travel in style: beauty & makeup
Whenever the topic of carry-on only travel comes up, one of the concerns I hear expressed most often is “how can I possibly carry on my skincare and beauty products with the TSA liquids restrictions?” I’ll admit, this can be one of the more challenging aspects of traveling light. But it’s not an insurmountable one. With a bit of planning and strategic packing, you can probably find a way to bring your favorite products with you.
Skincare
While most lotions, serums and creams will count against your liquids allotment, the good news is that for trips of a few weeks’ duration or shorter, you probably will need far less product than you think. And you may be able to get by with fewer products than you may normally use at home. For example, if you have both a day and night serum, take just one (or none, if you use a moisturizer too). Your day or night cream probably works just fine as an eye cream in the short-term. Simplify, simplify, simplify.
If you purchase your skincare products at department stores or Sephora, and even some drugstores, you can often find travel-size versions of your favorites or ask for samples. If that’s not an option for you, decanting from larger containers into TSA-approved versions still allows you to bring plenty of product. A carry-on kit like this one is my favorite…it provides a variety of container sizes, stick on labels, all in a clear pouch that’s the TSA-approved size. I can fit a TON of stuff in this pouch! If you have any kind of prescription skincare, good news! It counts as “medication” and not against your liquids allotment. Just be sure to bring along the container with the prescription information and keep it with any other medications you travel with.
Think about products like suncscreen or toothpaste than you can purchase pretty much anywhere, and take only as much of those as you need to get to your destination.
Haircare
I’ll stipulate right off that I use very few hair products other than shampoo, conditioner and the occasional volumizing spray. If your haircare and styling routine requires a lot of products or specialized products, again look for sample sizes, decant into smaller containers, or shop once you get where you’re going. There are also these nice solid shampoos
and conditioners from LUSH
made with natural ingredients. I purchased the shampoo on one trip, and really liked it. Those of you who need to travel with a variety of hair products, please do share your tips and strategies.
Makeup
Of all of these, I find makeup to be the easiest make travel-friendly. Of course there are powder shadows and blushes, but you can find non-liquid options for just about any cosmetic product. Mascara, lip gloss and lip balm do not need to go in your liquids baggie. Most containers of liquid foundation are below the 3 oz size limit, however that’s still probably WAY more foundation than you will need for a few weeks or less. Again, you can decant into a smaller container. You may also want to try a cream compact version of your favorite foundation. These don’t count as liquids, and are easy to touch up on the go. Look for products that do double duty. A BB cream with a hefty SPF may eliminate the need for sunscreen if you’re not going to be outdoors for hours or in intense sunlight. A stick blush can also double as lip color, and many sheer lipsticks can double as a blush.
In general, I try to avoid traveling with anything in glass containers. Even if you’re not checking bags, all it takes is one tumble from a tiny bathroom counter onto a tile floor…not that I’ve ever done that. 😉 And no, I don’t travel with nail polish.
I usually bring along these makeup remover wipes
. If you can’t find a travel-size package, just put as many as you’ll need into a watertight baggie. I know many people swear that baby wipes are cheaper and work the same, but I haven’t found them as effective at removing makeup. Your Mileage May Vary. Finally, I do travel with my Clarisonic. I find that using every day or two, I’m able to go for two weeks on one charge.
To bring just a smidge of your favorite fragrance these little fillable atomizers are perfect. They do go into your liquids bag.
What’s your beauty routine when traveling? Do you bring your own products, or rely on what hotels/resorts provide? Do you have favorite travel-friendly products?
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I don’t carry much on the plane, just lip balm and some powder to blot my shine at the other end.
I use a couple of old, clean contact lens cases to hold moisturizers, eye cream and even foundation. I use a marker to label. Very leakproof and takes up very little space. Just be sure not to “forget” and use for your contact lenses later – not that I would know! Love all your travel tips!! Thanks very much
I go away for the weekend frequently so I never unpack my “make up” bag. It’s s mix of half-empty tubes and travel sizes. I take some things I’d never use at home with me because I often have time to fool around with a special look when I’m out. Although I sometimes buy things st my destination I try to bring all that I’ll need because finding a shop isn’t always easy. Liquid tears, anti-itch cream, gasoline, tylenol, sudafed and bandaids are things that you want to have at 3 a.m.
RoseAG, gasoline?
Like Rose, I have a perpetual makeup and skincare travel bag, and add my RetinA and day serum at the last moment. I use conditioner as styling cream in my hair. That wonderful picture makes me long for the days when air travel was elegant! (of course I couldn’t afford it so well then). xox
Last year on vacation, in desperation, I found out that Neutrogena makeup remover wipes are also the best spot remover ever. I’ll never travel without them again.
I use La Roche Posay Toleriane make up remover in individual ampoules: one easily does a full make up removal. I also save magazine shampoo and conditioner samples for travel.
Ha! I actually have one of those vintage faux croc samsonite suitcases 🙂 Empty I think it weighs 15 lbs. I use it as a storage trunk under a dresser. I cannot imagine anyone ever traveling with it.
Unfortunately I can’t minimize my skincare and makeup as much as I wish – I have some medical issues and its actually the most stressful part of travel for me – fear that my skin stuff won’t make it to my destination. I pack small amounts in my carry on, but for a longer trip, I really cannot rely on being able to find what I need easily.
I do like all your travel tips though.
Last year I was away for 4 weeks, used carry-on and the TFSA approved liquids bag. Even though I decanted my skin care stuff into much smaller containers, I didn’t use it all. As a bit of a nerd, I had pre-tested some of the amounts at home in the weeks prior to the trip but still took too much. It’s so surprising when you see how little you really use. Next time, I’ll take even less,
My genius husband got the idea to use the little orange prescription bottles for stuff like vaseline, etc. Most of the “salve” type items–anti-itch, cortisone, etc–come in small tubes. Certain prescription items are NON-prescription elsewhere and the price difference can pay a large chunk of your trip.
I am probably too low or no maintenance to offer any hair/make up tips, but it’s helpful to remember that nobody cares about how you look. Also, in Paris, there’s a sephora on every block–not to mention a pharmacy (at least 3 per block) and a monoprix. You can check out the testers, ask for a sample, or buy what you need. Same goes for the cities I was in last summer–Vienna, Budapest, and Prague (no Sephoras but something similar–Douglas).
It’s instructive to note that the Paris Sephoras carry about 1/10 of the hair supplies as one sees in the USA–messy hair is a Parisian look!
I travel a lot and have been able to get away with two ziplocs….one for face and one for hair (my hair is very curly and needs product!). I have my makeup in yet another bag. I worried the first time about the two baggies, but it hasn’t been a problem for several years (don’t tell TSA I told you).
We do carry-on only and have managed for 4-6 weeks. Yes, this sometimes means that I renew my shampoo/conditioner in Paris or London, but I like the opportunity to shop for such staples — makes me feel more like a local, somehow! Browsing Monoprix for products? Not a hardship.
I’ll admit to being frustrated when the packaging of my belowed Curls Rock Volumizer was changed to a size that’s non-TSA compliant, especially since it comes in pump form. But I found a solution: I just pumped it into two smaller containers– took me a while, and I had to take care to open and close the lid quickly while scooping up the daily application, but the product worked fine through the time we were away . . . and was ready to be thrown up by the end, yielding space for new (small) cosmetic purchases.
Thanks for the tips. I’m preparing for travel mode, and the comments were helpful too. Love the idea of two ziplocs. Who knew? I use small travel containers from the Container Store to hold skincare products. With practice and strategy, I’m sure that it will become easier to prepare for adventure!
Which brings up another question. Now that they are TSA-prechecking people, are they waiving the liquid allotment? Hmm.
No – you are not so vigorously patted down, but your stuff still goes through the scanner and all the old rules still apply 🙂
Thanks for the ideas. Next time I’ll try the makeup remover wipes. I confess to being a bit of a nerd, but I have a toiletry packing list with my things. When I pack for a trip I just go down the list so I can pack quickly and have everything I want. Like many, I simplify my routine for travel. I do like Make Up Forever Sens’Eyes eye makeup remover (1oz. size at Sephora). Otherwise, I like to have on hand moisturizing eye drops, a pair of manicure scissors, band-aids, and ibuprofen.
Awww, look! The pilot is loading her luggage! Those were the days. 😉
I’ve used a contact lens case for shampoo and conditioner, too — you’d be surprised how much they hold, and how little you need for a four or five day trip.
I’ve also soaked cotton balls in eye makeup remover and put them in a prescription bottle — you can squash a lot of them in.
I also use travel as the opportunity to try out samples.
That is one of the best ideas I’ve heard! Definitely trying this for my upcoming Paris trip!
Oops, I meant that using a contact lens case to carry creams and foundation is one of the best ideas I’ve heard. I have a ton of old lens cases.
For a week or more: I throw perfume samples into a ziplock, and buy other products (very minimal hair and skin product user) there. For short hops, a tube of Arden Eight Hour Cream works for everything: skin, hands, lip balm, hair de-frizzer, and soothes travel weary feet. I learned this from a journalist friend who worked in war zones and could not pack all kinds of products.
Susan I like your ideas! I use combination sunscreen/foundation as well and find that I tend to use less makeup while traveling because I’m mostly rushing to ‘get going’. Aquaphor ointment is also a good ‘all purpose’ lip balk, moisturizer, etc. When France is my destination I actually take the opportunity go to La Pharmacie near my hotel and purchase Homeoplasmine (and bunches of other wonderful products), which is very much like Aquaphor–with the addition of zinc and boric acid, I believe. Sephora is also an excellent source for make up and skin creams. Sample compacts of eye shadow and samples of perfumes are useful. I generally rely on hotel shampoos, etc when possible. La Fresh makes packaged wipes for several purposes (make up, hygiene, etc) but Neutrogena’s wipes are softer and also excellent.
I travel a lot so I keep a TSA approved baggie with toiletry and makeup essentials etc. ready for my next trip, and take it in my personal bag. This is for use at the airport/in the air/if my checked luggage doesn’t make it to my destination. I also keep a larger size toiletries bag ready packed, filled with samples and those lovely travel sized L’Occitane products, for when I check luggage. I suppose I don’t really need this extra bag but my skin gets really dry when I travel and I get through lots of moisturizer! However I check my luggage for longer trips as I prefer the luxury of a 26″ spinner, plus I find it really difficult to heave a carryon into the overhead locker, (not to mention the space problems caused by those travelers who take more than their fair share of items – male business travelers with a rolling carryon, suiter and laptop bag, you know who you are!).
It is amazing how little you can get away with on a trip, I find that taking my nicest and most used items ensures that my skin and make up look good and I feel ready for anything! The tip of using makeup remover wipes for spot removal is really useful.
When on vacation, we are usually travelling to Mexico. I pull my hair back, put on sunscreen, lip balm, mascara, throw on some perfume, and my diamond studs and I’m good to go. The BB creams with SPF are great when you need a little eveningout.
The makeup remover wipes are a good idea instead of a cleansing regimen.
Thanks for the info.
Lizzie
http://www.northsideofthecountryroad.com
Great post … if I ever get to travel again, I will remember your advice. Very smart, all around.
Your vintage Samsonite ad got to me. I remember my mother and grandmothers all saving Green Stamps for what became my mom’s collection of tan Samsonite luggage … I still have most of her pieces, and actually still use her makeup kit!
I am soooo old ….
I don’t travel very much at this season of my life but when I do I make sure to take plenty of moisturiser the same as I always us. Travelling always makes my normal skin dry so I need to use a little more. The other thing I’ve learned is not to change brands of moisturiser or body lotion when travelling or my skin feels horrid.
I use a lot of product so if I’m going for more than 4 or 5 days it isn’t easy to do carryon but I ask my pharmacist for travel sizes of the La Roche Posay products I use which helps. I also am a fan of Muji’s empty travel size bottles. If you don’t have a store near you, many big European cities have a branch, and you may find them online.
Great tips! I really like Paula’s Choice products and they come in sample packets that are perfect for travel. They pack flat and take up much less space than bottles. I tried out several packets the week before our last trip to gauge how much I’d need and was surprised at how little I really used! The less space in my luggage going over means more space for goodies purchased on the trip!
As an aside, I can still remember how grown-up I felt the year I received a matched set of Samsonite for Christmas. Where has the time gone? 🙂
With every trip I streamline my toiletry kit and at this point, I have it just about where I want it. I don’t use a lot of skin/hair products so that definitely helps! I use a small (3 x8 inch) zippered mesh pouch for make up – and am a huge fan of Bobbi Brown shadow sticks and Clinique’s chubbies – no need for brushes! Add a creamy blush, BB cream, mascara and I’m good to go. Rest of my toiletries go into a small 4 x 9 x2 inch zippered pouch – and I just add my 3-1-1 stuff after I’m through security. I’m also a huge fan of the Neutrogena cleansing wipes – take them on every trip!
My sister shared this with me. I travel with the flat sample packets of products and pierce them (1 layer only) with a straight pin. You can squeeze out just what you need and I’ve never had them leak if I moved destinations mid-way through a trip. A little packet of eye cream can easily last a week.
Okay, I have the makeup part figured out, but can you give me tips on how to swing the trip part, like, say, to Paris? Gaaa! Seriously, lots of great tips here.
You could also saturate cotton balls with your favorite scent and store then in an empty pill container…label, label, label…When traveling by car, I put all my toiletries in vintage train cases I’ve collected. I cover them with stickers from all the places we go. Not at all chic, but so fun, and never gets left behind! I also have a “toiletries list” document on my computer. A lot depends on where you’re going and the purpose of the trip!
Bon voyage!
I travel every week for work. Not long trips, but many trips. I have a semi pre-packed cosmetics bag (non-liquids) and a semi pre-packed zip-lock for liquids. Both have travel-sized items and duplicates of other things (comb, hair ties, etc). Tucked in the cosmetics bag is a laminated (clear packing tape) index card with a complete list of what I bring. I go through it, making sure that everything is filled and included. Works like a charm, I haven’t forgotten anything since I started doing that.
And shhhh, I agree that you can get 2 zip-locks through security if need be. Just put them in separate bins. No one is matching bins to flyers. Shhhh.
I use an oral syringe for decanting my creams into smaller containers. Definitely BB cream for foundation, and maybe a lip pencil for lips and cheeks. For liquids, I like to reuse eye drop bottles – they usually come in the 1 oz size, which is about right for trips. I prefer the Olay 4-in-1 dry makeup remover pads because they are lighter (no liquid until you add water), and much more compact than the Neutrogena.
I love the dry makeup remover pads tip! I often travel with carry on only. Every little bit lightens the load!
Great post! I thought I’d share a couple of idea’s on travel fragrance: because I use the same perfume daily, I spritz some on cotton balls (one for each day I will be away) and place them in an air tight baggie. Then I use them to dab on and when done I tuck it somewhere (ehemmmm…..brassiere) for the remainder of the day.
My daughter doesn’t use the same scent daily but instead likes to alternate. She saves all of the “sample” fragrance pages is magazines, tears of just the strip with fragrance and uses those to rub on her wrist and behind her ears when traveling.