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As a beauty director who also covers travel, I’ve become obsessed with asking people what they pack in their carry-ons or bags when they’re out-and-about. It’s part of our As Of Late questionnaire, and our Well Traveled guides almost always showcase beauty product or two. 

I’ve become quite proud of my own edited-down, purse-friendly routine. And I’m here to share with you the staples I cannot leave the house without. This is perfect for proper travel (you know, the kind that involves trains or planes), but it’s also just a great set for when you need to look pulled together in a pinch. 

A beauty director’s go-to products for when she’s on-the-go

The key to crafting a condensed routine is to pick products that take up minimal space, but have huge aesthetic impact. For me, that’s a concealer, brow gel, multi-use pigment, and a lip balm. If I can touch up my complexion, shape the brows, add a touch of color, and soften the lips with moisture, I’m instantly more confident in the way that I look. It’s quick, tool-free, and helps you look refreshed instantly. 

Find yourself a potted concealer with a generous color payoff. The point here is that a little should go a long way. Even if you’re not someone who otherwise uses full-coverage complexion products, opt for something rich with color. 

Potted cream concealers are easy to blend with just your fingers, as well as being customizable to your coverage needs. Apply thin, small layers to create more coverage, or sheer it out over a larger surface area for softer coverage (and more akin to a foundation).  

I target just under my eyes, which can help brighten the entire face and help you look more rested. I also add a sheer coat of coverage around my nose and apples of my cheek, which tend to get red (I have rosacea, and am often struggling with flare-ups that cause my face to flush). 

Brow gel 

When I interview makeup artists, I often ask about what small steps have big impacts. Essentially: What gets a high ROI. Time and time again, it all comes back to the brows. The brows help shape the face, and defining them is one of the quickest ways to look more polished. As someone with thin and light brow hairs, I completely agree: I need a touch of pigment on my brows to look put together. 

If I have more time (and my full makeup bag), I like to use both a pencil and brow gel. But when I’m out-and-about, I’ll stick to just the tinted gel. Then I just add a quick coat while brushing up and over. 

Oh, and once your brows are brushed up grab that pot of concealer again. “Once eyebrows are going upward, you can add a light dotting of concealer in the arch of your brow to make the brow appear lifted,” celebrity makeup artist Rebecca Restrepo says about the quick brow-lifting hack. “Blend it lightly with your fingers.” 

Hydrate lips & add color 

It’s always good practice to have a lip balm handy. The skin on the lips is delicate and chaps easily, according to derms. “The mucosal part of your lip is thinner compared to the rest of your skin, as it is made up of fewer layers and also contains many capillaries or tiny blood vessels,” board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, M.D., FAAD, tells mbg about aging lips.

Adding a comforting layer of hydration will not only protect the skin, but will help the skin appear more supple, soft, and plump. Just be sure to opt for formulas that include a blend of humectants, emollients, and occlusives. mindbodygreen’s lip balm, for example, features shea butter to soften the surface, hyaluronic acid to draw in hydration, antioxidant-rich oils (like moringa and sunflower seed) to protect the delicate skin, and vitamin E and vegan waxes to lock in moisture.

From there I tap on a bit of color on the lips and cheeks. I love using a multi-use balm (like Jones Road Lip and Cheek Stick or Ilia Multi-Stick), in a soft, natural hue that I can tap on all over. A small hint of color on the skin helps the complexion look more vibrant and lively. 

The takeaway

Looking good doesn’t have to be complicated. Once you edit down your routine to a few mainstay products, you’ll be amazed at how effortlessly you can look pulled together. Yes, even when traveling or on the go.