My Ride-or-Die Beauty Products Are Travel-Friendly and Completely Leakproof

Traveling with perfume can truly be a recipe for disaster. Fragrance bottles are usually quite delicate, and if your suitcase takes a wrong turn or tumble, everything near that bottle is ruined (and so is your expensive perfume). Not to mention, most perfume packaging is far from compact—which is fine when it's sitting on your vanity, but not so much when it's weighing down your toiletry bag. Even the travel-size bottles of most fragrances are made of glass and are very fragile, so while they’ll easily slide into a small pocket of your weekender bag, they still run the risk of shattering.

My previous gripe with perfume oils was that they weren’t as long-lasting as a spray. Cyklar’s Perfume Oil has completely changed my perspective: The smell remains strong even after hours and hours of wear, and two of the bottles fit in the palm of my hand, making them about an eighth of the size of a normal perfume bottle. I think I have a different scent (all terrific!) in every one of my travel bags. The bottles are made of glass, but they’re very sturdy; I have dropped them a few times and left them loose in my personal item without a single issue.

I have been a die-hard Batiste fan since high school, and earlier this year, when I realized the brand dropped a powder version, I knew I had to try it. I was skeptical at first because I haven't loved most of the powder dry shampoos I’ve tried. To my surprise, this one meets my very particular dry shampoo standards: It leaves my hair feeling exactly the same as the spray version, but is far more convenient. The full-size product is just over an ounce—but I’ve found it lasts as long as one of the spray bottles that are closer to four ounces! It also has a controlled flow dial on the top and a pop-off cap, ensuring no unwanted powder explosions.

I am not sure why packaging for moisturizer has gotten so large, but it’s far from travel-friendly. The airless pump jar that seems to have taken over is fun to use, but it’s incredibly bulky, especially considering how little formula is actually inside. This Dieux moisturizer comes in a no-frills, much smaller tube but offers the same amount of product. The Angel moisturizer is rich and very hydrating, but still looks gorgeous underneath makeup. Its compact tube has a screw-on lid, and the product takes up hardly any space compared to other popular moisturizers on the market.

If I had to choose just one product on this list to recommend, it's the Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick. This is by far the most-used product in my makeup collection. It’s a small stick with a lightweight yet very buildable formula that leaves my skin looking like skin, but so much better. Ever since trying this magical product, I have stopped wearing foundation and concealer and only ever reach for this. Because it’s a cream product, the dreaded liquid foundation explosion is a thing of the past. The travel-ready packaging is extremely compact, and the lid has never accidentally popped off—even when my suitcase has been thrown around by TSA.

I have never tried a Rhode product I didn’t like, but this one has to be my favorite. It’s a compact little blush stick that lasts forever. It took me almost a full year to use up my last one. The formula is very smooth and works for a light, sun-kissed look, or you can easily build it for more of a full-glam vibe. Not only does this product take up hardly any space in my travel makeup bag, but the lid is going absolutely nowhere (as you can see in the video, I threw two Rhode Pocket Blushes on the ground and both tops stayed on tight). I have dropped and accidentally smushed it underneath stacks of shoes, and the packaging always stays in place.

Differin

Adapalene gel retinoid

Though I have curated a skincare routine that generally keeps my acne-prone skin at bay, traveling tends to interfere. Between changes in routine and diet, plus plane air, I breakout almost every time I travel. I've tried so many spot treatments, and this one is hands down my favorite. As soon as I notice my skin showing signs of a breakout, I apply it before bed, and by morning there is a significant difference. I always bring this with me no matter how short of a trip I'm going on. Sometimes my skin skips the delayed irritation and freaks out mid-travel, so I like to have it handy. It comes in a few sizes, but I prefer the 0.5-oz. tube with the screw-on lid. It takes up hardly any space in my toiletry bag when traveling, and it stands up on its own in my cabinet at home.

I think we can all agree—SPF is one of the most important products in any skincare routine. If you are spending money and time on your skin but not protecting it from the sun, what is the point? After being told this a few too many times, I decided to listen and wear sunscreen every day, even when it's cloudy. Unfortunately, SPF tends to be the product that breaks me out the most, and I've found that most of them leave my skin feeling greasy. Not to mention, a lot of sunscreen bottles are prone to exploding in your suitcase. I also quickly realized Shiseido's mineral sunscreen is lightweight and oil-free, and it doesn’t break me out or burn my eyes. It’s also incredibly effective. I wear it every day, but I’ve also worn it to the beach without getting burnt. The packaging is very compact with a secure screw-on lid. Though the bottle is quite small, a little goes a long way, and one bottle lasts way longer than you would think.

I know an eyeshadow palette can seem like an unnecessary addition to your packing list, but this one is worth it—and it’s not bulky at all! The six-pan palette is just a bit bigger than the palm of my hand. (I normally pack this at the very bottom of my makeup bag for optimal space.) I have the palette in the medium version, and my favorite shade “Never Fails” has truly never failed me. I use it every day for light eyeshadow and eyeliner. Finding multipurpose products has really helped me downsize my essentials. This palette also has a latch tab that locks the lid in place, avoiding any potential catastrophes.

Finding a clean deodorant that actually does its job can feel like an impossible task. I have tried so many that leave white streaks all over my clothes or only last for an hour. When I started using this Necessaire product, my natural deodorant dreams came true. It lasts all day, leaves behind no residue, and smells heavenly. All of the six scents are incredible, but Cyprès-Citronné is my top pick. The lid screws on, leaving no chance of it popping off while your luggage is getting tossed around. It’s also TSA-safe, and the packaging isn’t clunky. I always throw this one in my personal item!