Kristen Arnett:

I’ve learned from my various travels that packing lightly, but not compromising your beauty routine can be a challenge, but is possible.

First, pack what you need for where you are going and the kind of situations you will be in. Are you going to be roughing it in nature and feeling casual? Then take only the bare essentials. If you will be partying it up in some rather glamorous spots, you absolutely need to have what it takes to look fabulous while being efficient on space.

K.I.S.S. (Keep It Small Skincare)

Creams, lotions, serums, face wash, etc. are all considered in the “liquid” category. So if you will be traveling on a plane with liquids in your hand luggage, you must pack your items to fit within the security guidelines or you will have to trash that wonderful moisturizer you love. I have yet to see a female security officer become sympathetic and allow a passenger to keep her $80 jar of whatever…even when crying is invoked!

If you are now considering re-bottling any of your items into smaller, empty travel containers, think twice. Some products which are packaged in glass or certain types of plastic are reactive to other materials. The chemistry of the product can shift dramatically depending on what it comes into contact with, be it packaging or exposure to light. To avoid this hassle, get your mini-bottles direct from the manufacturer. Many companies offer travel or trial sized versions of their products, that you may not even be aware of unless you ask for them. If you are concerned about reactivity, the best option is a small, dark glass bottle.

Always Bring Protection

No, I don’t mean that kind! Try to think ahead about protection you might need in the form of sun block for the sunny places, bug repellent for the tropical places and thicker moisturizer for colder climates. I find it so funny how frequently I notice that women will forget sun block, but remember to bring their mascara. Trust me, if you burn up like a lobster, no one will notice your eyelashes. Make room for it, because by the time you “need” it, it will have been too late!

The Multi-Purpose Makeup Bag

Palettes are a girl’s best friend in this case. Many companies like Aveda, Stila and MAC offer empty palettes which can be filled with a variety of eye-shadows and blushes. I suggest taking a palette filled with basic, multi-purpose colors to be used on eyes for shadow, liner, and even to fill in eyebrows.

I love the RMS Beauty cream pots which I use with my fingers, eliminating the need to pack brushes. The two I get the most use out of are Seduce and Smile. With Seduce I can contour my cheeks and eyes, while adding a bit of a bronzy look to my face. Smile, gives a fresh pop of color to the apples of my cheeks and a pumps up the natural tones on my lips. They help keep me looking healthy and natural.

If you want a bit of variety in lip shades for your weekend, streamline things by packing a couple of lip liners (like neutral pink and bright red) instead of bulkier lipstick tubes. Use the lip liners to fill in the lip entirely and finish with gloss. You can even mix the liners to create a totally new shade.

I’d love to hear any tips you might have to share on the subject, so feel free to leave comments for me and your fellow readers.

Happy Travels!