I'm a Beauty Editor—This Is Every Product I'm Packing for My Next Holiday
Lucy Williams always provides endless holiday (and beauty) inspo.
No matter the occasion, I always overpack, justifying every additional item with a ‘you never know.’ Back to see my parents’ for a couple of nights? We’re talking five different outfit combinations, at least. An impromptu staycation? Let’s add in another four pairs of shoes and three similar-looking jackets. A trip to the coast? You best believe I’m packing every bikini I own. And no, I probably won't even make it into the sea.
If you think that’s bad, don’t even get me started on my thought process when packing beauty products, which win in the weight department hands down. Because of course I’ll need the four variations of curling iron and that purple-toned eyeshadow palette I’ve never once used before. Hey, you never know.
However, when you’re packing to go a little further afield you have to be slightly more methodical in your thinking—going over your allotted kg could set you back, after all. Plus, if you only have hand luggage, packing becomes like a fine art.
So I thought what better time to share with you the skincare, makeup and haircare products that will 100% make the cut, which really does say a lot. Read on for my product recommendations and tips and tricks for beauty packing effectively this summer.
The Beauty Editor-Approved Packing List:
1. The Flay Lay Co. Open Makeup Bag
2. Space NK Large Travel Bag
3. Hello Sunday The Everyday One SPF 50
4. Nuxe Tanning Sun Oil Face
Body
5. Ouai St Barts Body Crème
6. Bioderma Sensibio Cleansing Micellar Water
7. Byoma Creamy Jelly Cleanser
8. Vichy Mineral 89 72Hr Hyaluronic Acid and Squalane Moisture Boosting Cream
9. Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Set
10. Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil
11. It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Nude Glow
12. Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush
13. e.l.f Skin Bronzing Drops
14. Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner
15. Vieve Soul Shadows
16. Eyeko Limitless Mascara in Brown
17. Rimmel Long Lasting Lip Liner in Cappuccino
18. Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment
19. Lumene Dewy Glow Setting Spray
1. The Flat Lay Co. Open Makeup Bag
I cannot explain to you how much this makeup bag has changed my life. Dramatic? Yes. But it's the truth. I usually do my makeup on the floor in front of the mirror and the amount of times I've rustled around trying to find a product while simultaneously spilling something on the carpet is pretty shocking (I'm exceptionally clumsy.) The drawstring bag lays flat in a circular shape, giving you a full view of your products and features zipped and Velcro pockets on the outside and inside, cushioned fabric to protect glass bottles, and elasticated bands to hold your tools and brushes securely. As you can see above, it's how I pack my makeup for all occasions.
2. Space NK Large Travel Bag
I've had my Space NK travel bag for years, and it's still going strong. Whether I'm packing for a staycation or a further afield trip, I'll use this to store toiletries, skincare and haircare.
3. Hello Sunday The Everyday One SPF 50
Come rain or shine, you won't catch me putting anything less than factor 50 on my face. I'll be slathering this small but mighty SPF on every couple of hours, which is also the one I use everyday in the UK.
4. Nuxe Tanning Sun Oil Face Body SPF 50
I'm usually quite wary of SPF oils but this does a great job of really protecting the skin while leaving it feeling hydrated and nourished. Plus, I've found a little goes a really long way. It also smells absolutely incredible.
5. Ouai St. Barts Body Crème
The deeply moisturising blend of coconut oil, cupuaçu butter and squalane is just the ticket after a long day in the sun. The formula feels so nice to apply and it is the definition of a holiday smell. Would bathe in it if I could.
6. Bioderma Sensibio Cleansing Micellar Water
The travel size version of my go-to micellar water. For the nights I can be bothered to wear makeup, I'll use this on a cotton pad to get most of it off before cleansing.
7. Byoma Creamy Jelly Cleanser
A dream at removing any excess makeup without stripping the skin or leaving it feeling tight. It's particularly refreshing to use during the summer months as it has a very light gel consistency. Also, check out the price tag!
8. Vichy Mineral 89 72Hr Hyaluronic Acid and Squalane Moisture Boosting Cream
A simple, no-fuss cream suitable for all skin types and designed to deeply hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier. After being in the sun all day, it's the perfect pick to give your skin a moisture boost.
9. Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Set
I always like to take a travel hair set with me on holiday, and the 6-oil blend in this line of products helps to soften, moisturise and protect the hair. Just the ticket after a day in the sun and sea, and great at getting my hair to look really smooth whether I blow-dry it or leave it to dry naturally.
10. Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil
Don't forget to protect your hair on holiday! The lightweight spray is formulated with UVA/UVB filters that will protect your locks from damage and dryness.
11. It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Nude Glow
I've been wearing this skin tint non stop for the last couple of months. It's a skincare-makeup-spf hybrid that gives the most glowy, gorgeous finish.
12. Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush
I'm using shade 'Warm Peach Beige' which makes for the perfect blush and lip shade—I think it's always good to invest in products that can multi-task and an even better idea to take them on holiday.
13. e.l.f Skin Bronzing Drops
I have been absolutely loving this product. It's great for adding to foundation as you develop more of a tan on holiday, as well as using as a contour to softly sculpt my cheekbones. I also like to wear it on its own when I feel like I need a bit of colour but don't want to do a full makeup look. For that price, it's worth adding a few to your basket.
14. Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner
I don't go anywhere without my collection of VB Satin Kajal Liners. They're great at creating a subtle winged liner or blending out with the sponge on one end to create more of a smokey eye. I'll be taking shade 'Cocoa' and 'Gold Lamé'.
15. Vieve Soul Shadows
When I go on holiday, I love to wear a peachy-toned eyeshadow. The palette has a mix of matte and shimmer formulas and the richly pigmented shades look stunning on their own or blended together.
16. Eyeko Limitless Lengthening Mascara in Brown
If, like me, are a fan of brown mascara, look no further than one of my all time favourites. It gives you long lashes in minimal coats and doesn't clump or smudge which is exactly what you need in warm and sunny destinations.
17. Rimmel Lasting Finish Lip Liner in Cappuccino
The OG lip liner I take everywhere with me. It looks so good with the YSL Lip Cheek Tint.
18. Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment
My trusty Peptide Lip Treatment, which I've got in all shades. I'll wear during the day to keep my lips feeling plump and nourished as well as in the evening paired with a lip liner.
19. Lumene Dewy Glow Setting Spray
Like most people, I love a dewy look on holiday, but that doesn't mean I want to sweat off my makeup! The Lumene setting spray offers the best of both worlds, acting as a hydrating spray that sets makeup and offers a radiant finish.
Mollie Burdell is a freelance beauty editor, presenter and host. She trained as a makeup artist at the prestigious Delamar Academy, covering everything from prosthetics and theatre to TV and film, and then went on to graduate from university with a First Class Honours degree in journalism.After completing internships at Grazia, Look, Cosmopolitan and Stylist, she landed her first writer role at Superdrug's Dare magazine. Mollie then joined the Harrods content team as a beauty writer before being promoted to the deputy beauty editor. There, she developed the content strategy, tone of voice and creative identity for H Beauty—Harrods's standalone regional beauty stores. When she wasn't interviewing the likes of Gigi Hadid, Miranda Kerr and Regé-Jean Page, you'd find her on a live broadcast, hosting an event, shooting video content, reviewing the lastest beauty launch on social or crafting a magazine feature. She has also hosted and contributed to the LuxeGirl by SheerLuxe YouTube series.When Mollie isn't writing about beauty, you'll find her talking about it on a TikTok shop, dancing to pretty much anything with a beat, reading a crime thriller or performing a solo rendition of "One Day More" from Les Mis.
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