The chicest way to double cleanse, courtesy of Victoria Beckham. Suitable for both morning and night, this two-step routine comes with an oil cleanser that removes all traces of makeup, sunscreen, and other impurities, as well as a lactic acid gel cleanser that gently exfoliates, leaving skin looking refreshed, glowing, and nourished.
I love these adorable Trinny London minis not just because the formulas are efficacious and luxurious, but also because they come in compact, stackable containers that maximize space in my cosmetic bag. This set has everything you need for healthy, hydrated skin (exfoliating gel cleanser, AHA exfoliant, peptide and hyaluronic acid serum, and niacinamide moisturizer), but should you want a more curated selection, Trinny London lets shoppers pick and choose.
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Because I have a keratin treatment in my hair, I am very particular about my shampoo and conditioner. Most hotels, even the five star ones, offer formulas with sulfates and parabens in them, which means I have to steer clear and bring my own products. Thankfully, my favorite haircare brand, which I’ve been using exclusively for over a year, offers TSA-friendly versions of their best-selling products. This set comes with a shampoo and conditioner, along with a heat-protectant oil (very handy when I am touching up my hair with my Dyson!) and milk hair serum.
Sure, you may be already staying at a 5-star hotel with a state-of-the-art spa and wellness center on property, but Oak Essentials’s bodycare line is the perfect complement to your self-care routine in your hotel room. Nothing elevates shower time quite like a luxe body wash, scrub, oil, lotion, and balm. Pro tip: The lotion doubles as an excellent daily hand lotion.
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The perfect pick-me-up for tired-skin. I like to pop this gel mask on my face on airplanes or right when I get to the hotel after a long-haul flight. Powered by Augustinus Bader’s TFC8 technology, the masks help hydrate, plump, and illuminate skin, while reducing the look of fine lines. If you’re more of an under-eye-mask-kinda-person, these also come as eye patches.
This French one-and-done wonder has been my best-kept beauty secret for the last three years. Infused with 68 concentrated actives, the fancy face balm replaces multiple skincare steps, acting as a serum, moisturizer, night cream, eye cream, treatment salve, lip balm, and makeup primer. A little goes a long way, so you can expect this little pot of goodness to last a while.
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One of my least favorite feelings in the world is returning to my room from the beach with warm, tacky skin caused by sweat and multiple SPF re-applications. The relatively new Zure Solaris line has been game-changer for me because it restores my skin post-sun. The shower rinse exfoliates and breaks down sweat and any lingering residue, while the body treatment reduces skin stress, promotes collagen, and leaves my body feeling smooth and supple.
Speaking of post-beach skin necessities, this new face serum has replaced my bottle of aloe after a long day at the beach. Cooling and oh-so soothing, its key ingredients include a proprietary marine blend of microalgae, ocean minerals, and adaptogenic botanicals, and a bio-retinoid, which all come together to hydrate, brighten, reduce signs of sun stress, and improve tone and texture without irritation. You can even use it after a long flight.
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Since derms recommend exfoliating just a few times a week, I tend to pack peel pads. Specifically, these Dr. Dennis Gross ones that come individually packaged. They’re convenient, space-saving, and work like a charm to brighten skin. I’m also a big of the self-tanner version—it delivers an effortless, natural sun-kissed look without streaks, and most importantly, without the negative effects caused by the sun.
I thank our digital style director Roxanne Adamiyatt for introducing me to May Lindstrom. The brand’s Blue Cocoon moisturizer is unbelievably decadent and ultra-comforting—it starts as a balm and turns into an oil upon application. I usually apply a light layer in-flight or at night. Other favorites include the facial mist and serum, which also come in this everything-your-skin-needs travel set. 10/10 from me.
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If I am going away somewhere warm, I don’t wear perfume as to not attract pesky mosquitos. And if I do, it’s usually Diptyque’s now-sold-out mosquito repellent, which I’ve been rationing the last two years—or, this handy-dandy balm stick that protects against bites and nourishes skin with a dewy glow.
Truth be told, I never travel without concealer (my favorite for the last year has been the Make Skin Mimetic Concealer). But if you are someone who wears both foundation and concealer regularly and wants to pack minimally, the Merit Perfecting Complexion Stick is the way to go. It pulls double duty as both, visibly blurring imperfections anywhere on the face with a lightweight, buildable formula and natural-looking finish.
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No one does SPF better than Shiseido. I own every SPF in their sunscreen range, but I’ve been really loving this newer lotion because it can be used on both face and body and is one of the few mineral formulations that is water- and sweat-resistant.
True story: On a recent weekend getaway, I was so sad because I couldn’t bring my new favorite Joonbyrd body wash and serums with me. I missed feeling of the lush formulas on my skin, but also the decadent scents that came with the experience. So, imagine my reaction when I discovered those said products also come as minis. Instant purchase. I can’t wait to travel again soon.
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Lipstick and lip gloss are already TSA-friendly, but if you too like to keep your makeup kit very edited, a multi-tasking balm, like Jones Road’s cult-favorite Miracle Balm, is the move. It can be applied as a blush, bronzer, or both (depending on the shape, as a lip tint for a hint of color, or anywhere else on the face really. It’s perfect for a no-makeup makeup look. Read the rest of my thoughts here.
Odds are you have dinner reservations on the agenda during your trip. I swear by this eye shadow palette, comprised of a combination of neutral shimmer and matte shades, for a variety of evening looks. I’m no pro at an intricate eye look, but this quad is foolproof—all the shades look beautiful mixed and matched together.
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I’m also a hug fan of Vacation’s SPF range (when I am not traveling carry-on only, I always pack a full size version of their lotion in my suitcase), specifically the face spritz which is equal parts protective and refreshing. When I am sight-seeing or simply sitting under shade at the pool, I like to keep this handy dandy mist in my bag for SPF touchups and a little skin boost.
If I was the subject of a “What’s in My Bag?” piece, you’d find at least three, maybe four, different lip balms on my person. Because traveling and new environments tend do a number on my appearance, I need a formula that’s going to nurse my skin back to health. Enter: Retrouvé’s Hydrating Lip Serum. It applies like your favorite facial serum, but for lips, and has a lightweight, silky texture that feels incredible on. It’s super conditioning and fast absorbing too, which is a win-win in my book!
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No travel beauty kit is complete without some eye-masks, and for that you turn to the OG: 111Skin. This set comes with three different patches that target puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines. Pro tip: Keep them in the hotel fridge for an extra-refreshing experience.
As I’ve said throughout this roundup, I really value a one-and-done formula when traveling. Micellar water is a great, all-around product for cleansing and wiping away makeup without discomfort, dryness, and redness. There’s a reason it’s favored by beauty aficionados and dermatologists. And for just $7 a pop, I’d buy five, at least.
Sophie Dweck is the Shopping Editor for Town & Country, where she covers all things fashion, beauty and lifestyle, shares her expertise on the most worthwhile luxury products, tests and writes in-depth reviews on the very best essentials worth investing in, as well breaking news about the latest launches, and of course, reports on the biggest sales and deals to shop no matter the day. Some of her favorite items to date are Gwyneth Paltrow’s ski trial cardigan, the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser, and ZIIP’s microcurrent device. When Sophie isn’t testing state-of-the art beauty tech or breaking down TikTok aesthetics, she loves indulging in BonBon sweets (Sorbisars, for the win!) and finding the next trend before it goes viral.
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