Weekending: What's in my travel bag
As the weather gets nicer, the more I get out of the city when I can. So, what are the musts I need when I’m a few days away from home? Let’s go through my bag.
SKINCARE MUSTS
Wherever I go, there are three things I cannot live without. Let’s start off with cleanser. As some of you know I hardly wash my face with water unless I do a facial scrub in the shower. All other times, I use some sort of facial water. My new drug of choice since January 2020 is Son & Park Beauty Water. It was one of my finds in my last IRL beauty shopping trips South Korea and I have been in love ever since! It not only cleanses the skin, but also does a slight exfoliation, which is needed especially with our everchanging weather conditions! I love the scent because it is floral and fresh, which relaxes me and puts me in my happy place. Luckily it is available in the US through Amazon.
My other go to, which is relatively new for me is the dynamic duo from U Beauty. I started using them under a month ago and wonder why they weren’t in my beauty routine sooner! I discovered the brand in a clubhouse room, of all places, where founder Tina Chen Craig was in conversation with Paris HIlton. Of course, I had to try it, as my skin has not been looking as bright and vibrant as it used to. Yes, that can be chalked up to aging, or aging during covid, but a girl still has to look her best! I was pleasantly surprised after my first use—my skin felt tighter and I did see a glow. Using this product actually changed my mind (for now) about getting botox or fillers. The resurfacing compound basically rejuvenates and preps the skin and the super hydrator moisturizes it. Love that both are lightweight and absorb easily and quickly into the skin. The scent is very soothing as well.
HAIRCARE ON THE GO
My other find from my Soko shopping spree is the Mise en scène perfect serum. I always get a blowout before a trip just because it is easier for me. After a day or two my hair gets dry, especially during warmer weather. This gives my tresses the refresh it needs and is not heavy or oily like so many other hair products. If I’m going away for more than two days, I love the Pantene dry shampoo. Even though it is not as fancy as the other ones I have used in the past, it really works the best IMHO and gives my hair the look of a blowout on it’s first day—it’s all a girl can wish for!
KEEPING THE DENTIST AWAY
So ever since I had to get my first ever root canal a year ago, I have made it my personal mission not to get another one. Like, seriously, my routine is so meticulous that you would not want to travel with me because you would be subjected to my daily and nightly toothcare regimen. At home, I have my high tech Waterpik Sonic Fusion system, but when I travel I like going lighter. This portable water flosser has honestly been a lifesaver because flossing just doesn’t cut it anymore. I won’t bore you with the boring and gross details of how you can get a root canal, but I will just say things that get stuck between your teeth are sometimes missed by floss. I bought it two weeks ago and have already taken it on two weekend trips—It is A-MAZING and makes me feel more assured that I won’t be headed for another root canal anytime soon.
MY CREATURE COMFORTS
The one thing I can never have enough of when I travel is bottled water. I drink A LOT of water and one of my exes even commented once that I drank more than a camel. Instead of lugging bottles of water of me to my destination, I pre-order a case and have it shipped to me at my destination. I know… total princess move, but at the end of the day it is more cost effective than paying $10/bottle where I am staying. Another thing I love having on hand so I don’t subject myself to bad snacking are my energy bars from Verb. They really are a lifesaver when I’m on the go and don’t want to snack unhealthily. Pro-Tip: They are really great right after a peloton workout, or any workout for that matter.
MY TECH BESTIES
Living the lifestyle I want, I know that I need to work when I need to work. My ability to travel lies solely with the ability to be flexible with my work schedule. I no longer live in a 9 to 5 world, nor a weekend is off limits schedule. And honestly, I don’t mind working weekends as long as I get to travel as much as I can—during covid it means roadtrips to cities close to NYC, but I will still take it. A girl still needs to fuel her wanderlust! So the things I cannot live without? My laptop, my ipad and my airpods. They go with me everywhere, to my travel companion’s dismay! Oh, and my new favorite toy is my apple pencil. Being a Xennial, I love writing vs typing my notes and now I can and it is all saved in the cloud :)