Travelling is my love language, but it sure does wreak havoc on my skin, hair, and beauty regime. After 15 years of adventures, I’ve finally found a few hero products that help me look and feel my best, even in intense heat and humidity. Here you’ll find my must-have travel beauty products, along with some top packing tips!
How to Pack Beauty Products for Travel
Packing travel beauty products can be a hassle. There’s nothing worse than arriving at your destination to discover a spillage inside your suitcase! The best way to prevent this is to pack your products into freezer bags before putting them in your travel beauty case. I also separate my travel beauty products into categories to make it easier to find and organise them while I’m away.
I use this White Company travel beauty case for larger bath and skincare items like shampoo, moisturizer, and SPF. Then, I put my smaller, everyday makeup items in a drawstring pouch like this one (pictured above) so I can easily open it up and find what I need quickly. This is ideal if you like to touch up your makeup while travelling and arrive at your destination feeling fresh.
So, What are My Must-Have Travel Beauty Products?
Avon Skin So Soft Dry Oil Spray | £15 for a pack of three
This is absolutely number one on my list of the top travel beauty products because I never go on any trip without it. I am one of those unlucky people that gets EATEN ALIVE by mosquitos, and am also very allergic to the bites, which leads to awful, ugly welts and agony for days on end.
Of course, traditional mosquito repellent with DEET is always best and essential for tropical destinations. However, I’ve found this AVON dry oil spray works well enough when you don’t want to soak yourself in chemicals.
It smells nice, it makes your skin soft and shiny, AND it seems to keep the mosquitos at bay. I call that a win, win, win.
I always pop a bottle in my beach bag in case I end up staying out past sunset, and use it for light mosquito protection in places like Spain, Italy, etc. In tropical destinations like the Caribbean, I use this during the day and DEET protection at night.
Lee Stafford Anti-Humidity Hair Spray | £14
I have naturally wavy hair that definitely ‘gains a little extra body’ in the humidity (please tell me you get the reference)! To combat this, I’ve found Lee Stafford Anti-Humidity hair spray does the trick. I just spray a little on dry hair before going out in the evening to keep things frizz-free for a few hours.
It won’t work miracles in very high-humidity conditions or actual rain, but it’s the only product I’ve found that seems to have some effect in taming those annoying flyaways. If you have any other curl-calming recommendations, let me know in the comments!
Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Poreless Primer SPF 50 | £40
No list of travel beauty products could be complete without a mention of SPF. Essential for your skin (even when you’re at home), SPF not only protects you from cancer, and premature aging, making it a no-brainer really.
When I’m travelling, I love products that can multitask to save room in my suitcase. This primer brings not only broad spectrum protection but also serves as a smooth base for make-up to prevent it from sliding away in the heat.
Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Drops | £14
These self-tanning drops go hand-in-hand with the previous item on my list of must-have travel beauty products.
Since I always wear SPF 50 and a hat to protect the skin on my face, it rarely picks up a tan like the rest of my body does. Instead, I simply mix these Isle of Paradise self-tanning drops with my everyday moisturiser for a realistic glow that blends with the rest of my body.
They’re easy to use (even for someone who never fake tans), and you only need a drop or two for a nice bronze finish. I use the medium, but you can also get light or dark depending on your natural complexion!
E.L.F. Stay All Night Setting Mist | £9
I have combination skin, but makeup does tend to sit a little more slippery in hot and tropical destinations. To combat this, I use a simple E.L.F setting mist to keep everything in place, whether it’s just a little foundation for the beach or a whole face of makeup for an evening out.
Clinique Waterproof Mascara | £18
This has been one of my favourite travel beauty products since I was about 15. I’ve seriously never found a mascara that makes my eyelashes pop like this one, and if it wasn’t waterproof I’d wear it every single day. I always get compliments when I’m wearing it!
It’s ideal for giving you that little bit of extra confidence around the pool or at the beach and is also perfect for those days when you’re going straight from the beach to the bar.
This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray | £18
Not sure if this strictly belongs in a list of travel beauty products, but I’m including it all the same! This Works Deep Sleep Spray is perfect if you struggle to sleep in new places, or often get jet-lagged. The lack of sleep when you travel, can cause havoc to your skin, which is why I always pack this bad boy to help me drift off in new destinations.
Spray it on your travel pillow and you may even get some sleep en route to your destination, helping you arrive looking and feeling more refreshed!
What are your must-have travel beauty products? Let me know in the comments!
Or are you looking for more travel essentials? Check out this list of gifts for luxury travel lovers.
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