Staying on top of your fashion and beauty game while travelling isn’t the easiest of things to achieve. Whether it be solo, with friends, for a vacation, a business trip or are going to study abroad, what you wear and how you look always counts. But, how do you achieve this with airport rules, changes in weather and the environment, little or no knowledge of where to get your daily supplies when they runs out? Read on to find out about some life-saving travelling hacks for Black women on any trip.
Do your research
First thing’s first, do your homework before packing. List out all the places you will visit while you're away and decide on the items you’ll take so you can pack accordingly. How many hours is your flight? What is the country like? The weather, the people, and culture; are there rules for clothes? Find out your shopping options in case you need a beauty product or some fashion essentials. Do the stores offer the products for your hair type if you stay there for a longer period? Another idea is to look up some accounts on Instagram or Google to learn about your destination. Do as much digging as you can, it will help you prepare in advance.
If you’re planning to travel to Africa, these accounts will help you have an idea of what to expect: Spirited Pursuit by Lee Litumbe is your guide to Zanzibar and Dakar, Senegal, and Jelani Women Travel Africa covers you for South Africa, Ghana, Egypt, and Kenya among others. For ideas on stylish kaftans and dresses while touring around the Caribbean setting, check out Lechicboheme by Yanique Holder. Unlike before, there is more Black women's travel content that you can access on social media.
Be organised
Now that you know everything about your destination, it is time to get organised. Make a packing list and don’t leave out anything from your list. Your packing list should include your clothes with their colours, your skincare products, and shoes – even the underwear! Don't assume you can remember everything. If you are a first-time traveller avoid making the list or packing at the last minute. And if you are always on the road, make yourself a go-to travelling checklist which you can use almost all the time.
Pack smart and go minimal
You have many leather coats you want to style and your favourite sneakers must come with you, but you also don’t want to leave those heels behind for the girl's night out or the office meeting. Sister, you're not alone. Try out a capsule wardrobe that will save you from decision fatigue on what to wear. This is where the detailed itinerary comes in. A capsule wardrobe allows you to pack basic and multi-functional items.
Clothes can be styled differently, so don’t be overwhelmed that you are travelling for work but still want to go out. The same dress you paired with a blazer to work can make a great dinner dress. If you want to inject a bit more variety to your wardrobe, add accessories. In AMAKA’S recent article on 5 Important Items Every Travel Bag Needs, Esnala Banda shares items to help you achieve your smart packing goals; a personalised leather travel jewellery case and travel cubes are lifesavers.
Now, let's talk about makeup and skincare. A minimal makeup and skin routine is the best you can choose while travelling. It saves time and also works for your skin. Packing multi-functional items don't only apply to clothes and shoes, the same goes for makeup.
Nick Barose travelled to Kenya with client, Lupita Nyong’o, and made good use of this hack, “I try to take things that can double duty like a contour palette that can also be a bronzer and eyeshadow. Stick blush that can also double as a lip stain, colourful eyeliner that can be smudged as eyeshadow. Armani Eye and Brow Maestro, which works as eyeliner, brow filler and to create a smokey eye’’, he once shared with the Sunday Riley.
Additionally, don’t forget to pack for fashion mishaps. You heard me! Wardrobe malfunctions are real and you need to be prepared for anything. However, remember the goal here is quality and style over quantity.
5 Important Items Every Travel Bag Needs
You're beautiful
You've packed everything and are ready to go. Remember that you're beautiful and unique in your own way, so make the most of it. Once you're set, the world is your oyster.