When it comes to travel, and packing for travel, less is always more! While you might want to just pack your whole bathroom with you, it’s best to only bring the essentials.
Here are 10 cosmetic products that you could really use while on vacation:
Sunscreen
Whether you’re flying south, heading to Europe for the summer, or spending some time in the great Canadian outdoors, your skin will be exposed to harmful UV rays. Protect yourself by bringing a quality broad spectrum SPF with you, and reapply as instructed/needed.
Moisturizing Cream
While the ultimate freedom would be to not wear any makeup on your face while on vacation, but if you want to freshen up we suggest you leave the heavy foundation at home and bring a cream to nourish your skin.
Lip Balm
For day-to-day wear, a simple lip balm is all you need to keep your lips soft and moisturized. A tube in your purse or makeup bag won’t take up a lot of room, and a little goes a long way. You can also buy lip balms with an SPF for added sun protection. If you don't wear a lip balm, consider a lip scrub prior to applying a lip-gloss or lipstick.
Waterproof - Splash Proof Mascara
If you want to go from an afternoon out to the pool, ocean, or lake, waterproof mascara is your friend. It will also stand up better against sweat if you’re out in the sun a lot. Do some research and read the labels when shopping to ensure it’s waterproof. Make sure you also have a makeup remover that will work on waterproof.
Dry Shampoo
If you’re on the kind of vacation where washing your hair regularly just isn’t possible, dry shampoo is a must-have. When your hair starts looking greasy spray a little at your roots, especially near your face, and work it in. Many brands sell travel sized cans, so it won’t take up space in your bag.
Light Facial Cleanser
At the end of a busy day your face will have collected dust, dirt, sweat, and grease from touring around, or lounging by the beach. You probably have sunscreen and other products on your face as well you’ll want to rinse off. While you might not be able to bring your full arsenal of skin care products, don’t leave home without a light cleanser or a hydrating cleansing oil.
A Day to Night Shade of Lipstick/Gloss
If you’re planning some day trips, museum stops, a light lunch, followed by a dinner at a nice restaurant, bring one lipstick and one lip-gloss that will see you through all of this. Choose a medium shade that suits your skin tone that will work for casual, daytime activities, but will also work as a formal evening shade for dinner or cocktails later.
Eyeshadow Palette
Instead of bringing multiple pots of eyeshadows, bring a small palette that has three or four shades in it. This way you can do a lighter eye for day, and go darker and more dramatic for evening if you want. Find a palette with a range of colours that you’ll wear.
One Hair Styling Product
While you might use a barrage of gels, creams, sprays, foams, and oils at home, you should limit yourself to just one when you travel. Think about where you’re travelling and what climate you’ll be in and choose a product that will work best in those conditions. For example, if you’ll be dealing with humidity, an anti-frizz serum might be the right choice.