18 Stick Beauty Products to Pack in Your Carry-On

Is there anything more anxiety-inducing than watching your makeup bag get torn through at airport security? Will your favourite moisturizer make it to the other side? What about that brand-new sunscreen you splurged on? There’s no way you’ll be able to enjoy your window seat without slathering your face in SPF once you board.

If your fear of flying has more to do with your beloved products making it to your destination safely than it does the actual flying part, have we got a solution for you. Rather than trying to cram all of your travel-sized faves into a little plastic baggy, turn to stick beauty products for all of your makeup, skincare, SPF and even fragrance go-tos. No liquids? No problem.

Continue reading for our picks for the absolute best stick beauty products around.

Rock Solid

Thought you had no choice but to adopt a minimalist makeup routine on vacation? Not true! Master full-glam looks on the go with buildable colour formulations that just so happen to come in stick form.

Dior Forever Skin Perfect Stick

There’s a reason this stick foundation is currently going viral on TikTok. It provides the perfect amount of coverage for a blurred, natural finish that never feels dry.

Chanel Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick

This stunning moisturizing balm can be used all over the face and imparts a subtle sheen on the eyes, cheekbones, cupid’s bow and brow bone that just can’t be beat.

Cheekbone Beauty Primer Stick

Prep and prime your canvas with this gorgeous illuminating primer stick that wears beautifully under makeup.

Makeup By Mario MoistureGlow Plumping Lip Serum

The unique serum texture glides on as easily as a balm but leaves lips glossy and shiny. And it’s available in a range of shades, from neutrals to vibrant hues, so make sure to snag a few different options.

KJH.brand Soft Smudge Lip & Cheek Stick

The multi-use cream-to-powder stick delivers a soft matte wash of colour that blends seamlessly into skin.

Locks on Lock

Ah, the struggle of packing hair products for a trip. Between the not-so-mini size of minis (who has a toiletries bag that big?) and the inevitable leakage, hair care bottles can be a huge pain on vacation. Instead, turn to solid shampoos, conditioners and styling products that can be tossed in your carry-on, purse or suitcase.

Briogeo Sleek Stick

Need something to keep flyaways at bay while you travel? This on-the-go styling stick perfects a polished, slicked-back look without dragging or tugging at baby hairs.

Yves Rocher Shine Shampoo Bar

Skeptical about the shower toiletries options at your hotel? Take your favourite shampoo on vacation with you via a shampoo bar that lathers up as you wash.

L’Occitane Intensive Repair Solid Conditioner

Hydrate and detangle dry, brittle and damaged hair with this intensive repair conditioner, also available in stick form.

Nexxus Strong Hold Hair Wax Slick Stick

A no-brainer for slick-back buns, we recommend keeping this strong hold wax stick in your bag at all times, vacation or not.

Through Stick and Skin

Once upon a time, your skincare routine was the first thing that had to be pared down (translation: sacrificed) on the road. But not anymore. From retinol to SPF and even collagen serum, all your faves are available in a handy solid tube that you can swipe on anywhere.

Neutrogena Mineral Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Face & Body Stick Sunscreen SPF 50

Perfect for touching up your SPF throughout the day, this sheer face and body sunscreen is a must-pack.

Peace Out Skincare Retinol Eye Stick

Yup, it’s true. Even your retinol can come along for the ride. There’s no need to pare down your beloved nighttime skincare routine just because you’re on the road.

Attitude Oceanly Phyto-Cleanse Solid Face Cleanser with Peptides

A solid face cleanser is a wonderful alternative to hotel cleansers that are often too harsh and strip your skin of necessary oils.

Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Collagen Bounce Stick

Travelling can leave skin looking and feeling a little blah, so an instant plumping collagen stick is a no-brainer. Plus it leaves skin looking fresh and glowy. 

Milk Makeup Hydrating Oil Stick

If you love the feeling of locking in your moisturizer with an oil, especially at night, this is the oil stick for you. Loaded with apricot, avocado, calendula, jojoba, and orange peel oils, you can go to sleep looking your usual glazed donut self — no matter where you are.

Body Language

Yes, even your beloved fragrances, body hydrators and chemical exfoliants (!) are available in stick form, so you don’t have to painstakingly ration your travel-sized bottles on vacay. We really are living in the future.

Fenty Parfum Solid Fragrance

A solid version of your favourite warm, spicy floral scent? Who can say no to that?

Rocky Mountain Soap Co. Vanilla Coconut Body Butter

Who said you have to skimp on your body care routine when you’re travelling? This body butter in stick form is perfect for moisturizing all over. Plus it has a scrumptious vanilla coconut scent that’s impossible to resist.

Lotus Aroma 24H Roll-On Deodorant

This isn’t the time for gels and aerosol spray deodorants. Turn to a tried-and-true roll-on deodorant like this one from Lotus Aroma.

The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick

Even your chemical body exfoliants are invited on vacay. The Inkey List’s glycolic acid stick is simply brilliant for on-the-road exfoliation.

This article first appeared in FASHION’s November 2024 issue. Find out more here.