Packing for Holiday? These Editor-Approved Beauty Products Are Perfect For Travel

Rituals The Rituals of Karma After Sun Cooling Shower Gel (£11)

“This is an absolute must for beach days,” says senior content director Chloe Dunn. “There’s nothing more refreshing than coming in from the beach, jumping in the shower and washing off all the sand whilst slathering my body in this after sun. The gel like consistency is so cooling, I can feel it instantly bringing down my body temperature and the scent is absolutely delicious.”

Garnier Vitamin C Daily UV Fluid SPF50+ Glow 40ml (£9)

“I really don’t like to wear foundation during the day when I’m away as it can make my skin feel heavy and sticky – it also tends to separate and gather in the heat,” says associate editor Lauren Ezekiel. “This SPF has a glow which almost blurs the skin, making me feel far more comfortable to go out and about bare-faced. Even when I’m at home I tend to grab this SPF on no makeup days.”

Amika Smooth Over Frizz-Fighting Treatment (£29)

“This product is an absolute lifesaver if you’ve got frizzy or flyaway hair. Simply apply after you’ve shampooed and conditioned leave for a minute and then rinse away. It coats the hair and makes it far more manageable if you leave to dry naturally or style with heat. I find a little goes a long way and it eliminates all the frizz without making the hair feel heavy or sticky. I have tried lots of anti-frizz products in the past and this is up there with the best of them for sure.” LE

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray Travel Size (£12, originally £15)

“The hype is 100% justified for the Urban Decay Setting Spray,” says editorial co-ordinator Lauren Gordon. “Time and time again I’ve purchased the travel version of this spray, a) because I love how slim it is so it slots into my travel bag with ease and b) because I know my makeup does not move. I don’t need to worry about transfers, sweat or streaks with the All Nighter. The only downside is that I need to spend more time taking my makeup off at the end of night, but that just proves how well it does its job.”

Stila Convertible Colour Lips and Cheeks (£18)

“This cream blush will instantly wake up your skin and give you a finished look with minimal effort. I like to apply to the apples of my cheeks and up to my temples to add a bit of life to my skin, I use the excess across my eyelids too to tie the colour altogether. If you want to add to your lips you can either wear alone or add a touch of lip balm or gloss on top too.” LE

Bondi Sands Self Tanning Technolocolur Emerald Tanning Face Serum (£12, originally £18)

“I’m a strict face out the sun gal, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like how my skin looks with a tan. I always do a full body and face self tan the night before I go away, this helps me feel more confident in swimwear round the pool and stops me thinking I need to sunbathe to look good on holiday. After a night or two I top up the self tan on my face (which tends to fade quicker due to skincare and cleansing) with this self-tan serum. Available in a number of shades so it looks like a natural tan I opt for the one with olive undertones as this resembles the colour my skin would go if I let it tan naturally.” LE

Lanolips 101 Ointment Multi Balm Strawberry (£9)

“I always have a few of Lanolips products sprinkled throughout my holiday packing. I’m a big fan of the simple little lip balm which is perfect for travelling as it fits in even the smallest sized pocket and at only £5, I’m not too worried about losing it. However, if I was pushed to pick one it would always be this multi-purpose balm. It can be used on everything from sunburn to cracked ankles and it’s perfect for all weather as well, whether my lips need hydration from the sun or soothing from the cold.” CD

Suri Sustainable Electric Toothbrush

“I love taking my Suri toothbrush with me because of the trusty UV travel case. I don’t need to worry about it getting dirty in my bag or touching anything nasty in a hotel because I can keep the brush clean with the UV light case that kills up to 99.9% bacteria. It also has a really long battery life so I don’t need to worry about packing a charger.” CD

Cantu Hair Bath and Cleanser (£9)

“Whenever I have braids for my holidays, this is the shampoo I bring along with me. Since I usually use synthetic hair for my braids, my usual shampoos just don’t cut it. But, this cleanser is made specifically for braids and extensions as well as your natural hair and it’s the only shampoo that gives my braids a refreshing cleanse without making them stiff or frizzy, while giving my scalp and hair underneath a deep cleanse too. It also gets rid of any product build-up, usually from edge-control and hair gel, and after a day in sea water, it helps to eliminate that damp smell which is usually a nightmare to get rid of.” LG

Dr Paw Paw Skin 3 in 1 Cleansing Balm (£15)

“This cleanser is my absolute must-have on holiday. I like that it comes in a small tube rather than a pot, unlike most of my other cleansing balms, as this makes it more practical for sticking into your toiletry bag. My facial skin tends to get really dry and tight when I’m away and I find this really helps to add the moisturise in at the end of the day. It also contains aloe vera too which means it is really soothing if you’ve spent a little too long in the sun!” LE

Slip Midi Scrunchies Multi (£45)

“As much as I try to keep my hair down on holiday after a few minutes it’s scraped back and in a ponytail or bun. I love using one of these silk hair ties as they don’t get tangled or knotted in your hair whilst you’re in the pool or on the beach. I also find I can’t wear my hair down at night when I’m hot and sticky, so these are a must-have in the heat for keeping my hair of my neck without it damaging my hair – which can be especially fragile in the summer months from the pool, beach or sun.” LE

Lauren Ezekiel is an associate editor at PS UK, where she writes about all things beauty and wellness. With a degree in journalism and 12 years’ experience as a beauty editor at a leading Sunday supplement, she is obsessed with skincare, hair and makeup, and is often found offering advice to innocent bystanders. Her work has been published in Grazia, OK, Health and Beauty, The Sun, ASDA, Dare and Metro.

Chloe Dunn is a social content producer at PS UK. With more than six years of experience in social media marketing, she is always on the lookout for the latest viral buzz. Working across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Pinterest, Chloe specialises in bringing people together virtually and building global online communities. She has previously worked in the music industry, including at a major record label and for the UK’s biggest group of music venues.

Lauren Gordon is the editorial coordinator at PS UK, where she creates lifestyle and identity content. Lauren has a degree in journalism from University of the Arts London and previously worked as a showbiz and TV reporter at The Mirror US. Lauren specializes in pop culture, hair and beauty, focusing on trends, sharing in-depth tutorials, and highlighting hidden gems in the beauty industry.