Emma Aerin Becker, Nerisha Penrose, Photographed by Florence Sullivan
Thu, April 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM UTC
First Class Beauty 2026: Award-Winning ToolsPhotographed by Florence Sullivan @florencolive
Calling all beauty lovers! Welcome to First Class Beauty, an extensive guide to the best travel beauty products to carry on (or check) for your next adventure, tested and beloved by ELLE editors.
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The difference between a good beauty day and a great one often comes down to the tools. And when you’re packing for a vacation, versatility is everything. Between limited suitcase space and unpredictable weather, every item you bring—whether it’s a hot tool, hair dryer, facial sculptor, or even a high-tech flosser—needs to work smarter, not harder. Think: compact designs, multitasking capabilities, and reliable performance that holds up from humid mornings to breezy nights out. Because when your itinerary is packed, the last thing you want is a routine that can’t keep up.
For our 2026 First Class Beauty Awards, ELLE’s beauty team, along with 24 staffers, put a range of beauty tools to the test, evaluating everything from heat settings and portability to overall ease of use and design. We looked for options that deliver salon-level results without the bulk, prioritizing designs that streamline your regimen rather than complicate it. From high-powered multi-stylers and LED gua shas to cryotherapy fans and travel cases that double as hot tool mats, each pick was assessed for how well it performs in real-life, on-the-go scenarios.
The result is a tightly curated selection of nine beauty tools that enhance your routine without adding unnecessary weight. Think of them as the small but mighty additions that elevate your getting-ready experience, wherever you land.
SEE EVERY 2026 FIRST CLASS BEAUTY WINNER
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