
Photo by Robert Whitman/thelicensingproject.com
Work Trip Strategy: Netflix + Face Mask
When you’re packing for a business trip, the impulse is to pare down as much as possible: Surgical strike, in, out. But once the reality of alone-for-the-night-with-the-minibar (or worse, the lack thereof) sets in, there are few among us who wouldn’t welcome a face mask, a hair mask, bath salts, a body oil, or, ideally, all of the above. Packing a few TSA-kosher indulgences doesn’t make your bag that much heavier, and—whether your company’s style is more Four Seasons or more Hampton Inn—makes any hotel room (or Airbnb, goop-favorite business-travel option) about 1,000 times more appealing.
Self-care is especially critical when you’re hopping time zones, out of your usual routine, not in control of your environment, and often dealing with added stress from whatever project has brought you on the trip to begin with. Exercise of whatever sort you love is a potent de-stressor that also helps with jet-lag, appetite, and energy levels, but don’t underestimate the power of a self-administered beauty treatment, too: An exfoliating mask or an uplifting oil can balance the grey-skinned grogginess of days spent in a conference room, or walking the booths of a convention hall. The silver lining of missing your family and friends is the extra time you can take for yourself (mothers with young children will appreciate the wild luxury of an uninterrupted bath or shower, for instance).
Below, a pamper-yourself packing list:
#1: Jet Lag Help
Even an hour or two in the wrong direction can leave you glassy-eyed and uncomprehending in meetings, then wide-awake pacing your hotel room instead of sleeping. Think of Uma’s Pure Energy oil as your morning go-to and and massage in Naturopathica’s Chill instead of a nightcap. And Brain Dust from Moon Juice is especially good for a business trip (sprinkle the portable sachet into drinks or over food before the potentially glassy-eyed meeting).

Uma Pure Energy
goop, $85Smooth on this beautifully invigorating oil whenever you’re feeling a little tired, or just to get started in the morning: The combination of rosemary and peppermint smells incredible.

Naturopathica Chill Aromatic Alchemy
goop, $34Relax with this mix of chamomile, lemon verbena, neroli, and bee balm. Place a few drops onto a tissue and tuck into your pillowcase, drop into a warm bath, rub between your palms, or even just on pulse points.

Moon Juice Brain Dust Sachet Box
goop, $20Add one sachet to 8 oz of any hot or cold liquid—it’s especially good with nut milk, water, or tea.
#2: Sets
Not only are deluxe minis the perfect size (a too-mini mini is useless; a full-size is heavy and usually has to be checked), they’re often designed to give you all the ingredients you need to make a particular regimen most effective.

goop by Juice Beauty Discovery Set
goop, $125Discover goop by Juice Beauty organic skincare with this set of travel-sized products. Set includes: Revitalizing Day Moisturizer, Enriching Face Oil, Replenishing Night Cream, Exfoliating Instant Facial.

Ila Little Body Treats
goop, $70You get generous travel versions of the brand’s incredible assortment, all of them infused with skin-nourishing organic oils and uplifting juniper berry and rose geranium extracts. Take this little cloth bag on your next trip—it utterly transforms any bathing experience, but especially post plane/jet lag—or give it as a gift to someone you really, really like.

Naturopathica Aromatic Alchemy Gift Set
goop, $98This collection of four of Naturopathica’s signature aromatic blends might seriously change your life. All are based in oils from the jojoba plant. Amazing in a bath or simply inhaled, these transformative oil blends are powerful, beautiful, utterly enjoyable tools to remind you to take a moment for yourself.

Côte Traveler Gift Set
goop, $38For an instant manicure or pedicure anywhere, this kit comes with two swipe-off, non-acetone remover pads (one pad can do all ten nails); a petit Côte nail file for smooth, easy shaping; the brand’s strengthening base coat/top coat, and three super-shiny, long-lasting nail colors: a delicate pink, classic fire-engine red, and a gorgeous gold. Packed in an adorable organic cotton pouch, it’s ready to travel—and makes an amazing gift.
#3 Serious Treatment
These are brilliant for going all-out on an evening of beauty: a skin-polishing glow-ifier, a stupor-inducing bath, and a shine-inducing hair oil (leave on overnight). You’ll re-set your whole vibe, not to mention look so much better the next day.

goop by Juice Beauty Exfoliating Instant Facial
goop, $125The gateway to youthful-looking skin: GP uses daily, though we officially recommend using it 2-3 times a week.

Pursoma Hot Tub Bath
goop, $36Pursoma masks are like nothing you’ve ever tried: They will blow you away, we guarantee. Warm the body with this mix of sea salt from France, organic ginger root powder, and montmorillonite clay.

Pursoma Minerals de Mer
goop, $14French sea salt, Atlantic kelp, and algae combine in this soak to nourish skin. It’s the ultimate bath after a long day of modern-life (cells phones, laptops, et al.) overload.

Rodin Luxury Hair Oil
goop, $70Like all Rodin products, the hair oil is naturally scented and incredibly hardworking. The apricot oil-based formula was designed by famed hairstylist Bob Recine to enrich hair.

Uma Nourishing Hair Oil
goop, $70For shinier, bouncier, and all-around healthier hair, this super blend of hibiscus, yerba de tago, Indian gooseberry, jojoba, moringa, and grapeseed oil is infused with lemon and grapefruit extract to cleanse the scalp and support healthy hair growth. The best part: Though it saturates hair with essential moisture, it doesn’t weigh it down. Apply 5-7 drops of this solution directly to the roots, either as an overnight treatment, or for about 15-20 minutes before you shampoo. Bonus: It’s totally safe for color-treated hair, too.
#4 Moisture That Doubles As Perfume
These both go over 3.4 ounces, so you’ll need to decant if you’re determined not check. If you’re checking, take the whole thing for ultimate indulgence.

Kesh Argan Oil with Rose Essence
goop, $40Made with 100% organic cold-pressed argan oil plus rose essences straight from the famous rose gardens of Marrakesh, this is a hair, skin, and body treatment that just happens to smell unbelievably subtle and sophisticated. Just a small amount provides long-lasting hydration for the face; it’s fantastic applied all over the body after a shower; and it leaves hair (especially dry ends) gleaming with health. It also works as a truly gorgeous, long-lasting, rose-inflected perfume.

Rodin Crema Luxury Hand and Body Cream
goop, $84Slather on this silky cream and skin will feel hydrated and just a little bit scented with beautiful Neroli.