Kelly Atterton has been the west coast editor at Allure for over a decade (but she barely looks 25, so you do the math), so suffice it to say she knows a thing or two about beauty.  Here she talks to us about the products she travels with (and whatever she’s selling, we’re buying it!).

What’s your overall beauty routine when you’re traveling?

My beauty routine while traveling really depends on what kind of a trip I’m taking. If it’s a sightseeing trip with packed days, then I tend to bring the least amount possible: face wash, serum, moisturizer, eye cream, sunscreen, and a good body oil. As far as makeup goes, a multipurpose color stick (good for lips, cheeks and even eyes depending on the color), mascara, an eyelash curler, colored lip balm, and face powder. For my hair needs, I’ll use the hotel shampoo and conditioner. Depending on the weather, I might also bring an anti-frizz product. For a lazy beach vacation, I tend to brings loads of products, which drives my husband nuts! I know that I’m going to have more time than usual on my hands, so I like to bring everything mentioned above, plus at-home facials, face masks, hair masks, hair oils, and a variety of face serums and oils. As for makeup on a beach trip, I use hardly any–just mascara and a little lip color. Possibly a face powder if I look too slicked up from all the products I’ve loaded on!

What’s your hair routine when you’re away from home?

On a city trip I take much more time with my hair. I might get a blowout (if I’m lucky) or I’ll do it myself (which takes about 45 minutes). For me, a good blowout can last for four days. On a beach trip, I hardly wear my hair down at all. I like to load it up with oils and conditioning treatments to protect it from drying out in the sun and oxidizing the color. I also have to worry about frizz in tropical climates, so it’s just all-around easier and better for my hair to be up and nourished.

Which beauty products do you always pack ? 

When traveling I pretty much always have the following:  For my hair, Rodin by Recine Luxury Hair Oil . It’s great for keeping my ends from looking too dry and helping tame the dreaded frizz. Rahua Omega-9 Hair Mask is a new find that I’m really into. It’s a 15 minute, all natural hair treatment that nourishes and repairs hair.  In my make-up bag I always have Fresh Sugar Cherry Tinted Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15. This is perfect for that just-kissed look.  Jouer Powder Eyeshadow in Almond is also great. The natural color takes away any shine from the lids.  Eyeko Mascara is my favorite: It never runs and lashes look longer and healthier.   Perfekt Skin Perfection CC Cream–I love this product so much! It evens out your skin tone without looking like face makeup. I even use it under my eyes instead of concealer.  Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain Plumper by Jane Iredale is another must-have. This stick gives my cheeks a light flushed look, like I just came back from a brisk walk. It also looks really natural on your lip – it just enhances your own color.

Do you bring any skincare products with you?

I’m really into the following right now: Restoresea Skincare. An all-natural skin-care line, and it’s a only a four-step system (wash, serum, eye cream and moisturizer), so it’s perfect for travel.  Kate Somerville’s Age Arrest Hydrating Firming Mask. This is a miracle product. It is thick and creamy and basically takes care of any climate-causing skin issues. It also smells heavenly and feels luxurious. My whole family is using it now.  Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Youth Activating Oil is also fantastic. This product is jam packed with good stuff from vitamins C and A to all three omegas. Again, another all-weather skin wonder.

What about perfumes…do you have a signature scent you make sure to pack?

Jo Malone’s Orange Blossom Cologne in a 1 oz. bottle is my current favorite. I’m not loyal to just one scent, so when I travel I always bring my smallest option.

 Favorite nail color for a vacation getaway? 

For a beauty junkie, I’m surprisingly boring when it comes to my nails. I don’t like any color on my fingernails, and on my toenails I tend to go with deep, dark hues year round! One of my favorites is Habit Polish in Creature of the Night. 

When you’re traveling, do you opt for a regular mani-pedi or gels?

There’s nothing worse than chipping a toenail and having to stare at it for the rest of your vacation, so I always get a gel pedicure before I travel.

 What are the 3 products you just can’t live without when you’re traveling?  

I can’t live without Weleda Skin Food (a natural anywhere moisturizer), Kate Somerville’s Waterlight Daily Deflector sunscreen (SPF 50 and so thin and easy to apply), and Jane Iredale’s Just Kissed multipurpose stick.

If your luggage was lost, what are the 5 items you would buy at the local drug store? 

Deodorant, toothbrush + toothpaste, face wash, sunscreen and lip balm.

Any travel tips you can share? 

Most cosmetic companies have travel size or sample size versions of their products. It’s worth taking the time to search the web for these options before packing. You could also sign-up for Sample Society with Allure (available through Beautybar.com) to try out expertly curated, sample sizes of new products.