If you’re anything like me, traveling can have a way of forcing you into packing just the bare-bone beauty essentials needed for your trip. But what to choose? Your regular size beauty weapons or the mini versions of your must-have products? And what do you even own that is travel sized beauty? You’ve got to think carefully because nothing is worse than having your $300 cream thrown out right in front of you just because it’s a couple ounces over the limit.
I’ve put together a guide on what travel sized beauty products you can get away with. Literally.
Your Guide to Travel Sized Beauty
vs. Full Sized Products
Let’s talk logistics
Take hair products for example—a 1 oz mini bottle of shampoo isn’t going to last you two weeks in Paris, now is it? What’s a girl to do? A mini toothpaste, however, can go the distance.
When you’re checking luggage, it’s easy—just throw everything in and call it a day. But when you’re confined to a carry-on, things can get tricky. Even though we think we are familiar with TSA Guidelines we still get in trouble at security. Ever had all your favourite products thrown into the garbage right in front of you? (Is there anything more tragic than trying to make your 4:30am flight and having your YSL perfume chucked out before your very eyes?)
There is the option, at many airports, to store your products for, a fee, until you get back from vacationing in Bermuda, but if you don’t want to part with your essentials, here’s what you need to know.
Opt for sprays vs. liquids
I’d much rather have liquid than dry shampoo, but when you’ve only got a carry-on, what can you do? There are benefits to skipping the suds anyways, like creating volume and reducing the heat you use on your hair (hello, no more blow dryers). Yes, the dry version does the trick but if you’re really in need of a liquid shampoo the world famous, Philip Kingsley makes great travel size Jet Sets that contain a fantastic shampoo, conditioner and Philip’s award winning hair mask, Elasticizer, that are substantial enough to get you through at least 10 days.
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Pack travel size makeup
Even though most makeup is travel friendly there are some brands that create everything in perfectly travel-size packages. There’s a brand that I know, love, and use called Stowaway, based in New York City, that makes all of their beauty products in exactly the right sizes. You’ll never have to worry about your foundation being over the limit again! Another plus to having your beauty products in smaller packages is that you’re able to actually finish a tube of lipstick before it expires. How often does that happen?
Bring a reusable water bottle
This isn’t something that comes to mind straight away when thinking of essential beauty products. However, water is an incredibly important part of your beauty routine—especially in-flight. Water helps you stay hydrated and in return, makes you look and feel more beautiful. Win, win! But don’t bring your own water because there are plenty of hydration stations around the airport to fill up on-the-fly.
Stash away a couple products for the plane
Beautifying yourself shouldn’t start when you land. It actually begins during the flight. With all that recycled air and drying temperatures, it’s essential to begin taking care of your skin while your seatbelt is still fastened. Apply a light face mask halfway through your flight. Heaven Skincare Silver Bee Venom Mask is my go to! You can apply it directly over your moisturizer and leave it on while it seeps right in with a dose of hydration.
Don’t worry about getting strange glances from fellow passengers when applying your mask. They’re just envious of your well-packed travel kit. It’s also essential to keep your lips moisturized. I’m partial to B. Kamins Lip Balm SPF 20. It can be applied right over lipstick and contains UV protection in case you’re sitting in a window seat. You can actually get burned through the windows of an airplane.
Remember that less is more
All you super light packers out there, this beauty product is for you. Introducing the one and only water spritz you’ll need to pack in your carry-on: Vine Minus Ion Care Water. This high-tech water, from Japan, does it all—seriously. It can be used for a quick refreshing spritz while in flight and on-the-go, but it’s also a hair volumizer & skin moisturizer, a makeup remover and setter and can substitute for toothpaste in a jam. So while this product is only one small bottle, it can take the place of so many others.
If you’re really missing your full-sized beauty routine, check out the many airport beauty services you can find in most airports. Enjoy flying in style with your travel sized beauty products!
This “Travel Sized Beauty” post originally appeared on Travel Beauty.