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Packing bags for a weekend away is the kind of last-minute chore that could (almost) deter an airport-bound traveler from leaving altogether. And the step that’s always left to the last moment is the seemingly easy assembly of the vanity kit. But that kind of thinking will either find you unarmed on a tropical island without hair serum, or worse: having to toss a favorite fragrance or trusted cleanser in the receptacle outside of the departures gate.
Professionals who travel the world to style stars like Michelle Williams, Natalie Portman, and Cara Delevingne have no time for such potential hazards. In fact, fashion stylist Kate Young will stash beauty essentials—“weirdly the most time-consuming part of packing,” she says—like her Tatcha beauty oil and Kérastase shampoo first, using dozens of small clear bottles by Muji, and won’t unpack them until they need refilling. Makeup artist Hannah Murray admits to having a hard time editing her skin products, so she cuts back in other areas, like hair care. “If I’m by the sea, I'll rely on a travel size bottle of R+Co oil and salt water, and then I’ll leave [my hair] to air dry.”
No matter where you sit on the beauty maintenance or wellness spectrum, there is a hack in here for everyone, and selectively cherry-picking from among these 10 multitasking products won’t kill your weekend beauty vibe—or your back. In fact, if done right, you’ll be able to leave “just enough room in your suitcase for unique beauty products found on your travels,” says Murray. Happy packing!