Glam Squad Packing Tips from a TV Travel Host

[Linda Cooper]

I’m often asked to share my packing secrets as a travel host, as I am constantly on the go for my lifestyle show, “Travel Time with Linda”, our new season now airing on AXS TV Network. They say it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert in mastering a skill set - which over the past five years I have most definitely accrued while filming on location for my show, so here’s my most recent MVP list of what I can’t leave home without while traveling.

Amazing luggage is at the very top of my must-have travel essentials. I’m a big fan of G-RO with its standout design and incredible packing space with thoughtful pockets, removable smart features, all in the highest quality for durable travel.  This luggage is built to last and it’s easy to spot on any conveyor belt with its cool revolutionary wheel design.

I pack a lot of hats to accent an outfit as well as provides an instant cover-up for the inevitable bad hair day. My favorite brand is Tenth Street Hats, which offer a variety of stylish options that are collapsible for easy packing, have internal drawstrings that provides the perfect fit, and amazing sun protection. It’s the ultimate headgear accessory to fit every mood from glam to adventure seeker.

A favorite aspect I love about my job is playing dress up when showcasing these breathtaking bucket-list locales.  Sometimes if I’m lucky, I’m given props to tell the story pictured here when featuring Northern Ireland's Game of Thrones territory, but often I need to strategize.

I used to be a major offender in the overpacking arena, bringing wardrobe, shoes, and accessories on a “one per outfit basis”.  After learning the hard way I’ve adopted the “less is more” philosophy. It’s important for selections making the cut to be able to “play well with others” to compliment, changeup and accessorize multiple outfits.  My go-to choices for fashion-forward jewelry are Kendra Scott and Chloe + Isabel. Not only do their statement pieces compliment every outfit, but the quality of their designs also can’t be beaten and while they may look expensive, you can feel comfortable bringing these gems with you.

Since my glam squad consists of me, myself and I doing my own hair and makeup while on location, I have to pack smart minimizing as much as possible the overflow of weighted beauty products.

I rely heavily on quality travel-size lotions and potions and found the K-Beauty powerhouse Laneige.  This Korean skincare darling has an adorable “Bring Me” Hydration Travel Kit that is a skin lifesaver for those long overseas plane rides.

For a luminous SPF to enliven your skin with a warm glow and a kiss of coverage that screams “Look, my skin looks great without wearing any makeup” I am a huge fan of Josie Maran’s Argan Daily Moisturizer.  This lightweight formula designed to “protect and perfect” feels amazing to put on with a subtle hint of tint that adds warmth and radiance to the skin.

And for that airbrushed finish, I never leave home without my handy four-in-one compact “Your Je Ne Sais Quoi Complexion Perfection Face Palette” by IT cosmetics.  Four amazing products in one compact that can be worn by most skin types. Includes their award-winning Bye Bye Pores Airbrush Pressed Powder, Poreless Blush, Sunshine in a Compact Bronzer and Lighting Luminizer.

To avoid drippy makeup malfunctions in hot humid locales, I travel with a mini-fan that plugs into my cell phone and carry it with me pretty much non-stop. In fact, it’s quite the conversation piece as most people want one as soon as they see it in action, so I buy them in bulk and give them out as “hostess gifts” throughout all my shoots. You can purchase them on Amazon in a six-pack that comes in a variety of fun colors. 

A high-end version as the ultimate skin mister that you definitely want to keep for yourself is Skin Up. Delivering a superfine elixir cocktail of aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, this is “a spa in your pocket” that luxuriously mists antioxidant hydration and has a bronzer option to keep with you in your purse for hydrating touch-ups.

I am so thankful serving as brand ambassador to worldwide travel and sharing wanderlust inspiration with all of you. Season One of ‘Travel Time with Linda’ aired nationally last year on AXS TV Network winning 2018 Telly-Award and is now available on Amazon Prime Video.  Tune in to watch nationwide Season Two, now airing on AXS TV Network.

Set your DVR to Travel Time with Linda, featuring bucket-list destinations and airing weekly Sunday mornings 8 am EST/7 am CST. Check your guide for your local cable network channel listing.