travel beauty guide
We just got back from celebrating my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary in Costa Rica, and if you’ve been following me on social media, you know it was anything but a vision of Pina coladas and good health. All three of my kids AND my husband and I partook in a symphony of spewing on and off for an entire week. With that being said, we still managed to experience glimpses of the surreal life, whether it be surfing in the docile, salty ocean or floating in the beautiful beach club’s infinity pool. That much sun and sand is surely a remedy for a weary and tired soul but it can also wreck havoc on your skin and hair. Alas, I list my MUST BRING beauty products when traveling to a warmer destination to keep you looking supple and fresh… even if you’re throwing up into a swanky dinner napkin.
Bumble and Bumble Invisible Oil Shampoo and Conditioner: When your hair is seriously parched from salt and sun, this shampoo and conditioner duo will bring your locks back to life. It’s super hydrating, it tames the frizzies and is a major detangler, AND, it’s gentle enough to use on your hair every day. I love that you can buy this shampoo and conditioner in travel size at almost all beauty stores.
Briogeo Deep Conditioning Hair Mask: Some times a normal conditioner, no matter how promising, is just not enough when your tresses have been exposed to the elements. For instance, this past week I spent copious amounts of hours underwater… by the time I got around to rinsing off, my strands felt brittle and ready to snap right off. Thankfully, I remembered to bring a trial size of Brigeo’s deep conditioning mask. After generously globbing this mask onto my hands, massaging into my hair and scalp and letting it sit for a few minutes…. my hair felt like buttah. I love this mask so much that I bought a big tub of it from Sephora when I returned home (and also got a couple to give as gifts for Christmas).
Ouai Rose Hair and Body Oil: First off, can I just say that Ouai is killing it in the beauty game? Their products are so worthy, you’ll never go wrong buying any one of them. I love this oil because it’s affordable, comes in a perfect size for travel, tames the flyaways atop my head AND moisturizes my dry, scaly skin. The smell is light and divine and the oil is not slimy…which is somewhat puzzling but who cares!?!
It+ CC+ Cream: If you’re heading out into the sun, UV protection is key but who wants to be a ghost face on the beach? If you want protection AND even, tinted, glowing skin, apply this stuff liberally. I LOVE this CC cream from it Cosmetics because it’s oil free, it offers full coverage, and there is no way any sun damaging rays are seeping through it’s titanium dioxide barrier. It’s also easy to apply. Squirt two pumps into your hand, and apply all over face. C’est tout.
Ouai leave-in-conditioner: Yup, another great product by Ouai… I bought a small bottle of this and was super impressed. After the shower, I would spray all over my hair and then on my daughters’ hair. It was the first time in a loooong time, I was allowed to brush through my kids’ snarly hair without a fight. It also smoothed our wild frizzies and held up in the Costa Rican humidity. This detangler is an essential, must-have beauty product and the delicious scent lingers for days (which is fantastic because I don’t plan on washing my hair until next week!)
TIDAL by Sunday Riley: After getting blasted in the face MULTIPLE TIMES by the shaking of a sandy towel (thanks to my daughters), I could practically peel the grit and grime off my face at the end of the day. My skin’s saving grace was Sunday Riley’s TIDAL that I would generously spread on any chance I remembered. TIDAL contains hyaluronic acid which holds 100x it’s weight in water so naturally it plumped and hydrated my skin with ease. I do have this in a full size at home, but I also used a bunch of Sephora Rouge points to buy a handful of travel size TIDALs which was a space-saver’s dream while traveling.
Emergency Medical Kit: Aside from the obvious bandaids, advil, immodiums etc…. When I’m traveling I’m never without a couple suppositories. I know this topic is sort of taboo but I’ve always vowed to give it to you straight. Who among us has regular bowels when we’re out of the comfort of our own home? Good for you, if you can poop with ease anywhere you go but that certainly is not my style. My stomach gets all out of whack if I even go into New York City for an afternoon. It’s the worst going somewhere for a week and feeling bloated and uncomfortable. I know I sound like an infomercial but it’s time to get smart and never leave home without these glycerin rockets of relief. They’re dummy-proof and won’t make you crampy… just a little crappy!
