Only taking hand luggage? Our beauty expert’s guide to the items you MUST have on your holiday

By William On Jun 23, 2024

The holidays are just around the corner, and as the cost of living continues to drag on, most of us are trying to save every penny we can.

Ask yourself if you really need checked luggage, or can you only handle carry-on luggage? With new scanners that will soon allow us to carry up to two liters of liquid in our carry-on luggage, the beauty options for carry-on luggage will become a lot more exciting.

Until then, here’s how to maximize your beauty sale: what to buy, where to store it, and my non-negotiables. . .

The holidays are just around the corner, and as the cost of living crisis continues, most of us are trying to save every penny we can

1. Buy on the other side

The perfect solution if you want to stay alone in a cabin is a trip after check-in to Boots. Soltan Protect & Moisturise SPF50+ 75ml Mini Sun Cream Spray (£4, boots.com) is my ride or die, currently on a three for the price of two offer. For the face, Garnier Ambre Solaire Super UV Vitamin C Facial SPF50+ Fluid (€ 9.33) offers extra care for people over 40.

I buy toothpaste, Batiste On-The-Go Dry Shampoo (€3.35), a good shampoo and conditioner, and a mini Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water (€6.50). Then I add body oil to moisturize, Vaseline for lips and cuticles, and an inexpensive mascara.

If I’m away for more than a week, I invest in a one-off face saver tax-free. My most recent was Shiseido Vital Perfection Lift Define Radiance Serum (£92.45, worlddutyfree.com). It has been so beautifully revived, it is money well spent.

2. Sticks and solids

A further backup are the solids and sticks you stuff deep in your bag. A lip shield with a high SPF is essential — ditto a bright lip for evening and sightseeing that doubles as a brush blush. Please note: lip gloss is counted as a liquid, lipstick is not.

Stick Foundation has improved by leaps and bounds. Bobbi Brown Skin Concealer Stick (£23.20, bobbibrown.co.uk) has 18 shades, is the size of a lipstick and is good on oilier skin.

Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blur & Smooth Tint Stick (£28, boots.com), in 25 shades, is a nice, thick affair that suits drier skin.

Mitchum Women Unscented Antiperspirant and Deodorant (£3.50) is a must for everyone.

I don’t unpack my beauty bag after a trip so I can get back out for the next outing

3. Fly your favorites

For beauty fanatics, a not insignificant part of your holiday will be taking time with invigorating rituals. Flights, sun and hotel air conditioning dry up, so hand cream is essential, as is lip balm. To fully relax I need a well-stocked beauty bag.

Many brands sell cult purchases in travel size. Estee Lauder offers its Advanced Night Repair Serum in a 7ml version (£16, boots.com); Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm comes in a handy mini (£12); or try Nip + Fab’s Vitamin C Serum in 50 ml (€ 19.95).

4. Ready to go

I don’t unpack my beauty bag after a trip so I can get back out for the next outing. And I always have it with me when I check in luggage, just in case it gets lost. My kit contains pots of SPF 50 and liquid foundation (there’s plenty of choice at Boots, Superdrug and Muji), plus a small tube of hand cream and fragrance. Ormonde Jayne offers fantastic bottles (£60 for 10ml, ormondejayne.com), as do Escentric Molecules (£35 for 5 x 8.5ml, spacenk.com).

I also include small skin care products from Dr. Hauschka toe (from £4, sephora.co.uk) and bath oil minis from Aromatherapy Associates (£38.25 for ten).

Finally, the organic hand hygiene spray with lavender from Dr. Bronner (£5.90, hollandandbarrett.com). Flying is so germy, so I like to travel protected.

5. Know the rules

No container for in-cabin LAGs (liquids, aerosols, gels) may exceed 100ml until the new airport scanners are operational. This includes lotions, creams, oils, perfume, foundation, lip gloss and nail polish.

Race there!

The age-old cult bestseller, Avon Skin So Soft Original Dry Oil Spray (£7.50, avon.uk.com), is now available in a bonus size of 250ml. Not only is it a fast-absorbing moisturizer, the SAS is also said to use it to keep mosquitoes at bay, thanks to the citronella. Keep a few by the back door now that barbecue season is here.

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My icon of the week: Ricki Lake

Dissatisfied with hormonal hair loss, Ricki Lake shaved her head in 2019 and then started using Harklinikken Hair Gain Extract

The American star recently lost two and a half stone through intermittent fasting, a keto diet and Pilates.

Unsatisfied with hormonal hair loss, she shaved her head in 2019 and then started using Harklinikken Hair Gain Extract (£89, harklinikken.co.uk).

She also swears by the brand’s Balancing Shampoo, which starts at £20. She now wears her locks gray and gorgeous.

Cosmetic desire

ClE de Peau Beaute Luminizing Face Enhancer (£79, lookfantastic.com) is incredibly expensive, but it creates such a flatteringly youthful, realistic highlight that I’m hooked.

Cle de Peau Beaute is a Japanese brand known for its exceptional foundation textures. This highlighter is true to form. I use it on my eyelids, cheekbones, lips and nose.

It lasts forever, doesn’t clog pores, and doubles as a compact handbag.

The secret of the subtle shine is opal powder, formulated after ten years of research. It defines the contours and works in harmony with the natural appearance of the skin.

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