I’ve Been Traveling Nonstop—My Friends Can’t Stop “Borrowing” These 9 Beauty Essentials I Pack

“No sleep. Bus, club, ’nother club, ’nother club, plane, next place.” Lady Gaga may as well have been describing my past month when she delivered this iconic line in an early career interview. I stood still for one weekend in May, living out of a suitcase for the better part of the month as I bounced between New York City, Illinois, and California for weddings, bachelorette trips, graduations, and more—trucking along the same toiletry bag full of go-to products each step of the way.

A particular packer (and no fan of unpacking and repacking), I kept a tailored makeup bag full of ol‘ reliables and some new discoveries, which offered my beauty-loving friends and family several opportunities to poke through my heavy, product-laden suitcase. (I’m a beauty editor. Of course my bag was overweight.)

Whether it was a new, glowy setting spray that my sister wanted to try or the merlot-colored blush my friends were curious about in wine country, I started to notice a trend in the products earning repeat compliments. The packaging was one (everyone was enthralled by Subtl Beauty’s travel-friendly makeup stacks), trendy color schemes were another, and buzzy brand names sealed the deal. Ahead, the edited-down version of my travel beauty must-haves that made my month out of a suitcase easier and inspired my friends to start online shopping.

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