True story: I will do just about anything to avoid checking a bag. Whether I'm headed out on a weekend getaway or a two-week international trip, I do my very best to limit myself to whatever will fit in a single carry-on roller and a tote.
The problem is that I also happen to have a wildly extensive skincare and getting-ready routine, a proclivity for wearing multiple outfits a day, and a crippling fear of not having exactly the thing I need at exactly the moment I need it. (Lol, I am *a lot* of fun to travel with, clearly. A real low-maintenance kinda gal!)
So, not to brag, but over the years I've gotten my packing down to a bit of a science. I have a borderline-obsessive process (which involves keeping ongoing lists in my phone at all times for any upcoming excursions) and some go-to products and clothing staples that make the whole thing a little bit easier. Here are a few of those essentials.
Glow Up
A Tasty Lozenge
Nothing ruins a trip faster than a dry or scratchy throat, so I always keep a stash of Ricola drops in my bag. I like the Cherry flavor, which has this really nice, subtle sweetness and ever-so-slightly herby flavor.
A High-Tech Facial Device
I kind of want to gatekeep this genius tool, but I won't. I swear this is my secret to depuffing and revealing my cheekbones after any amount of travel or late nights. I don't go anywhere without it. It's super-pricey, but I find the effects comparable to those from any kind of fancy in-spa sculpting facial so…that means it pays for itself, right?
A Refreshing Face Mist
Never underestimate the power of a little spritz of setting spray to bring your skin back to life post-travel (or to cool down at the beach).
Dress for Success
A Chic Matching Set
I love that I can throw this on in the morning to go grab coffee, wear it over a swimsuit as a cover-up, or pair it with heels to go out to dinner…or even mix and match with other pieces for even more outfit combos. This cute black and white one will be getting a lot of wear this summer.
A Blingy Bikini
Again, sparkles are always a yes from me.
Top Off My Look
A Dressy Flat Sandal
Since just about everything in my carry-on needs to do (at least) double duty, I love these sandals that can be dressed up or down and take up almost no space.
A No-Mirror-Needed Lip Product
I have one of these in every purse—I'm a little bit addicted. It's just the right amount of color, and I love how moisturizing it is.
A Signature Perfume
Beyond the fact that this travel container is adorable, I gravitate to this Tom Ford scent because the cherry notes feel summery in a way that stands out in the sea of coconut- and citrus-based perfumes.
A Sun-Blocking Hat
Let's be honest: I spend far too much on skincare products to undo that work by letting my face get exposed to strong rays all day!
A Versatile Purse
Back on the doing-double-duty theme: This bag earns the space it takes up thanks to the many ways it can be worn or styled. I wear it as a crossbody to glam up a casual outfit, or by just the shoulder strap for evening. (And yes, IMO, sequins are appropriate for all occasions.)
A Colorful Pair of Sunglasses
I like to stick to a pretty basic palette when I pack for a quick trip, so a pair of red sunglasses is an easy way to liven things up.
Art direction by Jessica Tsouplakis; creative production by Hannah Miller; photography by Chelsea Kyle; prop styling by JoJo Li.
Madeleine Frank Reeves is the deputy editor at Cosmopolitan. With more than a decade of magazine industry experience in editing, writing, and reporting, she now recruits writers, sources, and pitches, and shapes content on the site and in the print magazine. She also assigns and edits celebrity profiles, including Cosmo’s cover stories. She graduated with honors in English from Harvard University and lives in New York City. Follow her on Instagram here.
