The Beauty Travel Bucket List – Europe Edition
Forget fridge magnets, the real treasures are bottled, balmy, and possibly infused with botanicals. If you judge a holiday by the skincare aisle and not the sights, this guide is your carry-on companion. From French-girl lipsticks in Paris to olive oil balms in Athens and biotech serums from Iceland, we’ve rounded up the cult buys and local heroes worth hunting down in Europe’s most stylish cities.
Alana Kapetanellis
When in Athens…
Korres Wild Rose Oil – A Greek icon. Brightens and hydrates with wild rose oil and vitamin C. A cult classic with serious glow-giving power.
Fresh Line Poseidon Bath Bomb – Handmade and myth-inspired, this fizzy treat turns your bath into a Grecian spa.
Apivita Lip Care with Propolis – Pocket-sized hydration made with Greek beeswax and propolis. Simple, brilliant, addictive.
Olive Era Anti-Ageing Face Cream – Rich in local organic olive oil, this is farm-to-face skincare, Aegean-style.
When in Rome…
Santa Maria Novella Rose Water – Historic, heavenly, and housed in a bottle worthy of a Roman vanity.
Bottega Verde Almond Body Butter – Softening, sweet, and 100% Italian—this body butter is bella in a jar.
Diego Dalla Palma Mascara – The lashes Italian women swear by. Think espresso-dark, lengthened, lifted.
L’Erbolario Iris Perfume – A powdery, elegant scent straight from the fields of Tuscany. Timeless and chic.
Sophie Laurence
Charlotte Klasing
When in Copenhagen…
Karmameju Hero Balm – A Scandi skin saviour: multitasking, calming, and just minimal enough to be cool.
RAAW Blue Drops Face Oil – Organic, clean, and seriously chic. Scandinavian luxury in a dropper bottle.
Ecooking Vitamin C Serum – Budget-friendly Danish derm-grade glow. Gentle, potent, and very Copenhagen.
Tromborg Mineral Foundation – Airy, natural-looking coverage that nails the Danish “no-makeup” makeup look.
When in Madrid…
Natura Bissé Diamond Cream – Luxe Spanish skincare with a cult following. Brightens, tightens, and is totally worth the splurge.
Campos de Ibiza Fig Body Lotion – Creamy, Mediterranean-scented and made for super soft limbs.
Lullage AcneXpert Serum – A Spanish pharmacy gem for breakouts and redness. Fast-acting and no-fuss.
Deliplus Lip Gloss – A high-street hero. Shiny, juicy and under €5.
Leonor Castanheira
Lisa Christensen
When in Amsterdam…
Marie-Stella-Maris Body Wash – Sustainable, stylish, and subtly scented. Amsterdam in a bottle.
The Lekker Company Deodorant – Clean, vegan, and effective.
Dr. Jetske Ultee Suncare SPF50 – Dermatologist-founded sun protection that’s light, non-greasy, and made for sensitive skin.
Rituals The Ritual of Ayurveda Dry Oil – Although this is widely available in the UK, it’s still deserving of a place on this list for being a homegrown Dutch success story.
When in Barcelona…
Freshly Cosmetics Blue Radiance Serum – A plant-based peel that smoothes and brightens overnight. Local beauty meets lab smarts.
Rowse Summer Body Oil – Barcelona-born and beautifully minimalist. For that dewy finish.
Perfumeria Regia Custom Fragrance – Get your own scent mixed at this century-old Barcelona perfumery.
Cacao Sampaka Lip Balm – Cocoa + skincare? A Barcelona secret with serious nourishing (and delicious) benefits.
Cora Pursley
Alex Finley
When in Lisbon…
Benamôr Alantoíne Hand Cream – Lisbon’s most beloved hand cream since 1925.
Claus Porto Deco Soap – Iconic art deco packaging meets luxe fragrance. Too pretty to unwrap. Almost.
Pestle & Mortar Glow Drops – The Lisbon-based beauty insider’s secret to “I’m-on-holiday” radiance.
When in Paris…
Typology Tinted Serum – French pharmacy meets Parisian skin minimalism. Lightweight, luminous, and très chic.
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse – The ultimate French-girl glow in a bottle. This dry oil does it all: hair, body, face, fragrance. Spritz and go!
Officine Universelle Buly Toothpaste – Because even brushing your teeth should feel like an 18th-century apothecary fantasy.
La Bouche Rouge Lipstick – Refillable, sustainable, couture-level lipstick made in France.
Ajaila Walker
Anna Bevis
When in Prague…
Botanicus Rose Toner – Handmade with real botanicals. Like a garden in a bottle.
Manufaktura Beer Shampoo – Yes, it’s made with real Czech beer. And yes, it gives incredible shine.
Dermacol Make-Up Cover – The OG full-coverage foundation with Hollywood roots. Prague’s beauty export legend.
Havlíkova Apotéka Honey Mask – Local, apothecary-style skincare that soothes, hydrates, and smells divine.
When in Reykjavik…
Blue Lagoon Silica Mud Mask – Spa-level detox straight from Iceland’s most iconic waters.
Bioeffect EGF Serum – Iceland’s biotech wonder. Small bottle, serious skin science.
FischersundParfums No.23 – Genderless, locally made scent inspired by Icelandic nature and cool air.
Medhanshi Mandawewal
The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate links.
