Disclosure: Products and services were provided free of charge to the writer. All thoughts, opinions and words are those of the writer and were not influenced or reviewed by the companies providing products and services.
Holiday season can be a stressful time full of long lines, big crowds, and busy travel dates. For those of us who travel a lot and for the frequent flyers among our friends and family, we’re often just looking for ways to unwind and to find some healthy mental and physical space in a busy schedule.
That’s why we’ve put together an inspiring wellness-themed travel gift guide so you can pick up just the right travel gift this holiday. We’ve tried, tested and loved every single one of the wellness travel gift ideas in this holiday gift guide, so you can be sure it’s a worthwhile buy.
1. Detox Mode Altogether Oil
Cost: $42
Let’s face it: skincare products can be overwhelming. Which thing do I need for what, and do I really need 5 different products? As a busy frequent traveler, I’m always looking for ways to simplify my morning/evening routines. I was so happy to learn that one of my new favorite stores The Detox Market has just launched its own product line Detox Mode with Altogether Oil, a hydrating solution for everything. You can literally put this oil all over yourself from your hair to your face to your body.
It comes in a 100ml spray bottle which makes application really easy, and you can take it in your carry-on. The formulation contains high concentrations of jojoba and macadamia oils and has an intense citrus-patchouli smell to pamper your senses, too.
What I love about this oil is it isn’t too oily. It’s thinner than a pure oil which makes it much easier to spread and absorb into the skin without leaving a greasy residue. But most of all, having just one product that does the work of 3+ simplifies my life in the most gratifying way.
2. Unwrapped Life shampoo + conditioner bars with travel tins
Cost: $40
If this isn’t the best answer to the age-old problem of airline carry-on liquid limits I don’t know what is. I tried out these heavenly-smelling bars for the first time recently and I’m hooked.
The shampoo bar foams up really well in your hands in the shower, while the conditioner should be applied directly to the hair to help get it started. I was really surprised at how moisturizing a bar could be. Post-shower my hair felt wonderfully soft and light. Pro tip: open the tins first, as they’re too slippery to open when wet!
This gift is great for anyone looking to cut down on their plastic use when traveling, as there’s no plastic packaging, and you can avoid opening those little plastic single-serve hotel shampoo bottles.
There’s also no risk of spilling the contents all over the inside of your bag! Once you’ve finished the shampoo and conditioner, the tins can be used to store delicate things like jewelry or a homemade trail mix for the plane.
Go for The Hydrator travel set for dry and damaged hair, made with colloidal oatmeal, amla oil, juniper, and palmarosa. The bars are also cruelty-free and vegan.
3. Yourlixir organic spirulina travel sachets
Cost: $49.99
One of the most difficult things to do while traveling is maintaining a healthy diet and nutrition. Airport food is notoriously awful (though airport food options are getting better), and when we’re short on time we tend to go for whatever’s quickest. I’ve tried and loved Yourlixir’s matcha packets (I add them to my morning smoothies), but I was super excited to try their spirulina packets, which are arguably even more nutrient-rich than the matcha.
The organic spirulina bag contains 30 travel sachets containing 1.5g of spirulina powder each (45g total). They’re the perfect travel-sized nutrition boost: they’re lightweight and take up almost no room. The single servings mean you don’t have to bother with the mess of scooping powder on the go, just peel and empty a packet into your morning smoothie, cereal, your in-flight meal or if you’re brave just mix with water or juice. (Spirulina is a little bitter so I would recommend using a stronger flavored juice like a tomato).
Spirulina is actually a type of blue-green algae, so named because it grows in microscopic spirals. It’s packed with nutrients that aren’t always found in other vitamin supplements. The FDA claims that spirulina contains significant amounts of calcium, niacin, potassium, magnesium, B vitamins and iron, plus 60-70% of spirulina’s weight is protein.
4. Go Travel Ultimate Memory Pillow
Cost: $34.95
I’ve been coveting this pillow ever since my Dad, an insanely busy business traveler, bought one for his long-haul trips. Unlike so many travel pillows, this one actually works! The reason is all about how bulky it is. True, it’s not as packable as others, but it has more neck support than anything else I’ve tried. And if you’re going to bother bringing a travel pillow at all, it better work.
The clip at the front keeps the pillow in a place closely around your neck so it won’t fall off mid-sleep. It comes with a carrying pouch, or you can even use the clip to attach the pillow around the extendable handle on your suitcase. The cushiony memory foam molds to your head and neck so you can sink into a comfortable and upright sleeping position. This pillow really prevents all head lolling.
The part that goes behind your neck is thin, so it won’t push your head forward unnaturally. The straight piece of grippy material behind keeps you from sliding sideways into your seatmate, which is a face-saving bonus.
I plan to take this pillow on my next international flight to Europe so I can get some proper shut-eye en route.
5. Odacité Paris to LA gift set
Cost: $78
This cute travel-themed gift set pairs two of Odacité’s best-selling serums: Ba+S Baobab + Sarsaparilla Eye Contour and Ac+R Acai + Rose Youthful Glow. Both oily serums are super-rich and luxurious feeling. The set channels the story of the company’s founder who was born in Paris and now lives in California. The ethos of the brand is to marry luxurious French skincare with green California living.
Rose oil is one of my favorite skincare ingredients as it seems to turn back the clock on signs of aging and stress, giving a healthy glow that feels natural. I’m always after an under-eye solution as I have particularly dark circles and fragile skin around my eyes.
This eye contour oil is pretty spa-worthy in consistency and feels great to slather on before bed. You can apply the serums on their own (better to do this at night) or mix them into your daily moisturizer.
All of Odacité’s products are certified organic, cruelty-free, vegan, and 100% non-GMO.
6. Headspace subscription
Cost: $12.99/month
Who among us isn’t stressed when they travel? Even the smoothest of travel experiences can be physically and mentally exhausting. I recently signed up for 3 months of Headspace, a meditation app that has an enormous library of very tailor-made content to address your specific qualms.
Obviously, I immediately launched into a 30-day “Letting Go of Stress” program, and I now really look forward to these little 10-minute breaks each day.
The app is beautifully designed with adorable meditation characters to help lift your mood. Your profile records motivating stats like total time meditated, sessions completed, and milestones achieved. You can even add buddies to meditate alongside someone else (which can help enormously in keeping up the routine).
The content includes meditation sessions geared toward everything from mindful eating to relationships to productivity in multi-session packs or singles. It’s a great gift for those who spend hours at airports and on planes and need a way to escape the madness right from where they’re sitting.
Need more gift ideas? Check out these 9 In-flight Wellness Must-Haves for Your Next Trip.
