21 Iconic Beauty Products Every Thrifty Globetrotter Should Pick Up In Duty Free
Because airport shopping is just as fun as the actual holiday part, right?
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With its cloud of dreamy designer perfumes and lipstick counters left, right and centre, the lure of Duty Free can be pretty difficult to resist.
You'd be forgiven for spending hours swatching and spritzing the shiniest new products only to be dragged away to the boarding lounge by your SO/BFF/mum (insert person as appropriate), but tax free = a bargain, making it the perfect place to re-stock your beauty cupboard.
And while it's not easy to sort the wheat from the chaff where thousands of hair, make-up and skincare products are concerned, we've done the hard work for you. Here are the duty free beauty products you shouldn't board your flight without bagging first.
P.S. You might want to re-think that carry-on.
Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick
A staple in many a make-up artist's arsenal, Bobbi Brown's Shimmer Brick lends skin an otherworldly radiance sans the gaudy, glittery finish. Simply swirl in your powder brush and deposit a dose of warmth wherever you want it. It also makes a stunning eye shadow when buffed over lids and into the crease.
Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer
Foundations can be all or nothing: barely there or cement-like - but this one has changed the game entirely. The two-in-one consistency means it is weightless enough for all-over coverage but mighty enough to tuck away even the darkest of circles and the angriest of red spots. If you haven't already, stockpile with abandon!
Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief 50ml
For the days when it seems like nothing will quench your skin's thirst, reach for a pot of this stuff. Like a glass of water for your face, clever moisture droplets disperse on the skin and make their way to the most parched patches to relieve and banish tightness and those unsightly flaky spots that foundation is always drawn to. Over £10 off? Looks like we'll need a much bigger suitcase...
Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm
A cleanser is the most important part of any routine; if you want something that will whip make-up off without leaving behind even a trace of residue, plus added skincare benefits, look no further than this. Enriched with nourishing nutrients, it plumps skin as it melts away stubborn foundation and mascara. No wonder it has such a huge cult following.
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair 50ml
This might just be one of the hardest working serums out there for repairing and protecting against the ageing process. A few drops smoothed over the cheeks, chin and forehead before bed works to accelerate cells regeneration, making skin look replenished, awake and virtually poreless.
Guerlain Terracotta Joli Teint Powder
Guerlain's bronzer-blusher mash-up helps lift cheekbones for a sculpted effect without looking made up aka ideal for that trip to Bali. Take your pick from four shades - we never leave the country without one.
Jo Malone Lime, Basil and Mandarin Cologne 100ml
Jo Malone's Lime, Basil and Mandarin is one of those perfumes that is guaranteed to earn you a long line of people asking for the details. It's sunny, green, zesty and sexy in equal measure and if you haven't yet found your signature scent, well, this is probably it.
Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment With Avocado 30ml
This feels super-silky when massaged in, but it's definitely no lightweight. Added avocado oil works to iron away fine lines and creases without melting any concealer you put on top. We can't imagine our skincare regime without it.
Creme De La Mer Moisturizing Cream 100ml
Ok Creme De La Mer is notoriously expensive, but its transformative powers are unrivalled - hello, supermodel skin! It replenishes the driest of complexions, blurs fine lines and wrinkles into submission and makes skin so ridiculously soft you'll wonder why you didn't buy it sooner.
La Prairie Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal Cream 50ml
Don't underestimate the featherweight, gel-like consistency of this La Prairie moisturiser. The soft, powdery scent is oh-so-soothing, and at almost £40 off, you'd be silly not to snap up a pot.
Lancôme Hypnôse Mascara
We've tried most mascaras out there, but this one clings on to even the teeny tiniest of lashes whilst curling and lengthening them. And that's why it's achieved cult status in the beauty sphere.
Lancôme La Vie Est Belle Eau De Parfum 50ml
If you want a perfume that lasts all the way from Duty Free through to the other end of your long haul flight, look no further than Lancôme's La Vie Est Belle. Jasmine, orange blossom and patchouli make it a totally unforgettable fragrance.
L'Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate
The scent of this ultra-rich and nourishing body butter brings sun-drenched climes to mind - perfect if the weather fails you. It wraps limbs in a blanket of walnut seed and almond extract, lending skin a super-soft and supple feel. Slather it on after your shower and there'll be no need for perfume.
MAC Lipstick
No make-up bag is complete without a MAC lipstick (or twelve) which makes Duty Free the perfect place to stock up your stash. Our fave is Yash - it occupies a cosy space between rose taupe and caramel and looks amazing with a tan.
NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation
Lighter-than-light and long lasting? It's not a myth. Amazingly, one or two drops of NARS's All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation is all you need for full coverage. We buy at least two bottles every time.
NARS Blush
Kick every other blusher to the kerb, people. A single sweep of NARS' powder blush can pep up sallow cheeks in seconds and the staying power is second to none.
Tom Ford Brow Sculptor
The clever carved nib on Tom Ford's Brow Sculptor mimics even the finest of hairs and the plush spoolie brush works a treat to soften and blur any harsh strokes for a perfectly natural finish. Cara Delevingne, eat your heart out.
Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Eau De Parfum 50ml
Every Tom Ford fragrance has the knack of transporting us to exotic destinations. Neroli Portofino? It's basically the salty, sunny Italian Riviera bottled. Zippy citrus oils collide with lush floral notes and a touch of amber to make this one seriously intoxicating spritz.
Urban Decay Naked Palette
Urban Decay's Naked Palette may be seven years old, but it's still as brilliant now as it was then. It combines 12 shades to satiate any neutral colour craving with incredible pigment payoff and butter-like blendability. No wonder we always hit the pan.
YSL Volupte Tint In Balm
Finding the perfect lip balm is no mean feat. They're either too sticky or virtually undetectable, but this one is silky, ultra-moisturising and contains just the right amount of colour to make the cut. And the silver and gold case is just the right amount of bling.
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