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The One Beauty Travel Kit Every Globe-Trotter Needs

As you stare at your bathroom’s beauty shelf right before a vacation, you might feel overwhelmed. The packing panic tempts you to throw everything you own into a suitcase just in case you need it later on. But your beauty bag should never be a chaotic mess. So we’ve done the hard part and sifted through tons of vegan and cruelty-free items for you. This bag features all your travel essentials: hair, skin, and makeup products that will give you a natural glow. With just seven mini items, you can go from the airport to brunch on the beach without having to haul big, plastic bottles in your purse. This beauty bag serves as your eco-friendly reminder that great things come in small packages.

The Matcha Must

Once you arrive at your destination, you’ll want refreshed skin that looks photo-ready. A nice glow is hard to achieve without a good cleanse, but no one wants a sticky, watery mess. Milk Makeup’s Matcha Cleanser offers a solid, soap-free formula that will make your on-the-go skincare routine easier. The cleanser also is gluten-free and oil-free, which means you can use it on both dry and oily skin. For a quick clean, massage it onto your damp face, lather, and rinse ($26 at Sephora).

Soothing Sunscreen

Whether you’re hiking an Icelandic mountain or swimming on the Moroccan coast, SPF is a required plus-one on your journey. First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Pure Mineral Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 40 clears space in your makeup bag by offering a two-in-one deal. It hydrates dry skin and reduces fine lines while also providing high levels of UVA protection. Apply it directly after you wash your face and before any makeup ($30 at Sephora).

A Light, Luxe Finish

Effortless travel means you don’t have anything weighing you down — and that includes your makeup. Full-coverage foundation can feel heavy after a 12-hour adventure; swap it out for a light finish. Cover FX’s Natural Finish Foundation feels sheer, but the formula (full of vitamins C and E) gives you a glow. This foundation is also buildable, which allows you to add coverage hours later as you prepare for a night out ($42 at Sephora).

Smudge-Free Lashes

Everyone wants to step off a plane with voluminous, lush lashes, and Blinc’s cult-favorite mascara is one of the most satisfying and innovative formulas on the market. It’s not only water-resistant but also creates tiny “tubes” that bind to your lashes and come off with warm water and a gentle massage. The mascara is also non-irritating for people with contacts or sensitive eyes ($26 at Sephora).

A Soft Smooch

A fresh, natural face reads bland without a moisturized, glossy lip. Lush’s Key Lime Pie Lip Balm solves that problem and features all-natural ingredients. Organic jojoba and argan oils soften your lips, and citrus adds a hint of flavor. The container holds a generous amount, ensuring your dewy pout lasts the entire vacation ($11 at Lush).

Bar None

Avoid hauling plastic shampoo bottles and consider shampoo bars, which are more convenient and eco-friendly than your hotel supply. Lush’s newest bar features cinnamon and peppermint oils to stimulate your scalp and activate hair growth. This bar also comes with a Lush message printed on it: #BeCrueltyFree. To use this shampoo, you can either rub the bar in between your hands for a lather, or rub it directly into your hair ($12 at Lush).

Hair Smoothie

Lush’s bar-sized, travel-friendly conditioners come in three different options: “Jungle” softens and tames, “Big” volumizes and adds shine, and “Sugar Daddy-O” protects blonde hair. We love the Jungle line. Consider it a smoothie for your hair. Bananas, avocados, figs, kumquats, and passion fruit all blend together, working to fight frizz and showcase shine. Insider tip: Take these ingredients and turn them into a DIY treatment once you return home ($12 at Lush).

Reduce, Reuse, Refill with Products

All of these products fit in one quart-sized, clear, and reusable bag that allows you to sail through airport security. This three-piece set is eco-friendly, durable, and waterproof. The large, medium, and small sizes allow you to accommodate a range of product sizes ($13 on Amazon)

Gabriela Julia is the social media manager at NEHA and a life and culture reporter at Syracuse.com. Gabriela received her Bachelor of Arts in communication and a journalism certificate from the University at Buffalo. This fall, she’ll be taking over Syracuse University’s Equal Time Magazine as editor-in-chief.