The 16 Best Travel Makeup Products of 2024 (2024)

This multi award-winning foundation from Giorgio Armani is beloved by makeup artists, models, and beauty editors around the world. It contains a patented technology that evens out your skin tone and provides buildable coverage that doesn’t look cakey or dry. Wearing it feels silky and luminous – it’s a product that lives up to the name. Plus, at 18 milliliters, the travel size is light and compact enough to fit into your carry-on luggage.

The Details: 0.6 ounces / 18 milliliters

Milk Makeup has a collection of travel-sized beauty products, including the award-winning Hydro Grip Primer, which is clean, affordable, and effective. Unlike cream-based primers, this has more of a gel-like texture, with hydrating ingredients including aloe water, hemp-derived cannabis seed extract, and hyaluronic acid designed to create a glow and help makeup stay on for longer.

The Details: 0.33 ounces / 10 milliliters

Whether you’re covering up a blemish or brightening under-eye circles, a good concealer is always a good thing to have on hand. And when you’re traveling, you need something that is compact, long wearing, and won’t crease after wearing it for a long period of time. That’s why we would recommend this affordable liquid concealer from Hourglass – it leaves a dewy finish and is small enough to fit in your purse for touch-ups on the go, but since it provides coverage for up to 16 hours, you probably won’t need to keep it on hand anyway.

The Details: 0.4 ounces

Charlotte Tilbury has an extensive collection of travel essentials that we would recommend, but the Mini Airbrush Flawless Finish truly lives up to the hype. The compact powder smooths fine lines, removes excess shine, and has a light-reflecting finish, creating a radiant, airbrushed complexion.

The Details: 3.4 grams

Chanel’s cosmetics look just as beautiful on your vanity as they do on your face, with elegant designs and high-quality, glow-enhancing formulations. Many star products from Chanel are available in travel sizes, but we love this easy-to-blend bronzing cream that has light-reflecting pigments, providing an instant sun-kissed look. And because it’s a cream, you won’t need to worry about the powder crumbling on arrival.

The Details: 0.5 ounces

The importance of having the right tools cannot be overstated, and while we’re all familiar with brushes for applying bronzer and blush, this kit contains specially designed brushes that are used by professionals. With these, even the trickier things like contouring and creating a “smudge liner” become a lot easier. Plus, it has a clear, compact travel bag.

The Details: 12 brushes and one travel bag

Available in 28 different shades, Dior’s Lip Glow is a star product that is suitable for multiple occasions, whether it’s used as a subtle sheen during the day or for an elegant evening look with more defined eye makeup. It easily glides on and can be used as a primer under lip liner or matte lipstick. Extra hydration is vital for your lips when traveling, and unlike some lipsticks that can have a drying effect, this one locks in the moisture.

The Details: One size

Bringing an eyelash curler abroad is impractical if you’re working with limited space. The better option? Bringing this Dior lash set, complete with a volumizing lash primer and long wearing jet black mascara. Each product is compact and adheres to TSA-guidelines, so you can pack them in your carry-on luggage with ease. Once you get into the habit of applying primer before mascara, you’ll never go back – it makes lashes look more polished, natural, and full.

The Details: 0.13 ounces/ 0.21 ounces

Founded by revered celebrity makeup artist Gucci Westman, Westman Atelier has become a beauty industry favorite. And it’s easy to see why, with a collection of innovative products that look and feel luxurious, like this highlighter stick, that is available in four illuminating shades. It adds shine that looks natural, without that overly glittery look. Tobi Henney is also a fan of the similar blush sticks.

The Details: 0.17 ounces / 5 grams

Full coverage foundation can feel excessive day to day, especially if you’re pacing around a new city. Which is why it’s wise to have a two-in-one alternative on hand, like this glowy mineral tinted SPF from Tower 28. It’s available in 17 different shades and it won’t clog pores, so you can go about your adventures without that heavy feeling on your skin.

The Details: 1 ounce / 30 milliliters

This cream-to-powder eyeshadow from Merit can be applied with your finger, so it’s great for using on the go when you don’t have any of your brushes on hand. It’s available in eight different shades, from neutrals to bolder statement colors like navy blue. Our favorite is midcentury – a versatile warm brown shade that could be worn during the day or in the evening for more of a dramatic smokey-eye look.

The Details: 0.17 ounces

There are 16 different shades of this multitasking eyeliner from Chanel, ranging from jet black to brow-friendly browns, and jewel-tinged statement colors. It’s long lasting, has a retractable tip, and it can be blended for an effortless smokey-eye look. If you intend on using it as both a liner and a brow pencil, we recommend the classic brown espresso shade.

The Details: 0.01 ounces

Lip pencils can feel drying, but this Kjaer Weis one is smooth and easy to glide on, with moisturizing coconut oil and organic waxes. Each of the eight shades – ranging from beige to rich berry tones - have high pigment with a matte finish.

The Details: 0.038 ounces

This clean tinted brow gel makes your brows look feathery and more defined. It’s great for eyebrows that are thinner and could do with some volume, and it’s available in 10 different earthy shades.

The Details: 0.12 ounces / 3.7 grams

While it’s not technically makeup, nothing completes a look like a beautiful fragrance. Acqua di Parma’s Blu Mediterraneo Discovery set is inspired by iconic Italian seaside locations, with each scent tailored to transport the senses. Our top pick of the three is Arancia di Capri – a combination of vibrant citrus and musk.

The Details: Three 12-milliliter vials

One of our more unique recommendations is Valentino’s Go-Clutch, with a gold chain around a refillable rectangular compact. You can choose from multiple different bronzing shades, and it can also be engraved, which is a nice option if you’re giving it to someone as a gift.

The Details: 0.14 ounces / 4.2 grams

Frequently Asked Questions

• What makeup is considered a liquid for air travel?

  According to TSA guidelines, any makeup in a solid powder form is allowed in both carry-on and checked bags. For actual liquids – which includes foundation, concealer, primer, perfume, and the like – you will need to ensure it’s under 3.4 ounces / 100 milliliters, and pack it in a clear ziplock bag (which they will usually supply at the security checkpoint).

• How should I pack makeup for a flight?

  Ensure that the caps are screwed on tightly and pack everything in a zip-up case to keep it all in place and prevent spreading in case of any leaks. “I love to use a small clear bag,” says Tobi Henney. “The brand Cee Clear has the perfect clear bags for travel. That way you can find everything you need.”

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