I Fly 2+ Times a Month, and These 14 Packing Essentials Are My Secret to Stress-Free Travel—Starting at Just $6

It’s not usual for someone to say they love to travel, but does anyone actually love flying itself? While I’ve never met a single person that enjoys navigating the airport (myself included), I've learned that jet-setters who travel multiple times a month tolerate it because they have completely perfected the process. Everything from packing, schlepping, making sure you have all of your necessities at the ready once boarded, and learning what you need and don’t need in your travel beauty bag makes all the difference. 

That’s why I’ve curated a lineup of travel essentials I’m truly obsessed with—like, I bring them up to anyone who will listen. And because I’m on a plane two to three times a month (for work and fun), I’ve basically made it my mission to establish a foolproof travel routine. At this point, I’ve got it down to a science: Everything stays packed, everything has a place, and the only things I swap between trips are fresh clothes and shoes.

Let’s get into it.

More Editor-Loved Travel Essentials

• An Unbreakable, Sleepable Hair Clip: Teleties Medium Flat Round Clip, $13
• On-the-Go SPF Reapplication: Colorescience Brush-On Sunscreen Mineral Powder, $69
• For Packing Shoes: Coidea Waterproof Travel Drawstring Shoe Bags, $6 (Originally $8)
• A Makeup Bag With Compartments: Bagsmart Makeup Bag, $10 (Originally $17)
• Better Than Washclothes: Clean Skin Club Clean Towels XL Travel Pack, $6
• The Easiest Skin Reset: Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray, $28
• Travel-Friendly Exfoliator: BeautyStat Triple Action One-Step Daily Exfoliating Peel Pads, $29
• Health and Hygiene Must: Touchland Glow Mist Hand Sanitizer Spray, $16
• Affordable 3-Step Travel Routine: Indie Lee Discovery Kit, $29

AllSwifit Slip-On Stability Walking Shoes

$68

$56 at Amazon

Most airports don’t make you take your shoes off anymore, but some do. If you’re in a hurry or simply hate retying sneakers, these slip-on sneakers are easy, offer incredible support, and look so sleek. 

Brixley Crossbody Sling Bag

$29 at Amazon

You have your carry-on, your personal item, and then what I like to call your personal, personal item to stash your most important belongings. Think: your passport, wallet, headphones, and lip balm. This Crossbody Sling Bag by Brixley is the perfect size. 

Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch for Tired Eyes

$15 at Amazon

My under-eyes are one of my biggest insecurities, so I use eye patches on a daily basis. These single packs make it easy when traveling, plus they specifically address puffy, tired eyes. Just because you’re jet-lagged doesn’t mean you have to look the part.   

Huzi Infinity Pillow

$55 at Amazon

For a long time, I was against travel pillows. I still cringe when I see people throw those crescent shaped ones in the TSA bins, knowing their face will later touch them on the plane. Ew. But after multiple targeted ads, I purchased this option a couple of summers ago for a trip to Sweden and it was the best decision I could have made. It’s comfy, high quality and rolls up nice and tight to stash in your bag. 

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Single Face Cleansing Towelettes

$8

$5 at Amazon

My dirty little beauty editor secret is that I love makeup wipes. I know—you shouldn’t drag them across your face, and don’t get me started on how many ingredients are in them. But they’re just so easy and multi-functional, even if you’re using them to get makeup off your hands or fingers. These individually packed babies are so convenient and save so much space. 

Teleties Medium Flat Round Clip

$13 at Amazon

Not only are traditional claw clips uncomfortable if you’re trying to sleep on a plane, but I’ve broken multiple by having them clipped on my bag as I board a plane. These flat-back clips from Teleties hold a lot of hair, look super cute (I love the tortoise one) and are comfortable enough to fall asleep on a plane. 

Colorescience Brush-On Sunscreen Mineral Powder

$69 at Amazon

The name of this product says it all: brush-on sunscreen. Need I say more? It’s the easiest travel SPF to use in-flight (you’re closer to the sun!) and to reapply while you’re adventuring and on-the-go, wherever that may be. 

Coidea Waterproof Travel Drawstring Shoe Bags

$8

$6 at Amazon

For just $6, you never have to pack your shoes amongst your clothes and other items, thanks to these handy waterproof shoe bags. So worth it. You can buy them in packs of five or ten, and feel free to thank me later for putting them on your radar.  

Bagsmart Makeup Bag

$17

$10 at Amazon

Consider this your sign to get a makeup bag that actually has compartments, like this on-sale option that costs just $10. Not only is it easier, but you won’t be crying over a broken eyeshadow or powder blush from everything banging around inside. 

Clean Skin Club Clean Towels XL Travel Pack

$6 at Amazon

I used to travel with a washcloth of my own until I discovered these disposable towels from my esthetician. You get 10 in a pack, and I’ve actually noticed a difference in how soft my skin is compared to when I dry with a normal towel—these are so much gentler. 

Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray

$28 at Amazon

A redness-reducing and soothing hero product, I bring an SOS spray with me wherever I go—not just when I travel. If you have sensitive skin or simply love the feeling of a refreshing mist, you need this hypochlorous acid spray. 

BeautyStat Triple Action One-Step Daily Exfoliating Peel Pads

$29 at Amazon

These exfoliating pads are another item that help me cut down space in my toiletries bag. Instead of packing a liquid toner, these pads are convenient and mess-free, so you don’t need to lose out on critical steps in your skin care routine. 

Touchland Glow Mist Hand Sanitizer Spray

$16 at Amazon

I have a ton of food allergies and planes are notoriously gross, meaning hand sanitizer is a non-negotiable travel staple for me. Touchland is great because it's compact and packed with skin-loving ingredients.

Indie Lee Discovery Kit

$30 at Amazon

Buying travel-sized versions of your entire beauty routine can be costly and transferring skin care products into travel containers can be a chore. Enter: this three-step kit from Indie Lee, which is only $30 and has brightening and hydration essentials.