HOW TO TRAVEL: WARM WEATHER EDITION

Written by LENA RAFF

After a record-setting winter, the lure of poolside cabanas, fresh, fruity beverages, and sun-soaked adventures is stronger than ever. Travel season is so, so close (we promise), all you need to do is hang in there and plan that trip. Book the beach house. Pull the trigger on that resort you’ve had saved for years. Escape to the desert and thaw out.

In support of these endeavors, we at VIOLET GREY are happy to do our part by doing what we do best: curation. You have enough logistics to contend with—free up your brain (and luggage) space with these four core tenants of packing, and a collection of items that were practically born for warm-weather sojourns.

STAY GOLD

Before getting into the practical advice, we thought we’d kick off with pure pleasure—a sort of dessert first approach. You could choose simple, effective products, or you could remember that you are on holiday, and lean into sensuality and opulence with shimmering selections laced with flecks of gold. Good Weather Skin’s The One Warm Glow Daily Suncream SPF 30 is a lightweight, mineral sunscreen that imbues all skin tones with a soft bronze shimmer. It feels like a moisturizer—never thick or chalky—and bestows the complexion with a somewhat addictive radiance.

For the body, Costa Brazil’s cult favorite Sol Body Oil nourishes and conditions skin while leaving behind a subtle sheen—less Y2K body glitter and more a glint that has you always catching the light just right. And, while we’re going for the gold, a little Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Jewel Liner in Gold Lamé couldn’t possibly hurt.

SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS

When it comes to a travel beauty wardrobe, it goes without saying that the “what” is extremely important, but just as vital is the “how.” If the vessel in which you transport your precious spritzes and salves is a black hole where things disappear and are never to be seen again, or you’re still using a flimsy, throw-away bag picked up at midnight in a pharmacy out of sheer desperation more than a decade ago, you are not exactly operating under an ideal set of conditions.

Enter The Belletto Essentials Clutch. Designed by former VIOLET GREY makeup artist, Lori Young, after she witnessed her clients packing expensive (but worth it) products into sub-par pouches, this handmade leather wash bag houses 10 full-size pieces of skin care. She explains, “Organization is huge for me, and I designed the Essentials Clutch to bring structure to travel. It has a built-in divider that keeps everything upright and in its place. Crafted with the same attention to detail as a luxury handbag, my goal was to elevate the travel experience and upgrade everyday rituals.” This bag makes a more-than-solid foundation for any beauty packing list, and is so chic, you might feel inclined to carry it to dinner.

KEEP IT COMPACT

Beautiful products with substantial, luxurious packaging have their place, and that place is at home—on your vanity. When on the go, it’s always best to choose items that get the job done (and done well) without feeling cumbersome. Fashioned in a sleek, sharpen-able stick, BOB BEAUTÉ’s The Corrector is the definition of small-but-mighty. The tinted balm expertly brightens under-eyes and conceals blemishes, giving you that perfected, no-makeup makeup look that’s practically mandatory in a tropical climate—plus, it’s water- and sweat-proof. Humid climates also call for the natural-looking, un-smudgeable Future Lash Mascara by Victoria Beckham Beauty.

Another product that outperforms its footprint is renowned makeup artist Fara Homidi’s new Essential Eye Compact. With a pleasantly grippy texture that feels like a magic intersection between cream and powder, the trio of shades offer myriad combinations for lived-in looks. Effortlessly sweep one shadow across the lid with a finger, or build a statement eye using the Blur Brush. Either way, this little macaron contains multitudes. Bonus points if you go for the blue.

When it comes to travel (and TSA regulations), fragrance rollerballs are a must. You can’t go wrong with any selection from the olfactory universe of best-selling brand Perfumehead, but we’re particularly partial to the succulent floral notes—blooming jasmine, gardenia, and orange flower—of Moonflower for warm nights and cool breezes.

CHOOSE MULTITASKERS

Physically small products aren’t the only way to save space when away from home; items with multiple functions also pull their weight—and save precious time that could be used for lounging. Take care of makeup remover, cleanser, and toner with a sweep of a hydrating, soothing Koh Gen Do Spa Cleansing Water Cloth. To keep skin care steps to a minimum, turn to Augustinus Bader’s iconic Rich Cream, which effectively keeps skin nourished and cared for all on its own, and can be applied around the eyes, too.

Between hot sun and air-conditioned interiors, lips can get dehydrated, but who wants to use regular old balm when you’re on vacation? MAKE Beauty’s Serum Balm deeply moisturizes and doubles as a perfectly sheer, super-shiny lip gloss. When it comes to hair, Crown Affair’s Dry Shampoo will extend your blowout, bump up volume, and soak up the sheen that any stray SPF leaves in your hairline. Thanks to the brand’s signature fragrance of yuzu, bergamot, and lemongrass, you’ll smell truly fresh, too.