It’s time to pack for a summer vacation. You open up your closet to carefully select those trip-worthy items, usually consisting of a few pieces of clothing that realistically will never make it out of the suitcase. A lime green sequin skirt that you convinced yourself is necessary in case there is a spontaneous disco. A cover-up from college that might magically fit you again once you reach your destination. We all create this vacation version of ourselves that would wear something slightly more daring or colorful than normal. Ask any beauty lover, and they will tell you that the same mentality can be applied to curating your travel beauty products. 

It’s the mini coconut fragrance sample you save strictly for the beach, the shimmery pink blush you deem too tropical for the office, or the body cream that makes your skin feel like a supermodel in a pool chair. These are the extra special products we save to push our out-of-office personality over the top—our beauty vacation alter ego, if you will. Below, explore the beauty products five Byrdie editors save for special summer occasions.

Hallie Gould, editor in chief

Merit Flush Balm Cream Blush in Rouge

Believe me when I tell you I use many, many different blushes. I love powder, cream, liquid, et al. And, I love to layer. All that said, Merit’s Flush Balm in Rouge is my forever go-to formula. It’s luminous, stays put, and the red shade adds a bit of vacation glow. It’s my number-one summer product.

Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Wave Cream Bronzer Balm

I’ve been using Benefit’s icoinc Hoola bronzer for as long as I can remember. So, when the brand launched a creamy balm version of the signature formula, I lept at it. And, to no one’s suprise, it’s perfect. I pack it with me to warm up my skin for a beachside dinner or add definition ahead of a night spent dancing.

Victoria Beckham Beauty Portofino ’97 Golden Shimmer Body Oil

Stunning and golden, this shimmering body oil evokes feelings of sandy beaches and afternoons by the pool. It’s utterly sumptuous—and it’s no surprise, as it’s created by the ever-chic Victoria Beckham. On top of all that, the scent is to die for (a mix of wood, citrus, and amber), and the perfect accessory to any vacation. I save it meticulously for when I want to feel my most luxe and stress free.

Star Donaldson, social media director

Beaubble Berry Freckled Pen

Spending time in the sun always darkens my freckles, no matter how much sunscreen I apply (and reapply). Lately, I’ve been enhancing my natural freckles by adding to them. Beaubble Berry Freckled Pen is by far the best freckle-maker I’ve tried. The tip allows for precision placement, and when I blot and blend it out on my skin, the freckles look incredibly natural. Although I’m a full-face makeup girl in real life, this freckle pen is the only thing I need for my vacation look.

SK-II Pitera Facial Treatment Mask

This mask is the perfect post-travel skin boost. After spending time on a plane, my skin feels dehydrated and dull, and this SK-II mask completely revitalizes it. I’m acne-prone, so I’m very picky about my skincare, and I’m happy to report this mask has never broken me out. I make sure to apply once I get to my destination, and in 15 minutes, I have glowy, dewy skin that is refreshed and ready for vacation. This mask is a cult favorite for a reason.

Solbari Shoulder Wrap UPF 50+

I love a sun-drenched vacation, but I always keep my skin’s long-term health in mind, especially with my fine line tattoos. As I add more tattoos to my collection, I have become increasingly aware of how they can fade/change over time with sun exposure. So recently, I’ve been loving Solbari’s shoulder wrap with SPF 50 as an extra layer of protection. This wrap has the same SPF protection as a regular SPF 50 sunscreen, but without the reapplication. It’s lightweight, stays in place, and gives me peace of mind with my new tattoos. It’s also pretty chic and goes with nearly every vacation outfit I pack!

Adelaide Giesey, editor

Nars Hot Escape Cheek Palette

Don’t judge, but I never wear blush. My cheeks are naturally rosy, and I’ve always been scared to appear too red. The only exception to this rule? When I am on vacation. Something about the warm weather and a hint of sunburn makes me crave an extra flushed look. This limited edition Nars palette feels like it was made for this exact scenario. It has three pink shades from shimmery to matte, plus one warm bronze hue for the ultimate vacation makeup pairing. Sometimes I lightly sweep my blush brush through multiple shades to make a custom mix. 

Ceremonia Perfume Mist de Guava

I recently went on a bachelorette trip to the Bahamas, and all the girls in my hotel room snuck a spritz of this perfume before walking out the door. Unlike your typical fragrance, this hair and body mist delivers a light shimmer—just enough that you can tell it is there but not too much where you feel like a walking highlighter stick. Notes of guava, peach, and lemon zest create a tropical sweet scent that only feels right paired with a strappy sandal and a fresh piña colada

Cay Skin Isle Glow Body Lotion SPF 45

For years, my summer skincare secret has been Cay Skin. Trust me when I say Winnie Harlow knew what she was doing when she created her body collection. While this is technically a sunscreen, I often use it as a glowy lotion for special occasions. I rarely have my legs exposed, but for some reason, my vacation wardrobe always includes a miniskirt or jean shorts. Apply a thin layer of this formula before stepping out the door, and you’ll have the perfect subtle shimmer with all the added SPF benefits—a win-win!

Bella Cacciatore, senior news editor

Saie Dew Blush in Spicy

I’m a huge blush girl, but I usually stick to bright, cool pink shades. However, when I go on vacation, I tend to embrace the faux sunburn look (okay fine, sometimes it’s a real sunburn) with more of a terracotta shade. Saie’s Dew Blush is one of my favorite blush formulas—it’s super pigmented but blends easily with the prettiest dewy finish—and Spicy is the perfect “blonzer” that makes me look sun-kissed and glowy. All I need is this, a little brow gel, some mascara, and I’m ready to head to dinner.

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Skin Soothing Hydration Mist

I am staunchly against plane skincare—between germs, the dry air, and the spectacle, I’m good—but I’ll make an exception for a mist moment. A good mist can perk me up on a long flight and provide a nice burst of hydration when needed. I love Summer Friday’s ultra-fine mister and the fact that it’s packed with glycerin, so it’s actually doing something for my skin. Plus, it’s the perfect pick-me-up after a day in the sun, and can sub in for a toner if I want to save space in my suitcase.

Vacation Orange Gelée SPF 30

I cannot say that I have ever looked forward to applying sunscreen—that is, until Vacation entered my life. The brand’s innovative formulas and retro vibe make wearing SPF a pleasure. I have a special spot in my heart for the Orange Gelée, which is the perfect dupe for Ban De Soliel (it was my Grammy’s favorite product), with the addition of SPF 30. The silky texture also feels so luxe, and is a nice hit of moisture after you get out of the ocean. It truly makes sun protection something to look forward to.

Chanel Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick

I don’t wear highlighter in my daily life, but my vacation beauty vibe is all about skin, so I like to bring this highlighter stick along. One swipe leaves behind the glowiest, glossiest—but not shimmery!!—shine, that really makes your skin look lit from within. It’s the perfect thing to wake up your face when you don’t feel like wearing any other makeup, and it doubles as a body glow for legs and collarbones. Plus, it just looks so chic in my makeup bag.

Derek Deng, associate content editor

Cyklar Flora Veil Perfume Oil

One whiff of this perfume oil and I’m OOO. With notes of musk, peony, and ambrette, Flora Veil is certainly graceful enough and fragrant enough to stand on its own, but it also layers perfectly with my other perfumes, adding a floral freshness that invigorates any scent profile. It’s incredibly potent, delightfully scented, and perhaps most importantly, satisfies the TSA’s liquid limit.

Biodance Refreshing Sea Kelp Real Deep Mask

I am physically unable to board a plane without my arsenal of Biodance face masks. I’ve mastered the art of the airplane skin routine, and it always involves these hydrogel face masks, which I leave on for 4-5 hours. Unlike your traditional sheet masks, these aren’t sticky or slippery; they have the perfect amount of grip that allows you to sit back and watch an airplane movie or two. By the end of my flight, the mask will turn transparent, and my skin is happier and more hydrated than ever.

Victoria Beckham Beauty The Concealer Pen

You don’t know what “vacation skin” is until you’ve tried this concealer pen from Victoria Beckham Beauty. Infused with Augustinus Bader’s TFC8 Complex, this skincare-infused concealer is truly guilt-free and gives my skin the most skin-like, ethereal finish. Personally, vacation skin is all about lightweight, second-skin coverage—and this concealer is as weightless and radiant as it gets.