Now that many hotels have replaced mini bottles with bulk refillable dispensers that aren’t swapped out between guests, I always bring my own toiletries. Plus, it’s the best way to guarantee you have products you know work well for you (rather than risking frizzy hair or irritated skin) on vacation. After years of testing products on everything from long-haul flights to weekend getaways, these are the ones that have earned a permanent spot in my bag.
Makeup
When packing makeup for travel, I look for items that are spill-proof, multi-purpose, and hydrating, because nothing looks worse than cakey makeup on dehydrated airplane skin. For a simple, one-and-done beauty routine, I always bring two Jones Road Beauty essentials.
Jones Road Balm What The Foundation
I’m honestly blown away by how moisturizing What The Foundation is, and how seamlessly it blends into my skin. It feels more like a heavyweight moisturizer than a foundation, and doesn’t crease or cake, even under the eyes. I took the shade matching test on Jones Road’s site and it gave me the perfect fit for my skin.
I’m impressed that it lasts through an 18-hour travel day without budging, and I love that the packaging is spill-proof, so I don’t have a liquid foundation explosion in my toiletry bag like I’ve had with other makeup.
Jones Road Beauty Miracle Balm
The light-reflecting Miracle Balm adds a sheer touch of color and shine that instantly brightens up my face and makes me look more awake, and less like I just came off a red-eye. It glides on lips and cheeks using fingers to apply, which means one less makeup brush to pack.
This multi-tasking balm works as lip gloss, blush, highlighter, and bronzer.
Skincare
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Essentials Set
Land looking like you didn’t just get off a red eye, with Summer Fridays’ Jet Lag Essentials Set. I never step onto an international flight without this set packed in my carry-on. Long-haul flight cabin air always strips my skin, but these five products completely counteract that dry, dull post-flight look. The Jet Lag Mask acts as a rich, deeply soothing savior after a nine-hour flight, and the hydration mist gives an instant, refreshing boost right before landing so I arrive at hotel check-in looking well-rested.
Toiletries
Le Labo Body & Hair Travel Set
Smell like a five-star hotel lobby even when you’re not staying in one. Le Labo’s body and hair travel set includes shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion, all in the brand’s signature Santal 33 scent.
Moroccanoil Mini Hair Hydration Kit
Hotel hair dryers are notorious for blasting extreme, damaging heat, which usually leaves my hair frizzy and unmanageable. This travel kit has been a total game-changer: the shampoo and conditioner restore moisture immediately, while the leave-in heat protectant spray keeps my hair smooth and shiny after heat styling. I also love that the included hand cream is rich enough to heal dry hands without leaving a greasy residue on my phone screen during transit.
Saltyface Coconut Set
For beach trips, or any getaway where you want a hint of natural-looking color without the sun damage, I reach for Saltyface’s Road Trip Set. Both the Coconut Tanning Water and Tanning Foam apply evenly without streaking or turning orange, and they absorb quickly without staining white hotel linens. The shell-shaped car air freshener is a fun added bonus that sets the vacation mood as soon as I pick up my rental car.
Travel Size Containers
Cadence Capsules
My skincare routine doesn’t get left behind just because we’re traveling. I decant it into Cadence Capsules, which hold creams, oils, and serums securely, with zero leaking, even through a bumpy flight or a bag that gets tossed around by baggage handlers.
The magnetic capsules snap together securely in my toiletry kit, and the leak-proof seals hold up under heavy airplane cabin pressure changes. I love how easy they are to clean and refill with my exact daily serums and creams so I never have to compromise my skincare routine on the road.
