Welcome to our series showcasing some of our Marie Claire editors' fashion and beauty purchases this month. You'll discover the seasonal basics anchoring our wardrobes and the beauty buys that have us reconsidering our routines.
It’s hard to believe that summer is flying by quickly, but we've still got flights to catch and sights to see before we officially welcome fall. So, in the spirit of embracing the last few weeks of peak travel season, Marie Claire editors are sharing the vacation essentials they've bought for their upcoming trips. Associate Commerce Editor Brooke Knappenberger refuses to board planes without her cherished Uniqlo travel purse. Beauty Editor Samantha Holender swears by Joanna Czech’s travel kit to round out her in-flight skincare routine. Style Director Sara Holzman relies on Chava Studio’s gauzy button-down shirt to get her through the hottest summer days in style.
Ahead, discover a list of other products that Marie Claire editors are packing in their suitcases.
"There's a running joke on TikTok that Europe won't let tourists in without this viral Uniqlo bag. In all seriousness, I couldn't imagine transversing multiple European countries without it. I got the black bag for my two-week vacation and didn't part with it once. It's incredibly lightweight and can fit so much despite its deceptively small size. I carried my passport, water bottle, sunglasses, wallet, and lip gloss every day without any problems." — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
"I try not to wear a lot of makeup while on vacation, but when I do, a super effective makeup remover is a must. Of all the removers I’ve tried, Hero Cosmetics’ daily cleansing balm is the clear winner. First, it’s a balm, not a liquid, meaning you can clear TSA with it regardless of size. Then there’s the consistency, which is similar to other balms I’ve tried—oily, thick—but leaves virtually no traces of oil or grease behind. I hate feeling like I need to triple cleanse just to remove my makeup remover, and I’ve never had to with this balm. The best part, however, is how well it works. A quarter-sized dollop breaks down even the fullest face of makeup; once you proceed with face wash, your skin will feel like you were bare-faced all day. For those long summer days, this remover undoes all of the buildup—makeup, sweat, and salt included." — Lucia Tonelli, Associate Director of Social Media
"I've found it: The perfect airport joggers. These delightfully soft sweatpants are one of my favorite purchases of the year: they're warm but not heavy, comfy but not tight, and are riddled with pockets to carry your phone, wallet, keys, and anything else. I've been in the market for an exceptional pair of sweats for a while, and these tick all my boxes. They're also a cute take on the cargo pants trend (and somehow, I forgot between the '00s and now how great cargo pants are?)" — Jenny Hollander, Digital Director
"I know I sound dramatic, but there is nothing I cherish more than my Joanna Czech travel kit. I'm an overpacker by nature (especially when it comes to my beauty essentials), but this pre-packaged and ready-to-go set makes me—dare I say—low maintenance. It has everything I could possibly need for in-flight skincare, and the products last me through a whole trip. My skin is consistently glowing, hydrating, and clear when I use this regimen. My favorite product out of the bunch? The Toner, which Joanna herself convinced me to start using a few months back. It's balanced out my skin so much."— Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor
"I already have an extensive collection of black day dresses, but I couldn't help adding this one to the roster for an upcoming vacation. It's one of those rare comfy pieces that actually looks elegant, thanks to the off-the-shoulder neckline and the flow of the skirt. (Another pro: It has pockets!) I'm packing it with a pair of lace-up Emme Parsons sandals and my best cat-eye sunglasses, for a 'Sofia Richie on the French Riviera'-vibe." — Halie LeSavage, Senior News Editor (Fashion Beauty)
"I recently ordered this oversized cropped button-down from the small Mexico City-based woman-owned brand Chava Studio. Their shirts are made-to-measure, so you know they’ll fit impeccably. This one is airy for hot, humid NYC days, Europe, or wherever you are. It also packs like a dream and will transition into fall well when styled with blazers and layered underneath crew or v-neck sweaters." — Sara Holzman, Style Director
"I'm not really a skincare, serum, or facial girly, but I'm definitely a wellness girly. So anything that makes you glow from the inside out while helping you relax is right up my alley. Enter this red light therapy mask that promises to smooth fine lines, stimulate collagen, and even skin tone in just 10 minutes. I'll be using this mask before my next trip to make sure that my skin looks brighter and smoother." — Neha Prakash, Entertainment Director
"Some style editors want to be buried in needle stilettos and slingback heels. I, however, do not belong to that particular breed of fashion people; I'll always go for the sensible, comfortable pair of flats that never give me blisters—specifically, my new ballet sneakers from the Sandy Liang x Salomon collaboration. I bought these babies in white for my end-of-summer trip to Paris because I plan to spend 90 percent of my time in the city strolling around and hunting for the best baguettes and designer vintage. Because the RX MJs have mesh uppers and squishy, sneaker-like soles, the shoes feel (and look like) a coquette cloud." — Emma Childs, Fashion Features Editor
"I'm a big fan of the overnight flight, which means I've accumulated an impressive collection of products designed to make my travels as restful as possible. Neck pillows, however, took a while to grow on me. They're bulky, and many either run too firm or too soft to truly feel comfortable. That said, this option from Slip is unlike the others. It's made from 100 percent silk, so it prevents my hair from getting frizzy or my skin from drying out during a long flight. It feels just like the silk pillowcase I have at home too, helping me fall asleep faster than I ever thought I could while en route." — Gabrielle Ulubay, Beauty Writer
"Calpak's Terra backpack is my Mary Poppins bag—it fits everything I could possibly need on a trip. I spent weeks looking for an upgrade to my current travel bag (I needed a spacious option that could keep my belongings organized and I wanted it to be colorful, not boring). I discovered that this backpack checked all of those boxes. I was able to fit my travel must-haves for an entire 5-day trip in this bag. Not to mention, it can be opened like a suitcase, so I can use up every bit of space." — Jonelle Afurong, Junior Visual Designer
"If you haven’t heard, it’s a ‘brat’ summer, baby! Charli XCX’s incredible new record, the party girl energy of the project, and the aggressive lime green tint on the rave-flyer-inspired album art is everywhere, and her merch is just as great. The British avant garde star didn’t release her ‘brat’ merch until several weeks after the album dropped, aside from the few pieces sold exclusively at her select concerts surrounding the release date. I instantly regretted not picking up one of the tour T-shirts, so the second she dropped the official merch line, I had to secure one of the baby tees. It’s cute, simple, and even comfortable enough to travel in." — Sadie Bell, Senior Culture Editor
"My travel days are often chaotic, which means that I don't have time to worry about my on-the-go look. So, I've learned to rely on streamlined pieces that make dressing a breeze. My go-to travel outfit as of late? Aritzia's Wilfred Free Divinity Romper styled alongside a cozy hoodie, a pair of mid-calf socks, and cushioned sneakers. This romper features a slip-on design that's super easy to hop into. Plus, it's cut from a nylon blend that's ultra stretchy—so whether I'm racing to my gate or stretching on an aircraft during a long-haul flight, I can move around with ease."— Lauren Tappan, Fashion Editor