The best beauty travel bag
On holiday, the low-maintenance beauty regime slips even lower. No make-up, hair tied back, sun screen (either Avene or Ultra Sun; for my sensitive skin), plenty of shower gel and a decent moisturiser. A quick spritz of Jo Malone’s Basil & Neroli cologne and I’m good to go. That’s it. No-faffing. I’m a bit of a skinflint and so my travel bag is usually a mixture of decanted lotions (Muji is good for containers) and miniature bottles of shampoo and shower gel nabbed from hotel rooms. Which reminds me, the first time I went away with Mr That’s Not My Age he had packed his shaving kit in a freebie cool bag (lunch size). I kid you not. Anyhow. We have moved on since then. This summer, my holiday beauty bag had a luxury upgrade. Thanks to Elemis who sent me a gift of this limited edition travel collection, a collaboration with Lily & Lionel. And, unlike Mr TNMA, I’ll be hanging onto the ‘designer keepsake’ bag. Big in the 1990s, Elemis is a skincare brand I am fond of – and as well as all the classic products, it’s doing some really good stuff, again. Slathering on the Frangipani body oil, in Greece, I felt completely spoiled, and after fishing a couple of floating face wipes out of the sea with a stick, I was pleased to be using the White Flowers makeup remover.
One of the best moisturisers with SPF I’ve found is Elemis’ Dynamic Resurfacing Day Cream. This super-duper beauty bag comes with a tub of Elemis’ oh-so popular Pro-Collagen Marine Cream which is equally lovely but a tad more fragrant. I am funny about fragranced moisturisers but I know beauty editors who buy this product because it makes their skin feel smooth, firm and fresh.
Here are some more holiday bits and pieces. What’s in your beauty travel bag?
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Discussion (18 Comments)
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Mrs Tonia says:
Always a soap dish Alyson including to the gym or pool. Saves having to use the more detergent like cleaner provided or a soap with ginger or a fragrance I don’t like. It is worth the trouble I assure you
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Scarlett says:
I’ve used Clarins for donkeys years but now almost everything is in glass it needs decanting, which to be honest hasn’t worked for me as everything needs labelling and without glasses I can’t see. So, for the last few Christmases I’ve bought the M&S advent calendar which has been great to try out new things. I’ve become slightly addicted to beauty boxes generally now and not only try new things but also have a good selection to take away with me.
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All my make-up and travel bags are keep-sake bags from promotions. I love Laura Mercier… for the cosmetics, and the best bags!
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Alysen Beacon says:
I usually buy skincare products in trial size packs at the airport duty-free shop, plus replacing my Clinique Moisture Surge rehydrating spray. But on future trips, I shall also be taking a decant of DHC cleansing oil, which is my best discovery in a long time. Cleanser alone cannot turn back the clock, but I swear this is doing so.
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A. Murphy says:
Impressive…..I’m very downmarket I fear!!! Facecloths & Dove soap to remove the grime, Nivea moisturisers which come in small tubes, tub creamy moisturiser, shampoo etc, travel bottle whatever takes my eye. Small bottle NV remover & varnish, mascara, lip stick,…..good to go!!!
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Nicola Codd says:
The first time the current Mr C came to stay he bought his toothbrush etc in a plastic carrier bag and still I married him!
My beauty bag all depends on whether hand luggage or hold. I’ve cecome a master at getting everything into Muji zipped bag for business travel. Much prefer to use free sample or promos than decanting. Also useful to remember what you now get that isn’t a liquid eg shampoo.
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Beth says:
I discovered Elemis 3 years ago on a trip to Scotland. I became a convert as I used up the skincare Iine I liked very much. Recently, I saw my facial and she was amazed at how clear and firm my skin was. Great products and available in the States.
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michele says:
I use Paula’s Choice only. I used to use Clarins , but then discovered Paula’s Choice close to 20 +years ago and in my opinion, never can go wrong. Whenever you order you get to choose 3 freebies and I use these for travel. Try out her line. You won’t regret it.
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LauraM says:
The only skin care line this 50+ woman will use! I’m a business traveler and do the same. Thank goodness for her vit C serum!
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Elaine I says:
I like to travel with non liquid products when possible. Lush do great solid shampoos and they can be used for body and hair. They last for ages too. I have also found some great versions in my local Health Food Store. Microfibre cleansing cloths are lighter and dry faster than traditional face cloths and better for environment than wipes. All my other requirements are samples or from beauty boxes. Samples in magazines are useful too!!
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Natalie Conyer says:
I always pack Jojoba oil. Works as makeup remover (esp. eye makeup), face cream, hand and body cream…even tames my dry curly hair. Otherwise I use MV Organics (from Sydney, like me). Fantastic for my Rosacea-prone skin, simple and they smell wonderful.
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Carrie says:
Simple age resist wipes,Liz earle cleanser mini, face spritz mini and shampoo mini, avon mini face cream, mini deodorant, Dove shea butter soap bar cut in half stored in lush shampoo tin, mini lip gloss, makeup stick, lipstain, tinted lipbalm, concealer pencil, black eyeliner, curl cream decanted into mini tub, mini perfume with matching bodyspray, clear mascara and shea butter miracle balm plus mini sunscreen spray…all fit into ziplock baggie. Lashes tinted and brows shaped b4 leaving and im good to go. Im not high-maintenance but im not no-maintenance either…….any ideas on where i can get a decent clear airline approved toiletries bag?
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Christine says:
I use the same SPF for both face and body, whereas at home I use separate ones. I’m using Vichy dry touch lotion (Canadian brand, really good). And, I just discovered Nudesticks concealer, eye colour and lip/cheek combo, each in a stick form that takes no room at all in my makeup bag. Other than that, it’s teeth cleaning stuff and deodorant! I like wipes to clean my face at night, so maybe buy some there.
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Oops, just realized Vichy is actually French. We have a lot of French Canadian brands, so I got that wrong.
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Lyn says:
Can anyone recommend a really simple light moisturiser that doesn’t contain either fragrance or SPF? Is there such a thing? Any recommendations much appreciated as I am a complete newbie in this respect. I recently moved to the city after 25 years living in the wilds, and I think the polluted air is taking its toll on my complexion. Alyson, which moisturiser do you use?
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I decant things into plastic containers from Boots or travel sized bottles I top up. Eye makeup remover always Take the Day off from Clinique. Usually given away in small size as part of a promotion. Then Eau Micillaire from Caudalie, small size face wash same brand and their Vinosource cream and eye cream, small size toothpaste Sensodyne from Superdrug who have a whole range of travel size. For shower gel I use Ren rose one decanted or travel size Caudalie Eau de Vigne. For sun cream preferred brand is Roche Posay in a 100 ml tube factor 30 which I’ve used all summer or Avene. Both available now at Boots. All of this is stored in the correct size zip up transparent plastic bag. Rather than flimsy freezer bags I use a sturdier one from French chain Monoprix. Which can be recycled. T K Maxx now selling some similar transparent plastic zip bags filled with bottles and pots for lotions and creams. Saw these in section selling padlocks and luggage tags near suitcases. A useful thing to pick up. I always pack a starter bottle of shampoo and conditioner in bottles outside of suitcase so I have the ones I like to use before I get hold of more. And I don’t forget to pack a decent shower cap and soap dish with Simple brand non-perfumed soap so I don’t have to use harsher stuff.