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How to Look Sexy when Traveling: 7 Easy Tips

01/08/2014 by Kristin Addis 40 Comments

I’m aware, it’s not particularly easy to look drop-dead gorgeous when juggling plane flights, long train rides, and sweaty bus journeys from H-E-double-hockey-sticks.

If I had a dollar for every time I felt like a (not so) hot mess during my travels, covered in dust, DEET, sweat, and who knows what else, I’d have like, lots of dollars.

How to look sexy when traveling? With 7 easy steps, you can feel beautiful and confident even with limited tools | Be My Travel Muse #beautytips #Traveltips
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After almost a year and a half of wading my way through the hot and humid environment in Southeast Asia, dealing with the dryness of California and Nevada, then weathering the cold in the UK, I’ve encountered just about every scenario that might befall a traveler who is having fun while trying to look good.  Not only that, I had to manage it all with a very small amount of luggage.

This meant not a lot of makeup, no hair styling products, and few outfit choices.  The following are the valuable things I learned about staying beautiful on the road:

1) Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

No matter what the climate – hot, wet, dry, cold, etc., moisturizing leads to healthier skin.  Much of the reason why skin can get “greasy is actually linked to dryness, so even if you think you’re in a climate wet enough to handle it, lather up! I also make sure that mine always has an SPF of at least 30.

Skin is a big deal to me, so I look for quality products. Lately I’ve been loving DeVita SPF 30 moisturizer, which is light and made from natural ingredients.

After all, crow’s feet and leather face are not good looks.

2) Skip foundation (generally)

The thing about foundation is, the more I use it, the more I find my skin needs it.  It can cause breakouts and I hate the way it rubs off on everything.

In Southeast Asia, I generally skip makeup altogether.  It just melts right off!  Getting used to my face au natural has been a good thing, anyways.  Most of the other girls I run into while traveling in this part of the world tend to do the same thing.

It’s truly beautiful when natural beauty shines through.

If I do put on foundation (such as in Vegas or for a night out when I know we’ll be taking lots of pictures and I want a matte face), I’ll go for a powder foundation.

Kristin Addis
I’ll go full face makeup in Vegas
kristin addis
But in Asia I’m makeup-free (that’s the way to be)

3) Blotting papers for the win

Rice paper, or blotting papers, are something I discovered back in Taiwan, which is the first humid place I’ve ever lived.

Just a few blots around the forehead and nose really do work wonders for removing any extra oil and looking fresh on the go.

4) Embrace cheap spa treatments

On a scale of $2-$6, I’ve been able to scout out cheap pedicures all over Southeast Asia, making it pretty simple to maintain a tight budget while still keeping the toes pretty.  At home, I’d never dream of having someone else paint my toes.  I do that myself! But when traveling, I don’t have space for nail polish and remover, and when they come so cheaply, a pedicure is a really nice way to spend an hour.

It’s kind of amazing how much this little touch makes me feel pretty, and is rather low maintenance since pedicures last a few weeks at a time.

5) Learn how to braid your hair

There are all kinds of wonderful tutorials on YouTube to help with making French, Dutch, and various other braided hairstyles easy.  Ever since learning how to braid, I’ve been able to keep my hair up during hot times, and once I take it out, I end up with a cute crimped style.

Same goes for a loose bun.  Once I take it out, I end up with a nice, very loose wave.

kristin addis
Waves from wearing my hair in a bun

6) Careful with the cleanser

Look twice at all of the facial cleansers before you buy, especially in Asia.  A lot of them actually have whitening agents in them, which I sure don’t want to be slathering on my skin!

In general, if you’re not traveling super long term like I am, try to bring your own products from home. Switching it up too much can make the skin very dry, which leads to breakouts and other issues.  Read the ingredients (if you can) and go with something as natural as possible.

7) Learn how to do quick, easy makeup with limited products

My makeup bag is pretty tiny, yet just about everything I need fits right in there.  With the right technique and a little bit of practice, you really don’t need much at all.

My friends are always exclaiming about how quickly I can get ready.  It’s true, when we’re in Vegas together, I’m the last one out of the shower and the first to be ready to go.  It’s all in doing things right the first time and not adding too much on top!

I made this video tutorial sitting in a hotel room in Mindanao, Philippines, with some tips on how I do my makeup super quickly and easily:

The products in this video:

  • First, the moisturizer mentioned in point 1
  • The powder foundation mentioned in point 2 (along with the bronzer)
  • Bobbi Brown eye shadow
  • Makeup brush Set
  • Mac Eye Shadow 
  • Almay Liquid Eyeliner in black (I love this stuff! I’ve been using this brand for 13 years)
  • Maybelline Colossal Volum’ Express Mascara and L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara both in black

And that’s all there is to it!

Do you have any beauty tips to share? What’s your fail-safe approach to skin care and makeup when traveling?

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About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

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Comments

  1. Susan says

    01/09/2014 at 12:47 am

    Good tips! I do wear a tinted BB cream with spf 15, so that I am moisturizing and am protecting my face while not looking washed out. I think that helps a bit, especially for photos. Mascara too. Always mascara. Braids and the loose bun are the perfect trick for travel hair, it can be messy or pulled back and you still look put together, but ready for whatever adventure is coming your way.

    Reply
  2. Kylie says

    01/09/2014 at 8:36 am

    Great Post! Our brain must be on the same wavelength, I was just drafting a post on the same topic! Braids for the win!!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      01/13/2014 at 5:49 am

      Braids are awesome!

      Reply
  3. Jessica says

    01/14/2014 at 2:45 am

    Good tips. With all the heat and humidity in Southeast Asia I always felt like such a mess! I say embrace messy beach hair and bring one red lipstick…and enjoy nice skin, the one benefit of sweating all day.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      01/14/2014 at 7:54 pm

      Humidity is nice for the skin! As is salt water 🙂

      Reply
  4. Michelle | Lights Camera Travel says

    01/16/2014 at 2:02 am

    Nice post Kristin! I must say you do have a very nice natural sans makeup look though 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      01/16/2014 at 11:31 pm

      Thank you Michelle 🙂

      Reply
  5. Penny Sadler says

    01/16/2014 at 4:07 pm

    You’re so pretty Kristin. Vegas looks good!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      01/16/2014 at 11:25 pm

      Aww thank you 🙂

      Reply
  6. Nina says

    01/23/2014 at 4:29 am

    This is great… it’s exactly what I do too! mY makeup bag has like 4 things in it.. mascara, eyeshadow, bronzer, eyeliner. Boom, done. And with a braid in my hair? Give me 15-20 minutes and I’m out the door. 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      01/25/2014 at 8:56 am

      Sometimes I’m like makeup? Nope, can’t be bothered. I like a quick routine though. I can’t stand putting hours into getting ready! Or even one hour, honestly.

      Reply
  7. Alaina says

    02/05/2014 at 1:54 pm

    Definitely agree on learning how to braid your hair! I didn’t wear makeup or use a hairdryer/GHDs for 8 months! Feeling sexy never came into it unfortunately.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      02/05/2014 at 7:39 pm

      I really love not wearing makeup!

      Reply
  8. Jenia from HTL says

    03/06/2014 at 5:26 am

    I agree about pedicures! and also massage — when you feel good, you look good (or at least better!) For the pedicures, I actually purchased my own nail polish, just in case I need to re-polish between appointments. 🙂

    Reply
  9. Rachel says

    12/12/2014 at 3:07 am

    Haha, haven’t heard, “H-E-Double Hockey Sticks” for a minute, well played!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      12/12/2014 at 9:17 am

      One mustn’t have too much of a potty mouth (actually I swear like a sailor in real life but I write like a lady)

      Reply
  10. Allegra says

    12/13/2014 at 10:54 pm

    lol! I loved your comment about eyeliner! I’m truly envious of your lifestyle. Pack me in your suitcase next time your in so cal? I’m travel size!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      12/14/2014 at 6:32 am

      That’s true you are travel size! Carry on, even! 😉

      Reply
  11. Kk says

    02/12/2015 at 8:50 pm

    I’m just starting to plan my packing for South East Asia, so this was really helpful. Thank you!
    During the day I don’t see myself wearing much makeup. However, I love wearing makeup at night, especially lipstick. Are the days as humid as the nights? Do you think I could wear blush and lipstick at night?

    The one thing I did learn about living in a humid climate (South Korea) is using BB creams or CC creams instead of foundation. They absorb into the skin and look natural, always have SPF in them, and don’t melt away. Oh and face mists! Halfway through the day, one spray and my face feels so refreshed!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      02/13/2015 at 2:52 am

      It’s humid all the time and I didn’t wear makeup often either. I never wanted anything on my cheeks because I felt I would sweat it off but honestly I have an unusually sweaty face! I would think lipstick should be ok.

      Reply
  12. Sira says

    02/27/2015 at 12:34 pm

    Hi Kristin, thanks for the tips ! But don’t we girls have to try not to look sexy while traveling? Cause if you wear make up you’ll draw more attention and could be in trouble? I’m gonna backpack alone in a few days for the 1st time and I’m also trying to bring baggy clothes to look not sexy. Do you also do that? Cheers! !

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      03/06/2015 at 2:11 am

      I dress appropriately to the place I’m in. If women need to cover up there, I do, but in some places you want to celebrate your beauty rather than hiding it, so I put together some easy tips.

      Reply
  13. Bound for Style says

    12/22/2015 at 12:03 am

    I loved the make-up and the hairstyle! Thanks for the traveling tips btw.

    Reply
  14. Italia says

    01/10/2017 at 9:58 am

    I love the point about the mouth open! My Mascara just doesn’t seem to work unless my mouth is open while applying ha hah a

    Reply
  15. Tam says

    05/01/2017 at 11:47 am

    Wonderful blog and tips! I especially agree with the braiding one. Just knowing how to French braid and Fishtail braid has saved me when it comes to traveling long term… if only to survive long hauls where I wasn’t able to wash my hair. I also keep face wipes me at all times, because again, sometimes there is no sink to wash my face.

    Reply
  16. Audrey says

    01/25/2018 at 4:10 am

    On a 4 month SE Asia journey, here’s my update after 10 days in:

    I’m trying sans-mascara and going for the eyelash tint so I don’t have much of a make-up removal routine. So far so good! I’ve been combining a dab of tinted moisturizer with spf 30 bronzing sun lotion for a natural tanny glow on the face (I’m fair and freckled).

    I also think a copper shimmer creme eyeshadow from MAC does wonders, perks up the eyelids, and I’ve dabbed it a bit on the upper cheekbones.

    And I’ve got a thin Burts Bees lipgloss stick for the lips, and a streak or two on the cheekbones again for a moisturized hint of blush (thanks for the tip I, Tonya movie!)

    Mani/pedi in place!

    Braid, check!

    My one annoyance is definitely my bangs, oh how they love to whisper every direction like a wild palm tree. I’m trying to tame with headbands and hair clips. Too bad there aren’t any pocket size hair dryers out there that are battery operated, hahahahaha.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      01/26/2018 at 7:01 am

      I seriously looked for a hair dryer in the place I’m staying in yesterday! To dry my undies I’d hand washed rather than my hair, but regardless, I feel your pain. Tint is a good idea. I have extensions now and I’m a little unsure of what to expect trying to replace them in Bangkok. Should be an adventure!

      Reply
  17. Yoshiko Flora says

    11/13/2018 at 9:39 pm

    I loved your tip about finding cheap pedicures and other spa treatments in order to maintain one’s look while keeping a tight budget. Another spa treatment to look out for on a trip: eyelash extensions.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      11/13/2018 at 11:34 pm

      I got the best extensions I’ve ever had in Bangkok but they were terrible where I went in Bali (avoid Jaz B!) so yes I agree but tread carefully.

      Reply

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