what deserves a place in your plastic bag – plus our pick of three brilliant unisex readymade travel sets …
If you’re about to travel, you’ll be bracing yourself to join the airport melee. Hopefully the security queues are no longer 40km long, after recent disasters, but there’s one thing that can speed the whole thing up: sussing the plastic bag side of things. We know the drill by now – but just to emphasise, take nothing bigger than 100ml (don’t risk losing your favourite new perfume) and have it ready in a transparent 20cm x 20cm bag. And yes, according to Dublin airport (and EU) rules, lipsticks and mascara are included in the “liquids, pastes and gels”, as are toothpaste, shaving foam and the rest of it. Get it out and have it ready before you get to the security belt; it’s amazing how many people still forget about the full bottle of shampoo at the bottom of their suitcase.
So what do you take? Decanting is the answer, if you are organised enough. Mini samples are ideal, or pick up a set of stackable acrylic cases, in Muji, or one of their, er, Gusset Cases, if you can face asking for one. Minis and samples are helpful (keep sample pots to wash and refill, eg L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil (75ml, €8) and Immortelle Divine Cream (8ml, €16). Raid the Try Me Beauty section at Brown Thomas Dundrum – this collection of mini versions of the best beauty brands (including Augustinus Bader and Aesop), like a luxury pick ‘n’ mix, makes you feel like a kid in a sweetshop.
The basis of any travel beauty bag has to be a mini SPF (we know you know – flipping through THE GLOSS June issue, my daughter got to my page and sighed: “Mum is droning on about sunscreen again”). There are lots of handy minis available now – my first picks are Clarins’ UV Plus Anti-Pollution Screen (30ml, €39) and Shiseido’s Urban Environment Oil-Free Emulsion SPF30 (30ml, €40, at Arnotts and pharmacies nationwide).
As for make-up, the lip/cheek tints that are popular this season are your friend for travel – here’s where the eternal beauty cliché of “multitaskers” is actually a thing. Cost per use enables us to justify splashing out on a Chanel Lip and Cheek Tint, generous pots of lush, lasting colours (the darkest Berry Boost shade is a beaut). Tilbury’s Easy Lip & Cheek Wands (€25) are handy here. Sculpted by Aimee’s new HydraLip are plasticky, but comfortably balmy and with SPF25 protection too (€17); good for all ages.
If you can’t get hold of samples of your favourite scent, decant into a Perfume Pod (€12, www.Boots.ie) so you can take 5ml (about 65 sprays) of your signature scent. L’Occitane (always underrated for perfume) have some neat Perfume in Gel tubes (10ml, from €15.50) and mini perfume roll-ons. Zara.com have some of their perfumes as 10ml for less than €6; I’ll take Fleur de Patchouli, by perfumer Jo Malone.
Happy travels …
Three to take with you …
1 Nunaïa Ground Mini Ritual Set is both a great way to try out this brilliant Irish beauty range, and also your perfect travel companion. You get minis of the Nourishing Radiance Serum, Superfood Cleansing Balm plus a facial oval for cleansing with. It’s enough to last you two weeks. As well as the highest Ecocert COSMOS organic certifications on the European market, Nunaïa is a company with scruples, environmental awareness and expertise. €28, at www.Nunaia.com, Avoca, The Kilkenny Shop, Cloud 10 Beauty, Meaghers Pharmacy, The Clean Beauty Edit and reuzi.
2 Malin + Goetz What a joy to see this NYC brand land in the new Brown Thomas Dundrum store. It’s such a carefully thought-out range that’s a treat to use, plus it’s unisex so you and a mate/partner can share. This Healthy Skin Starter Set is €28 at www.malinandgoetz.co.uk, and we love the Bestsellers set of six for €32 at Brown Thomas.
3 Lixir Skin is not only good-looking, but versatile (mix and match to suit you), all cleverly formulated by dermo-pharmacist Colette Haydon. The pale pink tubes are very travel-friendly. The Good Skin trio of minis (30ml each) €44 at www.mybeautyedit.com will see you through any trip with clean, gleaming skin.
Read more:
How to Pack for a Week Away in the Sun With Just 10kg Hand Luggage
20kg Check-In: What To Pack When You’re Travelling Long Haul
