My Travel Beauty Must-Haves

A few weeks ago, I posted briefly about what beauty products I carry when I travel.  Staring down the barrel of a 10-day trip, I thought it might be a good time to talk about them in depth.

First, let’s start with the bags.  These Dagne Dover Hunter bags are the best.  I love them.  They’re easily the best makeup bag I’ve ever owned.

These makeup bags come in three sizes — small, large, x-large.  I own the large (9×5″) and x-large (11×5.5″).   They’re big enough to hold everything you will ever need to take on a trip.  Each bag also contain matching mesh pouches to hold little trinkets (bobby pins, Q-tips, etc.).

The reason I love these bags so hard is the fabric.  On my first trip with them, I spilled foundation all over the large one.  A little soap, a little scrub in the sink, and a couple hours later the bag was clean and dry.  The material is also incredibly durable.

And did I mention the 12 great colors they come in?  The color above is Dune, and it’s like a desert-mauve.

Now, that we’ve talked about bags, let’s talk about beauty products.

When I travel, even though I always check a bag (I know, I’m the last one), I must have travel size products.  Here are the ones I can’t live without.

Kopari Coconut Melt. The mini-size of this makeup removing wonder is now a must-pack for me.  Nothing removes all of my makeup so well and with so little irritation.  Just remember to wipe it off instead of rinsing, or else it can clog your pipes.  (And it’s solid, so it doesn’t count toward your 3oz rule if you’re carrying on.)

It! Cosmetics Cleanser. After 35, my skin became very sensitive to the harsh face washes of my misspent youth. It! Confidence in a Cleanser is like a break for your face.  It’s sulfate, paraben, and soap free.  It cleans wonderfully, but also gently.  Your skin will thank you.

Drybar Hot Toddy.  My ends get fried from all the heat I put on my hair.  I use Drybar’s Hot Toddy Mist (just switched from the cream, because the mist is lighter) to protect my hair from my hot rollers.  It’s also a great substitute for dry conditioner on second day hair.

Drybar Detox. Dry shampoo is a travel necessity because you never know when you’ll need to get ready in a hurry.  Detox is my favorite.  It doesn’t give me scalp itch, blends well, and the scent doesn’t make me gag (but I would prefer no scent at all).  For tips on making your dry shampoo work better, see last week’s post.

Davines Hair Masks. I can use whatever garbage shampoo the hotel provides as long as I have good conditioner.  Davines Renaissance is my favorite.  It comes in a sealed pouch, so I use it when I’m there and re-cap it when I leave.

Patchology Eye Gels. Between planes, climate changes, and lack of sleep, the skin around my eyes gets so dry when I travel.  These soothing, anti-aging eye gels refresh and moisturize to make me look less like Lurch from the Addams’ Family.

Atelier Cologne Perfume. I am addicted to this Pomelo Paradis perfume.  It smells like a tangy grove of ripe citrus fruit.  It’s not heavy or overpowering, just fresh and vibrant.  I don’t often find perfumes that don’t give me a headache, but I’ve never had a problem with this one.

Glossier Stretch Concealer. On the days when I don’t want to wear makeup, I apply Glossier’s concealer under my eyes and over my acne.  Swipe on some of their Wowder powder, and a hint of blush and call it a day.

Simple Modern Water Bottle. Travel is so dehydrating.  If I don’t pack a water bottle, I never get enough water.  This insulated one is my favorite.  It keeps hot drinks hot, and cold ones icy for several hours.  Never go thirsty again.

What are your travel must-haves?  And if you could only share one tip for travel beauty, what would it be?

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