12 AWESOME PACKING HACKS FOR YOUR fave BEAUTY products
I love beauty products, worked at a beauty salon for years and only ever travel with carry on luggage. I have my beauty routine and packing down pat so I wanted to share some cheeky hacks and ideas, so you can feel fabulous on your adventures without lugging bags of toiletries around like I used to!
Yeah yeah, I know, you still want to look good for all the hot foreigners… I mean photos, it’s for the photos, I got you covered.
1. embrace the travel bottles
USE CUTE TRAVEL SIZED CONTAINERS FOR GOODNESS SAKE! I think this is hands down the best packing hack and probably the most obvious. Shampoo, cleanser, conditioner, body wash, serums etc etc. Downsize it and save some space. I also do this because big glass bottles are heavy and break easily and there’s nothing more devastating than opening your bag and finding your favourite products all over your clothes.
2. Stock up on samples
I stock up on sample products to take on holidays with me as they’re small, I don’t care if I lose them and you only have to use them once then you can chuck them away. I also go to Sephora or Mecca and get little sample pots of my foundation to take with me. It saves space and again, saves me taking big expensive bottles that could break.
3. Mini products Are awesome
Buy things in their cute mini form if you can. Mini mascara, blush, sunscreen, deodorant, dry shampoo, hairbrush, toothpaste etc. Everything in its tiny form! You can also get a travelo which is a small, refillable perfume bottle to put your perfume in to save carrying around big glass bottles!
4. Bring loads of sheet face masks instead of expensive serums
I always pack at least five sheet face masks on my travels. They’re super rehydrating after being on a long haul flight that can dry out your skin! The face masks take up little space in your bag and again, you don’t need to worry about them breaking or spilling. They’re a fantastic and inexpensive way to brighten or hydrate your skin on the road and give yourself a little self love. Also a fantastic product to buy from a foreign pharmacy.
5. Clear toiletry bags are your friend
Use clear make up and toiletries bags so you can see everything you need without having to open them. It saves time and makes packing easy. I use one for make up and one for all my toiletries like shampoo and soap. If you’re only going on a short holiday try and put everything into just one bag. Challenge yourself. You can do this. Minimalist life and all that jazz.
6. Split Up Large Beauty Products to save space
Separate bulky items like dry shampoo, hair spray, hair dryers and straighteners (if you REALLY need to bring these in the first place) by putting the cans inside shoes (I also put belts in my shoes) and your straightener wrapped up in your clothes.
7. get around some Multi-Use Products
Take as many multi use products as possible, as well as products that have two things in them. For example, sunscreen and moisturizer in one. Lipstick that doubles as a cream blush, eyeshadow that works as an eyeliner, hair treatment instead of conditioner and baby wipes as make up remover wipes as you can use them for loads of stuff!
8. Cut Down on Make Up and go el natural baby
You don’t need all your make up on holidays! Pack essentials like BB cream or one foundation, concealer, mascara, blush OR bronzer, one eyeshadow palette that doubles as eyeliner, lip balm and lipstick you can also use as blush. I always tint my eyebrows and eyelashes so I never feel like I need a lot of make up through the day, I just pack mine for the cheeky nights on the dance floor or when I feel a bit yuck and want to feel cute.
9. Don’t pack All Your Fave Products
My housemates luggage was lost on the way back from Mexico once and she had to buy ALL her beauty products again. Did your heart just break at the thought of losing all of your favourite products? Imagine not having the things that make you feel confident and put a spring in your step when you’re on the way to meet Derek the bass player on a Tuesday night! Be smart. Decant things. Leave things at home. Buy funner things overseas.
10. but do pack the stuff that makes you feel good
This might seem contradictory to the above, but if all your skincare and make up makes you feel good about yourself and you’re travelling long term, find a way to make it fit in your luggage. Give up a couple of shirts or a pair of shoes to fit your favourite products in or spread them across many mini bottles. I pack my eyelash and eyebrow tint and multiple expensive hair products with me, even though they take up a lot of space because I feel way better about myself with them in tow!
11. Buy fun products in pharmacies
I love an overseas pharmacy! Cheap make up, cheap beauty products and often, they have stronger teeth whitening stuff than Australia does. Leave your basic stuff at home and pick up some new products when you arrive to save space and try out new fun things, woo shopping!
12. conquer jet lag
This isn’t beauty related but when you get outside of Australia and feel jet lagged but awake but you need to sleep and it’s a vicious cycle – fear less! Go to the pharmacy and get some Melatonin which is the body’s natural sleep hormone and take it when you should be going to sleep. It’s a great product but it’s banned in Australia (like lots of other good things) except for a few cheeky websites that sell it. Places like the UK, Europe and America sell it over the counter but if you’re super prepared you can get some from iHerb.com.
Hopefully this helps you in being a well prepared, appropriately packed beauty traveller! Don’t forget places like Europe and America have way better, cheaper products and you need to save space in your luggage to bring those beauties home!
Yours in feeling pretty,
Helena