in my suitcase: every product i packed for summer vacation
12: makeup, skincare, haircare... everything I packed for a month-long trip
Instead of sharing empties, I’m sharing a list of all the products I took with me for a month-long trip to Japan and the Philippines. I didn’t have the ease and convenience of my drawers and cabinets, choosing whatever product I felt like using that day. I had to be intentional with what I brought with me — my absolute must-haves that I couldn’t go without, were travel-friendly in size with luggage space in mind and would work well in warm, humid climates.
Below you’ll see my thoughts (and favorite shade) of the new Rhode blushes, the Filipina-founded beauty brand that I can’t get enough of, the serum that *finally* helped reduce my rosacea and the lip balms I keep in my bag.
Remember, only purchase what you really think you need. If you already have a cleanser, don’t order another. If your skin is just fine, don’t mix it up. And if you are tempted to buy any of the below, take a few days to think about it before adding to cart. Keep in mind that these products may work well for me and my skin, but may not necessarily be the best for you! Always consult a dermatologist to best speak to your skin’s needs.
Also — only 8% of all plastic is recycled and plastic used in skincare and beauty is even more difficult to recycle, especially small tubes, bottle pumps, and mascara wands. Instead of throwing them in the trash or the blue bin at home, I keep a bag under my sink for empties and drop them off at a nearby Nordstrom or Nordstrom Rack, as they recycle skincare and beauty packaging with TerraCycle.
Makeup
Emi Jay Popstar Clips: Before applying any makeup, I first clip back my hair to get it out of my face. I love these because they’re small and easy to travel with and I love how chic the all-black is.
*e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer: I never used primers until my cousin used this on me for a wedding. My makeup lasted all day that I had to get it for myself — it’s only $10 so it was an easy decision. Because I knew I’d be out and about all day traveling and wouldn’t have time to touch up, I wanted my makeup to last as long as it could, which is why I brought this with me.
*Lancôme Matte Foundation: I’m not usually a matte girl, but (again) after my cousin used this on me for the wedding, I haven’t used another foundation since. It lasts all day and I like that it kept my skin from looking greasy in the humid Japan weather. It also has SPF, so the extra sun protection is nice.
Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint: While in the Philippines, I ditched the foundation and packed that away in my larger suitcase, bringing this skin tint along with me for the remainder of the trip. I wanted something more lightweight and sheer but still had a bit of coverage while island hopping and laying on the beach.
Givenchy Creamy Concealer: I’ve talked about this concealer in a past piece, as it’s one I brought with me on last year’s big trip. The fact that I’m still using it should tell you something, as I normally find concealers too drying. This one is surprisingly super hydrating and provides a lot of coverage without it creasing or drying out throughout the day.
*Sunnies Face Brow Gel: I got both their clear and black brown shades while I was in the Philippines but I love them so much, there’s no point in mentioning the other brow products I wore in Japan. I love that the black brown gel fluffs, shades in and holds brows so naturally, while the clear really helps lift and provides the laminating effect — both lasting all day. I just checked and they now ship to the US :)
*Makeup by Mario Eyeshadow Palette: I wouldn’t normally take a whole palette with me on a trip like this, but it’s genuinely the only eyeshadow I wear — again, after my cousin used it on me! I’m not the shimmery eye type so I love that all the shadows are matte and in the perfect shades of beiges and browns.
*Maybelline Brown Pencil Liner: I’ve tried so many eyeliners from brands that have gifted me and I swear, the ones that don’t smudge or smear are always from the drugstore! I wore this in Japan on some days I wanted a bit more definition, but mostly used shades from the above eyeshadow palette as eyeliner using a brush, especially in the Philippines.
Hourglass Unlocked Mascara: I’m big on MERIT Clean Lash, which I’ve talked a lot about in previous pieces, but I didn’t have one on hand when I was packing so I brought this one with me instead. I was pleasantly surprised. I find that most mascaras smudge and smear, but this one lasted all day without any issues even in the warm humidity in Japan.
*Sunnies Face Lash Seeker: When I was in the Philippines though, I did need to switch up my mascara as I was spending so much time in the water. I forgot to pack a waterproof one so I grabbed Sunnies Face’s waterproof mascara at the mall and loved it. I was skeptical of its teeny wand at first, but loved how natural my lashes looked throughout the day. Not sure if they ship this specific product to the US but if you can get your hands on it, I’d recommend it.
*Shiseido Eyelash Curler: Another product that I packed last year and have been using for years. It’s the only lash curler I use ever since trying it for the first time — I’ve tried my fair share of them and this is by far the best. It’s also great for Asian eyes — it grabs every lash gently and without any pinch.
*e.l.f. Putty Bronzer: Another product I discovered from my cousin and loved so much, I bought another when it became an empty. It’s also another I packed with me last summer. It’s lightweight, easy to use and gives a natural, sun-kissed glow but is still pigmented. It’s also small and great for traveling (and only $7!).
Milk Bronzer Stick: Another I packed with me last summer and loved so much, I brought with me again and even finished it while I was on this trip! It’s so tiny, which makes it a no brainer to pack and provides precise placement during application, while being creamy, easy to use and looking super natural.
Rhode Blush in Sleepy Girl: I used to think I wasn’t a blush girl, but I’ve realized in the past year it’s just that I didn’t know which shades work for me. I gravitate more towards browny pinky shades versus ones that are too pink, red or berry and this blush in the shade Sleepy Girl is that perfect shade for me. You can see how it looks on my skin here :) It’s creamy, buildable and long-lasting — staying put even after hours in the water.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
*Sunnies Face Blush in Trance: I only packed the above blush with me originally, but when I went to the Sunnies Face store, the bottles were so cute that I began swatching and fell in love with their Trance shade, another mauve-y color that I gravitate towards. I was surprised at how pigmented it was, yet lightweight and super easy to blend. It also lasted all day. I liked it so much, I got one for my cousin.
*Sunnies Face Powder: I usually use the Charlotte Tillbury powder, but I left it with a friend and didn’t have time to get it from her, so when I saw this one in store, I thought I’d try it out. I apply it with a triangle puff like I’d normally do and love how it gives a soft, blurring effect without looking cakey or dry.
*Wonderskin Lip Stain: If you couldn’t tell already, I love makeup that I don’t have to re-apply and I find that lips are always the first to wear off. I first saw this stain on Kelsey Merritt and loved how natural it looked and how long it lasted. It’s perfect for days you just want to wear a lip balm but still want that underlying color. I prefer the shade Lovely, as their other shades are too pink or berry for my liking.
Tower 28 Lip Balm: A hydrating, juicy lip that’s perfect for summer. I wanted to keep my lips glossy and natural vs. matte and super pigmented. I love this one in the shade Mix.
Eadem Tinted Lip Balm: This stuff is so good. I love Fig Sauce but Burnt Malai is super cute, too. I love the cooling applicator, the scent and how moisturizing it is while giving lips a nice color. The founders are Black and Asian and I really think they nailed it with the shades for those with melanin :) I love using it as a gloss.
*e.l.f. Micro-Fine Setting Mist: Day to day, I use the Milani Setting Spray (another rec from my cousin — she’s more of the beauty influencer, as you can see!) to make my makeup last, but I picked up the e.l.f. one last minute. I looove the micro fine spray, the way it lasts in the heat and humidity and how affordable it is, too.
Skincare
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to no one asked by jordan santos to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.