How to Pack Only the Bare Beauty Essentials

This post contains sponsored content but as always, all thought and opinions are my own.

Let's take it back to basics - the last thing you want while travelling is a bulky, over stuffed bag weighing you down and yet you want to be prepared for most eventualities. I may not be the most seasoned traveller but I have been on enough trips to know what pitfalls to avoid and what essentials you really should be stashing inside your travel bag. Let me talk you through my travel must-haves...

How to Pack Only the Bare Beauty Essentials

Rain, sun or snow every travel bag should contain a bottle or two of SPF and ideally a higher and more face friendly option for your complexion but as weight and space are of the essence, I will recommend an all singing, comfortable to wear and easy to apply option - Vichy Invisible Hydrating Mist SPF30. This nifty mist offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays as well as moisturising and cooling the skin in one quick step, not to mention it is light enough to use on the face too. After a long day in the sun you'll thank yourself for packing a refreshing bottle of after-sun to rebalance, soothe and hydrate the skin; if you are anything like me you will be all about convenience and there is no product more convenient than Vichy After-Sun In-Shower. This clever cooling, hydrating lotion, is used after washing in the shower and then rinsed off; if that is not enough to convince you this after sun can also be used on dry skin so there is no need to pack a separate body moisturiser - genius.

How to Pack Only the Bare Beauty Essentials
How to Pack Only the Bare Beauty Essentials

Speaking of shower essentials, every girl should have a stock of tailored everyday care products. Femfresh Everyday Care Daily Gel Wash - a pH friendly intimate area wash that will not dry the skin out nor cause irritation. Did you know that health of your body and skin is directly linked to maintaining the right balance between acidity and alkalinity, maintaining the right pH? No, me neither, but that's why they’re the market leaders, Femfresh products take the hassle out of finding the right solution for your needs. Personally, I like anything that is going to leave my skin soft and nourished with little fuss. For on the go freshness, I recommend popping a packet or two of Femfresh 10 Refreshing and Soothing Cloths into your bag. I love that are ideal for everyday use and are discreetly packaged too - you'll wonder what you did without them.

How to Pack Only the Bare Beauty Essentials

Now I know not everyone is a fan of facial wipes for numerous reasons and typically I would agree, they aren't the best for the skin and not my first choice when it comes to cleanser. That being said when travelling I do not leave home without a pack of cleansing wipes as they offer a quick and easy way to freshen up not only the face but also the body too. My go-to cleansing wipes are B. Pure Sensitive Micellar Cleansing Wipes - they are not only affordable but super gentle and make light work of even SPF and waterproof mascara.

How to Pack Only the Bare Beauty Essentials

Can I confess to something? Whenever I go to somewhere warm I pack a make-up bag with all the best intentions and seldom, if ever dip into it. I like the opportunity of being completely make-up free for a few weeks and allowing my skin to breathe. My just-in-case items include: a good, hydrating lip balm that soothes chapped and burnt skin which I have found in La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Barrier Repairing Balm, which can be used elsewhere on the body. For a splash of colour I can't recommend the ever dinky Bagsy Wow Lips Full Colour Chubby Stick in Cocktail Hour enough, this bright pink-come-red brightens up the face and really compliments a tan too. As you can imagine I don't highlight nor contour while travelling but the Rimmel Kate Moss Sculpting Palette comes in handy as not only does it contain a blush, highlighter and bronzer but doubles up as an eyeshadow palette too. Lastly I recommend including Rimmel #Instaflawless Perfecting, Radiant Skin Tint in your holiday make-up bag, this is like a supercharged tinted moisturiser that will perfect and smooth out the skin appearance - not to mention it can be used to even out tan lines.

This year pack less and pack smart, and save any room in your case/bag for souvenirs and duty free finds.