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7 Smart Tips for Packing the Ultimate Travel Makeup Kit

Our best tricks for a TSA-friendly selection.

Model wears Milk Makeup Travel products Model wears Milk Makeup Travel products

Getting ready to pack your suitcase for a weekend getaway or a much-needed vacation? Allow us to offer some assistance for curating the most efficiently packed travel makeup kit. Here at Milk HQ, the undisputed best person to ask for travel beauty advice is our Director of Artistry Sara Wren. After years of being on the road (and on international flights) for our campaigns and education, she’s got packaging TSA-friendly makeup bags down to a science.

To get the best tips, tricks, and essentials you need for any travel beauty routine, we asked Sara to share what she consistently reaches for while out of office—and what’s just wasted space. No matter what your destination may be, you’re sure to be well prepared for any look you want to achieve while you’re there. Read on for her expert guide.  

1. Stock up on your travel-sized favorites.

We highly recommend putting your travel beauty kit in your carry-on bag—just in case your checked suitcase ends up MIA. To get through security, you’ll obviously have to make sure everything is TSA-friendly.  For those who need a refresher, all products with liquid, cream, gel, and aerosol formulas should be in packaging that’s 3.4 ounces or less and placed in a quart-sized bag. Luckily, nearly all of our products that clock in at over that amount are available in travel-friendly sizes. With that in mind, you can easily swap out your full-sized favorites, like our bestselling Hydro Grip Primer, for a mini Hydro Grip bottle. f your vibe is more matte than dewy, then our mini Pore Eclipse Matte Setting Spray is a carry-on essential. Sara also loves The Travel Stash: our limited-edition summer kit that gets you major savings on soft-focus matte skin, volumized lashes, and an easy pop of blush and lip color.

Shop Hydro Grip

2. Downsize your mascara. 

The first thing Sara recommends packing in your travel makeup kit is your favorite everyday mascara. Right now, she’s loving our new RISE Mascara, which delivers long, lifted lashes that pair well with any look, from clean skin to full glam. 

Having a great mascara in your bag is really your best friend,” she says. To save space, grab our mini RISE Mascara that’s just over half the size of the standard full-sized one. (All of our Milk Makeup mascaras come in travel-friendly versions, so you can also grab a mini tube of KUSH Waterproof Mascara if you’re headed to the beach or pool.

Shop Mascaras

3. Streamline with multi-use staples. 

Packing less is easy when you can use the same product multiple ways. A makeup palette is a no-brainer, but consider some of Sara’s suggestions. 

For a multipurpose base, try our Sunshine Under Eye Tint + Brighten, which combines the powers of a light-coverage concealer, illuminating eye brightener, and vitamin C skincare in one mess-free tube. “You can use it on your under eyes or as sheer, targeted brightening concealer,” says Sara. “If I’m trying to save space, I just pack that instead of foundation.” If you prefer more coverage, Future Fluid can be swiped onto your skin as a medium-to-full coverage concealer, foundation, highlighter, and contouring product. Plus, setting powder isn’t required to help it last all day long. Just be sure to pack SPF either way. 

A stealth streamliner is our KUSH Brow Lamination Gel, which packs tons of possibilities. Not only does it lift, shape, and define brows of all shapes and thickness (or thinness), but you can also wield the tiny wand to slick down flyaways and set your part in place for a sleeker hairstyle.  

Another skincare-makeup hybrid we love: our mini, travel size Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray. “It’s an essential for any bag,” says Sara. Not only does it lock in makeup for any climate or weather, but this beloved Milk Makeup setting spray also doubles as a hydrating face mist. If your skin feels parched after a long plane ride, a single spritz of Hydro will restore your glassy glow. Pore Eclipse Setting Spray also comes in a travel size, if you prefer to keep your skin matte-yet-moisturized throughout the day. 
Our final streamlining pick for your travel makeup bag: a clear, nourishing lip balm, like our Melatonin Overnight Lip Mask. During the day, it can act as a lip gloss, brow shaper, and even dewy highlighter on the high points of your face.

 
 
 

4. Swap powders for cream formulas. 

Rather than packing powder eyeshadows and blushes that can easily shatter in transit, bring cream formulas like our bestselling Lip + Cheek. The blendable stick format is great for all temperatures, occasions, and skin tones. Plus, you can blend it onto your lips, cheeks, and eyelids for a playful monochromatic moment. Sara recommends Quickie (berry) and Swerve (terracotta) for deeper skin tones, Werk (dusty rose) for medium complexions, and Dash (petal pink) for fair skin. 

Our Matte Bronzer is another versatile cream stick to consider for your travel beauty kit. Sara keeps one in hers at all times. “It's a great contour and bronzer shade, but also amazing on your eyes and makes a great nude lip,” she says. 

Shop Sticks

5. Get creative with shimmer.

If you like adding shimmery accents to your makeup looks, then don’t leave home without one of our Color Chalks. Sara’s travel shade of choice is Hopscotch, a universally flattering champagne. Smudge it onto the center of your lids, tops of your cheekbones, bridge of your nose, and your cupid’s bow, and you’ll be glowing in all your vacation photos. You can also take a pink or purple Color Chalk (like Skip It or Bounce) to use as a bright shadow, liner, blush, and lipstick—all in one convenient tube. 

Shop Color Chalk

6. Double down on skincare essentials.  

Your travel skincare routine definitely needs to include a moisturizer. Sara brings both mini and full-sized Vegan Milk Moisturizers on longer trips: The mini one goes in her carry-on so that she can keep her face and hands moisturized throughout her flight. You can also use it to smooth down frizz and flyaways. 

Complete your routine with a great cleanser. Sara’s current favorite is our new Hydro Ungrip Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm. “It removes SPF, heavy makeup, and even anything waterproof,” she says. It also comes in a travel-friendly 3.2-ounce tub. If you’re used to double cleansing, you can also pack our mini Vegan Milk Cleanser to keep your skin soft, fresh, and bouncy.

Shop Skincare

7. Use your fingers. 

We love makeup brushes, but they’re definitely not a travel necessity. The good news is, every makeup product we’ve listed above can easily be applied with your fingers. “I love packing less,” says Sara. “It forces me to get more creative with the products I have and use my hands.” Just be sure to pack hand sanitizer so you can always apply your makeup with clean hands if there’s no sink nearby.

With these tips in mind, you’re sure to be well-equipped for your next trip. Safe travels! 

Meet the Expert 

Sara Wren (she/her) is the Director of Artistry at Milk Makeup. In her role, she does all the makeup artistry and direction for our Milk Makeup global campaigns, educates the staff and field team on application methods, stars in the brand’s social media videos, and travels to different markets spreading Milk Makeup’s good vibes. When she’s not on set, Sara loves experimenting with DIY hair colors, eating tacos, watching basketball, and scouring for vintage cosmetics to add to her impressive collection.

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Devon Abelman (she/her) is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer who focuses on the intersections and intricacies of beauty, culture, astrology, and mental health. She is passionate about shining light on under-the-radar BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ beauty creators as well as Korea’s impact on global beauty trends. In her spare time, Devon can be found dressing up Scorpion, her XXXL blind-and-deaf rescue dog.

\n", "markdown"=>"**Devon Abelman** (she/her) is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer who focuses on the intersections and intricacies of beauty, culture, astrology, and mental health. She is passionate about shining light on under-the-radar BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ beauty creators as well as Korea’s impact on global beauty trends. In her spare time, Devon can be found dressing up Scorpion, her XXXL blind-and-deaf rescue dog."}">

Devon Abelman (she/her) is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer who focuses on the intersections and intricacies of beauty, culture, astrology, and mental health. She is passionate about shining light on under-the-radar BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ beauty creators as well as Korea’s impact on global beauty trends. In her spare time, Devon can be found dressing up Scorpion, her XXXL blind-and-deaf rescue dog.

All information is created for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.