22 Beauty Must-Haves for Travel

I have a confession: I’m a beauty product fanatic.

Like, fanatic.

Like, I have at least four drawers brimming with makeup goodness.

Because of this, I tend to travel with quite a stocked makeup bag. I hear a lot of long-term travelers say that makeup really isn’t necessary while you’re traveling…and maybe for them, it’s not.

For me, makeup isn’t just something to put on to cover my dark circles…it’s FUN. I love putting it on every day, playing with new eyeshadow combos, and trying new lip colors. It’s a part of me, and a part I choose not to leave behind when I’m on the road.

Today marks the start of Sephora’s VIB SALE – a yearly occurrence where VIB members receive 20% off EVERYTHING at Sephora for a brief, shining four days. In honor of this amazing sale (and the makeup I will undoubtedly be purchasing this weekend), here are my 22 beauty must-haves for travel.

Makeup Must-Haves

Skincare / Haircare Must-Haves

1. A Killer Eyeshadow Palette.
Pick one eyeshadow palette that will allow you to achieve a variety of looks (daytime, smokey, pop of color, etc.) and make it your new best friend! One well-stocked palette is all you need while traveling.
Tami’s Picks: Too Faced Chocolate Bar / Urban Decay Naked Palette

2. Liquid Eyeliner.
I use liquid eyeliner nearly every day, so I can’t leave home without it. It’s small and less of a pain to apply than a gel liner with a brush.
Tami’s Pick: Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper

3. BB or CC Cream.
I don’t mess with foundation when I’m traveling, but a BB or CC cream is easy to apply and gives just enough coverage to smooth out your complexion.
Tami’s Picks: tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer / bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream

4. No-Smudge Mascara.
Mascara is one of two products that I wear daily (even on “chill at the hotel” days), so finding one that doesn’t smudge or budge or flake is pretty important. Pick one that stays in place all day, and makes your lashes look fabulous.
Tami’s Pick: Benefit They’re Real! Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara in Black

5. Brow Pencil.
I don’t mess with brow powders or gels when I’m traveling, but a brow pencil is an easy way to keep your brows on-point while on-the-go.
Tami’s Pick: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Medium Brown

6. Tinted Lip Balm.
I can’t be bothered with sticky lip glosses on the road, but I’m a huge fan of a tinted lip balm. You can moisturize your lips and look a little more “put together” in a snap.
Tami’s Pick: Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 in Berry

7. All-in-One Bronzer/Blush/Highlight Palette.
Trying to pack too many beauty products is a pain, believe me. I love palettes like this that help you reduce the amount of little items you’re carrying, and keep everything together. I use blush daily, and the bronzer and highlight help me step up a look if I’m going out in a new city.
Tami’s Picks: Urban Decay Naked Flushed Palette / tarte Park Avenue Princess Contour Palette Volume II

8. A Fab Makeup Bag.
You need something to keep it all together!
Tami’s Pick: Breakups to Makeup Holiday Bag

9. A No-Fail Concealer.
Long Flights + Long Nights = Dark Circles. A good concealer that lasts all day can be a life saver.
Tami’s Pick: Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer

10. A Pore-Minimizing Primer.
I have large pores, and I get self-conscious about them. Primer helps my BB/CC Cream last all day, no matter the climate, and fills in those pesky pores.
Tami’s Pick: Benefit The POREfessional Face Primer

11. Liquid Lipstick.
Never underestimate the power of a red lip to step up your look when you go out at night. Liquid lipsticks typically feature slimmer packaging than traditional lipsticks, making them easier to pack, and they stay all day.
Tami’s Pick: Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Outlaw (brick red) and Lovesick (mauve nude)

12. Cleanse / Tone / Moisturize System
Basic skincare is essential to looking put-together anywhere in the world. I wouldn’t leave home without this kit – even for overnight trips.
Tami’s Pick: Clinique 3-Step Skin Care System

13. Lip Scrub.
My lips get chapped when I’m traveling, so I don’t leave home without a scrub to slough off any dead skin at the end of the day.
Tami’s Pick: Fresh Sugar Scrub Polish

14. Day Cream with SPF.
My skin is ultra dry and that gets even worse when I’m traveling due to climate changes and long flights. For that reason, I always use a thicker moisturizer on top of my lotion. SPF is a must.
Tami’s Pick: Ole Henriksen Truth Revealed Vitamin C Super Creme SPF 15

15. Hand Cream.
Hand cream is essential, especially for long-haul flights. I always keep it in my carry-on and apply multiple times to keep my hands feeling fresh.
Tami’s Pick: L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream

16. Eye Cream.
Another essential for keeping my skin from getting too dry, eye cream is always in my makeup bag. It helps me battle dryness, fine lines, dark circles and puffiness. Winning!
Tami’s Pick: First Aid Beauty 5-in-1 Eye Cream

17. Hair CC Cream.
“CC cream for your hair? That’s ridiculous.” That was my thought the first time I heard of it, but I fell in love after trying it! Just like my skin, my hair tends to be dry, and this stuff is like lotion for your hair! I use this when my hair is damp after a shower, as well as to refresh my hair when it’s feeling dried out between washes.
Tami’s Pick: ALTERNA Caviar CC Cream for Hair

18. Anti-Tangle Hairbrush.
My hair tangles easily, especially when it’s wet. I bring an anti-tangle hairbrush as my only brush when I travel. It’s small and easy to pack!
Tami’s Pick: Tangle Teezer Compact Styler

19. Strong Exfoliator.
Nothing makes my skin glow like a fantastic exfoliator. I use it once a week to get rid of dead skin and give my face a refresh.
Tami’s Pick: Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Skin Exfoliant

20. Dry Shampoo.
I won’t go anywhere without dry shampoo. My hair is so thick and heavy, and it takes so long to wash it, that dry shampoo every other day has become the way to go for me.
Tami’s Pick: Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo

21. Night Cream.
I’ve mentioned my chronic dry skin, so this is one more way that I fight it when I’m traveling! This cream also brightens my skin to the point that I really notice a different when I stop using it even for just a few days.
Tami’s Pick: Clinique Turnaround Overnight Revitalizing Moisturizer

22. Sheet Masks.
Sometimes when you’re away from home, a night of pampering can do a lot for your mood and your skin. Sheet masks are perfect for this! They pack easily and they’re easy to apply for a quick pick-me-up. I even know a few girls who use them while ON airplanes to help moisturize their skin.
Tami’s Picks: When Travelmate Sheet Mask / Sephora Rose Sheet Mask

Now, go forth and enjoy the Sephora VIB Sale! I know I will 🙂

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Which beauty product(s) is a must-have when you travel? Let me know in the comments below!