The most wonderful time of the year is upon us and that means many people are gearing up for holiday travel. I’m especially excited because this year will be the first time ever that I’m traveling for the holidays and also the first time that I’ll be taking a warm weather winter vacation. I’m not typically fond of vacations to tropical destinations because I like to do more than just sit on a beach, but with the way this New York weather has been acting, I’m ready to go to Jamaica! I can’t wait to share all of the details of this trip with you but for now, as I am getting ready to travel, I put together a list of some of my travel beauty favorites. All items on this list come in travel sizes so no need to figure out how to squeeze items into TSA friendly containers. These items come in super handy whether I’m traveling as close as Boston or as far as Europe:

Urban Decay Born To Run Palette

It’s absolutely no secret that eyeshadow is the favorite part of my makeup routine. My first real eyeshadow palette was from Urban Decay and so I was very excited when the brand launched a palette meant to meet all your traveling needs. It’s already difficult for me to choose what shadows to bring along when I travel, so I was totally enthused about the concept of the palette. While it retails for 49 dollars, which I consider to be pretty steep compared to my favorite brands like ColourPop and Morphe, the palette was everything I needed on my recent trip to Amsterdam. I forced myself to pack only one palette and I am pleased to say it gave me everything I was look for for any kind of look. I did a review on the palette this past summer before my trip to Cuba so check it out for more of my thoughts on it!

Peach Slices Hydrate Mask 

Believe it or not I had never actually tried a sheet mask before using this one. I have my fare share of face masks but for some reason, the thought of purchasing one time use masks annoyed me. On a recent trip to Boston, I stumbled across this mask in the CVS travel sized items aisle and figured why not? It was a cheap mask and my recently prescribed skin care products left my skin feeling extremely dry. When you add on the typical dryness my skin experiences because of winter weather, I knew my skin was going to be a peeling, flaky nightmare. It was an added bonus that the mask was created by a company in Korea, A.K.A. the skincare powerhouse of the world. I could not be more happy with this mask and in fact, I don’t think I’ll ever travel without it. My skin was so smooth, hydrated and radiant afterwards and that showed even once I applied makeup. I received so many compliments on my skin and makeup that night and I knew I had this mask to thank. Bottom line: don’t sleep on drugstore skin care items. 

Pro Tip: Save the extra essence from the pouch that isn’t soaked up by the mask. You can dip a cotton pad into it and use it for an extra boost of hydration later!

Kate Somerville Exfolikate Cleanser 

Cleanser is absolutely key when I travel. Whether I plan on going for a no makeup look or a full blown beat face, I need to make sure I’ve got an effective cleanser to keep my  pores clean and skin clear. Typically I bring two cleansers, the first one from Cetaphil to remove the first layer of makeup if I’ve got a lot on. However, my skin looks its absolute best when I use this Kate Somerville Exfolikate Cleanser. I already own the full size version, so it helps that it comes in a travel size. That way I can be consistent with my skin care routine when I travel. The cleanser smells amazing, it’s not too harsh on the skin, and even though the travel size retails for 19 dollars, there is definitely a lot of product that comes with it. A little goes a long way with this cleanser. You can check it out even if you’re not traveling if you’re just interested in testing out the product before buying the full size. 

Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer 

I initially bought this primer in the travel size because I wanted to try it out without spending 38 dollars on the full size. I’m not very adventurous when it came to primer and I typically stick by my Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. I was nervous at the thought of using a primer that  “hydrates, smooths and brightens skin for a dewy, healthy looking finish” but when I’m on the road traveling, that’s exactly what I need. (If you couldn’t tell by now, I’m big on moisturizing when I travel!) This primer serves as the perfect base and  even stand alone moisturizer  without makeup. Since I already have it in the travel size, I always throw this in my makeup bag when I pack, in addition to the Hangover Setting Spray.

Gucci “Bloom” or Chloe “Nomade” Fragrances 

I’m not quite sure if perfumes perfectly fit into the beauty category but I know I love to smell good at home and abroad. I already own these fragrances in the full sized version but when I’m traveling, it’s not necessary to bring the full bottle. Roller ball perfumes come in clutch for travel. Of course, if you’re not a fan of floral scents these won’t be right for you but whatever it is you prefer to smell like, invest in the travel size version so you can have it on the go. Think about it: you can even put it in your purse so you can freshen up while you’re out for a night on the town!

Pro Tip: If you don’t feel like spending the money on travel size perfumes, simply ask store reps for free samples. They should be just as effective to use for travel. 

Bonus: Raw African Shea Butter 

This item is an every day staple for me so it’s only right that I take it wherever I go when I travel. Once I made the switch from lotions to butters, my skin has looked hydrated and radiant. Of course please note, I do not use Shea butter on my face. It is way too heavy for that and can clog my pores. When I want to maintain hydrated skin or want my skin to look especially sheen and beach ready in the sun, I load up on the Shea butter. Unfortunately because I get this product from my local African Market in Queens, NY, I can’t provide a link to the specific version that I use. However, there are plenty of Shea butter vendors. I’d suggest purchasing the most natural version you can find. Go to an African Market if you have one near you. If you don’t like dealing with the hardness of the raw version in its true form, try getting a whipped version. 

Final Thoughts 

This list isn’t exhausted but it certainly covers items that I reach for first whenever I start to pack. Hopefully this helps you prepare for any future travels! Stay tuned for a blog post recap on my trip to Jamaica and any future adventures! 

#EniGivenSunday