I’m a beauty journalist and I still haven’t mastered the art of returning home post vacay without breaking out. That is, until now. Previously, I’d just buy mini bottles from Amazon and squeeze my fave formulas into teeny 100ml portions. In doing so, I was ignoring the cardinal beauty rule – that your skin needs change according to your environment – and I’d return home with a delicious tan but a not-so-delicious breakout. Enter: the latest wave of hardworking beauty travel kits, tipped to treat your skin, body and hair like the unique entities that they are, and specifically curated to tackle travel-related concerns.
Maria de la Orden x Oh My Cream Summer Kit
Okay, first things first: the bag. The BAG. I’m obsessed. It’s potentially my favourite piece of the kit. It is so charming; ideal for days spent in floral dresses, frolicking around a sunny park or beach. It’s small enough to look sophisticated and big enough to fit all of your essentials. Bag aside, this is the most perfect curation of travel formulas I’ve ever seen. It’s luxurious, hard-working, packed with things you’ll actually need, and stars an exciting mix of iconic and indie brands. From tan-boosting supplements and a full-sized SPF to moisturising shampoo, a multi-purpose palette and more, this is your one-stop shop to skin, body and hair holiday perfection. If you need just one kit to do it all, this is it. Oh, and it’s suitable for those who’re unlucky enough to get dry and sensitised skin whenever they vacay.
NEOM The Mini Super Shower Power Set
I recently went backpacking around Slovenia with my husband. When I say backpacking, I mean really backpacking. We had one backpack each. This gave me no end of stress. How was I, a serum-obsessed woman, supposed to fit everything into one airport-approved, transparent, plastic sandwich bag? I mean, skincare, makeup and body formulas all in one little square ziplock? No chance. So, when my husband looked at my hopeful pile of “to pack” products and exasperatedly asked me why I was packing shampoo and conditioner (“There will be some at the hostel!”), I left them aside. Worst decision ever. Needless to say, there was no shampoo, let alone conditioner, at said hostel. My hair? Straw. I am never listening to my husband again. Instead, I am gluing myself to this dreamily scented trio from NEOM for all foreseeable holidays. Formulated without silicones or sulphates, it invigorates, nourishes and hydrates from root to tip – ideal for post-sea strands and thirsty skin.
Saltee Yacht Kit
It would be rude of me to write a piece on beauty travel kits without including one on the Holy Grails of skincare: SPF. A triptyque of skin-protecting formulas, this set sees skin through sunny days via sustainable, ocean-friendly formulas for all occasions. Treat your visage to a cooling, cucumber-infused SPF 50 and slather your body in the oil-infused Active Sun Lotion, which eases achey muscles, boosts your natural glow and keeps your skin hydrated. Oh, and don’t forget your After Sun! This one stimulates the skin’s natural sun defences and prevents photo-ageing while enhancing your tan.
ROWSE Travel Capsule
Davines OI Travel Kit With OI Oil
ELEMIS x Morris & Co The Grooming Collection
I don’t know about you, but nothing irks me more than my husband dipping into my fave skincare formulas – on holiday or otherwise. So, if you haven’t used up all of your travel partner’s liquid allowance (I’m outing myself here), then treat them to this five-piece set from Elemis. Housed in a sophisticated pouch that’s lined with a beautiful chrysanthemum toile design from the William Morris archives, it includes a body wash, facial wash, shaving gel, eye mask and moisturiser, making it one of the best beauty travel kits for the boys. PSA: you can’t buy this via the UAE website just yet, but the UK website ships to us.
