Phlur, Nip+Fab, Ipsum, Pelegrims, Eco by Sonya, Josh Wood Colour
Phlur, Nip+Fab, Ipsum, Pelegrims, Eco by Sonya, Josh Wood Colour
Whether you’re beach bound or city hopping, summer calls for a streamlined beauty lineup that works hard and packs light.
“As a travel writer, I’m on the road a lot for work, and I’m always trying to pack as light as possible,” says Emma Weissmann, Executive Editor of TravelAge West. “I’m also a makeup minimalist who gets overwhelmed with the number of products on the market. Subtl [custom stackable makeup] has been a game-changer for me. I took a quiz to find out what colors might look best with my skin tone and then customized my stack so that it has concealer, bronzer, highlighter and a lip/cheek combo. I only pack two additional products—foundation and mascara—to round out my routine, and I’ve gotten so many compliments on my makeup. Now, my stack just lives in my suitcase and comes with me everywhere, and it has cost me so much less than if I were to buy separate, full-size products.”
Ipsum’s beautifully scented Best Skin Replenishing Mist is a savior on long flights. Hailing from Australia, Ipsum is a certified organic skincare line that harnesses native botanicals, and the brand’s Replenishing Mist delivers ultra-fine hydration via plant-sourced hyaluronic acid and vitamin C–rich native plums. It’s also packed with Australian Fragonia essential oil, which is believed to support the parasympathetic nervous system, which could help re-regulate circadian rhythm and ease jet-lag symptoms.
Eco by Sonya Glory Veil
Eco by Sonya
Keeping with the Australian theme, Eco by Sonya is an Australian clean beauty brand founded by eco-beautician Sonya Driver and specializing in reef-safe, organic skincare. The brand’s body sunscreen will not budge, making it perfect for long beach days. It’s a mineral-based, broad-spectrum SPF that protects against UVA and UVB but is also free from chemicals and fragrance.
“Le Balm is a little pot of gold,” says beauty writer Brianna Peters. “It’s a French, do-it-all salve that works as a serum, moisturizer, balm, eye cream, lip treatment and more. I put it all over my clean face, under my nostrils (to help keep my nose from drying out), on my lips and cuticles, and it replenishes my skin against the moisture-stripping plane air. It leaves my skin with the most beautiful, ethereal glow when I land—so much so that I’ve gotten compliments from strangers.”
Naked Sundays Water Gel SPF
Naked Sundays
For face SPF, the summer go-to has to be Naked Sundays. The Australian brand’s CabanaClear Water Gel Serum SPF 50 is a cutting-edge hydrating gel with broad-spectrum sun protection. It’s light as air and completely clear (no white cast), plus it’s extra hydrating with hyaluronic acid, kakadu plum and vitamin E. The product gets bonus points for being fast absorbing, making it a great under-makeup base on hot, sunny travel days.
One last entry in the sunscreen category: an over-makeup mist that does it all. “We’re told time and time again how important it is to top up your SPF throughout the day, but unless you want to remove and reapply your makeup, it’s kind of impossible,” says freelance beauty editor Lucy Partington. “That’s exactly where an over-makeup mist comes in nicely. Nip+Fab’s Tone & Top Up SPF50 spray is lightweight and hydrating, making it perfect to spritz on throughout the day. It combines a blend of skin-boosting ingredients alongside broad spectrum UV defence to leave skin both glowy and protected. One thing to note is that this shouldn’t replace your usual sunscreen—still apply that in the morning—and keep this one in your bag for easy, on-the-go reapplication.”
Led by aesthetics doctor David Jack, this skincare line focuses on clean, clinically tested formulations. The Clinic-Carry On kit is a cure-all travel kit that includes essentials like lipid-repair moisturizers in compact sizes tailored for air travel and climate changes. It’s curated to combat dehydration, redness and UV exposure in one portable box, and each of the individual products are small enough to clear TSA checks with ease.
Polish dermo-cosmetic brand Tołpa specializes in skincare for sensitive and dry skin, and their Cream-Oil is a nighttime must while on vacation. The cream transforms into a nourishing oil upon application and is deeply moisturizing, smoothing roughness and accelerating overnight repair. It’s a nighttime summer rescue for skin exposed to sun and salt.
Another pick from beauty writer Brianna Peters: Bioeffect Imprinting Eye Masks. “These eye gel masks are a cooling, calming, de-puffing and hydrating airplane must,” she says. “They’re brilliant on their own but when supercharged with the brand’s eye serum (made with a special growth factor complex from Iceland), the results are even more impressive. Right before landing, I apply a few drops of the silky serum under my eyes (it comes in the most brilliant roller-ball format so it’s mess-free) and follow with the eye gels on top. I leave it on for about 10 minutes to soak up all the nourishing goodness. As someone with sensitive eyes and major dark circles, it’s like a magic eraser for dullness and puffiness. Plus, they’re totally translucent so you don’t look totally crazy to other passengers.”
Founded by skincare expert Dr. Jean-Louis Sebagh in the UK, this namesake brand is known for medical-grade, high-performance treatments. The award-winning Pure Vitamin C Powder Cream delivers a stabilized, potent form of vitamin C in powder form that transforms into a light cream on contact to brighten dull, sun-exposed skin and neutralize free radicals. The non-liquid, small sachets make for easy transport.
Created by Schwarzkopf’s Got2b brand, this is a dry shampoo spray in a fine mist format. It refreshes roots using rice starch to absorb oil and impurities, with a light bergamot and freesia scent (the ingredients are 99% naturally derived). Great for after a flight, it revives limp and greasy hair instantly.
Josh Wood London is a UK-based salon brand founded by celebrity colorist Josh Wood. The Miracle Hair Oil in 30-milliliter travel size is a lightweight 5-in-1 oil blend containing kukui nut, babassu and pracaxi oils, alongside quinoa extract and green walnut. Advanced UV filters are designed to protect the hair from UV and pollution while also preserving color vibrancy. It’s ideal for moisturizing hair post-swim, while defending against UV-induced fading.
Created by the boutique skincare brand Pelegrims, these botanical sheet masks are formulated with English grape extract sourced from Westwell Vineyard in Kent, England. Intensely hydrating and soothing, the masks are perfect for use on a long flight (they’re not too drippy or sticky) or after sun exposure to cool and replenish moisture to irritated skin.
Aegean Beauty
Aegean Beauty
Aegean Beauty is a Greek brand from Syros, featuring locally sourced ingredients and supporting local producers. The solid Body Butter is rich yet compact, providing deep hydration from natural botanicals. The balm-like texture melts onto sun-parched skin, while the lemony scent is bright and energizing.
Bon Charge is a science-wellness brand offering tech-based beauty and recovery devices. The ultra-portable Red Light Face Wand uses near-infrared and red light LEDs to stimulate collagen, reduce fine lines and improve tone and texture. It’s lightweight, easy to pack, chargeable with a USB cord and only requires 5 to 10-minute sessions per day, making it very travel friendly.
The Natural Africa
The Natural Africa
Aloe is essential for any sunny holiday and South African brand The Natural Africa has the perfect formula in their Cape Aloe Serum. A blend of sustainably sourced Aloe Ferox juice, Devil’s Claw, rose geranium, grapefruit oils and hyaluronic acid, the serum is deeply hydrating with potent antioxidants.
Having a viral moment this summer, Phlur’s Beach Skin is a dreamy body mist that captures the very essence of summer in its scent and light-as-air texture that works on both the body and the hair. Expect notes of sea salt, bergamot and coconut milk against a warm base of vanilla, sandalwood and musk. It’s a vacation in a bottle.
