Want to avoid blowing your holiday spending money on excess baggage charges? Downsizing the contents of your toiletries bag – with the help of travel-sized beauty products – is one of the easiest ways to pack lighter.
Besides being adorable (so tiny, aw!), mini skincare, hair care and hair tools will lighten up your luggage like you wouldn’t believe. And, you’ll avoid that special type of dread that comes with arriving at the airport check-in counter only to realise your bags are overweight… Or, staying up all night before your flight trying to decant your products into smaller containers.
Below, find your guide to all the best travel-sized beauty products out now. Happy packing!
Best travel skincare and facial tools
A facial toning device that’ll have you looking like you’ve slept a solid 8 hours (even when you haven’t). Ideal for helping to flush away post-flight puffiness, this electronic facial device is powered by T-sonic and microcurrent technology. It has three intensity settings which can be used to massage the face, boost circulation and give a firmer look while also improving the absorption of your skincare products.
This leave-on liquid exfoliant is so good, that it boasts the title of being the number one bestselling product from the Paula’s Choice range. No joke. With 2 per cent salicylic acid, it works to smooth wrinkles and sweep away congestion while brightening and improving skin texture. To use, simply swipe it over your face after cleansing once or twice a day. Then, follow with the rest of your skincare products. Easy!
Inspired by Ole Henriksen’s much-loved Banana Bright Eye Cream comes a full skincare line. This travel-friendly pack features Ole Henriksen’s Truth Serum, C-Rush Brightening Gel Crème and of course, Banana Bright Eye Creme. Dosed with vitamin C, it’s a brilliant range for keeping your skin looking glowing, healthy and hydrated throughout your adventures.
Best travel fragrances and accessories
Don’t want to choose just one spritz to take away? Take a whole (mini) fragrance wardrobe with SSAINT’s Discovery Set. Featuring eight of the brand’s scents, you’ll have a fragrance for every occasion during. Plus, these sample-size minis are an excellent way to discover a new perfume before committing to a full size bottle.
Consider yourself a bit of a nervous traveller? iKou’s de-stress roll on bottle is loaded with essential oils designed to relax, calm and soothe. Roll directly onto skin (think temples, wrists and around the neck) for instant relief.
Got a full-size bottle of a favourite fragrance that you just can’t live without? Here’s an easy fix. Grab this nifty fragrance atomiser from Sephora and simply fill it with your beloved scent. Besides being great for travel, it’s also a handy product to have for your handbag if you like to refresh your fragrance throughout the day.
Best travel makeup products
This legendary primer is a tried-and-true staple in many a beauty bag. Designed to minimise uneven skin texture by filling pores, wrinkles and fine lines, it helps provide a smooth base for makeup application. Best of all, it’s suitable for all skin types so you’ll be able to save the day and share with that friend who’s forgotten her primer.
This two-in-one lip and cheek product is a must-have in your travel bag. This tiny but mighty pot contains a cream-based colour formula and it’s a great pick for those who can’t be bothered with high-maintenance makeup looks. Swipe it across your lips for or dab it onto your cheeks for a barely-there flush of colour.
Downsize your brow products with this handy kit from Anastasia Beverly Hills. It includes a selection of products to perfect your brows including Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Mini Brow Definer, Mini Brow Wiz and a Mini Clear Brow Gel.
Meet your new secret weapon for quickly transforming your daytime makeup to night glam. NUDESTIX Magnetic Luminous Eye Color comes in a range of shimmery shades that can be used alone or on top of your other eye makeup. Add a subtle stroke across your lashline or crease or build it up for an opaque metallic look.
Best travel body products
Made with nourishing lanolin, antibacterial Manuka honey and antioxidant-rich vitamin E, Lano Golden Dry Skin Miracle Salve is a multipurpose treatment that can be used for an incredible range of purposes. Use it as a lip balm, heel ointment, cuticle oil or pretty much anywhere you’re needing to treat or prevent dry, rough skin.
Forget trying to cram a bottle of fake tan into your luggage, Tan Luxe’s innovative self-tan drops can be mixed into your skin and body moisturisers. They’re formulated with loads of skin-loving ingredients including antioxidants, vitamins and exfoliating BHAs. Plus, they’re sulphate-free and suitable for all skin types.
Keep dry, scaly legs at bay with this ultra-hydrating body lotion. Made with ethically sourced ingredients, it also smells downright delicious thanks to the inclusion of Fair Trade coconut oil. Plus, it’s a goodie to pack in your carry on to keep your hands moisturised throughout your flight.
Love to feel squeaky clean but don’t want to strip your skin of moisture? Aesop has got you with this essential oil body cleanser. With geranium leaf along with mandarin and bergamot rings, it thoroughly purifies the skin while leaving you feeling (and smelling!) refreshed.
Best travel haircare products and tools
Whether you’re needing to detangle, add moisture or remove frizz, Virtue 6-in-1 Styler has got you covered. The lightweight formula also has in-built heat protection and leaves the hair looking smooth, shiny and healthy.
Lighten up your luggage and avoid a mid-transit leaking bottle crisis with L’Occitane’s clever bar shampoo. Made with 98% readily biodegradable ingredients and plastic-free, 100% recycled packaging, it will help minimise your environmental footprint too. With chamomile and lavender, it also leaves your locks feeling soft and smelling gorg!
Dry shampoo is the multitasking MVP of the hair world when you’re travelling. Besides having the ability to refresh strands that are overdue for a proper wash, it can also be used to add texture and prolong styles. This travel-sized version of Klorane’s iconic Dry Shampoo With Oat Milk combines the oil-absorbing powers of micronised powders with the nourishing properties of oat milk for fresh hair in two minutes.
Gone are the days of having to roll the dice on whether your hotel will have a decent hairdryer (or even just a hairdryer) or filling a large chunk of your suitcase when you choose to BYO. ghd’s flight travel hair dryer isn’t just small in size, it also folds in half. Plus, it’s equipped with ghd’s safeguard technology to ensure it switches off when held too close to the hair. Good hair (holi)days, here we come!
What skincare to bring when travelling?
Think of your travel beauty pack as a condensed version of your everyday self-care lineup. You’ll need skincare, sunscreen, body care, haircare and any other must-have products you use on an everyday basis (such as a hairdryer or hair straightener).
What are the best makeup products to travel with? Smaller-sized versions of makeup products are the best choice to avoid carrying excess luggage. Multitasking products are another excellent way to limit unnecessary weight.
What makeup should I bring on a trip?
Ensure anything fragile is packed with padding. Our favourite tip? Place anything breakable (such as serums in glass bottles) in your socks to give it a protective layer.
What beauty products can you take on a plane?
Generally speaking, you can only take aerosols, gels and creams on a plane to your seat that are under 100ml. This means products in your carry on luggage. Any products over 100ml must be stashed into your checked baggage. Different airlines have different rules – as well as if you’re flying domestic or international so best check with your airline for any guidelines.
How do I look fresh when travelling?
When travelling, it can sometimes be tricky to get enough sleep. Keep your complexion looking fresh by upping your water intake and being diligent with your skincare application.
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