I Took These On Holiday & Didn’t Regret It — 9 Beauty Products That Survived
Between leaky bottles, SPF meltdowns, and products that simply don’t hold up in the heat, packing beauty for a summer holiday is a minefield. Here’s what actually earned its place in my bag — and stayed there from take-off to the return.
Listen, I’ve been that girl. You know the one — frantically decanting every single product into travel-sized containers, only to discover my “holy grail” serum has turned into suspicious goo somewhere over the Mediterranean. This year, I decided enough was enough. I was going to be strategic, ruthless even, about what made it into my beach bag.
The objective was simple: survive 10 days of summer heat, multiple pool dips, sweaty sightseeing sessions, and the general chaos that comes with stuffing your entire beauty routine into a makeup bag the size of a sandwich. And let me say, these nine products didn’t just survive — they thrived.
I was going to be strategic, ruthless even, about what made it into my beach bag.
Why it survived: Stayed put through pool dips and beach naps without that dreaded grease-slick situation.
Why it survived: Sun protection meets anti-frizz technology in a weightless formula.
Why it survived: Intensely hydrating with just enough tint to look put-together, even when everything else had melted off.
Why it survived: Doesn’t dry out hands, smells incredible, and the sleek packaging fits perfectly in my bag.
Why it survived: Created the perfect ‘no-makeup makeup’ look that photographed beautifully and lasted through humidity.
Why it survived: Three sprays lasted from morning coffee to evening cocktails, even in the humidity.
Why it survived: It’s not sexy, but it works. And sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
Why it survived: Intensely hydrating with just enough tint to look put-together, even when everything else had melted off.
Why it survived: Just pack this. Trust me.
At the end of the day, the real test of any holiday beauty routine isn’t how it looks in your bathroom mirror at home — it’s how it performs when you’re sweaty, sandy, and slightly sunburned but still want to look human for dinner. These nine products passed that test with flying colours and earned their permanent place in my travel beauty arsenal.
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.
