The Ultimate Travel Beauty Bag

Top Skincare, Cosmetics, and Beauty Essentials to Pack for Your Next Trip

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Never is there ever a harder edit than deciding how much of your beauty haul to bring with you on vacation. Whether you are limited by suitcase space or by TSA restrictions, it is a grueling exercise (usually at the last minute) to think through the skincare and make-up items you absolutely cannot travel without.

This post will provide a guide to the must-haves, which of course will vary depending on where you are going and what you are doing. After all, a spa getaway vs. hiking adventure vs. glam city break will understandably result in different packing lists.

So, let’s break it down:)

• Skin Care
• Cosmetics
• Hair & Body
• Hygiene

Skincare

Skincare is usually the easiest category for me to pack because it is by far the most important part of my daily self-care. Whether a quick weekend get-away or an extended long haul trip, my skin care essentials are the same. The only decision is whether to bring a travel-size or full-size set.

I’m brand loyal when it comes to skin care, and I advise never introducing a new skin care product while on vacation because you never know how your skin will react to something new. Stick to what works. Save the trial-and-error experience for home.

My essentials include a cleanser, eye cream, hydration serum, day/night serums, moisturizer and SPF. I’ve been using Drunk Elephant for years and love The Littles. This set is TSA-friendly, but the sizes are big enough that they last through my longer trips.

If a long haul flight is involved, I like to slip a little retinol eye mask and make-up wipes in my bag for a little de-puff and touch up before landing.

Cosmetics

Okay, this one is tough. I have my basics, but typically augment with eye shadow palettes, extra lipstick shades, etc. depending on my plans. Just keep in mind, these are travel essentials. Things are much more complicated on my bathroom counter. If you don’t already have your tried-and-true favorites, here are my top picks.

Foundation / Concealer: Personally, I don’t wear foundation. If anything, I use a tinted sunscreen or mix a few drops of D-Bronzi in my skincare for a bit of glow. However, there is always a tube of IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer in my bag. Genetic dark circles and lack of sleep after a long-haul flight are usually the culprits. A full coverage concealer (and brush) immediately fixes everything.

Brows: Not bragging, but I still have decent brow volume. So, all I have in my make-up bag is Glossier Boy Brow and a good pair of tweezers. For a heavier or more defined brow, the Benefit Precisely My Brow pencil is a bestseller for a reason.

Eyes: We all have our every day look. So, do whatever makes you feel beautiful and you won’t mind looking back on in photos. Personally, I like a neutral eyeshadow palette and/or an easy Laura Mercier Caviar Stick for daytime. If I’ll be glamming it up, I like the Natasha Denona Mini Glam Eyeshadow Palette (she has a bunch of color stories to choose from) to create an evening look.

Liquid liner and mascara are both essentials for me. I’m currently hooked on Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eye Liner and the Tower 28 Make Waves Mascara. I know I’m not alone here. Both of these products have amazing reviews and have long-lasting wearability, which is so important during long travel days. For a little sparkle, try layering Urban Decay’s Moondust. It is just the right about of 80s pizazz.

Cheeks: When traveling light, it’s just blush for me. For fancier occasions, I’ll slip a Westman Atelier Highlighter in there. If you haven’t tried Merit Flush Balm Cream Blush, you need to. The solid cream state never cracks or spills all over the inside of your bag. Plus, it is super buildable, blendable, AND can be used on your lips. You can’t mess it up and it is so super travel-friendly. Just get it. Although I don’t often travel with setting spray or powder, my favorite is Laura Mercier’s Light Catcher.

Lips: There is nothing worse than being on a long haul flight and discovering I forgot my Lippe Balm. It is more of a skin care basic than a cosmetic product, but it lives in my make-up bag and is always my base before layering on color. My two favorite brands for lip products are Nars and Lawless. Nars Afterglow (Torrid is my go-to) for all around daily wear and Lawless for pumping and shine.

Hair & Body

Moving on to hair and body, some of us are okay using the hotel amenities. Other times, you want to travel with your own products. I like the Dae shampoo/conditoner travel duo and the Necessaire Body Essentials. If your favorite products are not available in travel sizes (or if you just want to be economical), refillable bottles are awesome.

When suitcase space is tight, I forgo my heat tools and simply utilize the hotel hair dryer and my round brush. When space permits, a versatile flat iron or hot brush is so nice to have. Word to the wise though, when traveling internationally be aware of the risk of different electrical voltages blowing up your appliance. I’ve learned the hard way.

Some hair accessories are nice to have stashed inside a bag, too. I always have some bobby pins, ponytail holders, and maybe some clip barrettes, a headband, or claw clip.

Hygiene

Last, but not least, don’t forget your hygiene basics, dental care, deodorant, razor (for longer trips when checking luggage), eye drops, a nail file, and a pretty purse size fragrance. I’ll also throw in some Advil, a couple bandaids, and melatonin.

Toiletry & Cosmetic Bags

If all of the above “necessities” sound like a lot, they really pack up remarkably well. I prefer to utilize separate bags for my skincare, cosmetics, and other bathroom items. Not only does it help keep things organized, but I also find it easier to pack several smaller bags in my luggage than one large one. It is just a personal preference.

I go through cosmetic cases at an embarrassing rate. Whether I ruin them or just want a new trendy color, I’m always ordering these little guys. For bathroom toiletries and skincare, a water-resistent bag is ideal. Plus, if anything spills en route, your clothes will be better protected.

Other Travel Beauty Finds

In my endless scrolling on Amazon, I’ve come across a few other great finds that help solve some of the common issues when traveling.

Thank you for reading my post! Please feel free to add friendly comments or questions below!