15 Beauty Essentials You Should Pack Before Your Holiday

I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who goes on holiday all chirpy and happy, until I realise that I’ve forgotten some of the most important products from my skin or hair. Now I’m not one to wear a full face of make-up unless the occasion calls for it, but if my hair looks like straw or my skin gets sunburnt, it’s automatically going to put me in a bad mood. This fear of leaving behind crucial essentials led to a few holidays where I overzealously packed several kilos of products and realised in time that I didn’t really need all of them.

But one learns from their mistakes, so here I am with the perfect beauty travel essentials checklist (finally!). I think this list should have you sorted as far as skin, hair and make-up are concerned no matter where you are holidaying!

 

SK II Facial Treatment Mask (Rs 7,316)

1. Sheet Masks

The days before you embark on your vacay can be very stressful, what with all the planning and last-minute errands to run. So why not put your travel time to good use once you’ve boarded your flight? Rejuvenate your skin on the go with some moisturising sheet masks, which are all the rage right now.

 

Bioderma Sensibio H2O (Rs 599)

2. Facial Cleansers

This one’s a no-brainer. No matter what your itinerary is like, your skin needs some gentle cleansing. And using the cleansers provided by hotels is NOT an option. Those tubes work for girls with relatively problem-free skin, and you don’t want pictures of your beautiful vacay to be marred by skin that’s acting up. Neither do you want to deal with a skin situation once you’re back from your holiday. Holiday hangover is enough of a heartburn.

 

L’Oréal Professionnel Mythic Oil Nourishing Shampoo (Rs 680)

3. Shampoo & Conditioner

Although most travellers will advise you to pick up a bottle once you reach your destination, I don’t think that’s a good idea. What if said place does not stock the shampoo and conditioner you usually use, especially if you have chemically-treated hair? Major. Panic. Attack. Buy your favourite suds in travel-friendly sizes or transfer some into tiny bottles to carry along with you.

 

L’Oréal Paris True Match BB Cream (Rs 625)

4. BB Cream

When you have space constraints, it makes sense to carry products that are multi-functional. A tinted moisturiser or a BB cream will hydrate and give your skin some much-needed protection, besides offering some light coverage to mask blemishes and imperfections. So what if you’re off-duty? Skin should always be dewy and luminous.

 

Jergens BB Body Perfecting Skin Cream (Rs 1,652)

5. Body lotion

Facial creams and body creams are different and neither can be substituted for the other. There is absolutely no reason why you can’t get your favourite body lotion is a smaller, travel-sized version.

 

Natio Restore Delicate Cleansing Wipes (Rs 659)

6. Face wipes

Face wipes are a blessing in disguise. It’s the easiest way to clean up when you’re on the road and don’t have the luxury of water, besides being handy when you haven’t carried a make-up remover.

 

Basicare New Manicure Kit (Rs 1,500)

7. Travel manicure kit

…because nail emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere. Chipped nails are a real thing and so are hangnails. A travel-sized manicure kit is an absolute must. You’ll definitely thank me later.

 

Tangle Teezer Compact Styler Detangling Brush (Rs 899)

8. Comb

Sure you’re having a wild time, but your hair doesn’t have to be a testimony of that. Tackle those knots and tangles with a compact Tangle Teezer, which also happens to be IT model Cara Delevgine’s favourite.

 

NYX Smokey Look Kit (Rs 1,570)

9. Make-up Palette

Besides occupying too much space, the one thing I loathe is my make-up products getting damaged while travelling. Also, it’s very difficult to choose certain products over others, which is why carrying a small neutral make-up palette helps, especially ones that have creamy lipsticks that can do double duty as cream blushes.

 

Real Techniques Brush Set (Rs 900)

10. Make-up Brushes

What good is a make-up palette without the right make-up brushes? The two go hand in hand, unless sloppy application is more your style. In which case, I’m totally judging you.

 

BaByliss PRO Nano Titanium Mini Iron (Rs 4,216)

11. Flat Iron

I’ve always carried my flat iron wherever I’ve travelled and been ridiculed by my friends. But I don’t care because a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. I like my natural texture, but only as long as my hair behaves itself. A swipe of the flat iron on my bangs and some frazzled ends — especially when I’m on a beach vacation — has been a lifesaver.

 

The Body Shop Japanese Cherry Blossom Mist (Rs 876)

12. Fragrance

This goes without saying. Personal hygiene cannot take a backseat just because you’re on holiday. And yes, smelling good at all times is a matter of hygiene.

 

Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray (Rs 550)

13. Facial Mist

The best pick-me-up in a bottle, facial mists are a lifesaver for dehydrated skin while travelling. When you’re constantly on the go and have had very little sleep, a facial mist will rejuvenate your skin like nothing else.

 

Maybelline Colossal Volum’ Express Waterproof Mascara (Rs 363)

14. Mascara

The one product no woman should leave the house without is a mascara. No make-up look is complete without pretty peepers. Whether you’re going for the bare eye look or a smouldering smokey eye, don’t forget to add lashings of mascara to amp up your look.

 

Vichy Capital Soleil Mattifying Face Fluid Dry Touch (Rs 1,073)

15. Sunscreen

Really ladies, how could you even think of going anywhere without sunscreen? No matter where you’re headed — be it a tropical getaway or to the snow-capped mountains — sunscreen is your best friend. Don’t forget to slather some on every three hours.