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We’ve hit that part of summer—the sweat-slick, makeup-melting stretch where the only possible move is to flee the city and park yourself beside a body of water. Whether you’re heading to a cozy cabin or jetting off somewhere with postcard views, the key to actually relaxing lies in the packing.
As a frequent flyer and certified checked-bag hater, I’d like to think I’ve got my carry-on packing routine down to a science. But the one thing that trips me up every time? My toiletry bag. No matter how ruthless I am with outfit changes or shoe limits, trimming down my travel beauty routine is always the real struggle. But on a recent trip to sunny LA, I finally cracked the code and, to my surprise, easily fit all my liquids in a beauty lover’s number-one enemy: the airport-approved 1-litre plastic bag. Here are the solid formulas, multitasking MVPs and under-100 mL heroes that made it possible.
Briogeo Style + Treat Dry Shampoo Puff
After a long flight or when time is tight before dinner, a dusting of dry shampoo can instantly help hair feel more polished. This ultra-portable option by Briogeo is aerosol-free and dispensed via a built-in puff, making it an ideal travel companion for anyone looking to pare down their liquids. The formula features finely milled starch to absorb oil, along with biotin and copper peptides to support healthier, stronger hair over time. In a pinch, it can even double as a texture spray to add volume to limp strands.
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Josie Maran The Mini Original 100% Pure Argan Oil (15 mL)
This bestselling argan oil is the ultimate multitasker—I’ve used it on my face, body, hair, cuticles and even on my lips as a stand-in for my favourite balm. It nourishes skin deeply to give it a lit-from-within glow, meaning you can leave the body shimmer at home. Plus, it now comes in a tiny travel-sized dropper bottle that can be topped-up via a supersized refill tin. (And trust me, you’ll want the jumbo size—I’ve gone through it surprisingly quickly.)
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Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray (30 mL)
Inflammation, eczema flare-ups, breakouts, sunburns—travel is almost guaranteed to wreak havoc on your skin. Enter hypochlorous acid, an antimicrobial and inflammation-busting powerhouse that has the distinctive smell of an over-chlorinated swimming pool but works wonders on stressed or sunburned complexions and minor wounds, like scrapes and rashes. I keep this Tower 28 spray in my in-flight emergency kit and spritz it on throughout my flight to soothe inflamed skin and take advantage of its sanitizing properties.
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19/99 Precision Colour Pencil
Consider this pencil by Toronto brand 19/99 your one-stop shop for easy-breezy vacation looks. It can be used to line and fill in the lips, as well as smudged across the cheeks and lids to replace your blush, contour and eyeshadow. It comes in 12 shades, ranging from the ultra-wearable Neutra (my favourite) to the bold sunshine yellow Kanari. The best part? The pencils are so slim that you don’t have to worry about picking just one.
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Make Up For Ever Artist Colour Crayon Creamy Multi-Use Stick
If you prefer cream-based beauty products, this one’s for you. An instant flush of colour for the eyes, lips and cheeks, this multi-tasking stick boasts a highly pigmented waterproof formula for a chic monochromatic look that lasts all day. It comes in a range of shimmer and semi-matte finishes, but I love Wherever Walnut, a warm terracotta hue that’s based on the brand’s viral lip pencil shade.
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Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion
With a formula that’s halfway between a concealer and a foundation, this complexion stick by minimalist brand Merit is touted as a one-step complexion routine. It’s the ideal product to pack if you’re going for the California-girl, no-makeup makeup look. The small tip makes for easy application and the creamy formula provides a light coverage that doesn’t settle into creases and dry patches. It can be applied with fingers, but a beauty editor friend recommended I try the brand’s Brush No. 1, which was designed specifically to be used with The Minimalist, and I haven’t looked back.
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Jones Road The Cleansing Stick
Leave it to beauty innovator extraordinaire Bobbi Brown to revolutionize your travel skincare routine. This solid cleanser is made with a base of sunflower, jojoba and avocado oils that makes quick work of sunscreen, makeup and sweat without stripping away the skin’s much-needed natural oils. Swipe the stick right onto the skin and add water to lather up as you normally would an oil or balm cleanser.
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Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+
Designed to be used under or over makeup, this pocket-sized Shiseido sunscreen stick makes on-the-go touch-ups a breeze. There’s a reason everyone raves about it: it goes on completely clear, with a lightweight feel and a fast-absorbing, non-greasy finish. I keep one in my travel bag and another in my go-to crossbody—you won’t regret having one on hand at all times.
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JVN Complete Air Dry Cream (60 mL)
Whenever I travel, I like to take a break from my hot tools. This travel-sized air-dry cream is packed with squalane, chia seed and moringa seed oil to effortlessly define hair’s natural texture (in my case, ever-so-slightly wavy), fight frizz, boost shine and provide hold for curly, wavy and straight hair. I’ve tried many air-dry creams over the years, but this is the one I keep going back to again and again.
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Miss Dior Eau de Parfum Mini Miss Solid Perfume
If a perfume sample has ever leaked in your makeup bag, I see you. (My beloved Sigma F80 smells faintly of sandalwood to this day.) Good news: With so many solid fragrance options on the market—from Canadian brand 828 Aroma to crowd-favourites like Diptyque and Glossier—there’s no reason to risk a spill. Even the classic Miss Dior Eau de Parfum recently got the fragrance-stick treatment with an alcohol-free version of the iconic floral juice packaged in a sleek lipstick-inspired houndstooth case.
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