The Best Hair & Beauty Products for Travel

The Hair &Best Beauty Products for Travel

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links from which we may make commission from. As always, we only recommend places and products we love!

Over the years, I’ve tried to find travel-size toiletries that are effective to use for everyday life but also for traveling in all circumstances. Yes, I actually use these products and carry them in my toiletry bag no matter if I’m backpacking, traveling with a suitcase, or just a small backpack. Here you’ll find my honest opinion on what I feel are the best beauty products for travel. Obviously depending on your make-up preferences, skin type (mine is mostly combination), age, and hair type you may want to try something else!

Might I add, if these travel-size toiletries get me through a summer of backpacking in Japan AND while running around as an elementary teacher… I trust them!

TRAVEL SIZE TOILETRIES: MAKEUP ESSENTIALS

MAKE-UP PREP ESSENTIALS

Primer

When my mom and sister told me about makeup primer I scoffed at them and thought “yeah… right… now I need another product? SURE!” But then I tried the stuff and *facepalm* I was hooked. It helps to hold your makeup in place and feels like you just gave your skin a glass of water. It also helps set your make-up after putting it on.

SPLURGE: Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer $15
STEAL: e.l.f. Mineral Infused Face Primer $6

Comparison: These two apply differently but have the same results. The Too Faced primer smells like coconut and has a more watery consistency whereas the e.l.f. primer is more of a gel. I didn’t notice a difference in these two travel-size toiletries when it came down to the length of wear.

FACE ESSENTIALS

Foundation

This is one thing I never used until a few years ago. I always just slapped on some powder and called it good. However, foundation and I now are jiving and I love the way it provides me with full coverage and locks in my setting powder.

Over the years I’ve used a number of different foundations to find the one I love best. I tried a ton of the drug store brands and high-end brands too. The Makeup Revolution Foundation has proven itself time and time again for all-day wear.

STEAL: Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define Full Coverage Foundation $12

Concealer

Traveling doesn’t always play nice for your complexion. So if you have a pesky spot you need to cover up or dark undereye circles, a heavy-duty concealer is sure to do the trick!

SPLURGE: It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer $24
STEAL: Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define Full Coverage Concealer $7

Comparison: There isn’t much of a difference between these two travel-size toiletries, besides the cost. The It Cosmetics concealer is a bit thicker, but I equally love both of these for coverage and wear.

Pressed Powder

You’ll notice that I only included one pressed powder and that’s because I haven’t found a dupe or anything better for my combination skin. In high school, I worked for an Aveda salon and instantly fell in love with their dual foundation powder. It applies easily, has good coverage, and lasts a long time.

Aveda Inner Light Mineral Dual Foundation $26

Highlight & Contour

Another one of the travel-size toiletries I didn’t realize I would love or find necessary until I tried it. Contour kits have become all the rave in the past years. When I first tried a contour kit I was impressed to find that I could add definition to my face and emphasize features like my cheekbones and nose.

I don’t use my contour kit every day depending on the kind of travel I’m doing, but it’s definitely awesome when you’re planning to be in photos or for going from a day to night dramatic look. The palette is also very slim and slides easily into a make-up bag.

SPLURGE: Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit $40
STEAL: NYX Highlight & Contour Kit $25

Comparison: I usually don’t splurge for prestige cosmetics unless it’s worth it and I will say that I like the colors of the Anastasia contour kit a bit better. I also think it applies more smoothly.

Blush

If I could only pick three make-up items to bring on a trip, one would be blush! It’s a staple that adds some rosy color to your face. As my mom always says “blush and lipstick make you look alive!”

SPLURGE: Tarte Amazonian 12-Hour Blush $28
STEAL: Milani Powder Blush $8

Comparison: The Tarte blush does last a bit longer but they look and feel the same!

EYE MAKE-UP ESSENTIALS

Eyeshadow Primer

By now you’re probably beginning to wonder if I lived under a rock for a while but eyeshadow primer is another one of the travel-size toiletries I didn’t know I needed until recently. It helps keep your eyeshadow in place and saves you from having shadow “dust” all over your face.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion $13

Eyeshadow

While on the go I personally don’t want to carry around a giant eyeshadow palette. Instead, these mini palettes are perfect for day or night looks. If you aren’t interested in a palette I also have used and love these shadows from Colourpop.

SPLURGE: Urban Decay Naked2 Basics $29
STEAL: elf Mad for Matte Palette Nude Mood $10

Comparison: The colors are slightly different but the application and length of wear are the same.

Mascara

This is one of the travel-size toiletries I’m REALLY picky about because I want maximum length and volume and I HATE it when mascara flakes off during the day.

SPLURGE: Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara $24
STEAL: L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara $10

Comparison: Personally, I like the Too Faced mascara better because I think the applicator is better and I have noticed that L’Oreal does flake a bit and dries out a little more quickly. However, they’re extremely similar.

BROW ESSENTIALS

Tweezers

I’m adulting if I groom my eyebrows, right? But really, I left my tweezers once on a trip and it’s surprising how much they grow in just a few weeks’ time! Now I bring a pair with me every time because they’re super small and I don’t like being without them.

Revlon Slant Tip Micro Fine Tweezer $8

Brow Pencil

I have virtually no eyebrows without an eyebrow pencil, partially due to a bad brow wax (my first and last). I like these because they’re easy to apply and stay on all day. I never worry about smudging. ↓

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Pencil $21
NYX Professional Makeup Eyebrow Powder Pencil $6.50

Comparison: Seriously the same except the Anastasia pencil has more color options. My go-to is the NYX Professional Makeup pencil!

 LIP ESSENTIALS

I am pretty much obsessed with lip stuff. Chapstick, gloss, lipstick, you name it. You’ll pretty much find me applying it all day. These are a few of my long-time favorites.

Dionis Lip Balm $4
Colourpop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick $6.50 – My favorites in these liquid lipsticks include Sunday and Beeper.
Urban Decay Vice Lipstick $18 – My favorite color is Backtalk – it’s a dusty rose/mauve.

FINISHING TOUCHES

Setting Powder

This setting powder takes away shine, balances tone, and helps hold your face makeup in place. I usually only use this at home because it is a little bigger but I wanted to share all of my products with you in case you are on the hunt for some new stuff!

e.l.f. High Definition Powder $5

Makeup Setting Spray

THIS STUFF IS A DREAM. I have used it in all different settings and have been impressed with how much longer my makeup lasts because of this spray. One helpful tip I have is to spray this one after applying all of your makeup but before you apply mascara so it doesn’t dampen your mascara and cause it to run.

SPLURGE: Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray $15
STEAL: e.l.f. Makeup Mist & Set $4

Comparison: I have to say, Urban Decay does seem to work slightly better which is important to me because I don’t want to reapply makeup when on the go.

TRAVEL SIZE TOILETRIES: HAIR ESSENTIALS

Shampoo & Conditioner

Nowadays many hotels offer complimentary toiletries. Depending on where I’m traveling determines whether or not I bring my own shampoo and conditioner.

For example, in Japan, I was impressed by the hair products offered in most hotels so I didn’t bring shampoo or conditioner for the three months we were there. They typically don’t use little bottles as we do here in the States, instead, they fill bigger bottles up.

When I’m traveling in the States I try to bring my own because most hotels only have travel-size toiletries that are single-use plastic. I have listed a liquid option as well as a bar option for the shampoos I love and use while traveling.

Using a bar shampoo/conditioner can be a tad strange at first but you don’t have to worry about spills and are the perfect eco-friendly travel essential. I also love the Aveda Shampure shampoo because it cleanses your hair and you can refill it easily with your bigger shampoo bottles at home. Here are also some gluten-free shampoos to choose from.

Aveda Shampure Shampoo $9
LUSH Jason and the Argan Oil Solid Shampoo Bar $12

Aveda Shampure Conditioner $9
LUSH Big Solid Conditioner Bar $13

Dry Shampoo

I actually don’t wash my hair that often. Usually, every 5-7 days depending on the time of year. But before you start judging, my hair is extremely thick and dry which doesn’t require me to wash it as often. On the last day or two before I wash my hair, I tend to freshen up my locks with a bit of dry shampoo.

Batiste Travel Size Dry  Shampoo $6

Styling Products

As I said before, I have extremely thick and dry hair so I am always looking for styling products that will amplify volume in the roots and smooth out pesky flyaways. These are four products I typically use on a daily basis but when I’m traveling I occasionally only bring a root-boosting foam and my hairspray.

Aveda Volumizing Tonic $9
It creates maximum volume and shine.
Aveda Phomollient Styling Foam $9
Creates a weightless body and volume.
Aveda Smooth Infusion Style Prep Smoother $9
Provides 12 hours of protection against humidity (UM YES PLEASE).
L’Oreal Paris Elnett Hairspray $5
I despise hairsprays that make you feel like you have a helmet on your head. I prefer ones that are lightweight but still have a stronghold. This one by L’Oreal has those qualities and brushes out easily.

TRAVEL SIZE TOILETRIES: SKIN ESSENTIALS

Makeup Removal

Easy peasy makeup removal that is safe for your face and eyes. These are my favorite on the go! I usually tear them in half to make this pack of 25 equal 50.

YES TO Blueberries Brightening Facial Towels 25ct. $6

Acne Creme

Let’s face it… acne happens at all ages. Obviously, you’d want to zap that unwanted guest FAST. This Clean and Clear acne cream is the best over-the-counter acne medicine I’ve found.

Clean and Clear Persa-Gel 10 $5

Facial Moisturizer

Even on humid days wearing a moisturizer is important for hydrating and protecting your skin. I usually apply a moisturizer in the morning and evening.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion $5

Body Lotion

I frequently am using different kinds of lotion but regardless of the brand or scent I always like one that is lightweight, non-greasy, and doesn’t have an overpowering scent.

The Body Shop Shea Body Butter $7

The list could go on and on! I know it seems like quite a bit but it’s not so bad once you condense it into your toiletry bag. What are some of your favorite travel-size toiletries you can’t travel without?