21 Travel Beauty Hacks to Save for Your Next Trip

The Best Travel Beauty Hacks

1. Stick With Solids

We love liquid foundation, blush, and SPF beauty products, but bringing them through TSA can feel like a high-stakes guessing game. After all, you don’t want to be the person who has to toss their new $65 foundation because it was over the liquid limit. Our tip? Pack makeup and skincare sticks instead, since these on-the-go essentials don’t carry the same weight restrictions as liquid products. We always pack our travel bags with the trusty E.L.F. SKIN Invisi-Stick SPF 50, which glides on completely clear and runs no risk of sunscreen spillage, or the F.A.R.A.H Creamy Malai Blush Stick, which we love to use on both our cheeks and lips for a monochromatic makeup look. 

2. Save Space With Multitaskers

We hinted at it above, but multitasking products really go the extra mile in helping you downsize your beauty bag. Try packing a blush that can do double-duty as your lip shade, a full-coverage foundation that can work as a concealer, or a formula that offers both makeup and skincare benefits. One of our favorite products to pack is the LYS BEAUTY Triple Fix Skin Tint Blurring Foundation Stick, because it functions as a serum, primer, and foundation all in one—on top of coming in a convenient stick format.

3. Do Your Skincare Before Your Flight

At this point, you’ve probably seen hundreds of videos of influencers applying their skincare mid-flight. And you could do that too, but we’re personally fans of completing your skincare routine before you fly. Doing so can help you combat the dry skin that so often results from airplane ventilation, since you’ll already have a layer of hydration in place before you step foot on the plane. But if you still want that luxe in-flight skincare experience, we say go for it—and that’s where our fourth tip comes in.

4. Pack a Sheet Mask or Eye Patches for a Relaxing Flight Experience

Whether you decide to do your skincare routine on the ground or in the air, an extra sheet mask never hurt anyone—especially if you have a long day of travel ahead. Pack a hydrating face mask or under-eye patches to help keep your skin plump and hydrated, and to avoid those dark circles due to jet lag. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the comfort of the skies—skincare style.

5. Invest in the Right Bags for Your Beauty and Wellness Products

Trust us, having the right gear for your products while you’re on the go makes all the difference. It’s one of our go-to packing tips for a reason. Using a dedicated travel-sized makeup bag or two (our Glam Bags make the perfect little pouch) will prevent you from overpacking and will help you take stock of what you actually need. When your trip is over, no need to unpack these separate bags. Keep them intact and simply restock them as needed for your next trip.

6. Separate Your Carry-On Essentials

Pack a small travel pouch with the things you’ll need to be able to grab quickly on the plane or in the car. Some ideas could be wipes, hand sanitizer, an extra hair tie or clip, lip balm, oil-blotting sheets, and a face mist. Personally, we can’t travel without a pack of makeup wipes (in case our eye makeup needs a little touch-up), hand sanitizer, and TOWER 28 SOS Rescue Spray. Whatever you need within arm's-length in the name of beauty, put it in this bag. 

7. Define Your Makeup Bag—You Don’t Need Everything!

While you probably already have a makeup bag, you don’t want to travel with the whole thing. We’re willing to bet you can pare down your collection by taking a good look at your makeup stash and asking yourself what gets used on a daily basis. Of course, you’ll need the essentials for a full face, but you probably won’t need more than one small eyeshadow palette, highlighter, and maybe even blush. You don’t necessarily need travel-size everything—most makeup products are pretty compact. 

8. Use a Caddy-Style Bag for Everything Else

This bag is arguably the most important and it will be your biggest. It will fit your shampoo, conditioner, body wash, skincare routine, toothpaste and toothbrush, and any other odds and ends you might need like Q-Tips, cotton rounds, dry shampoo, and razor.

Get a caddy of some sort that you can hang and can fold up to be compact in your luggage, like the CALPAK Terra Hanging Toiletry Bag. It fits so much and has endless little compartments for everything you could possibly need while traveling.

9. Use Spill-Proof Travel-Size Bottles, or Buy Travel Size

This might seem like a silly thing to mention, but it’s another one of those pieces of travel beauty gear that will make packing and traveling a breeze without sacrificing your beauty routine. When it comes to larger items like shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, we like to choose travel-size bottles that are silicone, spill-proof with secure tops, and reusable. Bonus points if they come in cute colors. For products like face wash or makeup remover, and serums, we opt to buy the travel-size versions, since they tend to be perfectly portioned for short trips. 

10. Choose an All-in-One Hair Tool…

When you're packing for a trip, it’s essential to travel light. Instead of lugging around a bunch of different hair tools, opt for multi-use ones like a one-step hairstyler that can blow out, straighten, add volume, and curl.

11. …or Leave the Heat at Home

If you decide to skip the heat-styling tools, you’ll free up space in your bag and give your strands a chance to shine with products like this air-powered hair cream. It locks down your hair’s natural pattern to create the most gorgeous beach waves. Just work it through your damp hair after washing and conditioning, then let it air-dry. Siren hair has never been so easy. 

12. Opt for a Rollerball Perfume

Before you pack your favorite expensive perfume that is likely housed in an elaborate glass bottle, see if your signature scent comes in a rollerball. The last thing you want is a pricey bottle of perfume breaking on you in transit to your destination. We love the Women's Coffret Rollerball Collection from ENGLISH LAUNDRY, because you can choose your scent based on your mood or the vacation vibe you’re feeling.

13. Pack an All-in-One Palette

You don’t need much to take your look from day to night—just get your hands on this petite palette to bring your light latte makeup to a bold-roasted espresso look. We love how versatile the six neutral shades are, and the two gold-toned shimmers are the perfect show-stoppers that really shine at night.

14. Bring a Few Reusable Silicone Bags

You never know when you’ll need one. You can use these multipurpose bags to organize your beauty products, waterproof or safeguard them against spilling, or even store your makeup wipes to keep them fresh (you can also downsize your makeup wipes and only take the amount you need). Make sure any silicone bags you’re using are transparent to help make it easier to go through airport security checkpoints.

15. Opt for Eco-Friendly Disposables

Keep your carbon footprint light this summer by packing these compostable facial pads that perfect your complexion without impacting the environment. These pillowy-soft pads are soaked in lactic and glycolic acids to gently exfoliate rough, uneven skin. Use them every day to smooth out your skin, then throw them with your compost. The biodegradable material won’t harm your skin or the planet. It’s a win-win!

16. Don’t Forget a Travel-Size Mirror

We don’t mean a tiny little compact for your purse. While that can be helpful, packing an extra larger-size mirror can come in handy if you're sharing a hotel room or Airbnb with friends. We love this Fold Vanity Mirror from LUXBOX, which is easy to travel with and stays protected since it can fold up like a case. This way, you won’t have to rely on bathroom (read: mirror) access. Some travel mirrors even have a little light that will help with your makeup application or a cute selfie. 

17. Keep Sunscreen in Your Purse

After hours on a plane, there’s nothing like that first breath of fresh air after you exit the airport doors. But if you neglected to reapply your sunscreen during your travels, it won’t be long until you realize that—eek!—your skin is lacking protection. Make sure to pack a travel-size sunscreen to safeguard your skin while on the go, especially if you have to catch an Uber (or walk a bit) to your accommodation. 

18. Fake Awake With Makeup

Looking lifeless after a long-haul flight? Rim your eyes with an eyeliner like this one to enhance, brighten, and open up your eyes, then add a swirl of blush to the apple of your cheeks. Between all the red-eye flights and jet lag, a good night’s rest might not be as easy to come by, but that’s where these products come in.

19. Drink Plenty of Water

Once you’re at your destination, staying hydrated while traveling is crucial for maintaining healthy-looking skin. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water and avoid going overboard on caffeinated beverages, as they can dehydrate you further.

20. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize

Airplanes and hotel rooms can have dry air, which can cause your skin to dry out. Be sure to moisturize your face and body before and during your travel to keep your skin hydrated.

21. Lean on Dry Shampoo

A busy travel itinerary may not allow for daily hair washing. Dry shampoo is an easy and quick solution to keep your hair looking fresh without having to find a shower.