How to Travel with Makeup and Skincare: 12 Dos and Don'ts

Reviewed by Ashley Rebecca

Preparing your makeup for traveling is not an endeavor to be taken lightly. After all, with TSA regulations and baggage handlers who don't care that you have a fragile, limited-edition makeup palette in your suitcase, it's a rather harrowing experience for your beauty products. Okay, so we're being slightly hyperbolic. Packing a travel makeup bag isn't exactly a quest on par with throwing the One Ring into the fires of Mount Doom, but it can be tricky. Should you pack that eyeshadow you've never worn before but could suddenly be struck with a need for? What's the best way to travel with a liquid foundation? And seriously, when will we learn how to pack makeup for a flight?

To answer these questions (and more), we turned to celebrity makeup artists Mary Irwin, Gabriel De Santino, and Jamie Greenberg.

Meet the Expert

• Mary Irwin is a celebrity makeup artist based in New York City and the co-founder of The Makeup Standard.

• Gabriel De Santino is a makeup artist and founder of Gabriel Cosmetics.

• Jamie Greenberg is a Los Angeles-based celebrity makeup artist.

Invest in a Padded Makeup Bag

According to Irwin, investing in a padded makeup bag like the Away Large Toiletry Bag ($75), which will help keep all of your precious products safe. Also, when packing your carry-on, she says to put the makeup bag in the middle of your case and surround it with soft items (like clothing). "This assures that it's well-padded and you won't arrive with an explosion of eyeshadow," she says.

Greenberg concurs, saying a padded bag "will protect all of your palettes, lipsticks and other delicate (and often expensive) makeup products, so they don’t break while in transit."

Save Space By Packing Palettes

"When traveling, pack palettes [versus single eyeshadow pans] to save space and give you options for both day and night looks," says Irwin. Sigma Beauty's Ritzy Eyeshadow Palette ($25) hits all the notes—a mix of mattes, shimmers, and metallics allows you to build multiple looks without taking up a ton of space in your bag. And, if you're a frequent traveler, peep their On-The-Go Eyeshadow Palette Set ($87) which contains every color you could possibly need because let's be real, we need options.

Customize With Magnetic Palettes

Traveling with palettes only make sense if you know you're going to be using all of the shades. If you'd rather pick and choose which shades to travel with, Irwin suggests using a magnetic palette that you can customize yourself. Try The Pro Palette ($25)—you can build and refill with the exact pans you'd like (translation: you won't be stuck with colors you won't use).

Always Pack Travel-Sized Products in a Carry-On

De Santino has some sound advice when it comes to packing your liquids: Always use a carry-on. "I always like to keep my makeup and skincare in my carry-on, so I stick to solids and travel sizes for all liquids. You'll be able to retouch before you de-board the plane, and worst-case scenario, if your luggage gets lost, at least you'll still be able to wash your face and throw some makeup on to feel a little better," he says.

Irwin agrees, adding that makeup products are delicate and baggage handlers tend to want to make a 50-yard pass with your suitcase? "Protect your makeup investment and make sure it gets there with you," she says.

Pack Multipurpose Products

"I like to use traveling as an excuse to streamline and stick to crossover products, like my Multi-Pots and Gabriel Cream Highlighter ($21), which can be used on eyes, cheeks, and lips," he says. Packing products that don't require the use of brushes is also a good idea not only for space purposes, but this will also preserve the life of your brushes, as being cramped up in travel bags is not ideal.

Pre-Plan Your Makeup Looks

That baby blue liquid liner you've been meaning to test for the last year? It likely has no space in your travel makeup bag. Before you pack, De Santino suggests actually planning out your looks and assess what actually needs to come with you. That being said, this doesn't mean you can't have fun with your makeup looks while abroad. For example, if you know feathery brows are on the horizon, be smart about your picks: a pack a dual-sided brow product like Kevyn Aucoin True Feather Brow Marker Gel Duo ($32), which will set your brows in place on no-makeup makeup days and help you achieve the fluffy brow trend on more adventurous days.

Use Refillable Travel Containers

If you'd rather remain loyal to your beauty products (versus going with the unknown at a hotel), investing in leak-proof travel containers is a safe bet. There's nothing this one from Palette by Pak ($39) can't store—from liquids and oils to creams and even your face powder, this five-piece container lets you bring your favorites on the go.

DIY Your Travel Containers With a Contact Lens Case

Rather DIY it? De Santino says to put your lotions, serums, and any other liquids, like foundation, into a contact lens cases. "They look tiny but can hold a surprisingly large amount of product and seal up really well, so you don't have to worry about spills in your bag," he says.

Protect Your Powder Compacts With a Cotton Pad

"If traveling with powder compacts, ensure they arrive intact by placing a cotton pad (or, if you still have the puff that came with it) inside and pack on the top of your makeup bag. Pad the top of your bag with additional cotton pad for extra cushion," De Santino says.

Preserve Your Looks With a Makeup Refresher Spray

Travel schedules are busy and sometimes hectic, so it's helpful to have something on hand to refresh your makeup when you're running from A to B. Too Faced Travel Size Hangover 3-in-1 Replenishing Primer & Setting Spray ($18) spray hydrates and brightens both bare skin and foundation whenever the jet lag kicks in, as well as sets makeup to keep it in place, no matter what's on your itinerary. (Not to mention, it's the perfect pick-me-up on the airplane.)

Invest in Multi-Purpose Products

"Multitasking products are my absolute favorite for traveling," says Greenberg. "Ultimately, you’ll have less to pack and more room for other essentials, or souvenirs to bring home from your travels." Greenberg recommends a combination tinted moisturizer-SPF product like Younique BARE·YOU BB Tinted Moisturizer+ SPF 30 ($62). "It's perfect for when you are on the go. Your skin is protected with a SPF 30 mineral zinc sunscreen, plus it is tinted, so it gives a more even-toned appearance," she says. "I also love it because the formula adds an added boost of moisture, with ceramides that hydrate skin and reduce trans-epidermal water loss."

Categorize Your Products

One surefire way to cut back on the number of products you pack (and therefore keep the essentials safe while in transit)? Pack in categories. "Separate your makeup by skin, face, eyes, lips," Greenberg says. "Then try to reduce one product per category, to help save space."

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