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I’ve just come off the back of a seven-week trip around Europe. Carting around two kids, four suitcases, two carry-ons and a pram, I had to be ruthless with my beauty bag (although my ruthless is probably indulgent by many travellers’ standards!). These were the products that worked the hardest between London and Dublin, Milan and Madrid…

1. THE SKIN-MINIS

I love to take a set of skincare, like this Ultraceuticals Skin Essentials Normal/Oily Skin – it’s unreal as it contains the most perfect gel cleanser, a mattifying UV and deeply hydrating moisturiser – all things I used daily. Christmas is a great time to stock up on travel-sized products as there are so many gift packs available.

2. THE TINY MICELLAR

In addition to the fab gel cleanser that comes in my Ultraceuticals pack I also always take a baby Bioderma Sensibio micellar water for makeup removal. It’s great on the plane or when I don’t want to disturb my lash extensions too much with water splashes etc. Bioderma is my all time favourite – it’s super gentle but just takes everything off in one swipe.

3. THE CELL RENEWER

Speaking of powerful swipes, to keep my skin looking fresh and increase cell turnover I’m a big fan of Biologique Recherche Lotion P50W – and this sample size is perfect for travel. It sloughs off any dull skin cells and preps skin beautifully for my serums.

4. THE MULTI-PURPOSE BALMS

When your skin is seriously parched you can’t go past a nice rich balm. Weleda Skin Food is one of my favourites and it smells herbtastic, too. I slather it on all over my face during and after a flight. I also use it on dry bits on the kids, around my cuticles, wherever I’m crying out for nourishment and moisture. I also pack Lanolips – which I’ll mostly use on lips but can be helpful in healing scratches, irritations or insect bites.

5. EXTRA IN-FLIGHT TRICKS

For the flight I take a clear plastic cosmetics bag (Mecca has these ones) packed with travel-sized in-flight essentials including Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask (a great clear mask that won’t leave you looking like Hannibal Lecter) and Dermalogica Barrier Repair (which helps keep the all-important moisture barrier intact). I’ve also got Aesop Ginger Flight Therapy roll on and FESS Frequent Flyer Nasal Spray.

6. THE SCENTED BODY BUTTER

Every Christmas I buy the pack of Korres Body Butters – they’re so fabulous for travelling and each trip I take a different flavour and it ends up reminding me of the destination forever more. This time I took Bergamot Pear which was the perfect tran-seasonal option.

7. THE SCALP-LOVING SHAMPOO

My scalp freaks out routinely when I travel, getting dry, flaky and irritated – so I always make sure I take a travel size Moo Goo Natural Milk Shampoo (which comes in their travel pack). The coconut and glucose formula calms everything down.

8. THE HYDRATING CONDITIONER

I like to pair my Moo Goo with a nice smoothing conditioner like David Mallett Conditioner No 1 L’Hydratation – it’s also super gentle and doesn’t irritate my scalp.

9. A BEDTIME RITUAL

I was recently given this incredible ayurvedic Uma Oil Discovery Set at the Sephora Press Day and I’ve fallen in love with this brand. The founder Shrankhla Holecek showed me how to do a little neck and earlobe massage (SO relaxing) with the oil, deep breathing as you go, and the Pure Rest and Pure Calm blend were absolute winners while I was travelling, helping to settle me down in strange beds.

10. 111 MASKS

Tissue masks are great to throw in your bag as a quick dermal fix that don’t take up much space. I’m in love with these 111 masks – they left my aeroplane-parched skin looking juicy and glowy every time.

11. THE BODY WASH

You can’t rely on other people’s soap situations when you’re staying with friends or in Airbnbs so I always pack a body wash. I love Ren Moroccan Rose Body Wash (available in their Ren Clean Skincare Relax Set) as it smells like real roses – earthy and fresh.

12. THE HANDY CREAM

I’m a sucker for beautiful packaging and Chanel La Crème Main has it in spades. I love the ergonomic egg design of these creams that fit so comfortably in your palm and look just as beautiful in your handbag. The cream itself is perfect – non greasy but super quenching.

Story by Sigourney Cantelo, Photography by Maria Simon

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