Before squeezing that seventh red lipstick into your make-up bag, make room for the essentials…
Vacation mode is a joy, but it does bring with it the trials and tribulations of packing. I should have this nailed by now, but I still find I procrastinate terribly. In the 1990s, I remember every magazine editor airily revealing their travel essentials to be a pashmina and a Ghost dress (and how magical that fabric was for rolling up without creasing). Now, youthful travellers, following online tutorials, swear by packing cubes to separate items and stay organised. Some of us, however, are more aligned to Miu Miu’s SS24 catwalk style – over-filled bags trailing scarves and shoes, and added-last-minute extra lipsticks.
There are ways of making life easier. Decanting favourites into mini pots (such as those saved from beauty advent calendars) means you only carry what you will use; I do this with liquid highlighters and foundation as well as moisturiser and cleansers (such as Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm). Use a fill-your-own travel kit, such as Penneys’ version (above, €7). I save beauty counter perfume and skincare samples and I keep a make-up bag packed with essential minis so it’s always ready to grab and go. We all consider di fferent things to be essentials, but mine include Rhode tinted lip balm, Chanel Baume Essentiel for instant glowing skin, a Jones Road concealer crayon (more airport-friendly than a liquid one) and red lipstick.
The only crucial item to take with you really, though, is SPF, particularly for your face. It can be pricey to buy, and you need to take one that suits your skin so you actually wear it every day. There are plenty of small tubes available now that are ideal for travel, though for daily use at home, a bigger bottle is better for ensuring you use the correct amount (the length of two fingers for your face and neck) – this is not something to skimp on. I’m trying out a few excellent new formulas, including Pestle & Mortar’s Daily Shield SPF50 (€38), which is ideal for sensitive skin, offers broad-spectrum protection and sits well under make-up. Boots No7 Future Renew Damage Protection Defence Shield SPF50 has an unwieldy name, but is otherwise neat and nifty (€33), with peptide technology to treat your skin while shielding it. Forgo the extra lipsticks and pack this instead.
To explore our top pick of the best beauty products for summer, see this post.
