I’m Spending My Summer in Europe—I Packed These 30 Fashion and Beauty Essentials First
Most Wanted is a weekly series in which one editor, staffer, or influencer shares their top 30 must-haves or current wish-list items.
Every summer, I try my hardest to shut off the world (and my inbox!) by visiting my parents in Madrid, Spain. The city grows quiet at the peak of the summer, which usually means I can get some much-needed rest as I unwind from the hustle and bustle of New York City for a week or two. This summer, though, I’m taking it to a whole new level and staying with my parents for the entire summer, from May until July. While spending more than a few days with your parents well into your adulthood can sound like a scary prospect, I’m taking the opportunity for what it is: a great chance to re-connect with my loved ones and travel Europe now that most major cities are a short, 2-hour plane ride away.
On my agenda, you may ask? Stops in London, Rome, Mallorca, and Paris, meaning that my carry-on is going to be perpetually full of my favorite fashion and beauty items I can’t live without. Although I’m tempted to shop to the point of needing to buy a second luggage, I’ve chosen to pack my favorite 30 workhorse items with me that’ll last all summer, from my favorite beachside-approved flip-flops to the holy grail Korean skincare product that keeps my face looking incredible while spending dozens of hours in the air.
Below, shop all of my favorite, Euro summer-approved fashion and beauty items. Trust me, you won’t want to miss these. Bon voyage!
Fashion Items
Reformation
Citron Linen Dress
The dress I’ve already gotten so many compliments on.
A New Day
Sheer Mesh Ballet Flats With Memory Foam Insole
If you buy any of my recommendations, let it be this pair of incredible, sub-$30 mesh flats I’ve walked for miles in sans pain.
Zara
Linen Blend Balloon Skort
Who can say no to a bubble skirt? Certainly not me.
Dragon Diffusion
Egola Woven Leather Tote
Dragon Diffusion is, by far, one of the coolest European bands that instantly screams “summer” in my mind. I picked up this tote the day before I went to the airport and I’ve already used it every single day. No regrets.
Dissh
Oscar White Scoop Neck Linen Vest
This elegant Dissh dress will serve you in any occasion, from early-morning historical site visits to late-afternoon apéritifs.
Celine
Triomphe Oval-Frame Tortoiseshell Acetate Sunglasses
The cost-per-wear on these sunglasses has to be in the single-digits by this point, given how much I reach for them every summer, but especially now.
Heaven Mayhem
Julia Necklace in Silver
Heaven Mayhem’s newest summer jewelry launch features this sculptural bead necklace which will look extra cute with your favorite bikini while lounging in the south of France.
Oddli
Boxers
Ideal for the days I have to run errands in Madrid— Mercadona, here I come.
Realisation Par
The Isabelli in Verona
All of Realisation Par’s dreamy summer dresses would be perfect for strolling through Lake Como or the French Rivieria.
Jenny Bird
Lucille Anklet
Anklets are my thing every summer, so it’s only fair I brought my favorite one of all time: Jenny Bird’s nautical-inspired Lucille style.
Zara
Mom Fit Shorts Z1975
A pair of jean shorts is always a smart thing to pack for those occasions when you’re riffling through your suitcase, wondering what to wear.
Abercrombie & Fitch
Bubble Hem Mini Dress
Havaianas
Slim Square Flip Flops
I hear you, spending more than $5 on plastic flip-flops might seem outrageous as first, but trust me when I say I’ve worn these shoes every single day while on vacation for the past two years without a single sign of wear and tear.
H&M
Wide-Leg Pants
These are such a Euro summer classic.
Monica Vinader
Gold Vermeil Lab Grown Diamond Graduated Half Eternity Ring
If you’re into minimalist jewelry but still love the finer things, this ring I wear with every single outfit might just be up your alley, too.
Beauty Items
Furtuna Skin
Biphase Moisturizing Oil
If you’re looking for a great face oil that’ll keep your skin bouncy and hydrated on long flights, look no further. This olive oil-based concoction is at the top of my list for the best beauty products I’ve tried this year.
EspressOh
Oh.sole Mio Blush + Bronzer Kit
I love not thinking too much about my makeup while on vacation and, instead, bringing along easy-to-use, skin-first products that leave my face glowing. Enter, the two products I use daily while on the go: EspressOh’s glowy balm-like blush and bronzer duo.
Sweed Beauty
Cindy Lip Liner
I’m usually an untinted lipbalm kind of gal, but after discovering this lip liner from clean Swedish beauty line, Sweed, I’ve been packing it everywhere to apply for nighttime occasions.
Fara Homidi
Essential Face Compact
Skin first, makeup second is my beauty mantra while I’m OOO, so once Fara Homidi dropped their easy-to-use, luxe facial compact that delivers both high-powered, yet non-cakey coverage and a skin-like feel, I was sold.
Freck Beauty
Freck the Original Freckle
For an adorable finishing touch.
Josie Maran
Topless Tangerine Whipped Argan Oil Refillable Firming Body Butter Jar
The mini refillable pouch of Josie Maran’s tangerine-scented body butter lives constantly in my travel pouch.
Dior
Miss Dior Eau De Parfum
While I’m normally against packing a full-size fragrance bottle on vacation, my signature scent had to come with me given the length of my travels. This sweet, floral scent lives so good on my skin I’ve gotten a few compliments in both Spanish and French while wearing it.
UBeauty
The Super Tinted Hydrator
For a fuller-coverage look while traveling, I love applying UBeauty’s Super Tinted Hydrator as a creamy, moisturizer-like product. It melts into my skin perfectly and there’s no need for layering with powders or setting sprays.
Aestura
Atobarrier365 Cream
No joke, I don’t think I can live without this product. Seriously. After discovering it last September while on a work trip to Seoul, I’ve repurchased it four times. Aestura’s barrier cream already went viral in South Korea, and frankly I totally get why: it’s the ideal moisturizer to travel with. I wear it thicker at night as a treatment or lightly in the mornings post retinol and since implementing it into my routine last year, I don’t think my skin has ever looked better.
Glossier
Stretch Blending and Buffing Face Brush
If I had to pack only one makeup brush that could cover me for foundation, blush, and bronzer, this fun three-in-one Glossier one would be it.
Salt & Stone
Santal & Vetiver Extra-Strength Aluminum-Free Deodorant
Just because it’s a Hot Girl Summer doesn’t mean it has to be a sweaty one.
Dieux
Forever Eye Mask Reusable 100% Silicone Patches
A plane must-have.
Oura
Oura Ring Gen3 Horizon
Okay, so this technically isn’t beauty but rather, beauty-adajent. Either way, it comes with me everywhere. My sleep has improved massively after paying attention to the stats from my Oura Ring— and, frankly, I think my jet-lag has gotten better after getting a few tips from the app I add to my nighttime routine while traveling.
Round Lab
Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen
It wouldn’t be a true summer vacation without the best sunscreen there ever is. You may have heard about it on TikTok, but I’m here to tell you personally that the hype is 100% justified.
Merit
Solo Shadow Cream-To-Powder Soft Matte Eyeshadow
I’ll leave you with one of my favorite one-step products to easily take any daytime look into a nighttime slay.
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