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 bag. 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 product education, she’s got packing TSA-friendly makeup bags down to a science.
For all the best tips, tricks, and essentials 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 thoroughly prepared for any look you want to achieve while you’re there. Read on for her expert guide to filling your toiletry bag with the perfect travel-size makeup and skincare.
1. Size up your travel-friendly beauty products.
We highly recommend putting your travel makeup 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 mini-size and 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 makeup essentials, like our best selling Hydro Grip Primer, for a mini Hydro Grip. If your vibe is more matte than dewy, then our mini Pore Eclipse Matte Setting Spray is a carry-on essential. Sara also loves The Matte on the Move Duo: our limited edition summer kit that gets you a matte primer stick and a mini matte setting spray, so you can have airbrush-level matte skin at a special 15% off sale price. The Travel Stash is another amazing option for adding volumized lashes and an easy pop of hydrating blush and lip color to the mix for 40% off the regular price.
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2. Downsize your mascara.
The first thing Sara recommends packing in your travel makeup case is your favorite everyday mascara. Right now, she’s loving our RISE Mascara, which delivers long, lifted lashes that pair well with any look, from minimalist makeup 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. (You can also grab a mini tube of KUSH Waterproof Mascara if you’re headed to the beach or pool or the mini KUSH Mascara that’s included in The Travel Stash)
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3. Streamline with multi-use staples.
Packing light is easy when you can use the same beauty product multiple ways. An eyeshadow 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 creamy 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 makeup bag 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 is our mini, travel-friendly Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray. “It’s an essential for any bag,” says Sara. The award-winning setting spray locks in makeup for any climate or weather while doubling as a hydrating face mist. If your skin feels parched after a long plane ride, a single spritz of it will restore your glassy glow in seconds. Pore Eclipse Matte Blur Stick, on the other hand, blurs pores, eliminates shine, and locks in makeup as a mattifying-yet-hydrating primer and blotting stick for on-the-go touch ups for all skin types.
Our final streamlining pick for your travel makeup bag: a clear, nourishing lip oil, like our KUSH Lip Oil in Green Dragon. During the day, it can act as a lip gloss, brow shaper, and even dewy highlighter on the high points of your face. By night, you can use it in place of a lip balm.
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4. Swap powders for cream formulas.
Rather than packing powder eyeshadows, blush, and bronzer that can easily shatter in transit, bring cream formulas like our best selling Lip + Cheek and Cooling Water Jelly Tint. The blendable stick format of both 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.
Our Matte Bronzer is another versatile cream stick to consider for your travel cosmetic bag. 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.
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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 eyeshadow, eyeliner, blush, and lipstick topper—all in one convenient tube.
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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 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 makeup remover-meets-cleanser. Sara’s current favorite is our Hydro Ungrip Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm. “It removes sunscreen, heavy makeup, and even anything waterproof,” she says. It also comes in a travel-friendly 3.2-ounce tub.
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7. Use your fingers.
We love makeup brushes, but a brush set is not a travel necessity. The good news: 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 pack and use my hands.” Just be sure to bring a hand sanitizer, so you can always apply your makeup with clean hands if there’s no sink nearby.
With these travel makeup bag 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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