Whether you’re off to a weekend getaway with the girlies or jetting away on a long-haul adventure with your better half, packing the right travel essentials can make all the difference. From keeping your skin refreshed to ensuring entertainment is always at your fingertips, this listicle covers the ultimate head-to-toe travel must-haves.
This personally curated list includes beauty products that’ll have you looking snatched, haircare items to keep your locks in check, and skincare essentials for that on-the-go radiance. These staples will ensure you’re prepared and pampered––no matter where you are.
1. For your hair:
Absolute Repair Molecular by L’Oreal Professional
L’Oreal Professional’s Absolut Repair Molecular range is a game-changer for damaged hair. It offers intense nourishment and restoration–all thanks to its advanced molecular precision technology. The lightweight formulas penetrate deeply to repair broken bonds and strengthen hair from the inside out, leaving your tresses smooth, shiny and revitalised.
It’s especially ideal for travel because it combats the effects of environmental stressors like sun exposure, dry aeroplane air, and humidity, ensuring your hair stays manageable and hydrated throughout your trip. Imagine two years’ worth of damage, reversed in one or two uses; we swear by this one!
2. For your slicked-back buns:
Sleek Stick by Briogeo
Let’s face it–we sometimes get a little lazy with our hairdos on vacation, and when that happens, a sleek(messy) bun or ponytail will still have you looking your best. Thanks to Briogeo’s compact Sleek Stick, you can say goodbye to messy flyaways and frizz and have that glossy finish, which will hold for 24 hours! It doesn’t matter what type of hair you have, but this is definitely a life and travel staple!
Available at Sephora Malaysia
3. For your face:
Preen Screen SPF 50 Reapplication Mist by Ultra Violette
If you’re serious about protecting your skin, Ultra Violette’s Preen Screen SPF 50 is a must-have. The Preen Screen offers broad-spectrum coverage with a lightweight, primer-like finish and shields your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, obvi. It also nourishes your skin with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, making it perfect for daily use under makeup or alone.
For travellers, this is a must-have not only because its high SPF protects your skin from sun exposure during long flights or outdoor adventures but also because of its compact size, making it travel-friendly and easy to reapply on the go.
Available at Sephora Malaysia
4. For your complexion:
Unreal Liquid Brush by Hourglass
If you’re on TikTok, chances are you’ve seen plenty of reviews on the Unreal Liquid Blush by Hourglass. As its name suggests, this product by the cruelty-free brand gives you seriously buildable colour for up to 12 hours––say goodbye to looking pale whilst travelling. Another reason to love this blusher as a travel staple is the serum-like formula, which keeps the skin hydrated, plump, and leave it looking smooth. What’s not to love?
5. For your facial hydration:
Jet Lag Skin Soothing Hydration Mist by Summer Fridays
Who wants dehydrated skin when travelling or ever? Well, thanks to Jet Lag Skin Soothing Hydration Mist, tired and dry skin will be a thing of the past. Infused with skin-loving ingredients like glycerin, chamomile, and aloe, this fine mist provides a calming, dewy boost to your complexion, making it perfect for long flights or harsh, dry climates. Its ultra-lightweight formula also makes it absorb quickly without leaving any residue, offering a radiant glow and relieving tightness.
6. For your pits:
Santal & Vetiver Deodorant by Salt & Stone
It’s hard to find natural deodorants that work, but we may have a favourite among the few we’ve found: the Santal & Vetiver by Salt & Stone. The formula is non-sticky, but here is an insider tip: keep your arms up for a minute or two to let it set and dry. Its alcohol-free formula also makes it suitable for all skin types!
Available at Sephora Malaysia
7. For your scent:
Janeiro’s Cheirosa 76 Perfume Mist by Sol de Janeiro
Whether you’re exploring new cities or lounging by a beach club somewhere, Sol de Janeiro’s Cheirosa 76 Perfume Mist is a tropical escape in a bottle, blending warm, sun-soaked notes of coconut, vanilla, and white florals for an irresistible beachy scent.
Honestly, you don’t have to be by the beach to make this your choice scent. This lightweight, refreshing mist delivers a long-lasting fragrance that instantly transports you to a summer paradise, perfect for keeping fresh while on the go.
Available at Sephora Malaysia
8. For your whole body:
Vinotherapist™ Replenishing Vegan Body Butter
If you’re anything like me, you’re likely to suffer from dry skin when travelling, and sometimes the average lotion just doesn’t do the job. But you know what will? The Vinotherapist™ Replenishing Vegan Body Butter by Caudalie. While they’re predominantly known for their facial products, the brand does offer body hydration items too. Made of 98% natural ingredients and dermatologically tested, this vegan body butter helps with soothing the skin, especially in colder climates. So, if you’re heading for a winter destination, definitely take a tub with you.
9. For your feet:
Foot Masks by Sephora
Clocking in steps when travelling can wreak havoc on your feet, so why not give them the love they deserve with Sephora Collection’s Foot Masks? Packed with antioxidants, vitamins, prebiotics, and probiotics, and free of parabens and silicone, these masks will give your feet the glow they need and keep them moisturised.
Available at Sephora Malaysia
