Pack like a Pro on your Next Trip
Whether you’re heading up to the mountains to dodge the sweltering Texas summer heat or diving headfirst into a fantastic holiday by the sea, the best way to travel like a pro is with ease and efficiency. First-hand experience is the best way to learn what works best (and what does not) but tips from award-winning stylist and frequent traveler, Janet St. Paul can certainly help.
When it comes to packing, we’ve all learned that rolling clothes into tiny burrito-like pouches help get you to your destination wrinkle-free with space to spare. (Haven’t heard? Then you should seriously watch this video! There are also great packing cubes that help organize and create space in your bag that both business and adventure travelers swear by.
For our purposes this month we’re focusing on sharing products and tools Janet recommends so you can enjoy your stay away with essentials you’ll use and without the dreaded clutter and stress that comes from overpacking. The items you pack for your skincare, hair care and beauty can make a world of difference to your travel experience–especially when flying. With Janet’s frequent trips to and from New York City, as well as her years of experience having to produce glamorous runway looks in tight spaces from her New York Fashion Week and editorial days, there are some clear favorites and strategies that she has deemed pro-worthy.
Skincare
In addition to your basic daily/nightly regimen products (cleanser, moisturizer, eye cream) Janet likes:
- Lierac Hydragenist Mist (3.4 oz)
Because air travel can contribute to your skin looking dehydrated, in addition to drinking water in flight, one of Janet’s favorite ways to exit your flight looking refreshed is a quick spritz of Lierac hydragenist mist. - COOLA is Janet’s go-to sunscreen. It also comes in travel sizes, but if you’ll be outdoors, ensure you have the right size for your trip.
Bring Cotton pads, Q-tips, emery board in a small zip-loc for make-up removal, and it won’t hurt to throw in a few bandaids and a tiny tube of antibiotic ointment, just in case.
Haircare
It’s definitely worth the effort to continue your regular regime when you travel instead of gambling with the hotel’s amenity assortment. If you don’t have a travel-size version of your program, we have plenty at the salon for you to pick up and bring with you!
Your regular staples, as prescribed by your stylist:
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Volume/Hold
- Finish (elixir or moulding paste)
From workout to going out:
- Ponytail holder, Clip and/or Headband
- For a chic night out, bring one of the fabulous accessories from Jennifer Behr
Pro tip for freshly colored tresses Sun/UV protection:
- A travel hat or scarf
- Next level protection can beach-proof your locks with Phyto Plage Protective Sun Oil
The Beauty Shortlist
K.I.S.S. – Keep it simple and savvy! Believe it or not, you don’t need your entire arsenal of cosmetics to look great while traveling. You can create a dressed-down and formal look with just a few essentials.
Tools:
- Quality folio of travel-size brushes are a must for space-saving and to keep things tidy
- Tweezers, Eyelash curler
- Round brush and quality travel-size blow dryer
Face:
Tinted moisturizer can do double duty when it has SPF, but if more coverage is needed after a base layer of moisturizer has been applied, a foundation stick can also serve as concealer.
- Believe it or not, just two lipsticks is all you really need:
- A neutral lipstick or gloss that you’d feel comfortable wearing every day
- And a bold lipstick color for nighttime or special event.
Janet St. Paul’s eponymous line of lipsticks, mattes and glosses are long-lasting and beautiful on all skin tones.
Customer Favs:
Mink Pink Liquid Lip, Luxury Gloss, Newberry Luxury Bloss
Red Carpet Red Luxury Matte Lipstick, Spice it Up Ultra Matte Lipstick
- Two Eyeshadows – Challenge yourself to pack only two: one lighter taupe-based neutral and one dark that can serve up a smokey eye, or provide dimension at the crease of the eye when worn with the lighter shade, and can also be brushed on dry or wet as eyeliner
- Eyebrow tint or pencil (unless you’ve gotten onboard the always beautiful brows bandwagon with microblading, in which case you can leave the pencil at home!) Customer Fav: Fawn Brow Tint by Janet St. Paul
- Especially in summer, a travel-size setting powder, such as Laura Mercier’s is a great way to keep shine at bay.
- Black Mascara
Fragrance
Roll-on parfum, such as the NEST fragrances available at the salon provides a lasting and luxurious scent in a beautifully compact package that can easily be slipped into your purse.
Or, the next time you’re at a fragrance counter, ask if they offer sample sizes to try a scent. Many excellent brands, such as Jo Malone will provide customers with perfect for travel-size fragrance samples.
Bon Voyage! Of course, whenever you check your bags, you have a little more leeway but keeping to the K.I.S.S. strategy allows you more room for packing a special outfit or bringing back special souvenirs. Janet’s philosophy is to keep the things you’ll have to carry and keep track of as simple as possible so you can focus on the fun!
Here’s to a great summer!
