It’s the day before your vacation, and whether you’re going on a two-week escape or a weekend getaway, trying to cram your full-size beauty regimen into your bag can be supremely frustrating. Instead of playing “eenie, meenie, miney, moe” with your favorite products, why not scoop up some prepackaged beauty goods to throw into your duffel? From cleansing towelettes to an all-in-one hair product, here are top picks from salon owners, beauty counter vets, and hair gurus. You can thank them later for the extra suitcase space.
1. The Eye Rejuvenator
Susy Young, a medical aesthetician at RPS MedSpa, never travels without her IS Clinical Youth Eye Complex ($68). “I love this product because it’s extremely hydrating and small enough to fit in a purse,” she says. She recommends applying mid-flight to ensure a refreshed look when you reach your destination.
2. The Beauty Six-Pack
Nectar Skin Bar owner Amy Thomas always finds herself traveling to hot and dry climates. Her must-pack? The Malin + Goetz one-ounce essentials kit ($30) containing a facial cleanser, moisturizer, bath and body products, and mini shampoo and conditioner. The products are “filled with active moisturizing ingredients—plus the cooling peppermint shampoo is an excellent pick-me-up to an early morning,” says Thomas.
3. The Fresh Fragrance
“Your travel bag is never packed without a fragrance, and nothing says summer like Jo Malone’s Lime Basil and Mandarin ($110),” says Jodie Hawk, beauty specialist at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie. Reminiscent of a trip to the Caribbean, Hawk attests, this is a summer scent worth packing, especially since the one-ounce bottle won’t trip you up while going through airport security.
4. The Smudge-Proof Mascara
Fight the humidity with Trish McEvoy High Volume mascara ($30), a must-have for when Bluemercury CEO Marla Malcolm Beck travels abroad. “It doesn’t come off in the humidity. Sometimes during the summer, I use just mascara and sunscreen and am out the door,” she notes.
5. The All-in-One Hair Treatment
You lose precious suitcase space if you pack every hair product you use. Black 15in1 Miracle Hair Treatment ($10 for one ounce) packs the essential ingredients to tame your tresses, detangle, add volume, and even protect from harmful UV rays. “Everything you need for your hair is in one product,” says David Rios, owner of David Rios Salon.
6. The Cleansing Towelette
Leave the jars of cold cream and bottles of makeup remover at home and opt for makeup remover towelettes, says Hawk. Estée Lauder Take It Away makeup remover towelettes ($18) pack 45 sheets into a resealable package. Sephora’s Beauty-to-Go cleansing wipes ($4) are also a great option for a much-needed pick-me-up during those extremely long flights or car rides.
7. The Sunscreen
Beck swears by Skinceuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 ($30). “It fits right in my purse for necessary sunscreen touch-ups, and the whole family uses it on their faces—husband and kids!” she notes.
Kara Manos writes about all things beauty in the District on her blog, Politics of Pretty.
