
Like everyone else, or at least the majority of my Instagram feed. I recently took a trip to Japan.
And let me tell you, if you ever get the chance to go, take it.
The cities? Electric.The food? Unforgettable.The shopping? Next level.

But while Japan was everything I dreamed of and more, my trip kicked off with an unexpected twist, when certain airline decided my luggage didn’t need to make the journey with me.
So there I was, stranded in freezing Osaka with nothing but a cardigan, my trusty Crocs, and, thankfully, my makeup bag.
Three days without my usual travel skin toiletries AKA my skincare and haircare routine gave me a whole new appreciation for just how much
those little bottles do for me.
In this article, I’ll be sharing the skincare and haircare minis I packed and the true
travelling MVPs that I don’t ever want to live without.
Aspect Try Me Kit

If there is a fun fact about me you must know, it’s that I absolutely adore
Aspect, I've been hooked ever since trying the range for
a previous Beauty IQ article.
For my trip, the first thing I packed for my travel minis was the Aspect Try Me Kit, a travel-friendly set that includes mini versions of the Purastat 5 Cleanser, Extreme B 17 Serum, Extreme C 20 Serum, and Phytostat 9 Moisturising Cream.
It’s a compact routine that covers all of your bases, apart from sunscreen of course.
I didn’t pack an exfoliator but Purastat 5 Cleanser delivered a deep yet gentle exfoliating cleanse, leaving my skin feeling brighter and smoother. I used the Extreme C 20 in the morning to firm and brighten, and the Extreme B 17 at night to nourish and calm my skin, which was quite angry with the extreme weather changes.
Despite their small size, these serums lasted my entire 15-day trip, although I did follow a very strict one pump per day rule.
The final step, Phytostat 9, was an absolute saviour for my dry, travel-worn skin, ultra-hydrating.
VIRTUE Recovery Discovery Kit

At home, my haircare routine is pretty extensive, but when I travel, I really don’t wait to be lugging around 5kgs of haircare, so I rely on rich, high-performance products that can deliver intense hydration. And lucky for me, a travel size shampoo and conditioner was available in one of the best haircare ranges we stock -
Virtue.I always pick up the VIRTUE Recovery Discovery Kit before a trip. Made for dry, damaged, and compromised hair, this trio is a MUST HAVE when travelling. The set includes the VIRTUE Recovery Shampoo, which gently cleanses while still being rich and hydrating, and the VIRTUE Recovery Conditioner, which restores softness.
The real MVP, though, is the Restorative Treatment Mask a deeply nourishing, keratin-infused mask that I used once a week, which left my hair healthy-looking even after long train rides and wild weather.
CeraVe Advanced Repair Balm

A recent discovery I now refuse to travel without, is the
CeraVe Advanced Repair Balm.
This multi-purpose balm became holy grail status after my Vietnam trip, where it tackled everything from dry hands and chapped lips to random rashes that popped up along the way.
If you’ve ever been to Japan, you’ll know just how much walking is involved, so applying it to my dry heels every night quickly became part of my routine. The balm combines ceramides, petrolatum, and hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate and restore my suffering skin barrier.A true all-rounder for any dry-skin emergency making it a mini toiletries must-have.
AB LAB Barely There SPF50+ Facial Sun Cream

No travel skincare set is complete without sunscreen.
Typically, my skin leans oily, but knowing I’d be facing colder weather in Japan, I packed the AB LAB by Adore Beauty Barely There SPF50+ Facial Sun Cream and I’m so glad I did.
Despite being a high-protection sunscreen, it has a weightless, cream texture that blends seamlessly into the skin, and leaves the skin looking like skin.
When applying my makeup, I noticed no pilling. My skin felt hydrated throughout the day.
Now the TGA doesn’t allow us to review SPF products but I hope those facts helped you...
Let me reiterate - If you even get the chance to go to Japan, jump on it. Pack some good walking shoes and nourishing, hydrating products.Next time, my skincare and haircare will be going in my carry-on.
Catch up on some of our other useful skincare articles below: