Minimalists, be warned: You’re about to enter the psyche of a severe overpacker. It doesn’t matter if I’m going away for three days or three weeks—every single time, I somehow wind up with multiple outfit options and a small army of beauty products in my suitcase. After all, you just never know when you’ll feel the urge to slap on an exfoliating mask or test out a twinkly new eye shadow palette. (No? Just me?) So when it came to my big summer trip—a wedding in Denver, a week with my family in Texas, and the south of France for my honeymoon—I knew my checked bag would be weighing in at over 50 pounds. (Apologies to my husband, who had to lug said bag across the European cobblestones.) Still, I attempted to be as strategic as possible with my cosmetic case, prioritizing multitasking staples that streamline my routine and instantly make me feel put together after a long-haul drive or flight. Read: a cream blush that doubles as a pretty lip tint, a brightening serum that eliminates the need for highlighter, a sunscreen that functions as a buttery moisturizer, and plenty more you’ll find below.
Did I pack way more than these 10? Of course I did. I never said I could magically overcome my chronic overpacking. But here are the 10 essentials I used the most and, if I had the foresight, would have been the only items I brought.
My 10 Favorite Skincare and Makeup Products to Travel With
I wake up super red and blotchy (even more so after long travel days), so starting my mornings with this calming, aloe-based toner was a must. I used it every single day after cleansing to rebalance and hydrate, and my skin has never looked calmer.
After applying my beloved mandelic acid serum, I’ll follow up with four drops of the brand’s Storm Serum, which further soothes my travel-stressed skin barrier and targets discoloration. I don’t even use moisturizer after (it’s that hydrating), and it leaves behind the prettiest dewy glow. I didn’t touch my highlighter once!
As soon as I touched down in France, I made sure to pick up a new bottle of my beloved Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse. The fast-absorbing formula makes my limbs glisten without feeling sticky, and the vanilla, magnolia and orange blossom scent is divine. No perfume necessary. I applied it every morning before heading to the beach, making sure to add an extra spritz on my collarbones and shoulders before dinner.
As I mentioned earlier, I haven’t been wearing moisturizer during the day. Instead, I apply the aforementioned hydrating serum then finish off my routine with this mineral milk sunscreen from Summer Fridays. In addition to zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for sun protection, the formula boasts ceramides, glycerin, and a host of antioxidants to hydrate and protect skin. So yes, it’s truly moisturizing enough to use on its own.
Yes, Hailey Bieber’s highly-anticipated bronzer is worth the hype. Creamy and blendable, the formula never fails to make me look effortlessly sun-kissed. I apply on my cheeks, hairline, lids, and on the bridge of my nose for a full-on toasty effect, sans blush. Trust me, it looks so natural.
That doesn’t mean I give up blush entirely! On days I crave a girlier, rosier flush, Prada’s cream-to-powder blush does just the trick. I apply on those same spots I mentioned above (my cheeks, hairline, lids, and bridge of my nose) for some more subtle color, plus a tap on my lips to commit to the monochromatic beat. If I could only use one makeup product for the entire summer, it’d definitely be this versatile pigment.
With a plumping, ceramide-rich formula that’s just as elevated as its rosy-brown pigment, Anfisa’s Ân-Gloss is the ultimate skincare-makeup hybrid. I bring it with me on every flight, as I know it’ll deeply moisturize my lips in the air and provide a healthy wash of color for my post-airport plans.
Some people swear by blotting papers, but I’m much more of a pressed powder touch-up kind of girl. This Guerlain number is my current nonnegotiable since it subtly color-corrects as it blurs pores, and, not for nothing, the compact is just so pretty. I’d bring it everywhere for that reason alone, but it also does an incredible job at soaking up excess oil without leaving me looking too matte.
My ride-or-die complexion product whether I’m traveling or not, Merit’s The Minimalist is the definition of a multitasking hero. I often use it for my whole base (blend it with Rhode’s Highlight Milk and thank me later), but on days when I crave just a bit of coverage, I can use it to spot conceal precise areas of discoloration. It works like a charm every single time.
You’ll never catch me without a hydrating mist in my summer tote. I currently can’t get enough of Anua’s silky spray, which contains suspended capsules of PDRN, hyaluronic acid, and collagen for optimal absorption. A bonus: It’s exactly 100 milliliters, so I can bring it in my carry-on for a mid-flight refresh.
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