Only Carry Hand Luggage? Our Beauty Expert Guide To The Items You MUST Have On Your Vacation

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The holiday season is almost here, and as the cost of living crisis continues, most of us are looking to save every penny we can.

Ask yourself if you really need check-in luggage or if you can travel in the cabin only. With new scanners that will soon allow us to carry up to two liters of liquid in our carry-on luggage, the beauty possibilities of carry-on luggage are becoming more and more interesting.

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

The holiday season is almost here, and as the cost of living crisis continues, most of us are looking to save every penny we can.

1. Buy from the other side

The perfect solution if you are trying to travel cabin only is a trip to Boots after check-in. 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 those over 40.

I buy toothpaste, Batiste On-The-Go dry shampoo (£3.35), a decent shampoo and conditioner and a Bioderma Sensibio H2O mini micellar water (£6.50). Then I add body oil for hydration, Vaseline for lips and cuticles, and a cheap mascara.

If I’m away for more than a week, I’ll invest in a unique face shield at duty free. The most recent was Shiseido Vital Perfection Lift Define Radiance Serum (£92.45, worlddutyfree.com). It’s so exquisitely revitalizing that it’s money well spent.

2. Sticks and solids

Another backup will be the solids and sticks that you keep deep in your bag. A high SPF lip balm is essential, as is a bright lip for evening and sightseeing that doubles as a brushable blush. Note: lip gloss is counted as liquid, lipstick is not.

The bar foundation has advanced in 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 for oilier skin.

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

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

I don’t unpack my toiletry bag after a trip so that it is ready for the next outing.

3. Fly with your favorites

For beauty lovers, a not inconsiderable part of their vacation will be dedicated to replenishment rituals. Flights, sun, and hotel air conditioning are drying, so hand cream is key, as is lip balm. To fully relax I need a well-stocked toiletry bag.

Many brands sell cult items in travel sizes. 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 format (£12); or try Nip + Fab Vitamin C Serum 50ml (£19.95).

4. Ready to take off

I don’t unpack my toiletry bag after a trip to have it ready for the next outing. And I always carry it when I check luggage, just in case it gets lost. In my kit are bottles of SPF 50 and liquid foundation (there are plenty to choose from at Boots, Superdrug and Muji), plus a small tube of hand cream and scent. Ormonde Jayne offers fantastic ampoules (£60 for 10ml, ormondejayne.com), as does Escentric Molecules (£35 for 5 x 8.5ml, spacenk.com).

I also add mini skincare products from Dr Hauschka (from £4, sephora.co.uk) and bath oil minis from Aromatherapy Associates (£38.25 for ten).

Finally, Dr Bronner’s Organic Lavender Hand Hygiene Spray (£5.90, hollandandbarrett.com). Flying is so full of germs that I like to travel protected.

5. Know the rules

No container for LAG (liquids, aerosols, gels) packaged in the cabin can be larger than 100 ml until the new airport scanners are operational. This includes lotions, creams, oils, perfumes, foundations, lip glosses, and nail polishes.

Run towards it!

The former cult bestseller, Avon Skin So Soft Original Dry Oil Spray (£7.50, avon.uk.com), is now available in an additional 250ml size. Not only is it a quickly absorbed moisturizer, but the SAS is said to use it to keep mosquitoes at bay thanks to its citronella. Keep some at the back door now that barbecue season is here.

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My icon of the week: Ricki Lake

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

The American star recently lost five pounds through intermittent fasting, a ketogenic diet, and Pilates.

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

She also opts for the brand’s balancing shampoo, which starts at £20. Now she’s showing off her gorgeous gray locks.

Cosmetic craving

ClE de Peau Beaute Luminizing Face Enhancer (£79, lookfantastic.com) is incredibly expensive, but it creates a realistic, youthful and flattering touch that I’m addicted to.

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

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

The secret to its subtle shine is opal powder, created after a decade of research. Defines contours and works in harmony with the skin’s natural radiance.

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