30 Beauty Products I’m Taking on Back-to-Back Work Trips
Most Wanted is a weekly series in which one editor, staffer, or influencer shares their top 30 must-haves or current wish-list items.
This almost never happens, but this month, I have a lot of traveling to look forward to. First, I’ll be heading to Coachella (for the first time!) for a fun press trip with beauty brand EOS and then heading to Sweden as a guest of one of my favorite Stockholm-based haircare brands, Maria Nila, the Monday after. Needless to say, it’s going to be a bit tiring for me once the middle of the month rolls around, but I’m not complaining! What I am doing is making sure I’m prepared. I have an entire laundry list of products I simply can’t leave home without, but an especially long one of beauty favorites I can’t picture packing my carry-on without. For my choice luggage, favorite travel beauty products, and a few fashion favorites I’ll be packing, keep scrolling.
The Luggage
When I tell you I am obsessed with this bag… One of my best friends recommended this travel bag to me, and I can’t say enough good things about it. It’s just the perfect bag to use as a carry-on or personal item. It fits so many things and has a ton of pockets if you like to keep everything super organized. I’ll definitely always use this on larger trips, but it’s also the perfect weekend bag for smaller trips. There are so many cute colors, but I decided to go with classic black.
Calpak
Luka Mini Belt Bag
The mini belt bag is perfect for trips out of the country. Even though this is the mini size, it’s still surprisingly roomy. There are also, of course, more pockets for keeping organized. I’ll be taking this one to both Coachella and Sweden.
I absolutely love this hazelnut color and the Hue Large Luggage is so sturdy. It’s the perfect size to bring on a weeklong international trip. It’s also expandable up to two inches if you’re an over packer (like I am). You’ll also fall in love with the sleek, minimalist design—it goes with any airport outfit.
Calpak
Hue Front Pocket Carry-On Luggage
I usually only bring one carry-on item on a plane, but since I’ll be flying internationally, I’ll be bringing both my Luka Duffel and Hue Carry-On. I love the front pocket on this one for my laptop. Much like the Luka Duffel, this is also perfect to take on weekend trips if you just want to bring something smaller. Between those two items, you’d be able to fit everything perfectly with room to spare! I can’t say enough good things about Calpak. You truly can’t go wrong with any of the brand’s luggage. I’ll probably be purchasing the Hue Trunk Luggage next for larger trips.
You may have seen this vanity case on TikTok already, but I can personally vouch for how great it is. Miraculously, it holds my exorbitant amount of beauty products and is tall enough that I’m never worried about anything spilling or tipping over in my bag. It also keeps everything super organized and neat, which I love.
I’m a tad extra. I like to bring separate travel bags for my makeup and skincare. Étoile’s Combo Beauty Bag offers the perfect amount of space and compartmentalization for all my makeup products—even brushes!
The Beauty Products
Sofie Pavitt Face
Clean Clean Cleanser
I’m a huge fan of NYC’s “acne whisperer,” Sofie Pavitt. I’ve been struggling with my skincare routine, so I DM’ed Pavitt on Instagram. She helped me make some tweaks to my routine that really improved things for me. This hydrating, gentle cleanser from Pavitt is a must to start with. My skin is super sensitive, and I’ve been breaking out pretty badly. Pavitt suggested making sure I’m not using more than one active in my routine at a time and to start with this cleanser. Of course, as soon as I adjusted things, my breakouts stopped.
Sofie Pavitt Face
Mandelic Clearing Serum
This is truly a holy-grail item for me. Pavitt designed this serum for my exact skin type. It’s for anyone whose skin is too sensitive for strong exfoliators but would still benefit from daily exfoliation. Mandelic acid works like a charm for me, and due to the large molecule size, it doesn’t irritate skin or cause new breakouts. It does take a bit longer to see those results, but as Pavitt says, trust the process.
Dieux
Deliverance Antioxidant & Niacinamide Serum for Calm & Even Skin
Deliverance is truly a gift. My sensitive, irritation-prone, and acne-prone skin loves this serum. It contains a blend of antioxidants (encapsulated cannabinoids), peptides, and niacinamide to support strong, healthy, and irritation-free skin.
Dieux
Air Angel Collagen & Peptide Hydrating Gel Cream
Honestly, you can’t go wrong with this moisturizer or Instant Angel ($45) from Dieux. Air Angel is designed for oilier, acne-prone skin, while Instant Angel is great for dry skin types. However, both are noncomedogenic, and I’ve found Instant Angel works great in the colder months. Since it’s spring, though, I’ll be packing Air Angel. I’ve been having a monthslong affair with this moisturizer because it’s light and fluffy on the skin but still provides a lot of rich hydration for my otherwise dehydrated skin.
Dieux
Forever Eye Mask Reusable 100% Silicone Patches
These reusable eye masks are so great to bring on a trip. My skin gets extra dehydrated when I travel, and the first place that shows up is my under-eye area.
Dieux
Auracle Peptide & Antioxidant Eye Gel
This eye cream is extra hydrating and pairs so well with Dieux’s reusable eye masks.
EltaMD
Uv AOX Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 50
My sunscreen of choice is EltaMD’s UV AOX Elements for this trip. I’m a huge fan of this formula and UV Clear, but I prefer this one since it’s mineral-only. It’s hydrating on the skin and slightly tinted so it blurs out any blemishes.
La Roche-Posay
Thermal Spring Water for Sensitive Skin
I always keep a bottle of this facial spray handy on my bedside table, but it’s an absolute necessity while traveling. It instantly refreshes and hydrates my skin. The fine-mist nozzle also allows you to spray it over your makeup without ruining it.
EOS
Shea Better Moisture Body Lotion Vanilla Cashmere
This super-hydrating lotion is the best. I first discovered it on Instagram, and it’s now one of my favorites. The Vanilla Cashmere scent also smells like cupcakes and happiness. I’ll be packing this one for both trips.
EOS
Shea Better Shave Cream Lavender
I thought shaving cream was an unnecessary until I tried this one. It leaves your legs feeling so silky smooth, and I love the lavender scent.
Maria Nila
Coils & Curls Co-Wash
I’ve waxed poetic about Maria Nila’s Curls & Coils collection quite a bit. I love this co-wash because it’s gentle, hydrating, and great for days I want to cleanse my already dry strands but don’t want it to feel brittle or stripped.
Maria Nila
Coils & Curls Finishing Hair Mask
This deep-conditioning mask works wonders for my curls. I love that it’s super hydrating and doesn’t contain coconut oil. Coconut oil is in so many curl products, but it unfortunately dries my hair out even more. Ugh.
Conair
Infinitipro by Conair Curl Secret Auto Curler
I’m packing this handy Conair curler for Coachella since it’s so easy to use and makes curling my hair far less of a pain.
Soft Services
Comfort Cleanse Ultra-Soothing + Moisturizing Body Wash
This hydrating bodywash is a favorite of mine. It adds so much moisture to my skin along with the brand’s Carea Cream ($40).
Parfums de Marly
Delina Exclusif Eau de Parfum
It’s hard for me to imagine going anywhere without my signature scent. This perfume is so delightfully floral, juicy, and sweet. I’m truly not just saying this—every time I wear it, someone asks me what perfume I’m wearing. The notes of pear, rose, lychee, vanilla, incense, and grapefruit are just *chef’s kiss.* I know it’s super pricey, but if you have the budget, trust me, you won’t regret buying this—especially if you love gourmand scents.
About Face
Fractal Glitter Eye Paint
This glitter eye paint from About Face is unreal. The pigment payoff is gorgeous and will be so cute to wear to Coachella. The shades are so good that half of them are sold out, but I’m glad I got my hands on a few to wear for the weekend.
Glossier
Stretch Fluid Foundation
Glossier’s Stretch Fluid Foundation is so hydrating and provides great coverage for all-day wear. It’s also breathable and never feels too heavy or cakey.
Caliray
Come Hell or High Water Volumizing & Lengthening Tubing Mascara
This is one of my favorite mascaras, and it’s perfect for festival season or traveling. It’s a tubing formula, so it doesn’t smudge, flake, or cause raccoon eyes after a few hours. I’ve worn it for eight plus hours in different kinds of weather, and it never budged once.
Basma Beauty
The Cream Blush
This cream blush from Basma is so buttery soft and buildable and looks so good on darker skin tones. I use this on my eyes sometimes as well when I want to do a no-makeup makeup look.
Grown Alchemist
Hydra-Repair Day Cream
This rich, hydrating hand cream is everything. I’ll be keeping it in my carry-on since it’s only 2.19 fluid ounces. My hands get so dry all the time, and this is the perfect cream to keep in my bag while traveling to combat that. It contains a rich blend of oils to give you baby-soft hands for hours.
Other Favorites I’m Packing
Boot Barn
Shyanne Rival Performance Western Boots
These are most definitely coming with me to Coachella. They’re the perfect black cowboy boots, and they honestly go with so many outfits. Because they’re from Boot Barn, they’re also incredibly sturdy and well-made.
Apothékary
The Honest Youth
I’m a huge fan of Apothékary and its herbal tinctures. I would need an entire separate piece to talk about all my favorite formulas, but for now, I’ll just say that I won’t leave home without this one in tow. It works wonders for my skin by keeping it hydrated and reducing breakouts.
Conair
Comfortball Heating Pad
This heating pad is so nice to have after a workout or if I’m dealing with menstrual cramps. Unfortunately, it will be that time of the month for me during these trips, so I’m definitely squeezing this into my suitcase to bring with me. Luckily, Calpak’s Hue suitcase is big enough to fit it, no problem!
These classic shades from Le Specs are so ’90s. I can’t stop wearing these—they pair so well with almost every outfit. I’ll be packing these for both trips.
Alo Yoga
Airbrush High-Waist Highlight Goddess Leggings
I’m obsessed with every pair of ALO leggings that I own, and this soft, stretchy pair is perfectly for flying.
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