I know that from November to March, travel to Colorado reaches its peak. It's ski season, people! I don't ski (more of a lodger, myself), but I am a Colorado native, so having grown up there for the better part of my life, I know that it can be a tricky place to pack for, particularly in the winter.
Colorado has an extremely dry climate, particularly in the winter. People tend to get in trouble when they pack beauty products that they'd use in more humid areas since a lot of lightweight face moisturizers and serums just won't cut it in air that basically sucks the moisture right out of your skin.
Luckily, since I've lived in New York for nearly five years and am used to traveling home in the winter, I have become a dry weather expert in the realm of beauty product packing. Here are my essentials for a weekend trip to the Rockies.
Sonia Kashuk
Weekender Makeup Bag
First things first, I take this makeup bag with me every time I travel. It's been my go-to for years because it fits so many products in it, and I love that there are multiple compartments so you can categorize your products.
Lermende
Clear Toiletry Bag
For carry-on bags, I like to use reusable quart-sized pouches for my liquids. I hate trying to fit all of my liquids into a ziplock bag. It's always a tight squeeze, the zipper always seems to break, and it also feels like a huge waste of plastic. These are TSA-compliant and only $11 for a two-pack.
Kitsch
Refillable Flat Pouch Travel Bottles Set
When it's possible, I try to avoid buying travel-size versions of items I already own. It feels wasteful to me when I could just put products into travel-size liquid pouches. These are my favorite because they are spill resistant and fit in everything.
Avène
Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
Having grown up in Colorado, there's one thing I know for a fact: the air will be insanely dry there, especially in the winter. A barrier repair cream like this one does the trick to help prevent flaky skin on even the driest days.
Hourglass
Equilibrium Intensive Hydrating Eye Balm
As I've said, the air in Colorado is dry. The area around my eyes and eyelids tends to be hyper-sensitive to this, so I brought along this eye balm that's packed with emollients for an extra-moisturizing boost.
Aquaphor
Healing Ointment Advanced Therapy for Dry and Cracked Skin
Aquaphor is my solution to everything. Cracked knuckles? Slather on some Aquaphor. A random dry patch? Cover it in Aquaphor. Want to seal in your moisturizer overnight? You guessed it, Aquaphor. I highly recommend always tossing it in your travel bag, especially if you're going somewhere where the air is dry.
Malin+Goetz
Lip Moisturizer
I normally opt for balmy, thick lip masks to keep my lips hydrated and pillowy, but lately, I've been reaching for this rich lip moisturizer from Malin+Goetz. Its gel-like texture uses a blend of fatty acids to replenish lips instantly.
Supergoop!
Every. Single. Face. Watery Lotion SPF 50
This one is self-explanatory. No matter how cold and gray it is outside, SPF is crucial.
Curél
Ultra Healing Hand and Body Lotion
I rely on this intensively moisturizing body lotion (that I put in one of my Kitsch pouches), which is packed with ceramides, to keep my skin hydrated no matter the weather.
Chanel
La Crème Main Texture Riche
In dry climates, hand cream is a must. Hands dry out so quickly, particularly when you're washing them a lot (hello, cold season). This hand cream ensures your hands will stay hydrated by delivering up to eight hours of hydration.
Youth to the People
Superberry Dream Cleansing Balm
To help skin maintain moisture, I'll skip stripping cleansers and opt for a hydrating cleansing balm. This one immediately melts makeup and takes away dirt and oil without leaving a filmy residue.
Olio E Osso
Balm No. 3
Not only does this lip balm deliver the dreamiest sheer wash of color, but it also packs a mega-moisturizing punch. I'm very picky about lip balms, but this one is on constant rotation for me.
Armani Beauty
Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation
I love this foundation because it delivers just enough coverage while sinking in perfectly to the skin. It has a radiant finish, so it helps ensure my skin never looks dry.
Armani Beauty
Luminous Silk Face
Undereye Concealer
With a buildable medium coverage and a hydrating formula, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better concealer for covering dark circles in colder months. It looks so natural and helps ensure your skin stays supple.
Nars
The Multiple Stick in Orgasm
Nars Orgasm blush was my go-to between the years 2014 and 2018. Since then, I've never worn a different blush formula. As I've gotten older, I've veered away from powder blushes but still love Nars Orgasm for delivering a realistic, radiant-looking glow to my cheeks.
Ilia
Fullest Volumizing Mascara
I cycle through mascaras like nobody's business. Lately, I've been reaching for this volumizing formula from Ilia—it makes my lashes look so thick and full that I might as well be wearing falsies.
Dedcool
Xtra Milk Travel
This is like Dedcool's famous Milk fragrance was turned up to full volume. With the same notes of bergamot, white musk, and amber, this perfume lasts a little bit longer and delivers a little bit heavier of a punch.
Lawless
Hold Up Soft Set Creamy Eyebrow Wax
Ever since this brow wax launched, it's the only one I'll touch to keep my brows in line. It delivers tons of hold while amping up volume and color.
Half Magic Beauty
Magic Flik
I will always bring liquid eyeliner with me wherever I go, and this one is perfect because it basically works like a calligraphy pen to draw as graphic—or as thin—lines as you want.
Wet Brush
Go Green Mini Detangler
I take this brush with me everywhere—in my work bag, to the gym, and even on a plane. It makes brushing my thick hair a breeze.
JVN
Complete Conditioning Mist Travel
Don't forget that your hair needs extra moisture, too! This conditioning mist helps lock in hydration for smooth, shiny, and soft hair.
Prior to her time atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing
, Katie Berohn worked as the beauty assistant for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in journalism and minor in technology, arts, and media, and earned her master's degree at NYU's graduate program for magazine journalism. In addition, Katie has held editorial internships at Denver Life magazine, Yoga Journal, and Cosmopolitan; a digital editorial internship at New Yorkmagazine's The Cut; a social good fellowship at Mashable; and a freelance role at HelloGiggles.