Talk about travel stress -- it's usually after our clothes, shoes, bras and thongs have been meticulously packed into every inch of a carry-on that the realization hits: That massive cosmetics bag sitting on the bathroom counter doesn't stand a chance of squeezing in -- even if we hide all the lipsticks in our kicks. So what's a jetsetter (with a major aversion to checked bags, because honestly who has the patience...) to do?
Here's the truth: a few easy adjustments to your packing list (like swapping in some hero multitaskers, spill-free skin savers, and fab minis) can shrink your beauty bag and make it adhere to the TSA rules on liquids; plus, add more chill to your travel -- no luxury lost. You might even have some room left over for that fancy duty-free French eye cream.
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Rule No. 1: Find the Perfect Do-It-All Palette
After a long flight sucking in stale cabin air, we're usually left digging around for lip balm, highlighter and blush to fake a pulse. Save time and score it all in one spot by popping open one of RMS Beauty's Signature Sets, $44, which include their crazy popular luminizer and happen to made with clean, organic ingredients -- nice because you've just bathed in enough funky stuff on the plane.
If you're more of an eye shadow girl, try the Tarte Tarteist Trio, $35 -- an all-in-one travel kit that gives you enough options for daytime and nighttime looks.
'Small' doesn't equal settling for less -- it's easy to hit up the department store to stock up on samples of your favorite luxe fragrances, or shop online where loads of cult beauty products now come in travel sizes. Keep your eyes peeled for brands that keep their goods on the compact side, too -- when we're sitting in the middle row at 30,000 feet and the AC's on blast, you'll find us, eyes closed, rubbing in the superhydrating Tata Harper Repairative Moisturizer, $105, which easily slides through TSA at 1.7 fl oz.
If your bag is seriously hurting for space, keep minis, like It Cosmetics Travel Size Confidence in a Cream, $16, stowed away in your travel kit, so you're always ready to hit the road.
...When it comes to beauty products, that is. (Obviously go for double if it's boardwalk ice cream.) Buy a box of single-use tanning wipes, face wipes and sheet masks, and throw a few in your bag for each trip to save major space. Right now we're living for Tenoverten Non-Acetone Polish Remover + Finishing Hand Cleanser Cloths, $32, which even come with a cleansing hand cloth in case you need to nix a chipped paint job on the fly and your manicurist is across the country.
Unless you've got tricky hair, most of us are fine suffering through hotel shampoo and conditioner for a couple of days, but face wash is a different story -- BYO to avoid a mug irritated from harsh soap. Cleansers love to spill and ooze out of makeup bags, which is why a powder or stick cleaner is a must. Urban Decay Meltdown Makeup Remover Cleansing Oil Stick, $26, melts into a liquid as you swipe it across your face and rinses off easily with no icky residue.
Likewise, Honest Beauty Refreshingly Clean Powder Cleanser, $22, gently yet effectively washes away the day's grime, and comes in genius, single-serve packaging that's no bigger than a sugar packet.
