Travel Essentials - what are your must-haves when traveling?

[itsfi]

Makeup, skincare, body care, hair care, etc. - what are your must-haves when traveling?

Whether your approach to packing for a trip is a minimalist, moderate or maximalist one, whether you're going for work or play, by train, plane or car, or whether your vacation plans involve playing in the sun & sand, or with skis & snow, or anything between, let us know your travel essentials. 

Also, be sure to check out The Travel Beauty Thread 

[itsfi]

Travel Essentials: The Sunblock Edit (SEPHORiA 2024: Atlanta, GA)

These are the SPF beauties I took with me on my recent trip to Atlanta; a couple of these are ones that were  active in my summer sunblock rotation (and ones that I'll continue to reach for this fall).

Hair/Scalp: I didn't pack a hat with me this trip so I made sure to include the COOLA Scalp & Hair Sunscreen & Color Protection Mist with SPF 30 in my toiletries bag. This keeps my scalp protected without making my hair greasy. I've had this in my SPF stash for 5+ years; there are other scalp SFPs out there that perform well, but I keep coming back to this one.

Face: I have gotten into the habit of bringing at least 2 different SPFs with me when on vacation - one with a thinner consistency (on this trip, it was Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Mineral Milk Sunscreen SPF 30 1.7 oz / 50 mL) and one with a thicker consistency (OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 30 1.7 oz / 50 mL). To be fair, the OleHenriksen isn't thick - it has a light whipped texture but it's more of a cream whereas the Summer Fridays has more of an emulsion / lotion texture. Both are favorites and in my top 5 as far as face sun protection go

I also packed Dr. Jart+ Mini Cicapair™ Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment 0.5 oz/ 15 mL in the event I experienced a rosacea flare up. I use this more often as part of my makeup routine (makeup with skincare benefits) as a primer, to conceal redness on my cheeks and even tone. In my everyday, this is something I reach for occasionaly on weekends when I'm wearing minimal makeup (for both a no-makeup-makeup look as well as no makeup / bare minimum makeup). While this has an SPF in it, I use this in addition to whatever sunblock I'm using and not in lieu of.

Body: SEPHORA COLLECTION Daily Mineral Sunscreen Cream SPF 30 1.7 oz. / 50 ml is often overlooked, which is too bad, because they have a lot of amazing products, at a fraction of the price. They're not just good for the price point; they're good period. One of those items is this mineral sunblock. I picked up a backup when it was 50% off ($10) and like to use it for sun protection on my body (as well as my face).

Cross posted to National SPF Day ☀️ 

[heartsmyface]

@itsfi  Okay, I didn’t know hair sunscreen was a thing!  Does it feel like hairspray?  Tell me more! 

[ather]

@itsfi  Omg I am sure I just asked you about the Scalp SPF!! Nice to hear this has been a fav of your for years!! I 100% agree with you on the Sephora Collection products! They are amazing! 

[itsfi]

A few of the Sephora Collection items are HG / GOAT 🐐 products for me @ather. They can be overlooked, underrated sometimes. 😞 

[itsfi]

Travel Essentials: The Skincare Edit (Summer-to-Fall)

The summer-to-fall months can be a challenge for me when it comes to my skincare. This year, the weather at home has deviated from what I've been used to, with more humidity than I've been accustomed to. Looking at the weather in Atlanta, it seemed as if my current summer-to-fall (and fall) skincare routine could work so that's what I packed with me. 

As you can see, my skincare travel essentials is much more pared down than say, the makeup I took with me - 

itsfi's SEPHORiA makeup bag - which was, admittedly, overkill. 🙄 

Cleanser: The Tatcha The Indigo Cleansing Balm Moisturizing Makeup Remover 1.9 oz / 54 g served as both my first and second cleanser (and morning cleanser). At home, I usually use a water-based cleanser with a gel consistency for my second cleanse, but there are evenings when I will do two passes of this Tatcha balm if I'm just too tired (or lazy) to reach for a different cleanser.

Essence & Serums: I employ the lightest to densest or thinnest to thickest approach when it comes to my essences and serums as some of my go-to essences, like the CosRx, are thicker than traditional essences. It's a couple drops of EADEM Milk Marvel Dark Spot Serum with Niacinamide and Vitamin C 1 oz/ 30 mL and when that has absorbed, I apply a layer of the CosRx Snail Mucin Essence, followed by the Rhode Glazing Serum. This makes my skin feel supple and hydrated. All 3 are GOATs 🐐 for me. For my morning routine, I occassionally will use just 1 or 2 of these items, depending on how my skin is doing or how I'm feeling. 

Moisturizer: The warmer weather has meant that I've been able to more consistently incorporate the Rhode Barrier Restore Cream into my routine as a moisturizer (look @ather, it's in my routine as it is meant to be used and not repurposed in the serum step like I sometimes do in the winter months). 

SPF: I brought a few sunscreens with me on this past trip - I'll post those to the National SPF Day ☀️ thread later this week or early next (making note to self...)

Eye Product: Okay, let me just start off by saying that my knee jerk reaction to the LANEIGE Bouncy & Firm Eye Brightening Sleeping Mask with Peony + Collagen Complex™ .7 oz / 20 g was to wonder if this was more gimmicky than anything. Well, I was proved wrong. This has been performing well as a nighttime eye cream. At first I wondered whether my having gotten better sleep might have attributed to my under eyes looking bettr in the mornings and that certainly doesn't hurt, but this has helped with the puffiness and dark circles - I've noticed a slight difference the morning after nights when I have had a harder time with sleep - usually getting up early and not really being able to fall back to sleep (or if I can, not for any long periods). I need more time with this product and need to be more consistent with using it, but so far, after about a month of use, I've been happily surprised with the results. 👍

[heartsmyface]

@itsfi  I love this photo!!!  And your layering sounds heavenly!  I’m nearing the end of a Dr Brandt Dark Spots No More and once that’s finished I want to try that EADEM.  

[peculiarzmakeup]

What a beautiful collection I like how you adjust to different weather conditions these are such helpful thinking points. I can agree that the Tatcha The Indigo Cleansing Balm Moisturizing Makeup Remover 1.9 oz / 54 g is a must! I actually haven’t tried the other ones. The Rhode Beauty Skincare line sounds like a great product skin duo! I might have to venture into that one of these days, it’s something that’s been on my mind. Beautiful. And it’s okay I think some trips have more essentials and some may have less it’s an ebb and flow! Great update, thank you for it! @itsfi 

[itsfi]

@peculiarzmakeup, when I travel I usually account pack skincare extras - like masks and facial oils - to account for how my skin might respond to being on a place, the HVAC in hotel conference rooms, and the weather - cooler temps and seasons means I may need a heavier moisturizer or oil and warmer, humid climates usually call for a moisturizer with lighter consistency but still packs a punch as far as hydration goes. 

You’re very kind; thank you. I don’t think I’ve ever packed that much makeup with me. I don’t know what came over me. 😝 If anything it helped to curb any makeup shopping during my trip this time. Hahaha! Though I did go into a Sephora while I was there, purely for academic purposes - to see if there was anything new or that I’ve been eyeing but haven’t been able to get in my local stores. 😆 

[peculiarzmakeup]

That’s always a great idea to go to Sephora there I love that! You have some great strategies! Keep it up! ❤️ @itsfi 

[itsfi]

I don't always get to make my way to a Sephora store when I'm out of town, but it can make for a nice souvenir from the trip @peculiarzmakeup. @Mellmars1185 had the right idea with ordering the Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Gloss Bomb Swirl Twisted Lip Luminizer Fu$$y Flex that we both were able to try on at SEPHORiA and having it arrive at her home around the time she returned. I did BOPIS order of it 🛍 - going to pick up the purchase is good motivation for getting in a nice walk outdoors. 😉 If I'm going to have to walk back with stuff also keeps me from buying too much. 😅 

[Mellmars1185]

How exciting! I have been thinking about this gloss since. It is not only beautiful, but attached with great memories. What a smart idea to do a BOPIS order. You can also get extra points for the current challenge (if you have not already). I don't know about where you are but it is a beautiful day for a walk. I am excited for you! I wonder if you will pick up anything else along the way 🤔?

[ather]

@itsfi  Yay!!! You are using the Rhode BRC it’s so good!!! I just opened a bottle the other day when I finished my SF cream! I love how paired down it is! You did so good. 😊 I need to learn from you! 

Ok so I had a chuckle when you said the LANEIGE Bouncy & Firm Eye Brightening Sleeping Mask with Peony + Collagen Complex™ .7 oz / 20 g could be a gimmick but now I am intrigued. This sounds like a miracle in a bottle. Appearing more awake. I need this. Now I must try this for science. 

[itsfi]

@ather, as my skin is changing as I get older, it’ll be interesting to see how the RBC fits into my rotation. Learn from me?!! Nah, learn from you! I do better now with a more streamlined set of skincare basics, adding masks and treatments in when and as appropriate. Speaking of which, am thinking through what the masking routine will be looking like this fall and winter, particularly with sheet masks. 🤔 oh, the eye mask has taken me by surprise. I’ve changed my position on eye creams a bit since when I really started getting into skincare but I wasn’t expecting to like this one as much as I do. I see a difference when I don’t use it. 

[peculiarzmakeup]

Travel Must Haves

One thing that has been extremely helpful in determining my must haves for travel is by visualizing it in my mind before seeing my collection, the things I recall in each category speak to what I use daily and for different occasion's, I then can add what I want from the collection! 

Cleanser

Tatcha The Matcha Cleanse Daily Clarifying Gel Cleanser 5 oz / 150 ml ( I tend to bring minis of this)

Moisturizer

Tatcha Mini The Water Cream 0.34 oz / 10 mL 

Tatcha Mini Indigo Overnight Repair Serum in Cream Treatment 0.34 oz / 10 mL 

Primer

Tatcha Mini Liquid Silk Canvas: Featherweight Protective Primer 0.35 oz/ 10g

Foundation, Concealer, Beauty Blender

Kosas Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation SPF25 with Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide Very Light Cool ... 

Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer with Caffeine and Hyaluronic Acid Tone 1.5 C 

Kosas Revealer Dual-Ended Makeup Blender Sponge 

Bronzer

MERIT Bronze Balm Sheer Sculpting Bronzer Quince 

Blush

MERIT Flush Balm Cream Blush Stockholm 

Eye Brow

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Brow Harmony Flexible Lifting and Laminating Eyebrow Gel 0.15 oz / 4.5 g 

Mascara and Eyeliner

Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara 

Danessa Myricks Beauty Linework Paintbrush Fluid Liquid Eyeliner 0.034 oz / 1 ml 

Highlighter

MERIT Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm BounceMERIT Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm Bounce

Lip Product

ROKAEL BEAUTY 1111

Would like to try a red/ pink lippie to wear with other looks

Eyeshadow

Danessa Myricks Beauty Groundwork: Defining Neutrals - Palette For Eyes, Brows, Face & Lips 

(gonna try an idea of putting it in penny holders to save space will be shown in photos

Haircare 

Foils or purchase at families location I usually stay a month

Cleansing Balm and Makeup Remover 

Tatcha The Indigo Cleansing Balm Moisturizing Makeup Remover 1.9 oz / 54 g 

Foils

TBD

 

 (penny holders might be helpful to put shadow in I’m gonna try it one of these days 🙂 )

[ather]

@peculiarzmakeup  Wow. This is such a great lineup of items! I also love bringing minis with me when I travel. It gives more room and I don’t worry if it explodes or I leave it behind!!! You use the best products too!! Tatcha is so good!!! 😊 

[peculiarzmakeup]

Thank you so much 🙂 I know Tatcha is great! And minis are amazing less is more ❤️🫶 @ather 

[itsfi]

@peculiarzmakeup, I love that Tatcha offers mini sizes ♥️ - great for trying out their products and for travel. Their cleansing balm is fantastic, a repeated repurchase for me. Curious about the RB eye brow gel - how’s the wand on it - is it in the shorter end? 

[peculiarzmakeup]

Thank you so much @itsfi 

I adore the Tatcha mini collection as well I wish they made a minis set but on the direct site they do have the option to curate your own travel site and recieve a cute little bag which is nice.

the RB eyebrow laminating gel does have a rather short wand

 it is a repurshase for me 

and same for the tatcha cleansing balm 🙌

[itsfi]

Ooouh, I like the size of that wand. Thank you for the pic. I'll add the RB to the list of brow gels to try @peculiarzmakeup, though it'll probably take me a while to get around to it - brow products are one of the only makeup categories where I only have a couple / few open products at a time - that's a rarity for me so I try to keep to it. 😆 That said, I will probably be due to open a new brow gel soon-ish (by or before the end of the year).

@ather, have you tried the Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Brow Harmony Flexible Lifting and Laminating Eyebrow Gel 0.15 oz / 4.5 g? 

[peculiarzmakeup]

That will be a neat experience to add a new one to your collection. It is a really lovely product I suggest applying lightly when adding to eyebrows because it can get a bit of glue in the eyebrow if it’s done in a faster pace with thicker gel. I hope you enjoy it if you do get it! It’s always cool to learn of different types of product categories ❤️ @itsfi