Would you like to get a sneak peek into my travel bag? – Let me share the list of travel beauty essentials on the go. This stuff helps me look and feel my best while making the most of every single trip.
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My Travel Beauty Essentials & Hacks On The Go
Self-care routine on the road
There’s almost nothing as challenging for our skincare routine as travel.
Countless things are working against us on the go, starting from the flight liquid limits and the dust of public transport. The plane air usually removes all the moisture – so looking dull and dehydrated is granted unless you do something to treat your skin. Moreover, on most of the trips, we face significant climate change (which can often lead to breakouts or dry patches) and as if it was not enough – the changes in water quality, the intensity of sunlight, usual diet – all these are almost inevitable on the road…
Looking good and feeling good usually go hand in hand. So, packing my travel beauty essentials is always a must. Despite a limited luggage space, I always try to embrace my usual skincare while on the road (as much as possible). These days my travel beauty routine is already an unmissable part of my healthy lifestyle.
While it´s definitely not about spending a vacation in front of the mirror, my travel beauty routine is about those little self-care moments to indulge in after a long day of sightseeing or hiking.
There are quite a few must-have travel beauty essentials I love having with me on the go. While I am currently packing for my trip to Ireland, let me show you the key items of my toiletry/makeup bag.
Travel Beauty Tips&Hacks On The Go
- Travel-size bottles allow me to bring some of my all-time favorites to make every place feel like home (I often fill up these Silicone Bottles or use amber glass bottles for my essential oils)
- Save the beauty samples for your future trips ( you get lots of cool small-sized products for free while shopping in Sephora)
- Use a hanging toiletry bag (it´s no secret that many accommodations do not have enough bathroom space, but with this hanging travel-toiletry bag it is easy to have all the travel beauty essentials organized)
- For liquid products, do not forget to use zip-lock type bags or silicone caps/sleeves
- Search for products that are sold exclusively at your destination (you can buy these as souvenirs and then use them during the whole of your trip)
- Do not underestimate the importance of your sleep on the road: create the perfect conditions to rest anywhere – silk pillowcase makes my skin & hair look amazing, earplugs are handy with pressure relief on the plane, Silk Eye Mask for Sleeping creates a complete blackout
- Get some multi-use makeup products, like for instance ILIA Multi/Stick , Creme Cheek Blush & Lip Color, or any all-purpose cream
What´s inside my toiletry bag?
Essential Oils
Years ago I took an aromatherapy course and have been making my own essential oil mixes for traveling ever since.
Here in Spain, I usually go for the French brand Pranarom (you can find it in almost every pharmacy or Spanish online store Naturitas). My Pranarom favorites are Roll-on For Headache, Roll on for Sleep, and warm-effect cream Crema Articulaciones Bio). For the winter travels I always bring with me the congestion relief rub Bálsamo pectoral junior bio (which I oroginally bought for the kids, but ended up using for the whole family).
On Amazon, you can get Organic Lavender Essential Oil Roll, Aura Cacia Chill Pill Oil Roll-On, and Gya Labs Frankincense Essential Oil RollOn.
To enjoy aromatherapy on the go I like the Essential Oil Clay Diffuser. While being relatively easy to break, it is just way more packable than any other Portable Travel Size Essential Oil Diffuser and helps me to create a perfect room atmosphere to rest and recharge.
Sheet Masks
Sheet masks are the handiest travel beauty essentials ever.They do not take up lots of space and allow me to have a little SPA moment even on the go.
There is nothing like a vitamin-saturated skin treatment after an exhausting flight. Plus, those nutrients bring my face back to life. I like having with me Andalou Naturals Instant Brighten Facial Mask, Andalou Naturals Instant Clarity Mask, Acure Organics Eye Hydrogel Mask, and Moisturizing Foot Mask.
You can also find lots of natural sheet masks in Sephora.
Another current favorite in masks on the go is the Klorane stick mask with organic mint and clay: it´s so tiny and easy to pack. Plus, it´s not messy to apply due to its stick shape, and looks like it will last.
Products with Tea Tree Oil
For years Tea Tree Oil has been one of my favorite travel beauty essentials – it is a secret weapon that works against everything: blemished skin, pimples, dandruff, and even insect bites. All thanks to the unparalleled antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.
My recent discovery is Australian Bodycare, a brand focused on creating natural tea tree oil products to treat the most common skin problems. You can get Australian Bodycare products via the UK Online Store or on the Spanish website.
Australian Bodycare Tea Tree Oil Spot Treatment is one of my new musts on the go. Not only do I apply it for blemished skin and pimples, but it also works for mosquito and insect bites. Australian Bodycare Anti-itch Spray is another handy product for any kind of irritation on the road (no wonder it’s also on the list of my travel with kids essentials).
I absolutely love Australian Bodycare Sculp Treatment and Australian Bodycare Scalp Brush. Both are must-haves for any scalp concern, like itchiness, greasy hair, or dandruff. When at home, I apply the treatment once a week, while gently massaging through with the brush.
For traveling, I pour a bit into one of my travel/sized bottles. The last time I had a hiking weekend in the Spanish Pyrenees, my scalp felt so itchy after wearing a ponytail + hat nonstop. I was lucky to have with me the Australian Bodycare Sculp Treatment and ended up using it for the 3 days in a row.
Solid Shampoo & Conditioner
While dry shampoo spray can be a lifesaver, I always feel an urge to wash my hair on the road (especially after the flights). So I love having with me a Solid Shampoo and Conditioner (plus, the soap-saver bags for storage). In Sephora, I like the French brand Respire.
Additionally, I often bring with me on the go Klorane dry shampoo, or Batiste (but only its natural line).
Massage on the go
A stiff neck is my constant concern on the road, so I simply can not live without stretching and massage. Gua Sha with essential oils and massage balls are my absolute must-haves.
Although, I am currently looking for a travel massage gun (the doctor suggested to me Theragun, but since it’s not the most budget-friendly one, I am still hesitating on whether I actually need one; I will update the post once I try it).
Makeup remover wipes & cleanser
No-rinse facial cleansing is everything. Wiping all the dirt and makeup off the face is the first step for happy skin on the go.
I always have makeup remover wipes inside my travel bag. I love the ones with natural ingredients, like Sephora Soothing Cleansing Wipes, Burts Bees Clarifying Facial Cleanser Towelettes, and Petal Fresh Renewing Blueberry & Lemon Makeup Removing Towelettes.
While my post-travel skincare usually starts with makeup remover wipes, I love to follow it up with a good cleanser or scrub. The current favorite is Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream.
If I shop on the go, I usually pick on Amazon Thayers Face Cleanser, Andalou Naturals Brightening Creamy Cleanser, Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Everyday Face Cleanser, or anything from Dr.Hauska (unfortunately these are rarely available on Amazon).
More handy products for cleansing on the go: Soap Sheets, Bathing Wipes, SheaMoisture Face and Body Bar for Blemish-Prone Skin, and Body Wash in a Sponge.
Make-up travel essentials
I usually avoid wearing heavy makeup on the road. Sometimes I can glam myself up for a nice dinner, but in most cases, the motto less is more works better for my skin.
My favorite makeup travel essentials: Lily Lolo Mineral Powder and Lily Lolo Mineral Bronze Sparkle (or mineral powder from Jane Iredale, PUR, Everyday Minerals, or Mineral Fusion), Ecotools kabuki brush, Tinted moisturizer (mine is from the Austrian brand Ringana), PAI The Impossible Glow, Creme Cheek Blush & Lip Color or Lily Lolo Burst Your Bubble, Sunscreen, Shu Yemura Eyelash Curler, and EcoTools Makeup Brush Set (exactly the same as mine is no longer available).
Most of my current lip products are from Dr.Haushka, Madara, and Benecos (you can shop them in Spain on Naturitas web here). I also love using Burt Bees and Honest Beauty Tinted Lip Balm.
Solid Stick Creams, Balms & All-Purpose Creams
My current all-purpose cream favorite is Weleda Skin Food for Face and Body (for some reason in Spain it is sold as face&body, but internationally the brand offers Weleda Body Skin Food and Weleda Skin Food Light for Face). It´s this one self-care product I would bring with me on a desert island lol – I literally use it on my face, lips, nails, and body. Sometimes, in order to save space, I store it in one of my Ambar jars, while adding a few drops of essential oil (for travels I prefer mandarin and vetiver).
Another possible alternative is Dr. Bronner’s – Organic Magic Balm. Also, solid stick creams, like Bee Naturals Skin Cream and Wild Carrot Nourishing Eye Balm are the easiest to pack.
Dyson Hair Straightener & Other Hair Essentials
Dyson Hair Straightener and Oribe Maximista Spray are my favorite things to glam up my hair.
Normally, I wash my hair and apply a mask or conditioner ( while brushing it through with Janeke Detangler Brush before rinsing: it ensures an even distribution, so that the product reaches every strand of hair). Later on, I use a leave-on conditioner spray or Vita Coco Coconut serum.
Afterwards, I wrap my hair with a silk turban for 20 mins. Once dry, I style it with Dyson Hair Straightener for a straight look or use a handmade silk curling set for natural hair waves.
Even though I initially got myself the first hair roller set on Amazon, now I have stopped using it, and honestly prefer those Hair ribbon curler sets with scrunchies on Etsy.
Silk & Sleep
I enjoy having with me on the go one of my silk masks – a Silk Eye Mask for Sleeping or a Silk Eye Pillow filled with Lavender.
Many frequent travelers love bringing on the road their own Travel Sleep sheet set. But personally, my all-time favorite is the Pure Linen Sheets Set. So, other materials don’t inspire me enough to pack extra sheet sets (except for that silk pillowcase, which I love having with me everywhere).
Pin it
For more travel tips check my Pinterest boards Travel Tips&Ideas and Travel Tips+Tricks.
- Accommodation: For short stays, I usually book via Agoda, Booking, and Hotellook
- Tours&excursions: My favorites for guided tours are GetYourGuide and Viator
- City breaks&sightseeing: Go City helps to avoid multiple entry fees and paper tickets
- Travel Insurance: find the best trip insurance plans via VisitorsCoverage, EKTA, and Insubuy
- Flights: To find the best deals I like WayAway and Aviasales
- Airport Lounge: Get independent airport lounge access worldwide via Priority Pass
- Train&bus tickets: Currently, I book via RailEurope, Omio, and Busbud
- Car rental: To find the best deals I use Rental Cars, Discover Cars, and GetRentalCar
- Transfers: For individual transfer services I like Kiwitaxi
- For Foodies: Eatwith is great for finding culinary experiences with locals
- Cruise Reviews: To find the best cruise offer I check out Cruise Critic
- Suitcases&Luggage: To eliminate problems of early arrivals/late departures I find helpful Radical Storage
- Compensation for delayed/canceled flights: AirHelp is useful for all flight cancellation or delay claims
- To avoid roaming fees I use Airalo eSIMs around the world
- Budget-friendly stays: Check Hostelworld to find the best deals around the world
- Events: To find the best offers I use Ticketmaster and TicketNetwork
- Renting Bikes: to find motorcycles, scooters, quads, and bicycles I use BikesBooking
- Package Tours: head to CheapOair, Expedia UK, Tourhub, and loveholidays
- For Bloggers: To monetize my blog I use Travelpayouts
Love it, I completely agree with taking care of your skin, even while you’re travelling! For me, it boosts my confidence when my face is clear and looking fresh, dewy. Thanks for the insight on the products you use, it’s great to see a range of items and a lot of natural ones. It’s awesome that you take essential oils too, they’re so great to have around.
I have several of these items! I love using a pill organizer! So compact and easy to take on the go!
I never travel without travel size bottles of all of my favourite beauty products. The silicon squeeze bottles are great. I discovered great silk head scarves and never leave home without them. Makes keeping my curls so much easier! I will have to check out sheet masks to refresh my skin when I land somewhere new. Some good tips for self care on the road.
Traveling can stop a lot of our routines so we should make time to look after ourselves when traveling. This includes having the right toiletries for the outside and the eat the right foods for the inside. Lots of great tips in your post.
So many amazing tips from a travel pro! And great recommendations for products, I’ll have to check out the solid shampoo and conditioner options for my next big trip. I can’t go anywhere without my silk pillowcase either!
I love all the dinky containers but just take the bare minimum (pretty forgiving skin and not bothered about makeup) – my usual moisturizer and deodorant and toothpaste that I use at home. I make my own soap and made some tiny ones just for travelling. So the travel jars come in very handy as I just decant the rest.