Whether you’re hiking through dramatic landscapes, wandering around historic towns or catching a last-minute flight across Europe, sticking to your usual beauty routine isn’t always easy when you’re travelling. Changing climates, long journeys, flight delays and unpredictable weather can make an elaborate routine feel like more trouble than it’s worth.
The answer isn’t necessarily to pack more. Streamlining your beauty routine with versatile products, heat-free hair styling and a few clever packing choices can help you spend less time getting ready and more time enjoying your trip.
Simplify your skincare routine
Long flights and changes in temperature and humidity can leave your skin a little lack-lustre, so travelling probably isn’t the best time to experiment with an entirely new skincare routine. Instead of packing numerous products, stick to a few reliable essentials that work well for your skin.
Gentle cleanser: Choose a cleanser that removes make-up, SPF and everyday grime without leaving your skin feeling dry or tight.
Hydrating moisturiser: A good moisturiser can be particularly useful after a long flight or a day spent outdoors. Look for ingredients that suit your skin, like hyaluronic acid or ceramides.
Broad-spectrum tinted SPF: Combining sun protection with a subtle tint can help to cut down the number of products in your make-up bag. Depending on the coverage you prefer, it may also reduce the need for foundation during the day.
Streamline your hair routine for changing weather
Wind, humidity and unexpected rain can quickly undo an elaborate hairstyle. Curling wands, straighteners and multiple styling products also take up valuable luggage space, especially if you’re travelling with hand luggage.
Consider low-maintenance styling: If you wear wigs or hair extensions, choosing styles that don’t require adhesives or lots of additional tools can make getting ready while travelling much easier. Glueless drawstring wigs, for example, are designed to be secured without glue, making them a convenient option for travellers looking for additional volume, length or a different style without spending as much time getting ready.
Try overnight heatless waves: Depending on your hair type, loosely plaiting slightly damp hair before bed can create natural-looking waves by morning without relying on heated styling tools.
Pack a few emergency essentials: A compact detangling brush, silk or satin scrunchies and travel-sized dry shampoo can all come in handy when your hair needs a quick refresh after a long journey.
Try a five-minute make-up routine
Heavy make-up can feel uncomfortable during hot weather or long days spent exploring, so travelling is a good opportunity to pare your routine back to the products you actually use.
Spot concealing: If you’re wearing a tinted SPF, try applying concealer only where you want a little extra coverage rather than following with a full face of foundation.
Multi-use products: A cream tint that can be used on both lips and cheeks saves valuable space in your make-up bag while adding a little colour.
Long-lasting eye products: Waterproof or water-resistant mascara and brow products can be useful in hot, humid or rainy conditions.
Setting spray: If you already use one, a travel-sized setting spray is an easy addition to your beauty bag and can help your make-up last throughout a busy day.
Pack your beauty products more efficiently
A few simple changes can help to keep your beauty bag organised without taking up too much of your luggage allowance.
Consider solid products: Shampoo bars, solid perfume and cleansing bars can reduce the number of liquids you need to carry and minimise the risk of leaks inside your luggage.
Use reusable travel containers: Rather than packing full-sized bottles and jars, decant the amount you’re likely to need into smaller reusable containers. Just make sure they meet the hand luggage requirements for the airports you’ll be travelling through.
Pack a microfibre hair towel: If you prefer using one at home, a lightweight microfibre towel can be useful while travelling too. It takes up relatively little space and can help absorb excess water from your hair without vigorous towel drying.
Spend less time getting ready
Maintaining your personal style while travelling doesn’t need to mean bringing your entire bathroom cabinet with you. Choosing versatile skincare and make-up products, simplifying your hair routine and packing only what you’re likely to use can make getting ready much quicker.
If protective hairstyles form part of your usual routine, you might also want to explore different approaches to protective styling before your trip. Ultimately, the aim is to find a routine that works for you, your hair and skin type, and the destination you’re visiting – leaving you with more time to actually enjoy being there.
How do you keep your beauty routine simple while travelling? Do you have a favourite multi-use product, low-maintenance hairstyle or packing trick? Share your tips in the comments below.