7 Insanely useful beauty products one professional travel journalist never travels without
To put it mildly: I am a fickle traveler. Or at least my body is. Dry hair, undereye circles, zits. I’ve dealt with practically every major beauty concern that can crop up while on the road. But after almost a decade as a professional travel journalist, I’ve finally established an arsenal to keep me looking good while dashing around new cities on assignment. And it’s not the ridiculous “face mask on a plane” technique or “get a massage as soon as you’ve landed” tips that celebrities tout. I need products that work, justify the room they take up in my suitcase and won’t make me look delusional at the airport. (I am a journalist, after all!) During a typical trip, here’s what you’ll find in my bag:
Travel is stressful. I carry stress in my face. Therefore: my face shows when I’ve been traveling — unless I’ve packed FaceGym’s “Multisculpt” tool. It’s like a gua sha but better, specifically designed to target nooks and crannies like the bridge of your nose or beneath your eyes. It’s become an essential tool for depuffing my face and releasing jaw tension after a flight. It also helps combat my frequent headaches and promotes lymphatic drainage. I can’t say enough good things about it.
Find rejuvenation amongst the cacti and mountains of the Arizona desert. Renowned as Oprah’s favorite wellness retreat, Miraval will fully immerse you in nature and southwest culture. On site, you’ll find an award-winning spa, daily wellness classes and plenty of quiet spaces for contemplation, including two labyrinths and an outdoor kiva (a ceremonial space traditionally used by the Hopi tribe).
Listen, you have to be resourceful when you’re a travel writer. One time, I forgot my hairbrush at home and spent a week using a fork from my hotel to untangle knots. So, technically, these are face wipes. But in a pinch, they’ll also work as “shower in a bag.” Try it before you judge me.
During the summer, I keep the travel size of this dry shampoo in my purse at all times. A spritz makes your hair more voluminous than it was when you left home. Plus: the scent is addictive. I should be getting paid for the amount of times I’ve recommended this.
I had to resist the urge to make every product on this list a Haeckels product. They are my favorite brand from the UK, defined by an ethical commitment to sustainable practices – and also products that just frickin work. These genius eye masks come dry, so you can throw them in your suitcase without worrying about liquid limits. Once you get to your hotel, soak these seaweed strips in water for 30 seconds, then slap them under your eyes. Ten minutes later, you’ll be looking refreshed AF. As someone who came out of the womb with genetic undereye circles, I swear by these bad boys.
Part of the fun of staying in a hotel is testing out their toiletries – except for when those toiletries have the distinct possibility of ruining your hair color. Add a few drops of this pigment to any shampoo or conditioner and you’ll automatically have a toning product. It’s a lifesaver for bottle blondes (and there’s a version for brunettes, too).
They say that necessity is the mother of invention. Necessity was how I found out that hairspray + spooled brush = best cheap brow gel. Now I rarely travel without a small bottle of hairspray. Typically, I’ll use it to tame my bangs and brows. But in a pinch, it can also be used to hold tights when they’re in danger of ripping, as a quick-dry clear top coat on your nails, to get rid of static cling, as a makeshift lint roller or even to get lipstick and ink stains out of clothing.
