How To Simplify Your Beauty Routine While Traveling

Everyone knows the worst part of traveling is packing. But the worse part of the time-consuming packing process itself is scaling down your beauty routine to fit into a travel-sized pouch and zip-lock bag. Here, we’ve compiled our best tips and tricks for paring down your products when you’re on the move.  

Streamline Your Stash

Instead of packing your entire makeup drawer, brutally comb through your supply to pick and choose only your essentials. Still don’t know where to start? Mascara, tinted moisturizer, and a cream blush (which doubles as lip color) are a great place to start. Use products you know and love, instead of trying to break out your back-of-the-bag products you use once a year. If you’re not a red lipstick girl in Los Angeles, you won’t be a red-lipstick girl in Austin, so stick to your favorites. Also, sub in multitaskers like dry oil that moisturizes your hair and body or a texturizing hair spray that adds volume and soaks up grease to save space without sacrificing style.  

Think Small

When it comes to product size, go small or stay home. Save your free samples, Birchbox products, and individual foil packet samples sandwiched inside magazines for ready-to-pack products. Be sure to limit all liquids and gels to three-fluid-ounce containers if you’re flying, or swap in solid formulas (like stick foundations, lipstick bullets, and eye pencils), if possible.     

Consider the Destination

When packing, always keep in mind where you’re going and what you’ll be doing. For instance, if you’re hiking in the Australian outback, you probably don’t need sparkly gold liquid liner—but you might if you’re going to a fancy New York City gala. If you’re in a humid, makeup-melting climate, pick primers and oil-blotting sheets—but maybe skip the blow-dryer and curling iron (instead, embrace your natural texture).  

Stay True to Your Skincare

Skin can freak out and flare up when you switch up your routine, so keep your tried-and-true cleanser, moisturizer, and facial cleansing brush in tow. The LUNA play plus is a great way to get a glow on the go, since it’s pocket-sized yet powerful, and doesn’t need a tangly charger.       

Sunscreen is Non-Negotiable

You need sunscreen 365 days a year—no exceptions. Yes, even in Seattle and other rainy destinations. Harmful UV rays can penetrate through clouds and car windows (I’m talking to you, road trippers), plus snow reflects sunlight in colder destinations, increasing your exposure. The last memory you want of your trip to Aspen or Aruba is red, sun-blistered skin. So save space but stay safe by packing a 2-in-1 formula for body and face, and don’t forget to reapply throughout the day.   Happy trails!