What’s a beauty packlist? I love beauty and I love going on a trip. I dreamt of packing light, but I don’t like to wear the same outfit every day. That also goes for makeup. As much as I am tempted to go minimalist, I also don’t like to look the same every day.

Beauty packlist tips!

There has to be at least some balance between how much stuff I bring to the trip, the looks I can make, and so over the years of my own experience, here are 7 beauty packlist tips that got me through.

1. Saving Space: Small Jars, Sample & Mini Sizes

beauty packlist tips
Saving size beauty packlist. Some samples, some mini travel sizes, and small jars to put your must-haves.

Because who needs a jar of moisturizer for a week of travel? But wait, you don’t have to buy the “travel-size” packs, this is the perfect time to use those sample – sachet packs (if you know you like them enough to use every day, that is). A sachet of face moisturizer could last me 2-3 days, cleansers up to a week, and eye cream sachet lasts forever (jk – around 2 weeks).

If you’re good with your samples because you know about this already. Then the next best thing would be to put a fraction of them in a travel jar. Be careful of the products with UV protection packaging though, I’d rather keep them in their bottle or opt for something.

2. Mirror & Light: Just in Case, Bring a (Big) Mirror

While this might not be an issue if you’re staying in luxury accommodation, the rest of us mortals needed to have a backup plan.

I have been in my share of places where mostly the mirror is located in a not-so-optimal lighted place and the best-lighted spot is where the mirror is non-existent.

So I always bring a bigger mirror to do my makeup with, just in case. These days, I love something like this Becca x Chrissy Teigen palette: aesthetically pleasing case, big clear mirror, and all you need blush/bronzer/highlighter color.

beauty packlist tips

3. Multi-Tasking Beauty Packlist Products

This one is of course pretty obvious. It’s the perfect time to pull out the multi-tasking products that can be used as a blush, lipstick, and eyeshadow. Monochromatic look, anyone?

Two of my personal favorites in this category is Chanel Rouge Coco Lip Blush in 416 Teasing Pink, which is a perfect multifunctional lip color & blush. And the Hourglass Vanish Stick Foundation in Golden Tan, which is a great versatile stick foundation (more liquid space!) that can be applied lightly, full coverage, and used as a concealer.

Sometimes though, I added products that are not necessarily multi-purpose, but they are so great to add as a base to make all the makeup look fresh all day long, like the Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer.

4. Low Maintenance Products Win The Day. Aka the 5 Minute Look Kit.

If I have the choice, I am taking products that are easy to apply, last the whole day, and look great no matter what my skin condition/mood/lack of sleep situation.

Something I’d be able to put on very quickly with one hand holding a mirror and another hand painting my face. Opt for an eyebrow pencil vs eyebrow pomade, for example, or a stick eyeshadow.

Dorit also shared her awesome tips on the 5 minute look, especially when you’re on the go.

5. Know Your Color Palettes

Check on the activities you’d be doing.

  • Any fancy evenings planned? Get that killer-red lipstick.
  • Hiking trips? Perhaps an SPF ready lip balm.
  • Low key? A my-face-but-better look.
  • Fun playful time? Maybe it’s time to pack that electric blue eyeshadow you’ve been wanting to wear but can’t seem to find the occasion.

My favorite play on this subject is with the Maybelline Puma Metallic Eye Duo Stick No. 5 (LE), which is a definite warm toned eyeshadow. But combine this with NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadow Pool Shark (LE), it became a very interesting cooler tone purple-bronze eyeshadow color.

Swatch L-R: Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadow in Pool Shark, Nars Pool Shark on top of the Maybelline Puma Metallic Eye Duo in #5 – the bronze one, and the two are both shades on Maybelline swatched.

I know both of them are unfortunately Limited Editions, but you could try to find something similar in your stash. A creamy eyeshadow as a base, topped by some dual-toned opposite-color-wheel eyeshadow.

6. Factor in the Tan

This is something I often forgot. I tan a lot. My skin in winter (pre-holiday) is something like NC42 in MAC Foundation. In summer (post-sunny-holiday) it will be something like NC44. Some colors just don’t work so well anymore (looking at you, soft corals & warm browns!).

Either only bring products that work on both tones (reds!), or bring two types. I would look to pictures from the previous season to remember which colors I enjoy wearing.

Left: Before the holiday, Right: After the holiday. Yes, I wear sunscreen on my face, and no I didn’t purposely go tanning, but still, I tanned quite a bit :).

7. Don’t Forget the Sunscreen!

And the hairbrush (tbh one item I kept forgetting to pack that now I always keep a hairbrush on my suitcase, just in case).

For me, a holiday will always mean some time under the sun. Either walking around the city, hiking, or lounging/swimming by the beach. In all the case, I’d like to have unnecessary damage on my skin to be minimized! I’d bring a comfortably-priced face sunscreen that I could use for my body too, AND coral-friendly (in case I’d like to take a dip in the ocean).

Did I forget anything? Do you have beauty packlist tips you’d like to share for your beauty packing? Did you find one tip that is especially useful? Do share :).