TBH, daydreaming about my summer vacations is the only thing getting me through this frigid New York winter. I always watch my fellow editors' vacation vlogs and double-tap snaps from their press trips, so I decided to ask them for their best travel-friendly beauty tricks and makeup looks for vacations and flights, starting with what's actually in their travel beauty kit.
Among refreshing face sprays and hydrating sheet masks, they also depend on the e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow collection—particularly the just-launched Halo Glow Powder Filter. Think of this sleek compact as the jet-setting sister of the iconic Halo Glow Liquid Filter. According to editors, it's the secret to looking airbrushed and oil-free, even at 30,000 feet. Keep reading to discover our editors' go-to travel beauty looks, from a soft, blurry glow to a candlelit complexion to an ultra-glossy pout.
What's your travel beauty M.O. and your go-to look to match?
Low maintenance is the name of the game when I'm traveling. I avoid bright, bold colors that might smear or require inconvenient touch-ups, and I also need complexion products that can keep any travel-induced oiliness at bay without sacrificing a pretty glow. Skin prep is key, so I like to begin with the Power Grip Matte Primer. Not only does it completely lock in your foundation, but the silky finish literally makes your skin look airbrushed. I also like to mix the Halo Glow Liquid Filter with my foundation to look radiant and sun-kissed. I keep the rest of my look light and simple with a swipe of the Lash 'n Roll Mascara and one of my favorite makeup products of all time, the Glow Reviver Lip Oil in Candy Coded. For some extra insurance, I finish everything off with the Halo Glow Powder Filter to set everything in place and add a soft, blurred glow to my skin. It's one of the only powders I've tried that sets my makeup without any cakiness while keeping my complexion radiant and airbrushed-level smooth.
Do you have any unexpected travel makeup tips?
Don't bother packing any brushes! I love the ease of application with these products. The Halo Glow Liquid Filter's doe-foot wand makes it easy to dot over your face before blending and massaging it in with your fingers. The Halo Glow Powder Filter comes with an adorable puff and mirror, so you can touch up your makeup from anywhere, and everything you need is encased in the travel-friendly compact.
You've tried hundreds if not thousands of makeup products. Why do you use e.l.f. Cosmetics over other brands when traveling?
e.l.f. Cosmetics is in my travel bag simply because the brand makes some of the best and most reliable formulas on the market. If the packaging was disguised and I were to test the products, I would never in a million years guess their extremely affordable prices.
What's the next trip you have in the books, and what makeup look are you planning to wear?
I'm heading to Austin, Texas, in a few weeks, and the weather is so much warmer there, so I'm excited to use the Halo Glow collection and channel that balmy weather I've been craving. Our itinerary is jam-packed, so I plan to do a little makeup touch-up at the airport as soon as I land. I'll already be wearing the Halo Glow Liquid Filter, and to get rid of any excess oil that my T-zone accumulated during the flight, I'll add the Halo Glow Powder Filter. It's perfect for blurring imperfections and reducing shine. I'll finish the look with the Halo Glow Blush. I'd describe this as a liquid blush and highlighter hybrid that gives you a lit-from-within glow in all kinds of airport lighting. This is a fail-proof look that I'll add to my routine even when I'm not traveling.
What's your number one holy grail product for a long flight?
I don't know about you, but I'm always oily after a flight, so having the Halo Glow Powder Filter on me at all times is such a relief. While lots of powders completely mattify your face and often get rid of that natural glow, this one allows my glow to shine through, which I love. It keeps my base looking natural yet flawless.
Can you give me a tip when it comes to packing makeup? I feel like I never have enough space!
My biggest travel makeup tip is to only pack the essentials. For once in my life, I'm practicing the art of minimalism, and I encourage you to do the same! Packing a few key products that will give you the subtle transformation you're looking for is so much better than sifting through a bunch of products that require multiple tools and steps.
What products do you rely on to create day-to-night looks while traveling?
When I'm traveling, I like to bring makeup that I can use morning to night—bonus points for multi-use products! For this dinner look, I wanted to highlight my cheekbones and give myself a shimmery glow that catches the light, so I added the Halo Glow Blush all the way up my cheekbones, on my eyelids, and a touch on my nose. Using the color across multiple parts of the face creates a really natural effect. I chose the shade Candlelit, a soft, pink hue perfect for winter. (You'll see me in Magic Hour, a bronzy copper, all summer long.) Adding the Halo Glow Powder Filter on top took the radiance to the next level. You can't even tell that I'm on a ski vacation and not at the beach!
How does e.l.f. Cosmetics impress a super-picky editor like yourself?
These products are super blendable and buildable—they're honestly foolproof, and you can achieve any look from subtle to dramatic. I also love that these products add a glow but not a shimmer. It's a super-important distinction that I'm picky about because I never want to look sparkly.
What's your number one tip for keeping your glow throughout the day and night?
Stick the Halo Glow Powder Filter in your handbag or beach bag for touch-ups throughout the day. It would be great to throw in your clutch at a wedding too! You never know when you'll need a little extra glow.
