During hardcore travel — long distances, across borders, throughout developing countries, in extreme heat or cold, or any combination of those — I’ve found that having the following items on hand can make the trip a lot more tolerable:
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 50+ This is a very lightweight liquid that provides great sun protection; it’s highly water- and sweat-resistant and it doesn’t clog pores or sting your eyes. It’s non-sticky and leaves a nice mineral sheen on the skin’s surface, and is a good base for makeup. I use this for my face over moisturizer (and under foundation when I’m wearing makeup), and regular ol’ sunblock from the neck down.
Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation SPF 42+. A companion to the awesome Sun Protection Lotion (above) from Shiseido’s Suncare line, this foundation offers good, lightweight, long-lasting coverage with an excellent SPF level. It can be used alone or with the above Shiseido lotion for flawless-looking skin that’s fully protected from the sun’s rays.
From my purse: I got both of these in Asia, so the packaging's a bit different.
Lip balm with SPF. Really any lip balm with sun protection is a must, to go in a convenient pocket so you can grab it at any time. The recirculated air in airplanes and airports can be very drying, and if you arrive in hotter or colder climates than you’re used to, you’ll find yourself reapplying it constantly. In my purse right now: Kathryn Nicole’s SPF 15 lip balm.
Your lip balm doesn't have to be fun-looking, but that never hurts.
Extra Strength Tylenol PM. When I’m traveling to another time zone, I like to reset my body clock right off the bat, while I’m in the air — this is a tried-and-true method that cuts down on, or completely prevents, jet lag. As soon as the plane leaves the tarmac I set my watch to the arrival time of wherever I’m headed, and make myself sleep accordingly at the correct hour. There are plenty of sleep aids on the market to achieve this, but my preference is plain ol’ over-the-counter Tylenol PM. It has knocked me out in a wide variety of vehicles (planes, trains, buses, cars, vans), and conditions (too hot, too cold, cramped, smelly, jostling); it keeps me asleep for hours, and the pain relief is a huge bonus during times when you can’t recline very far, have not enough leg room, or are otherwise crammed into an uncomfortable position. Caution: take only if you are prepared to sleep for at least six hours.
My sleep savior. I prefer the vanilla-flavored caplets myself.
Portable extra tote bag. Any little bag that folds up onto itself and clips onto your existing bag will work — to carry items you buy during your travels, to tote anything unexpected you pick up along the way, or to save the day when a strap or zipper on your main bag breaks (which, at some point, will happen). You can get them everywhere; here’s one I carry from SmallSteps that has accompanied me to the ends of the earth and back and has come in handy for all the above scenarios:
Total lifesaver: my trusty clip-on tote, ready to go. Inset: folded up.
Bath and Body Works HandiBac Anti-Bacterial Gel OR Lotion. Hand sanitizer is essential to travel:: you’re going to encounter lots of germs in all the public places and situations you put yourself into. I hate when my hands feel dry, which is why I go for the B&BW products: I like the light moisturizers of the gel, and the lotion is extra rich. I carry one or the other (and sometimes both) — the gel when I’m on the road and really need sanitizing action, or the lotion when I’ve gotten settled and I still want to kill germs without overdrying. Most Bath and Body Works products smell pretty good; I prefer the light and clean Sea Island Cotton scent.
Keep yo hands clean. And smellin' good.
