It’s that time of year where I travel to the place where the sun is always shining and I don’t have a care in the world – Miami! I’m leaving for Spring Break in a few days, and I could not be more excited. (After I finish my final exams of course…)
This will be my second time going to Miami and I might be looking forward to it even more than I did the first time. Here in Philly, spring has barely began to sprung (that does not feel like a real word…) and I’m lucky if the temperature gets to 50 by midday.
The seasonal depression is real and I am in desperate need of time in the sunshine and to feel the heat in the southern hemisphere. But with all great vacations, comes great packing responsibility – I need to dust off the old suitcase and find my bikinis ASAP!
Since Miami is known for its humid weather, you need to adjust your skincare accordingly – read on to find out what I’m stashing in my carry-on and what I’m leaving at home for my trip!
In my Miami Carry-On
Sunscreen: A Miami Essential
If you haven’t heard, sunscreen is an absolute MUST every day, especially when the UV index is going to be upwards of 8 and higher! I’m bringing this sunscreen with me because it has a high SPF and it contains snail mucin, and I love the way it makes my skin feel.
Having a good sunscreen is number one on my packing list for Miami because I know my skin is going to be in the sun all day every day. I want to make sure I’m protecting myself and taking care of my skin at the same time, and I trust this product to do just that!
This is also a must for being in-flight because it protects your skin from all the pollutants in the air cabin and being that much closer to the sun. This one from Australian Gold has a slight tint to it, which is perfect to avoid wearing foundation.
Bronzer, everywhere
This is the BEST drugstore bronzer, hands down. First of all, it smells like coconuts, so that already gets a check in my book. I love anything beachy or coconut scented and opening this up smells like you’re already in paradise with a pina colada in one hand and a great book in the other. It also helps that it has a silky texture that blends into the skin beautifully. Physicians Formula products are known for being good for the skin and this is no exception. I love the way it looks on the skin and it has decent staying power.
You know how they always ask what’s one thing you would bring to a desert island? Yeah, that’s me with bronzer. Even if I don’t wear any other face makeup, I need bronzer. Something about it just makes me look alive, contoured, and ready to take on the day. I love a good golden glow, and I’m looking forward to enhancing whatever tan I manage in Miami with copious amounts of bronzer.
Blush: Sunburnt look, minus the sun
I wish I could bring all my Cloud Paints with me to Miami, but I guess I can settle for just one… I decided to go with Beam because it’s a bright coral-y pink color that I know will look amazing with a tan. I love Cloud Paint because it’s so easy to apply and blend in and looks super natural without accentuating any texture on the skin. I also just love blush in general because it makes you look so healthy and glowy – I’’m a bit of a blush fiend and I love to put it not only on my cheeks but tap it on my eyelids, nose, and forehead to look super flushed and healthy. Cloud Paint definitely makes that process easier.

Bronzing Serum to Mix with Sunscreen
Remember when I said I loved bronzer? Well, I love bronzing serums even more! This serum is great – it makes your skin look moisturized, glowy, and dewy. I love to mix this in with my sunscreen and apply with my fingers. It melts into the skin without looking overly fake-tanned and you just end up with a lit-from-within, sunkissed dew – without the sun. I’m ditching heavy foundations and creams for this light, weightless product.
Body Butter for Glowing Skin Everywhere
Did I mention how much I love products that smell like a vacation? If you’re anything like me, you’ll adore the scent of this cream. It literally smells so freaking good – that’s really all I have to say. I can’t even explain the smell, it just smells like Miami paradise to me. It’s also super moisturizing and creamy, gliding into the skin like butter. A moisturizing cream is essential to make the rest of my body look as glowy and plump as my face!
I’m popping the travel size into my carry-on so I can slather it on my arms and hands as I await my arrival into the sunshine state – what else is there to do in flight?
Obviously, I’m probably going to end up overpacking for this trip (you never know when you’re going to need hair glitter or an extra 10 lip glosses, right?) but it’s so hard to part with my beloved beauty products for a week. What are your must-haves for bringing in your carry-on? Let me know in the comments below!

Love these products! That bronzer is great, isnt it?
Felicity | http://oliverandmoose.blogspot.com
Yes!! I’m obsessed with the bronzer.
Absolutely love the Drunk Elephant Sunshine drops! It gives such a pigmented, luminous glow to the skin, and a little glows a long way 😉
It’s the best 🙂