Most people love to travel. No matter who you are, chances are you love to see new places or revisit beloved vacation spots from time-to-time. But, what’s one of the most dreaded parts of traveling? PACKING! It’s so hard to know what’s too much and what’s too little, and the last thing you want to do is be unprepared when you get there .
For clothes, it’s best to pack a mini-capsule collection of pieces that can be infinitely mixed and matched depending on the weather or occasion. Michael knows what’s up when it comes to packing strategically and so does Lauryn. But, what about cosmetics and toiletries? You definitely don’t want to be caught without your best stuff and compromise your beauty game.
This is why travel-sized versions of your favorite essentials are a key to packing effectively. So, today, we’re going to share some of our tried and true travel-sized toiletries and beauty products to take on your next adventure, business trip, or holiday vacation.
30+ Travel Size Essentials Every Jetsetter Needs in Their Makeup Bag
First, we’re going to break down what “travel-sized” really means and clarify common packing restrictions to ensure you don’t hit unexpected road blocks on your trip. Our goal is smooth sailing all the way to your destination.
What Is The Travel Size For Liquids?
So, if you’re traveling by land, “travel sized” just means whatever fits in your toiletry bag. It’s up to you and how much cargo space you have.
However, if you’re traveling by plane, there are actual restrictions in place for any liquids that are in your carry-on bag. The liquids, aerosols, and gels have to be under 3.4 oz and all of them need to fit inside a quart-sized bag. Yeah, that’s not giving us a lot of space.
Luckily, in your checked bag you don’t have the same restrictions. However, we caution you from putting too many of your faves in your checked bag. Those bags are prone to damage or getting lost, and you don’t want your vay-cay to start with you crying over spilled toner or a lost collection of expensive beauty products.
What To Bring When Traveling: Travel Size Edition
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
Of course, you need a quality cleanser when traveling. Whether it’s sweat and dirt from the beach or the stale, gross air of the airport, your skin is going to need some serious TLC when you get back to the hotel. This balm will cleanse and hydrate. Another option is to take your favorite cleansing oil like Agent Nateur or HOP Step 1, and put some in your own little bottle. We recommend some skin towels too, because you never know what detergents hotels use on their towels.
Agent Nateur Holi (Water) Hyaluronic Essence
Our favorite toner comes in a mini size. This toner helps improve skin elasticity, tighten pores, remove dead skin cells, and hydrate for that perfect dewey glow despite puffy, jet-lagged skin. It’s a must in our travel bag.
TSC Mint Roller
If Bryony Deerys considers the Mint Roller a must-have travel item, you should too. We created the Mint Roller in response to SO many of you wanting a travel-friendly version of our award-winning ice roller.
It’s a dual-sized compact ice roller and contour tool that’ll give you all the benefits of ice rolling and face sculpting in one 100% travel-ready container. Plus, you’re going to need to do some serious de-puffing after all that fluid-retention from traveling. It’s naturally cold to the touch but you can ask for a glass of ice on the plane to get it icy cold if you like it intense.
TSC Depuffing Oil
Okay, ice rolling is great, but it’s an even more beneficial part of your routine when you add some high-quality face oil like our depuffing oil. Just put a few drops on your face and roll away. And, if you’re wondering, it’s in a travel-friendly 1 oz container perfect for your carry-on.
Epicuren Colostrum Moisturizer
The next phase of the skincare routine is moisturizer, and one of our go-tos is this colostrum glow cream. Recommended to Lauryn by her facialist, Staci Christie, it comes in a 2 oz bottle that’s super travel-friendly and a little can go a long way.
TSC Caffeinated SPF
SPF is essential EVERY DAY, but especially on a trip where you’re probably going to be exposed to the elements a lot more often. Our SPF not only protects you from the sun’s rays, but it works overtime to lift, tighten, and firm your skin. Plus, it gives you an incredible tint, so you could possibly ditch your foundation and lighten up that makeup bag. Huge perk?
Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber De-Tox Eye Patches
Puffy eyes are normal for long travel days or late nights of fun while you’re traveling, these eye patches are AMAZING for rejuvenating your skin and erasing those dark circles. Keep them in the fridge, then use your Mint Roller over top for an ultimate depuff session.
Brow Peptide
Don’t ignore your brows on vacation! This travel-friendly tube fits easily in your quart-sized bag and it’s the best tool for shaping and sculpting the perfect brows.
Mini Lotion Bar
Lotion bars are amazing if you haven’t tried them. Bars like these are 100% cocoa butter and nourishing ingredients and 0% water, alcohols, and other fillers. Plus, it’s waste free. These are particularly great for travel, because they don’t count as a liquid, leaving room in that quart-sized bag.
IT Foundation
Our favorite foundation EVER is the CC+ Cream Illumination foundation from IT Cosmetics. It’s great for all skin types, includes SPF, and leaves a radiant, full coverage finish.
Makeup Stack
Makeup can take up a lot of space in your carry-on, but even if you like that clean girl, natural look, you’ll still want a few things to elevate your vibe. These makeup kits from Subtl Beauty include all the essentials in a handy and compact twistable stack that can be stored outside your quart-sized bag since it contains no liquid. We love this option.
Rare Beauty Mascara
Luckily, Lauryn’s favorite mascara comes in a mini size. She loves it because it lengthens and volumizes. Simple and easy, exactly how a mascara should be.
Rare Beauty Eyeliner
If you like a pencil, gel, or felt-tip eyeliner, you won’t have to store that in your quart-sized clear bag. We like this one by Rare Beauty.
Supergoop Resetting Spray
You want makeup that lasts ALL DAY, because you’re going to be plenty busy on your trip. This setting and REsetting spray will keep your makeup in place all day and allow you to reapply your sunscreen without messing up your makeup.
ANFISA Lip Balm
This balm will keep your lips ultra-glossy while soothing and protecting your lips. Small and perfect for any carry-on or handbag.
Clean Skin Club Cloths
We love to use these disposable towels while vacationing. No one wants to be charged for staining white hotel towels, so bring these along, use them in your double cleanse, and gently wipe away your makeup.
TSC Mouth Tape
You may be thinking, is mouth tape really an “essential?” ABSOLUTELY! Mouth tape will help you get the best, deepest sleep ever even while snoozing in a foreign place so you can wake up with a sculpted jawline, brighter eyes, and WAY more energy.
Mouth tape has been known to sell out so we recommend getting it on subscription for 15% off and free shipping in the US.
TSC Razor
Maybe you don’t plan to shave every day on vacation, but the last thing you want is to be caught with stray chin hairs or unruly vellus hair with no way to take care of it. Bring your TSC razor to keep everything in check and continue your exfoliation routine.
TSC Shave Cream
Don’t dry shave. Grab the first ever shaving cream for women’s faces to nourish and protect your skin while shaving. The tube is the perfect size for travel and TSA approvedl
Vitamin C Brightening Treatment Mask
Whether your skin is looking a little dull a few days in or you just want to do some self-care with a spa treatment, these brightening masks from Dr. Dennis Gross should definitely find their way into your toiletry bag.
Dae Fairy Duster Dry Shampoo
This dry shampoo powder is compact and easy to use, which are pros for travel-friendly essentials. But, we also love that it’s powder that will save you between washes.
Anablue Hair Oil
Okay, dry shampoo is great for your roots and other greasy parts of your hair, but what about the dry parts? Bring this hair oil that keeps your hair hydrated and frizz-free.
Cadence Travel Containers
We’re not going to recommend shampoo, conditioner, and body wash to you, because there are SO many factors that go into choosing those products. It’s better to squeeze these products into handy travel containers like these from Cadence.
Mason Pearson Mini Brush
Gotta have a good brush. Luckily, Mason Pearson has a mini brush that’s ideal for travel. Lauryn loves this brush because it massages your scalp.
Mini Makeup Brushes
To apply your makeup, you need a good set of brushes, but they can take up a lot of room. This essential mini makeup brush set includes all the basics you’ll need on your trip and comes with a handy sleeve to put them in.
Boka Fluoride Free Toothpaste
You don’t want to forget your oral health on your adventure. Bring a travel-sized version of your favorite toothpaste like this one from Boka.
Boka Floss
As your dentist would say, “Don’t forget to floss!”
Electric Toothbrush and Holder
Did you know there are travel-friendly electric toothbrushes? Now you know. We love this one because it’s rechargeable, comes in a compact size, and includes a travel case.
How To Pack Travel Size Toiletries
Step 1: Decide what needs to be in your carry-on and what can be checked.
First of all, sort through all of your products to figure out what MUST be in your carry-on. (As in, figure out what you can’t live without if your bag is delayed, lost, or damaged.)
Step 2: Consider solid alternatives to liquid products.
If you can, try to find solid alternatives to liquid products to give you more space in your quart-sized clear bag for toiletries. The lotion bar is a great option, you can also find shampoo/conditioner/body wash bars, toothpaste tabs, and more.
Step 3: Look for multitasking beauty products.
When you’re struggling to fit everything, opt for multitasking beauty products, so you don’t have to compromise on your skincare routine.
Step 4: Choose a high-quality quart-sized zipper bag for liquids.
Remember, to be TSA compliant, all your liquids need to fit in a clear, quart-sized zipper bag. We recommend you choose a high-quality option like this one, so you’re not dealing with a broken zipper even if your bag is really (really) full.
Step 5: Pick a high-quality organizer for the rest.
For beauty products that aren’t liquids, organize them well into a toiletry bag. You’ll need a good one for your checked bag, too. If you’re into a splurge, Lauryn loves her Louise Vuitton ones (here and here).
Step 6: Use travel bottles for non-travel sized products.
If you can’t find a mini option of one of your beauty essentials, just squeeze or pour that product into travel bottles.
Step 7: Pack everything and edit down if necessary.
Pack everything and see how it fits. If it doesn’t, edit some more to see if more items could go in your checked bag or maybe hang home for the trip.
Step 8: Double bag any liquids in your checked bag.
If you do store liquids in your checked bag, double bag it. A leaking beauty product is bad enough, but you don’t want it ruining your clothes too.
Step 9: Put your carry-on liquid toiletry bag somewhere accessible.
When you arrive at TSA security, things move FAST. It’s very likely the security agents will want you to remove your quart-sized bag, so have it somewhere accessible to grab it quickly.
Take these travel essentials with you on your next trip.
Everyone loves to travel, but you need to be prepared for everything when you go. We hope this list helped you build-out your packing list, so you can have the best trip ever. (You might want to pack these supplements to take when traveling as well.)
Bon Voyage!
x, The Skinny Confidential team
+ Check out Lauryn’s travel productivity tips here.
++ Learn how to beat jet lag.
TRAVEL SIZED BEAUTY:
