I’m A Beauty Editor Travelling The World, Here’s What Made It Into My Make-up Bag

This skincare-based gel-cream foundation has gotten me more compliments than I can count, and I’ve yet to meet someone who isn’t totally sold on it. Packed with squalene and glycerin, it hydrates the skin while offering a light to medium coverage that never goes cakey and gives the skin a fresh-faced, healthy glow. Plus, it’s available in a wide range of shades, meaning hopefully everyone can enjoy it. If you’re after a new foundation, I can’t recommend it strongly enough.

I recently took on the challenge of using this Lush Ultrabland Cleanser, and only this cleanser for 30 days, meaning no serums, moisturisers, or anything else in terms of skincare – apart from SPF – and the results blew me away. My breakout area massively shrunk in size, the redness on my cheeks reduced and the dry, crusty face that I expected to start peering back at me never came, proving it really did help to boost and strengthen my skin barrier. Unsurprisingly, it’s earned a firm spot in my make-up bag and really made me rethink my usual routine. While I’ve added a couple of extra bits back in, namely to battle my increased sun exposure, less is certainly more when it comes to what we put on our faces.

Is a Prada lipstick a little bit extra? Absolutely. But is it one of the longest-lasting, most vibrant and easiest-to-apply lipsticks you’ll try? Definitely, making it a great beauty buy. What sets it apart, alongside some lip-softening ingredients, is its unusual triangular tip that not only looks particularly on brand but also makes defining that cupid's bow even easier. Plus, no other beauty item can make a whole outfit more exciting than a bold red lip.

Peptides offer a whole host of skin-boosting benefits, including improving the skin barrier, locking in moisture, and reducing the appearance of fine lines. So, consider this a multi-use serum that will help keep your skin in great condition. I like to apply a few drops at night before my moisturiser and notice a real difference in the reduction of the lines on my forehead, particularly as this one boasts an impressive 10 kinds of peptides. If you’re not looking to save space, the Beauty Pie Triple Hyaluronic Acid & Lipopeptide Serum is also a great option.

Most beauty fans have probably heard of the incredibly popular Merit Flush Balms, and, again, they’re famous for good reason. Offering one of the fastest ways to add a rosy glow to both cheeks, they’re a great go-to for looking a little more alive. Plus, they come in a wide range of shades to suit every skin tone – my favourite is Stockholm. Although, if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly blush, the Elf Camo Liquid Blush is pretty incredible as well.

Of course, a Chanel facial massage tool isn’t an absolute essential – cutting down on your beauty products doesn’t mean it has to be only bare bones – but after seeing countless social media videos on the benefits of facial massage, I’m now committed to mastering it. So, why not try out a new skill with a bit of luxurious help? It’s easy to use, looks particularly chic, and also makes a great gift.

I’ve tried dozens of concealers, and there’s quite a strong line between great ones that seamlessly mask dark under-eye circles, redness and breakouts, and those that do none of the above. This Dior option, unsurprisingly, falls into the first camp, offering full coverage without the cakey finish. It also lasts an incredibly long time – this one is almost a year old – meaning the initial investment is well worth the splurge. Although, let's remember beauty buys do have an expiry date.

I'm not too precious about my hair so will pick up (almost) any shampoo, conditioner and styling cream from the supermarket. But, a great brush makes all the difference – no amount of product can help snapped strands – so the Ziggy brush has earned its place in my suitcase. It gently teases out tangles and leaves curly and wavy hair looking nice and healthy.

Now, I know the whole purpose of this piece is to prove you only actually need a handful of products, but I’ve actually brought three of these Hourglass Lip Balms away with me in shades Crave, Secret and Reveal. If that doesn’t speak to their greatness enough, maybe the fact that they’re a lipstick-lip gloss hybrid that feel nice and moisturising while adding a chic swathe of colour, and can be used over lip liner, will.

Granted, you’ve probably heard of most beauty buys on this list – again, they’re popular for good reason. But one of my best beauty secrets actually comes courtesy of a smaller Irish-based brand, Ella & Jo. After over a decade of fake tanning, I’m confident in claiming I’ve tried most faux glow options out there and this one offers the most natural-looking colour with minimal faff. I use shade dark. Plus, it never transfers onto Airbnb bedsheets – how glorious. No matter if you’re brand new to tanning or a well-versed faux glower, please do give this a go. And, unlike a standard body cream, a good fake tan is pretty hard to find abroad.

For those not yet sold on lip liner – maybe you find it too scratchy, tricky to apply, or simply a bit pointless – Refy’s lip blur can probably change your mind. Soft, round, and gentle on the skin, it’s a long-lasting colour helps lips to appear fuller and, in my case, make the shape a little more even. Simply swipe a clear lip balm or SPF lip oil over the top, and you’ll have a make-up look that appears to have taken you much longer than it actually did.

Yes, I’m travelling, so the name of this product feels rather fitting, but it’s rather brilliant even if you’ve got no plans of stepping onto an airplane. Packed with niacinamide, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and a ‘skin-soothing complex’, it soaks into the skin and immediately helps to hydrate, reducing the appearance of fine lines and pores. Plus, it will leave you with a great healthy glow, so I like to think of it as a mini facial in a bottle. To apply, I slather it on overnight once or twice a week and wash it off in the morning. But you can also use it as a day cream, a regular moisturiser, or even across the body and on the hands. Fabulous.

A great pair of tweezers is a must for any make-up bag. In fact, as someone prettily talented at growing a moustache, I often always have a pair on me as you never know when the longest, darkest hair will appear seemingly out of nowhere. Again, I’ve tried a huge number of tweezers on the market, and the classic Tweezerman styles are hard to beat.

No matter where you are, as soon as the sun starts to shine, you should really be using an SPF lip balm. In fact, if you take just one thing away from this article, please let it be that. The skin on your lips is much thinner than that on your face, making them even more susceptible to harm from the sun’s rays. While most SPF lip balms are thick, chalky, and not too enjoyable to apply, this Naked Sunday’s Lip Oil offers all the shine and ease of application as an oil while protecting your pout at the same time. Really, it’s at the top of my must-have list, although I wish it was a bit cheaper.

Now, this product is pretty new to my make-up bag, having only recently discovered its dark circle masking capabilities. Unlike a concealer, which paints over points of the face in a shade that’s similar to your own skin tone, this colour corrector actually helps to neutralise the blue and grey tones, immediately helping to mask and brighten. Of course, if dark under-eye circles aren’t a concern, keep on scrolling. But, if they are, you might want to give it a try underneath your concealer – it’s currently the only way I’ll do my make-up.

I’ve long raved about the benefits of using Medik8’s C-Tetra Luxe serum, and I’m absolutely not going to stop now. Apply a couple of drops in the morning underneath your SPF, and you’ll soon start to notice a glowier, healthier looking face looking back at you. Plus, it's packed with antioxidants which help to reduce the harmful damage done by the sun's rays as well.

A huge number of beauty fans regularly rave about Charlotte Tilbury’s make-up, but I think the brand’s skincare is very much slept on. Not only have I seen incredible results from people using the new Dark Spot Serum, but the Magic Water Cream is one of the best moisturisers I’ve ever had my hands on. It’s lightweight and instantly absorbs, and leaves skin feeling like it’s really been drenched with moisture. Plus, biopeptides and niacinamide help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and really add to that glowy complexion.