Travel In Style: Beauty/Makeup

“Darling, that’s one case for clothes, one for shoes, and one for 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?

MORE TRAVEL-FRIENDLY COSMETICS:

Affiliate links may generate commissions for unefemme.net.