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Going on vacation is awesome—packing for it is not. Whether you’re jet-setting off to a tropical paradise, or just loading up a duffle bag for a quick weekend trip to your parents’ house, making sure you have everything that fits into your beauty routine can be a daunting task. Especially when you start to realize how heavy your suitcase suddenly is after tossing in every single product you swear you’ll need.
So when we came across these products that help you save space without having to skimp on your normal regimen, we actually got excited about packing. Or maybe it was just the idea of vacation that pumped us up. Either way, we’re never packing for a trip again without these genius travel companions that fix all of our biggest packing woes.
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Problem: Perfume bottles leak (or break).
Solution: A refillable fragrance atomizer
Try: FragranceNet Refillable Travel Atomizer, $9
OK, so this is just about the coolest thing to happen to perfume. Simply remove the metal spraying apparatus from the top of any perfume bottle, and press the bottom of this atomizer repeatedly onto the now-pointed plastic top. It basically squirts perfume straight into the atomizer, and when you pull it off, it’s sealed tight. You can fill this lipstick-sized, TSA-approved spray bottle with any perfume, and it’ll give you about 50 spritzes.
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Problem: Lotion bottles get messy—and are always too big.
Solution: Body lotion wipes
Try: Pacifica Hand & Body Lotion Wipes, $7
Another bottle, another chance to have your product leak all over your stuff. A totally lifechanging product, Pacifica put body lotion into wipe form, so not only does it nix the mess factor, but it also makes it completely airplane friendly—you don’t even need to put it in that plastic Ziploc bag.
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Problem: Pressed powders and blushes crack and spill everywhere.
Solution: Bronzer, blush and highlighter blotting papers
Try: Mai Couture Glow-geous Trio Bronze/Highlight/Blush, $24
This matchbook of colorful blotting papers is the epitome of on-the-go convenience—and makes it so you can leave your bulky compacts and brushes at home. Not to mention, you won’t have to worry about your bag being thrown around and the pressed formulas cracking and crumbling into a million little pieces. They also work like blotting papers, so you’ll absorb any extra travel-induced shine while simultaneously brightening and adding a healthy glow. No more looking like a jet-lagged mess straight off the plane!
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Problem: Lipstick melts in your suitcase.
Solution: Liquefied lipstick
Try: Too Faced Melted Liquefied Long Wear Lipstick, $21
If you’re traveling somewhere tropical (or just a very hot and humid city), your cosmetics—especially lipstick—might be at risk for melting. Have you ever tried to apply a half-melted lipstick? It’s not pretty. Luckily, Too Faced beat Mother Nature to it, and created a line of liquefied lipsticks that come in 10 different shades. They’ve got the staying power of a lip stain, the high color payoff of a lipstick, and just the right amount of shine.
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Problem: You can’t fit a whole brush set in your bag.
Solution: One brush that does it all
Try: Becca Cosmetics The One Perfecting Brush, $49
Carrying around a whole brush kit takes up way too much space. This awesome multitasker was created to do the job of 10 different brushes and tools. It works with primer, foundation, blush, bronzer, highlighter, powder, and even does a makeup sponge’s job. The design of the brush allows you to choose a smaller, more targeted application, or cover larger areas. It’s also shed-resistant and non-pourous, so product sits on top of the bristles instead of absorbing into it, making application more precise and preventing you from wasting precious product.
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Problem: Your skincare routine calls for more products than you have suitcases.
Solution: A product that combines anti-aging serum, moisturizer and SPF all in one
Try: Mineral Fusion Age-Defying Treatment Serum SPF 16, $16
If you’re like us, you have an entire arsenal of lotions and potions you apply every morning and night—which is kind of a lot to tote around with you when you go on vacation. This all-in-one product is full of wrinkle-fighting peptides , antioxidants and alpha lipoic acid; moisturizing shea butter; and UV-blocking mineral sunscreen, covering all of your skincare needs, no matter your skin type.
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Problem: It seems silly to pack a face mask you’ll only use once.
Solution: One-time use face masks
Try: Nugg Face Mask, $3 each
If you’ve got a solid skincare routine down, you probably use a facemask once or twice a week. But when cutting out unnecessary items to pack more efficiently, it seems unrealistic to bring an extra product you’ll really only use once. If you’re going away for a while and used to using a mask, try these single use masks. They comes in six different formulas, so you can pack one for hydration, one for deep cleansing, or whatever your weekly regimen calls for. Each packet contains enough for one application, and you can just toss the packaging after.
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Problem: Nail polish bottles are impossible to tote around.
Solution: Nail wraps
Try: Jamberry Nails nail wraps, $15
Depending on how long you’re going away for, you might be in the market for a polish change during your vacation. Nail polish bottles are clunky and of course, yet another liquid to add to the mix. A sheet of nail wraps practically takes up zero space, and you can use them on your toes, too—one sheet has enough decals for all 20 of your digits. And you can’t really beat a $15 mani/pedi.
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Problem: You break out when you travel but don’t want to lug around a whole acne regimen.
Solution: Salicylic acid wipes
Try: Philosophy Clear Days Ahead Overnight Repair Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Pads, $40
If you don’t have acne-prone skin, you obviously aren’t going to carry around a whole zit-fighting arsenal on a short trip. But one of the worst parts of traveling is how it can make your skin do crazy things—especially if you’re prone to summer sweat-induced breakouts. Use these pre-moistened pads to spot treat any rogue pimples that pop up, or if you know you’re going to be zit-splattered by the end of the week, start using them nightly beforehand and throughout your trip as a preventative treatment.
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Problem: You remember a razor—but always forget shaving cream.
Solution: Disposable razors with shaving cream built into the handle
Try: J. Paul Grooming Travel Razor With Shave Cream, $18 for a 3-pack
Packing is already such a pain that even one less thing to remember is helpful. These six-blade disposable razors actually have shaving cream built into the handles (!!) so all you have to do is squeeze and disperse it when you’re ready to shave. You can finally stop shaving your legs with the hotel conditioner now.
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Problem: Hotel hair dryers are the absolute worst—and travel-sized options are just as wimpy.
Solution: A full-power dryer that’s miniature
Try: Harry Josh Pro Dryer 2000, $300
It may be small, but boy is this adorable mint dryer mighty! The pros swear by this dryer, with ion technology to smooth hair, tame frizz and add shine. It’s lightweight and incredibly compact, so even though it’s wasn’t technically made to be a travel dryer, it’s extremely portable and not too clunky to shove into your duffel bag. It might even dry your hair quicker than your current hair dryer, and it uses up to 70 percent less energy at the same time.
