The Beauty Essentials to Pack for a Staycation

Words by Anna Gosling

There's an art to curating the perfect staycation – choosing a destination close enough to feel effortless, yet special enough to feel like an escape. And the same applies to your beauty essentials. Whether you’re heading for the countryside breeze, a chic city hotel or a tranquil spa retreat, the magic lies in the details. Think skincare that replenishes, fragrance that sets the tone, make-up that adds sparkle to the moment. Here, discover our expert edit of beauty essentials designed to elevate every moment of your luxurious local getaway.

Countryside Escape

Whether it’s a The Holiday-esque cottage in the Cotswolds or a heritage hunting lodge in the Scottish Highlands, an escape to the British countryside promises windswept walks followed by fireside evenings with a glass of something warming in hand.

Before stepping out into the rolling hills, set the tone with a quintessentially British fragrance that captures the essence of luxurious rural living. Penhaligon’s Highgrove Bouquet is a bright, daytime scent with notes of lime, mimosa and cedar — inspired by the gardens of Highgrove House, nestled deep in the Cotswolds.

As you soak up the fresh air and sweeping scenery, your skin will thank you for a broad-spectrum SPF (even beneath British clouds). Augustinus Bader’s SPF 50 Sunscreen melds suncare with skincare in a fast-absorbing formula that protects whilst supporting the skin's natural renewal processes. A nourishing lip balm is another wise companion for blustery walks. Byredo's Lip Care delivers deep hydration with a featherlight feel, available in shades from clear to soft rosy hues for a subtle touch of colour.

To smooth windswept strands before popping into the pub for lunch, pack a compact brush like La Bonne Brosse’s Small Detangling Brush, ideal for gentle detangling on the go. And if you have room in your handbag, a soothing hand cream offers welcome relief for skin exposed to the elements. Our pick? Victoria Beckham Beauty’s 21.50 Reverie Hand Cream — intensely moisturising, never greasy, and finished with a woody-amber aroma perfectly suited to countryside chic.

After a day in the crisp country air, replenish skin with deep, restorative care. La Mer’s Rejuvenating Night Cream — powered by the brand’s signature Miracle Broth and Marine Retinol Alternative-3 — cocoons the complexion in nourishing hydration for renewed radiance by morning. If your tresses are feeling the effects of the wind and weather, a lightweight yet intensive conditioning mask like Gisou’s Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hair Mask will leave your strands replenished, smooth and ready for another day outdoors.

City Break

A city stay doesn’t always call for a plane ticket — sometimes, one night under the glittering lights of a nearby metropolis is all you need. Whether it’s a decadent soirée, a festive reunion or a chance to explore the latest hotspots, a luxurious hotel stay sets the scene. Now, time to slip into your hotel robe and get ready to dial up the glamour.

This season’s make-up mood is all about bold lips, glittering eyes and luminous, satin-finish skin. YSL’s Couture Mini Clutch Palette in shade 700 has all the makings of a statement eye, with tones that glide from champagne shimmer to matte black. For added drama, Victoria Beckham Beauty’s cult Satin Kajal Eyeliner in Night Flash glides on effortlessly, and the glittering charcoal pigment won’t budge until you decide the night is over.

For your bold lip moment, Guerlain’s Rouge G in the limited-edition shade Le Rouge Étoilé is a standout red. The rich ruby tone can be built from subtle to high-impact, and promises to wear comfortably all night thanks to nourishing natural-origin waxes and smoothing lily oleo extract. Click it into one of the house's decadent crystal-embellished lipstick cases for an instant accessory.

For skin that looks lit from within, Hourglass’s Ambient Lighting Palette is a go-to. This multitasking hero offers soft-focus radiance in one elegant compact, complete with blushes, bronzers and highlighters – ideal for packing light. Sweep your chosen hues over cheeks, temples and the bridge of the nose for a luminous glow. As a finishing flourish, Tom Ford’s Soleil Neige Shimmering Body Oil imparts a celestial sheen that catches both city lights and camera flashes to perfection.

And just before you head out, spritz something unforgettable. Kilian Angels’ Share On the Rocks reimagines the original scent’s velvety cognac accord with a sparkling citrus twist for a fresher, zesty gourmand aroma. Bold and alluring, it’s ideal for an evening in the city. If a rich, creamy gourmand profile is more your style, BDK Vanille Caviar layers intense vanilla with cardamom, blackcurrant and cocoa for a decadent finish that feels as indulgent as your surroundings.

Spa Retreat

Nothing restores balance quite like a spa retreat — a chance to step away from busy schedules, switch off the everyday noise and indulge in pure R&R. As you settle into the slower pace, a few well-chosen beauty essentials can elevate every soothing moment.

In your private sanctuary, it’s time to savour the self-care rituals everyday life doesn’t always allow for. First: a long, hot bath. Olverum’s Bath Salts, infused with muscle-relaxing magnesium and soothing aloe vera, set the foundation for deep, restorative relaxation. For added indulgence, swirl in a generous measure of Laura Mercier’s Ambre Vanille Honey Bath. Enriched with marine botanicals and hydrating seed oils, it leaves skin beautifully soft, while notes of amber, vanilla and musk envelop with a warm, comforting aroma.

After your soak, continue the ritual with Helena Rubinstein’s Replasty Age Recovery Body Cream. Its sumptuous, patented formula infused with skin-loving actives soothes, softens and restores suppleness, extending that spa-like calm.

Now for an indulgent nighttime routine. Estée Lauder’s iconic Advanced Night Repair Serum is powered by Tripeptide-32 and hyaluronic acid for plumped, renewed radiance. Follow with La Prairie’s Skin Caviar Nighttime Oil, which veils the complexion in a smoothing, nourishing layer and supports overnight regeneration with caviar-derived retinol. To complete the ritual, apply Omorovicza’s Soothing Salve – a leave-on, antioxidant rich treatment that calms stressed skin and seals in hydration for a soft, restored morning complexion.

For the finishing touch, drift into an even deeper state of relaxation with Jo Malone London’s Moonlit Camomile Pillow Mist. The delicate blend of English camomile leaves and white musk settles the senses and eases you into blissful sleep — the perfect close to your spa retreat ritual.