Top Travel Beauty Essentials

16 December 2024 | By Shani Tsai

From minis of our favourite products to the easy-to-pack items that you’ll need on your holiday... Try these travel beauty essentials.

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It’s time to pack your bags and get ready for the epic trip you’ve been planning for months. However, when you finally get to closing your bags, it takes pushing and prodding, and only when you sit on your suitcase can you just force it closed.

We’ve all experienced that before! Do things differently this year and make use of the handy travel minis that now line the bath, body and beauty aisles.

Maximise your packing space

If you’re still traveling with the toiletry bag passed down from your dad’s past business trips, it’s time to upgrade. There are many to choose from – ones with bold colours, unique prints and minimalist appeal, and those with sections for every step of your get-ready routine.

You could choose a single, large toiletry bag or vanity case that allows you to store all your products in it or opt for a set of three or four separate bags that you can dedicate to different products.

Easy essentials

If you’re only going away for a few days, there’s really no need to travel with your tub of body butter. Also, be realistic about which steps of your bath time routine you’ll actually have time for on holiday – you might find that foot masks aren’t a priority for the few days you’ll be away and that your multitasking body butter can cover them. Or, you might have more than enough time to indulge in your full routine and maybe even a few extra steps.

Either way, travel minis are a great way to travel light and save space at your accommodation. Take advantage of any 3-for-2 deals when shopping so you can cover all your bases – or purchase refillable containers and tubs into which you can decant product from the tubs and tubes you use at home.

When it comes to hair care, leave your bulk-buy shampoo and conditioner in your shower and pack a conditioning shampoo bar instead. Curly girls will know the struggle that ensues after a day at the beach. There’s no need to part with your detangling brush when you’re on the go – simply pack a small version of your trusted detangling brush into your handbag for the same ease and convenience you enjoy when washing your hair at home. For those in-between days, dry shampoo is your new BFF – a smaller bottle will suffice for the holidays.

Skincare SOS

If you’re feeling the heat, a spritz of nourishing water will cool you down and soothe irritated skin. Word on the street is that Avene’s thermal spring water is the one to pack!

When it comes to SPF, there’s no need to walk around with a large bottle! Pick a smaller tube or buy a combo deal that has a larger bottle you can leave at home and another smaller version for your travels.

Facetime

What’s the purpose of your holiday? Is it to kick back and relax, barefoot in the sand, or to paint the town red? Or both? Consider this when packing your beauty bag. A good base to start with for any trip is a moisturising BB cream, and the essentials for a fresh face: something for the eyes and lips. You could pack your favourites or opt for a gift set that includes a few must-haves. Multitaskers that work for your lips, cheeks and eyes are game changers.

Scent on your way

A fragrance set is made for being on the move. In just one box you’ll find a variety of products in your scent of the season. Pick the set that has the ones you need – from body lotion and hand cream to a fragrance wand, there’s an add-on for everyone. Or, you could purchase a gift set that has a selection of different scents from the same brand – perfect for switching from a breezy scent to complement a day spent outdoors to a deeper, sultry mood for dinner.

IMAGE CREDIT: 123rf.com

Products featured in this article

Sorbet

3 in 1 Cosmetic Bag

R 35.00
Clicks

Fold Up Bag Pink & Purple

R 69.00
Clicks

Toiletry Bag Set Black & Purple 3 Piece

R 30.00
Oh So Heavenly

Classic Care Body Wash Gel Travel Mini Berry Bubbly 90ml

R 29.99
Hydrating Body Butter Mini 50ml

R 34.99
The Body Shop

Ginger Shampoo Bar 60g

R56.00
Sorbet Drybar

Volume & Texture Dry Shampoo 60ml

R 62.99
Wet Brush

Brush Mini Detangler Pink

R152.00
Clicks

Exfoliating Face Mask Apricot Scrub

R 29.99
Avene

Thermal Spring Water 50ml

R 145.00
SUNprotect

Lotion Aloe SPF 50 50ml

R 129.00
SUNprotect

SPF50 Value Pack 340ml & 70ml

R 209.00
Sorbet

BB Cream Shade 05

R 185.00
Portia M

Starter Kit

R 24.00
Smudge

Daily Basic Set

R 18.00
The Body Shop

Freestyle Multi-Tasking Colour Real 15ml

R 125.00
Sorbet

Blossom Charm Gift Set

R 269.00
Oh So Heavenly

Scentsations Gift Set

R 60.00