It’s July 4th week and team ITG is grateful to be out of the office—we love each other, and yet there's nothing more encouraging to a healthy work relationship than a vacation and no work. But we couldn’t help ourselves when it came to sharing what we’re leaving with. Lots of beauty products, obviously, and a few accessories to make things interesting. Here’s what we’re stuffing in our overnight bags:
The Reader
“I always forget at least one essential thing when I travel (often it's more than one thing) and it's usually a beauty product. I'm working on it. For summery, beachy trips I like to make sure I pack sunglasses, lots of sunscreen (and if I'm being really good, that means a body spray I can apply repeatedly and liberally, a lip product with SPF, and a face sunblock), and a good book.
I love these Krewe aviator frames because I got them at the store and they tweaked them to fall perfectly on my crooked face. Most sunglasses look insane on me because my face is crooked.
I've been using this Supergoop serum sunscreen every day and I'll stick with that, maybe adding the best-in-class La Roche Posay Anthelios in SPF 60 if I'm going to be out in the sun for a while. I'm not very particular about body sunscreen. I just need it to be high in SPF and I prefer sprays because I'm lazy and hate rubbing in sunscreen. Lately, I've been stealing my 2-year-old's Babyganics SPF 50 spray. I'm much better about remembering to pack for her than myself. For my lips, I always use Fresh's Sugar tinted lip treatment with SPF 15 in Berry. I buy it over and over again!
And then I like to pretend I'm going to read a whole book. It's good to have goals! This trip I'm going to bring R.O. Kwon's The Incendiaries. I have heard such great things plus she's a fave Twitter follow and has a great signature eye look. I'm also almost through Say Nothing, which is a gripping account of “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland.”
—Leah Chernikoff
The Fragrance Hoarder
“The only way to travel efficiently is with a carry-on. And while I’m a night-before packer, the toiletries are always organized in the morning—I go through my routine step-by-step, and chuck each product I use straight into a bag. Travel-sized versions of Milky Jelly and P50 are essential, as are a couple serums—hydration is the name of the game when flying, and the potent little guys are always under three ounces. The Nue Co’s fragrance fits the bill too, if I haven’t already settled on fellow petite fragrance, Behnaz Pure Neroli. I throw in Cloud Paint in Storm and a fistful of rainbow Colorslides and Highliners, because the secret to packing light is boring things like jean shorts and white tanks, and I’m a girl who likes options. Then I slather on Vive Sana mineral sunscreen to prevent in-flight breakouts and conk out to John Mayer’s “Edge of Desire” before takeoff. I do not bring tweezers (I never remember) and about a day and one look in a hotel magnifying mirror later, I will regret it.”
—Ali Oshinsky
The Bug Killer
“No matter where I go in the summer, I simply cannot have a good time if I don’t bring some kind of bug repellent along with. Avon’s Skin So Soft Bug Guard towelettes are travel-friendly because each one is individually wrapped, but more importantly: they work (they are DEET-free, using Picaridin instead to confuse mosquitoes). I’m also trying out Don’t Bite Me patches for the first time, after reading a rave review in The Strategist. I’ll let you know for sure if they work after a few rounds outside.
Other things I always travel with? Well, I’m becoming a hat lady, so the Rag & Bone straw hat I snagged on The Real Real is definitely part of the mix, although I’m still searching for the best sunglasses for my face (suggestions that will accomodate big foreheads welcome). I almost never travel with body lotion or body wash—I prefer to mooch from the hotel or Airbnb supply—but sunscreen I don’t mess around with. I’m taking Josh Rosebrook’s brilliant, non-ashy tinted mineral one for my face, and Neutrogena Sport for my body. And a travel-size version of Biologique’s VIP O2 cleanser. A little Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer for concealer purposes, Cloud Paint in Storm, and Gen G in Cake round out my bag.”
—Ashley Weatherford
The "Little Bit of Everything"
“I’m going to Boston for the Fourth of July! It’s only one of the most exotic and enviable East Coast cities you bus out to within a 24 hour notice, so of course I’ve packed all the skincare and makeup imaginable for my three and half day trip. I’m bringing along my everyday AM + PM skincare routine: Milky Jelly Cleanser (mini, cause I’m travelin’) Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Serum, Idralia Sleeping Mask, and a couple samples of a Biologique Recherche Dermopurifiante—samples are ideal for traveling.
On the makeup side, I’m also bringing my day ones: Stretch Concealer in G4, Boy Brow in Brown, Cloud Paint in Dawn (applying it is a personal homage to summer solstice), Tartetist Lash Paint Mascara and Lash Slick, to layer on top.
All the essentials are here! But it wouldn’t be a vacay if I didn’t get to explore the products my ideal self would use—you know, the person I would be if I dedicated an extra five minutes to plan in the morning or to treat myself at night. I’m embracing this, so I’ve also brought a NYX matte liquid lipstick in Berlin, a Gucci Lipstick in Janet Rust, a detoxifying, powder mask from Golde, and a ZIIP. Here’s to carrying out our own beauty adventures, wherever we are this July weekend.”
—Utibe Mbagwu
The Good Uncle
“I'm not packing much to go upstate for the 4th. I'll bring my Shiseido sunscreen stick, my favorite cleanser, Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel, Bioderma’s moisturizing essence, and Water Cream. There's my whole skin routine. For my niece, who is turning 12 this summer and just getting into makeup, I'm bringing a clear Chanel lip gloss, a Guerlain lip + cheek tint, and some glitter eyeshadow from Urban Decay. Let's see how that goes."
—Tom Newton
Photo via Getty
