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The worst thing that can happen to anyone is having their vacation photos ruined by unexpected summer breakouts or humidity-related hair issues. But from dehydration caused by plane travel to the sudden ingestion of alcoholic drinks and sugary treats, traveling exposes your skin and body to a variety of stresses, which is why beauty savvy people want to be travel prepared.
“I travel a lot for work, so I've become a pro at this,” beauty expert and journalist Kayla Greaves wrote in an email to Forbes.com. Whether it's shooting campaigns, consulting, or writing, the beauty editor's travels have been consistent for over a decade. The result is a streamlined curation of travel-friendly beauty products that she's personally vetted.
“[As a beauty editor]”Free product and all that is great, but my real goal has always been to create stories that make people who look like me feel seen and understood,” she explains of her passion for inclusive beauty coverage. “I didn't have that experience growing up, so I know how impactful that representation can be.”
Beauty editor Kayla Greaves gives us a peek inside her travel beauty kit, packed with skincare, haircare, and bodycare essentials.
Kayla Greaves is a beauty expert and journalist.
Kayla Greaves
Travel Beauty Essentials: Skincare
“I always aim to thoroughly cleanse, gently exfoliate, hydrate, soothe and protect without stripping my skin,” Greaves says of her skin care routine while traveling. Her daytime skincare routine includes a cleanser, antioxidant serum, moisturizer and sunscreen, with her favorite being the mineral sunscreen Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50 ($64).
“I love Norie Kimchii Cleanser ($18) because it deeply cleanses, yet balances skin and keeps breakouts at bay,” Greaves says of the gently exfoliating, probiotic-rich cleanser. Like most daytime serums, her serum of choice is formulated to protect skin from free radical damage with antioxidants like vitamin C. “AlumierMD EverActive C&E Peptide Serum ($195) is a must-have for me, and it comes in a three-pack so I can throw one in my travel bag.”
If you can't sleep on the flight, Greaves has a solution: “Fresh Black Tea Anti-Aging Eye Cream ($72) is amazing and easy to carry around,” she says of the anti-puffiness eye cream. “It's gentle on the skin and makes your eyes look brighter.” [and] It lasts quite a long time.”
Kayla Greaves is a beauty expert and journalist.
Kayla Greaves
At night, she uses Shani Darden Lactic Acid Exfoliating Serum ($89) for gentle yet effective exfoliation and brightening. When her skin is “irritated” or in need of exfoliation, she calls Rescue MD DNA Repair Complex ($88-$388) a “godsend” to soothe skin and reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Another travel-friendly way to reduce inflammation is to ice your face for two to three minutes at a time, which is easy to do on the go with reusable Melissa Imperial “Cryo” Facial Ice Popsicles ($32).
Greaves also makes skin barrier care a top priority, as it's skin's “first line of defense.” The dryness and climate change that comes with air travel pose two additional travel-related challenges that can weaken the barrier and make skin more susceptible to irritation. “Augustinus Bader Skin Infusion ($430) is something I'm really excited to add to my travel capsule,” she says of the luxury brand's new barrier-focused product. “I've been trying it for a few weeks now and I can already see a big difference in the texture and tone of my skin.” [bottles] It's also the perfect size for traveling.”
Beauty expert and journalist Kayla Greaves on holiday.
Kayla Greaves
Travel Beauty Essentials: Hair and Body Care
Greaves' travel haircare products vary depending on her hairstyle. “Right now, I have a bob and I style my hair with heat, so I always take my Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer ($429) and my curling iron, which I've had for almost 10 years,” she explains. “I try to wash my hair before I leave, but a bottle of Dove 7-in-1 Miracle Mist ($9.99) is all I need in case I need styling products.”
She likes to keep her body care routine simple and uncomplicated: Sun protection is a must, so when she travels, she uses Coola Clear Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 ($28) or Vacation Classic Spray SPF 30 ($19). The non-aerosol sprays are TSA-safe and use chemical UV blockers, not minerals, so they blend naturally into the skin.
“I recently partnered with Brown Sugar Babe to sell a body oil and perfume oil called IT Girl for $55, so I'll definitely be bringing that. [in my suitcase]”When it comes to lotion, you can't go wrong with Vaseline Intensive Care Nourishing Moisture ($3.99). It leaves my skin super soft and smells amazing,” she adds.
Kayla Greaves is a beauty expert and journalist.
Kayla Greaves
The importance of comprehensive beauty choices
As Greaves shares her expertise in curating her travel beauty essentials, she reminds us of the importance of inclusive beauty messaging in the media. Media bias affects us all, but especially underrepresented groups. This is why Greaves is such a strong believer in inclusive storytelling. She recently penned an article for Vogue about braids, their cultural importance in the black community, and the impact of hair loss caused by improper braiding. “Beauty is personal, it's emotional. We have a cultural connection to beauty,” she says. “Digging a little deeper for the reader or the listener makes the story memorable and makes a difference.”
