Hi, my name is Aimee Simeon, and I am that person who packs more beauty products than clothes for vacation. No matter how hard I try to downsize my loot when traveling, there's always something I need "just in case." However, I recently took a week-long vacation to Puerto Rico and decided to cut my crap — meaning I whittled my makeup routine down to a few stick products [1] and made a conscious effort to strip my skincare collection to the bare basics without compromising quality. Ahead, I've rounded up all the mini items that saved me so much space, time, and stress . . . which, yes, the vacation part helped with, too.
Fresh Travel Size Soy Face Cleanser
Prior to my trip, I had never used the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser [2] ($11), but I quickly learned what I was missing out on. I loved that this face wash was gentle enough to remove my makeup and remnants of my sunscreen without irritating my skin. It also has the most refreshing cucumber scent that calmed my senses with each use.
Kiehl's Since 1851 Calendula & Aloe Soothing Hydration Masque
Lying out in the sun for hours calls for products with soothing and hydrating ingredients, so you better believe Kiehl's Calendula & Aloe Soothing Hydration Masque [3] ($45) was coming along with me. It's packed with calendula flower petals and aloe to calm irritated (or, in my boyfriend's case, sunburned) skin.
Glossier Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen
Sunscreen is mandatory, but a white, greasy cast is not. To protect my skin without looking like Casper the ghost, I used Glossier's Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen [4] ($25). It has a smooth, serum-like texture that won't clog pores or make you look greasy. It also dissolves into your skin completely clear — so no white cast over here.
Tarte Hydration Vacation Skin Care Travel Set
The Tarte Hydration Vacation Skin Care Travel Set [5] ($15) comes with everything you need to keep your complexion refreshed on vacation. Of the kit, I only packed the Drink of H2O Hydrating Boost Moisturizer and the Pack Your Bags 911 Under Eye Rescue Patches. The moisturizer has a gel-like consistency that keeps thirsty skin quenched. I used the under-eye patches to hide all signs of my excessive margarita consumption during my trip.
Mario Badescu Facial Spray With Aloe, Cucumber, and Green Tea
During my daily stints in the sun, I made sure to carry Mario Badescu Facial Spray [6] ($7) around with me. It has soothing ingredients like cucumber, aloe, and green tea, which helped prevent irritation from being out in the heat.
Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15
I loved using this Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15 [7] ($24) because it protected my lips from harmful UV rays while giving them a subtle pink tint.
Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Gold Foil Eye Mask
Because there's no such thing as too many eye masks in my world, I also packed Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Gold Foil Eye Mask [8] ($25).
Secret Freshies Invisible Solid Antiperspirant and Deodorant
Instead of carrying a full-size aerosol deodorant with me, I tossed Secret Freshies Invisible Solid Antiperspirant and Deodorant [9] ($5) in my kit. The mini antiperspirant was perfect for my beach bag whenever I needed to freshen up on the go.
Weleda Skin Food Travel Size
To keep my skin hydrated (and to avoid peeling), I layered on Weleda Skin Food [10] ($5) before bed. I usually use the full-size tube at home, so a travel-size version came in clutch for my trip.
Olay Fresh Outlast Cooling White Strawberry & Mint Body Wash
The miniature Olay Fresh Outlast Cooling White Strawberry & Mint Body Wash [11] ($2) was the perfect treat for shower time. It's also super hydrating, and it didn't leave my limbs feeling dry.
SkinFix Facial Cleansing Cloths
Instead of carrying a huge pack of makeup wipes, I brought along these SkinFix Facial Cleansing Cloths [12] ($22). Each cloth is individually packaged, so I could bring them with me on beach days and leave a few at the hotel without worrying about them drying out. They're also super moist, and I only needed one of them to completely remove my makeup and leave my face feeling clean.
Almay Oil-Free Makeup Eraser Sticks
To get the mascara remnants that makeup wipes can miss, I used the Almay Oil-Free Makeup Eraser Sticks [13] ($7). Each swab has a small vial of oil remover, which travels to the cotton tip when you lightly snap the end of it. The liquid soaks the cotton so you can easily cleanse your eye area then dump the cotton swab.
Sephora Collection License to Leopard: The Weekender
To keep all my travel essentials organized in style, I kept them in this spacious Sephora Collection Weekender Bag [14] ($38), which comes with a section for makeup brushes, too.