Summer Beauty Favorites: What I’m Packing For Vacation

When all else fails, take a vacation. —Betty Williams

For the first time since 2019, I’m taking an intentional, real and very, very, very much-needed vacation.

To be honest, with everything that has happened around the world, I feel like it’s been more than three years.

Starting on Sunday, this next week is going to be full of fun, fellowship, and lots of catching up with my best friends. I’ll be doing familiar activities like blueberry picking as well as things outside of my own comfort zone such as paddle boarding (we’ll see how that goes, lol).

To make sure I don’t forget anything, I started packing several days ahead of time and wanted to share with you what I’ll be taking with me.

If you’re looking for some beauty inspiration for your vacation, here are my summer beauty favorites that I refuse to leave at home!

SUMMER BEAUTY FAVORITES — SKINCARE

SUPERGOOP UNSEEN SUNSCREEN

The first time I wore this sunscreen was back in 2019 when I visited my best friend.

I fell in complete love and have not stopped wearing it since because it’s too good!

I recently grabbed a sunscreen set from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale to with me.

It’s currently sold out at the moment, but I’m crossing my fingers for more inventory so I can stock up for the next year.

LA MER SKINCARE KIT

With how incredibly hot it’s been, I’ve been diligent in making sure my skin is hydrated.

I just ran out of skincare products my sister-in-love gave me so I figured this La Mer skincare set would be a great “stand in” until I can meet up with her again.

I love this skincare brand, but it’s completely out of my price range. However, I think this affordable set ($95) is nice to pamper yourself without the super high price tag.

FACIAL CLEANSING BALM

Several years ago, I discovered this cleansing balm through a former influencer turned fashion brand owner. She did not steer me wrong!

It just feels like you’re giving your face a hug.

If you wear a lot of make up, this stuff will melt off, including waterproof eye makeup. Trust me.

If you get the biggest size, it also comes with a wash cloth. I think $15 is a great price for a travel-sized jar if you want to give it a try.

LIQUID COLLAGEN

I’ve been taking liquid collagen for over a year now to support my joints (your girl has quite a few dislocated joints).

Let me just say, I can’t live without it!

For my vacation, I’ll be packing this and I will also be taking my Optipack vitamins, Trebiotic and Phytos, Revitalize, and Vitamin D.

You can use any of the links above and automatically get $10 off anything on the website if you’re a new customer!

LE LABO DEODORANT

Fun fact: this photo is just some of my deodorant empties from Le Labo.

Since discovering this product in 2020, I have not tried any other brand because it’s too good!

Housed in a glass bottle, this clean deodorant has no aluminum, goes on clear and truly works!

It is pricey, but to me, one bottle lasts quite awhile and I’m willing to pay more for a clean deodorant that works.

SUMMER BEAUTY FAVORITES — MAKEUP

EYE MAKEUP

When it comes to the summer months, I’m a minimal makeup person, so no mascara for me.

Instead, I’ll be bringing this eyebrow pencil that’s been my holy grail for seven years.

However, if I decide to “go all out” with my eye brows, I’ll do it with this Brow Freeze, ha!

I’m still debating whether I want to wear false eyelashes (get $5 off using this link) or not. Hmm…

UNDEREYE CONCEALER

This clean under eye concealer has been my go-to since I purchased it earlier this year.

It doesn’t crease, provides full coverage, and hydrates so I’m really happy with it.

A little goes a long way when using this concealer too! I also took a shot of it next to the cult-favorite Nars (I wear shade Ginger) and Too Faced’s Born this Way (I wear shade Natural Beige) so you can see the product size differences.

YSL Beauty Eclat Primer - Summer Beauty Favorites - What I'm Packing For Vacation - Huong Vo

MAKEUP PRIMER

This stunning makeup primer is an absolute favorite of mine! It glides on just like the Unseen sunscreen I mentioned earlier and creates the perfect canvas for whatever makeup look you want to create.

If you wear full-coverage foundation, this will help your makeup application to go on smoothly and blurs everything for a beautiful finish to a point where you might not believe it, ha!

The gold flecks are an added bonus for that extra glow!

CC SERUM

I’ve been using this CC serum (I wear Sunny Flash) for nearly five years now.

It’s my go-to for when I want to add some color to my face, but am lazy to put on an entire face.

To me, a pump (two at most) is enough to add an instant summer glow.

It is pricey so if you want to try it, I’d go for a travel-sized bottle to make sure you like it before you go for the full-size.

LIQUID LIPSTICK

I first saw this liquid lipstick from my friend, Nioby, and my neutral-loving heart had to nab it right away.

A few months ago, I finally got around trying it and I love it!

For me, I pair it with a lip liner (in shade Iconic Nude) for a classic lip color.

What I love most about this liquid lipstick is that I can wear it matte if I want or use the gloss end for a lipgloss look.

SUMMER BEAUTY FAVORITES — TOOLS

TRAVEL MAKEUP BAG

I love this travel makeup bag, but after one business trip, I prefer a deeper style like this travel makeup bag with shoulder strap. However, I wish it was smaller in size.

Not going to lie, I’m so specific when it comes to things. So if I find a makeup bag I like, I’ll use it until it falls apart and then find another one. I’m still on the lookout for “the one” and until then, this one will do.

I also have this clear travel makeup bag if that’s more your speed.

MAKEUP SPONGE

I wasn’t sure if I could use it at first since I don’t wear foundation much, but I found that one of my favorite ways to apply concealer is with a makeup sponge. Win-win!

As weird as this sounds, to me, the application with the nude makeup sponge is better than the hot pink OG one.

The Sigmagic Brushampoo Liquid is literally magic and will clean your sponges so well!

MAKEUP REMOVER

Even though I don’t wear a ton of makeup, this is my absolute favorite affordable makeup remover! I love using this with Swisspers cotton rounds.

Tip: Buy a travel-sized to try it and if you like it, keep the bottle and refill it every time you travel!

I also love and use this eye makeup remover. You can also get it for $10 off, saving you a bit over 50% off if you’re a new customer.

ROSE QUARTZ GUA SHA

I don’t tend to take a lot of beauty tools/devices with me when traveling as I find them to take up a lot of room. I mean, I rarely take hair tools with me when traveling (it may be because I don’t have travel-sized, but still).

To me, this rose quartz gua sha is small enough to pack and not take up much room in my beauty bag.

The perfect beauty tool to take with me and end my evenings with a bit of pampering.

FACIAL CLEANSING BRUSH

I came across this under $10 facial cleansing brush in-store one day and nabbed it because I wanted to give it a shot.

Verdict?

Well loves, it’s a winner!

It comes with a brush head case and it’s dual-sided! One side is a brush and the other is a silicone exfoliating side.

This is definitely coming with me on vacation!

I hope you enjoyed getting a peek inside my summer beauty bag! Wish me luck because I always take forever packing because I indeed hate this part of traveling, ha!