Tickets: Check. Passport: Check. Chic travel companion: Check. Packing: Ughhh. Jetting off to your favourite summertime destination is not easy for your average girl. How in the world are we supposed to fit all our gear into one modestly sized luggage that won’t have the airline charging you for going over the weight limit?

The trick is to invest in some travel-sized essentials that will be easy on luggage space and ready to perform once ascending 30,000 feet to your vacation zone. These must-haves will make packing a lot less complication so you can concentrate on more important pre-vacation tasks, like memorizing “where can I go shopping,” and “they don’t make boys as cute as you in Canada” in the local tongue. Bon Voyage!

1. Passions Travel Journal $26.00 by Moleskine.

2. Vapur Anti Bottle $13.99 at Chapters.

3. Stylize travel brush $4.99 at Shoppers Drug Mart.

4. Makeup Brush Set $16 at Joe Fresh.

5. 5 piece travel kit ($28) at Cake Beauty.

6. Yes to Blueberries Brightening Facial Towelettes $9.99 at Shoppers Drug Mart.

By: Daniela Distefano, Toronto

You should follow me on Twitter @ddeestefano.

Want to work in fashion? Visit fashion career website for Canada Style Nine to Five.

About two hours. This is approximately the amount of time it takes for me to get ready in the morning. But in my defense, us women have some serious decisions to make before we step out in public. Factoring in a wash, wardrobe and primping can lead to a time crunch. Luckily, my new obsession with dry shampoo and hair powders has helped me cut back on grooming time (I am now down to 1.5 hours – my roommates couldn’t be happier!). Dry shampoos can keep your hair looking fresh and easy to style. The best thing about new formulas is that most are specialized for every hair type and colour. Not mention, they smell great – making it perfect for days that you skip a wash. Check out a few of my favourites:

1. Bumble and Bumble’s hair powder (approximately $35) can be used to dry cleanse hair, enhance colour, boost volume and make it easy to style hair by adding some grip. What’s not to love? Available online and at various salons nation wide.
2. Some of the latest products spray on clear, so you don’t need to brush out any residue. Try the Oscar Blandi Pronto Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo Spray ($23) from Sephora. I also love that it’s paraben and sulphate free!
3, 4. Need a to spruce up between events? Try a hair and body powder with a yummy scent. Principesspa Bianco Breeze Body Powder & Dry Shampoo ($24) from Beautymark and Cake Beauty Satin Sugar Refreshing Body & Hair Powder ($18), available online.

By: Valerie Tiu, Vancouver

You should follow me on Twitter @valerietiu.

Want to work in fashion? Visit fashion career website for Canada Style Nine to Five.

Whether you’re snowshoeing, tobogganing or my fave winter hobby, snowboarding, your skin can suffer. I have the most sensitive skin that gets very dry and cracked in cooler temps. I apply Burt’s Bees lip balm with pomegranate oil while riding the ski lifts or between runs. And when I get home, I give my face a dose of Fresh Soy Face Cream, enriched with moisture-retaining amino acids and protective antioxidants for hydration, and give my hands the ultimate treatment with Cake Smoothing Hand and Cuticle Buffer. My hands have never felt so soft and supple.  See you on the slopes… or having a spiked hot cocoa in the lodge.

Cake and Fresh products available at Sephora. Burt’s Bees at drugstores.