from a towel rack. It stays clean, lays in a (somewhat) rectangular shape in luggage, and looks sleek.
Since this bag is meant to hold everything for me (both skincare and makeup), I sometimes pack additional skincare items in a separate bag (like Glossier’s bubble pouches) to prevent any potential leakage onto my makeup brushes or powders. I only bring my full-sized Ordinary products if I’ll be somewhere for multiple nights, and this is usually when I’d use more cases.
THE ESSENTIALS:
If I were super diligent, I would have found a great eco-friendly way to compile all my toiletries in reusable containers a la Trash is for Tossers. The reality is shit happens. Sometimes your deodorant will have aluminum in it; sometimes you need a mini bottle of detangler because you refuse to get your hair cut. I took the plunge to get a Quip toothbrush for traveling as I use an electric brush at home, and do believe it’s a bit better— I could opt for a bamboo one and probably will shortly. For the most part I love my Quip, aside from some battery issues. I use any travel toothpaste I can get my hands on for cheap, same for mouthwash and deodorant. I take my own shampoo (Living Proof, Restore) incase I’m somewhere that won’t supply something I like. I also always travel with contacts, eye drops and tampons (o.b. for all the ladies out there not afraid to get messy without an applicator; I’ve tried Diva cups but I get too paranoid about leakage).
THE SKINCARE:
I’ve had enough experience to know that traveling is not the time to skimp on skincare. It’s also not the time to try out trial-sizes of cleansers or moisturizers. When I’m traveling for work, I know my skin needs to look good. I take my La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser in my own jar or The Ordinary’s Squalane Cleanser (not pictured), and thank my lucky stars the LRP Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer (with and without SPF) is small enough to be taken in a carry on! I also take a travel sized Thayer’s Witch Hazel, make up remover wipes to use in a pinch, and a travel sized Epiduo (not pictured). If I’m traveling for longer than 2-3 days, I’ll bring my Cosmedix detox scrub in a small jar as well as my Ordinary serums.
I will admit I’ve been weening off of make up remover wipes since I initially took these photos and wrote this content. I am trying to use micellar water for make up removal and reusable cotton rounds instead of my disposable ones.
THE MAKEUP:
This is the fun part. I loved the process of picking out multi-use products that are easy to travel with and that I like to wear. MAC pro shops allow you to build your own palettes, which are perfect when on the road. I take along MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation in NC15 (my staple, though I’m switching to a cleaner option without Talc) and have a palette with Taupe (to use as contour) and Melba (for blush). I can use both of those shades as a transition shade for my eye shadow and top it off with a single pot of Naked Lunch (not pictured). If my eyebrows are fading, I’ll use the Glossier Blonde Boy Brow and have been using the Glossier Stretch Concealer in Light just to use it up. For special occasions, I take along a travel sized Tarte Shape Tape. For mascara, I’m a tried and true MAC girl again with In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash in a travel size. MAC Prep and Prime is the best setting spray you can get your hands on, but I settle for a NYX Matte Finish spray if I can’t get my hands on the other.
THE TOOLS:
Morphe has done me no wrong when it comes to cosmetics brushes and they are as affordable as heck. I use an M514 in my crease and an M124 shadow brush. For face, a do a M444 for my foundation and an M459 flat contour brush, which I warp to apply my blush. They all fit beautifully in my case. Since traveling can also cause various puffiness, I’ve been traveling with my Mount Lai Gua Sha (facial lifting tool, not pictured) to use at night.
For me, it’s important to keep up with typical routines when I’m on the road. It doesn’t take much effort to handpick what you know you love and buy an extra to take along. What are your best travel hacks?