Frequent plane changes, flight delays, sub-par hotels and gas station coffee – for a seasoned traveler, it’s all just part of everyday life. But are you able to keep up your good beauty habits both at home and on-the-go? Learn how you can.
Putting your best face forward at an out-of-town business meeting means starting with healthy skin – even when jet-lag and sleepless nights in a hotel make feeling refreshed seem impossible. Learn how to pare down your regimen without making sacrifices, for skin that’s radiant and glowing even miles away from home.
1. First things first: review regulations. Before packing your carry-on, find out restrictions about how many liquids and gels you can bring, and how small the containers have to be. This will save you time later, when you realize you’ve brought too many items and have to waste time checking an extra bag. Once you know the rules, it’s time to tailor your routine to an on-the-go lifestyle.
2. Simplify your routine. If you shop smart, you only really need a handful of items in your carry-on. Here are the staples:
- Cleansing wipes. Korres Pomegranate Cleansing and DeMake Up Wipes are a great way to completely cleanse your face without having to bring another cosmetic bottle.
- Moisturizer with SPF. Bliss Fabulous Face Lotion SPF 15 is chock full of antioxidants for further anti-aging benefits.
- Lip balm. Peter Thomas Roth Matte Lip Balm Travel Size is ideal to toss into your purse or pocket.
- Treatment product. This could be an acne product if your skin is oily, or an anti-aging serum if you’re worried about wrinkles. Luckily, these usually come in small packages, but if not, look for travel-sized formulas.
- Mineral powder foundation. Finish your look with a foundation like Colorescience Retractable Foundation Brush SPF 20 - California Girl, which will even out your skin tone with a shine-free finish.
3. Test the packaging. If you’re tired of arriving at your destination only to realize that your powder compact is broken and your perfume leaked everywhere, take a moment to examine your items and decide which are truly travel-worthy.
- Put a piece of tape over the lids of your items, especially flip-top containers or those that unscrew easily.
- Put shower items or anything that’ll get wet into a separate plastic bag.
- If you’ll be putting products like shampoo and conditioner into smaller bottles yourself, fill the bottles fuller than you think you’ll need. Oftentimes it’s hard to get the product out once the bottle is running low.
- If the small size of your travel bottle makes it hard to pour in your product, you can purchase an inexpensive funnel in the kitchen section of a dollar store or discount store.
- Avoid bringing glass bottles.
- Be wary of pressed powder compacts, which have the tendency to break when knocked around too much. Loose powder is fine if it’s packaged securely.
4. Consider the climate. If you’re headed to a climate that differs greatly from what you’re used to, keep this in mind when you’re choosing what to bring. Landing in a hot, dry location? You might need a little more moisture than usual. Going somewhere humid? Bring lightweight products and, if you occasionally break out, slip an acne-fighting formula into your suitcase, too.
5. Think outside the bottle. Good things come in towelettes too! These products are mess-proof, spill-proof and airport-friendly.
6. Maximize moisture. Air travel can severely dehydrate your skin, so be sure to stay hydrated – inside and out. Drink lots of water before and after your flight, and if you’re prone to dry skin, pack a hydrating serum like ARCONA Hydrating Serum to protect your skin from stress and dry air.
7. Use travel as an opportunity. Are there some product lines you’ve been wanting to try? Consider this a time to experiment with new scents and products, rather than a time to “do without.” Many companies package some of their best-selling or basic products into a kit that not only lets you try something new, but makes packing that much easier. Here are a few kits to try:
- Somme Institute Mobile Travel Kit contains five travel-sized products for a complete daily regimen: cleanser, AHA/BHA exfoliating pads, strengthening serum, wrinkle-fighting cream and SPF lotion.
8. Try no-fuss hair styling. Don’t bother with too much fuss over your hair when you’re traveling. Pare down your hair regimen to just a few basics, such as a shine serum, hairspray or frizz-fighting serum. If you don’t have time to wash, make sure you always pack a travel-size container of dry shampoo, such as Rene Furterer Naturia Dry Shampoo - Travel Size.
And when it comes to styling tools, most come in smaller sizes to help you fit everything comfortably in your suitcase.
9. Add a travel-friendly bonus. Who says traveling means you have to leave all those little luxuries at home? Ease the stress of travel with a few extras that are handy on the go:
10. Think small. So many things already come in small sizes. The next time you’re out shopping, look for trial sizes, kits, pre-packaged skincare collections or other mini beauty products. Keep these treasures in a separate bag or drawer and the next time you have to pack, you’ll have all your options waiting.
There’s no reason why you can’t go far from home and still bring a few comforts with you. By knowing the limits and packing carefully, you’ll be able to toss your favorite beauty essentials into your bag and rest assured that you haven’t left anything important behind.
Learn everything you need to know about workplace beauty and skincare for a professional lifestyle in our Office Beauty Handbook.