As a Black woman, I am always looking for ways to support my community — both at home and on the go. Being a Black female traveler comes with a unique set of difficulties, but having brands in my bag made by people that look like me adds a sense of familiarity when I’m traveling somewhere new. Whether I’m taking an Amtrak down the East Coast or catching a 10-hour flight overseas, I keep a plethora of travel essentials from my favorite Black-owend businesses in my bag wherever I go.

And thankfully, after years of trial and error, I finally found my tried-and-true list of Black-owned essentials for almost every trip. My favorites range from everyday skin care products to comfortable footwear, and even my favorite set of packing cubes. Whether it’s sunscreen to help me beat the heat in the heart of the Caribbean or the perfect linen dress for an evening in Europe, these products make me feel like I have a home away from home. Keep reading for my favorite Black-owned travel essentials that are absolutely necessary for me to have an effortless vacation — and deserve a spot in your travel bag. 

Wndr Ln Packing Cubes

It doesn’t matter if I am traveling with a checked bag or a single personal item, packing cubes are a necessity. When I came across this Black-owned travel brand, I immediately had to purchase their colorful set of packing cubes. They offer a set of three cubes plus a cosmetic bag that helps keep your items organized. With both medium and large sizes, I am able to fit all of my outfits for any given trip with ease. The large measures at 4.7 inches by 11.8 inches by 15 inches, and the medium measures at 4.7 inches by 11 inches by 11.8 inches.  I find that rolling my clothes instead of folding helps me get more items in each cube, but the mesh lining on the top also adds some flexibility if needed. 

Black Girl Sunscreen Make It Hybrid™ SPF 50 Sunscreen

Sunscreen is an everyday essential, let alone a travel one. If you’re like me and love to explore a new city by joining a walking tour or are keen on booking an outdoor excursion, it’s important to have the right protection for your skin when you’re in the sun. This sunscreen from Black Girl Sunscreen is my holy grail sunscreen because of its lightweight formula that sits well on the face (with or without makeup), and it doesn’t have any white cast. Even better, it has a water resistant formula which means it’s tropical vacation-friendly. Between its protection, feel, and durability, it’s always nice to know that I’m protected no matter what I have planned on the schedule. 

Roam Loud Fata Tank Top 

I’ve come to learn that a few comfortable pieces packed in your suitcase are the key to having a well-rounded wardrobe for any trip. Because of this, I love bringing athleisure with me on vacation. Roam Loud is a Black-owned brand founded in the U.S., and their Fata Tank Top has been such a nice staple in my closet. With a lovely scoop neckline and flattering fit, the top can easily be considered everyday wear, but if you happen to find yourself getting active while traveling, this is the perfect piece for that as well. I was personally drawn to the top in the color rust, but I could also see myself purchasing another top in black. 

Roam Loud Fata Skirt Shorts

You know what they say: Good things come in pairs. I couldn’t have one without the other, so while I grabbed the top, I also purchased the Fata Skirt Shorts. Buying the pair together makes not only a stylish and trendy travel outfit, but a comfortable one at that. In combination with the top, this is the perfect set to throw on and go without doing much thinking. But even if you bought the skirt by itself, it is well worth the purchase. My favorite feature is the built-in shorts with a pocket. I love knowing that if I’m walking down the street or on a hike, everything is covered. I can even keep a few items in the pocket if I need to. 

Topicals Faded Under Eye Masks

You may have come across the viral under eye masks from Topicals already, but I am here to report that the hype is well deserved. Traveling can be absolutely exhausting, but just because I may feel tired, doesn’t mean I want to look tired. For that reason, I take a pack of these masks with me on every trip. The hydrogel coating on the strip helps depuff your under eyes while also brightening some discoloration. It’s easy to keep these on for a quick 15 minutes whether you’re already at your destination and need to freshen up or you’re on the plane and need to perk up before your arrival. 

Saysh The Felix Runner

Whenever I’m exploring a new city, I find myself walking way more than I would on a typical day. Because of this, I am always on the hunt for a comfortable sneaker that performs well during the entirety of the trip. After trying countless shoe brands, Olympic track star and gold medalist Allyson Felix’s brand, Saysh, has been exactly what I needed. In addition to being incredibly comfortable, this stylish shoe pairs nicely with practically everything in my wardrobe, and its ability to be dressed up or down has made it a packing staple. My current go-to is in the “Avalanche” color, but I’m eyeing “Ebony” and “Fire” next. 

Nappy Head Club The Bonnet for Everywhere

You know that I couldn’t make a list about travel essentials and not include a bonnet. As a Black woman, protecting my hair at night, whether I’m at home or at a hotel, is a must. Lately, I’ve been loving this one from Nappy Head Club. It has the smoothest satin lining that never snags my hair and remains cool on my head as I sleep. Also, if the cute pattern wasn’t enough, it comes with a matching satin pouch so that you can store the bonnet away easily while staying organized. 

Briogeo Smooth + Shine Hair Care Minis

Using hair care products created by someone that understands the complexities of Black hair has made all the difference protecting and styling my hair during travel. But we all know that trying to travel with some of your favorite full-sized products can be difficult — and expensive — and one of my worst fears is having the TSA throw away one of my favorite products before I even get to the gate. As a tried and true Briogeo fan, I was thrilled to find that they have travel-friendly hair care sets. With a shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioning spray, and heat protectant, I have everything I need to give my hair a good wash and styling when I’m on a longer trip. I especially love the brand’s Farewell Frizz collection that helps keep my hair at bay when I’m exploring different climates, and for only $30 for the entire set, I’d recommend it to everyone. 

Brandon Blackwood Makeup Bag

If you’re a fellow makeup-lover, you already know what a hassle it can be packing all of your beauty products on vacation. Although it has a higher price tag, I’ve found that this makeup bag by designer Brandon Blackwood has the style and function that any beauty connoisseur can appreciate. It’s ethically made and I love that it has a built-in mirror which I have found to be incredibly convenient — especially when sharing a room and bathroom with friends and family on vacation. Also, with a high-quality leather wrapping the exterior and a strap to match, the bag is extremely well-constructed in addition to being spacious. It’s well worth the splurge as I’m confident that it’ll last me years and years to come. 

Smash Shoes Mila

For anyone who struggles with finding cute shoes in a larger size, I not only hear and understand you, but I have the perfect option for you. I recently discovered the brand Smash Shoes, which caters to those seeking feminine footwear in a size 10 through 14. I’m a women’s size 11, and their Mila shoe has quickly become my new favorite sandal. The stylish platform sandal is simple, yet it manages to elevate every outfit that I style them with. The white colorway is a great neutral option that pairs very nicely with summer linens or a classic maxi-length sundress, but the brand also has a green and pink option that can add a pop of color to any look. The shoe’s silhouette makes it such a versatile pick, and this can be crucial if you’re traveling with limited space. Consider these shoes pre-packed for all of my warm weather travel this season. 

Fanm Mon Finike Linen Dress

Sometimes the perfect vacation outfit comes from simply putting on the right dress. The brand, Fanm Mon, comes from the brilliant mind of a Haitian designer, and her pieces are as vibrant and colorful as the places I dream of traveling. I particularly love the Finike Linen Dress in Light Yellow, but all eight colors are absolutely stunning and splurge-worthy. When wearing the piece, you’ll feel incredibly stylish because the asymmetric cut and embroidered pattern is truly captivating. Not only is it a great dress to add to your wardrobe, but the lightweight  linen fabric also makes it an essential item for your warmer destinations. Also, it doesn’t hurt that linen is a great material for packing with limited space. Even though it’s a midi-length, it compresses down well when rolled and slips into any of my travel bags. 

Wyn Beauty Featuring You Hydrating Skin Enhancing Tint SPF30

I am a big fan of keeping lightweight face products with me while I’m traveling. Depending on my itinerary, it is sometimes much more convenient to throw on a skin tint for my daytime activities rather than applying a full face of foundation, so when Serena Williams launched her makeup line, Wyn Beauty, I immediately picked up a bottle of her SPF skin tint. The collection is centered around providing makeup that you can move in, and personally, I am impressed. With an incredible range of 36 shades, I was able to find a match that helps even out my complexion and gives my skin a nice radiance. It feels like you are putting on a moisturizer when applying the product because of how lightweight and hydrating it is, and it’s quickly become one of my travel favorites.

Diarrablu Infinity Swimsuit

If versatility is at the top of your mind when packing for vacation, please look no further. The Infinity Swimsuit from DIARRABLU is my favorite one-piece to bring with me while traveling for a number of reasons. The swimsuit is designed with a little bit of extra fabric that can be wrapped in a variety of different ways so that you can always change up your look. Whether you want a halter top one day or a deep V-neck the next day, you’re able to find the perfect style to suit your needs. (Plus, you can also wear it as a bodysuit and no one would know the difference.) This swimsuit is just one of many reasons I love this brand. With sustainability at the forefront of their work and stunning pieces throughout their collection, it’s one of my all-time favorite brands to support. 

F&W Style Paris Clutch Wallet

Keeping up with all of my things is sometimes the hardest part of traveling for me. I prefer having my most important items all in one place, and this clutch wallet from F&W Style has been a life saver. On top of having my phone, cards, cash, and hotel key all together in the clutch, I am also able to store my passport in the zippered pocket for safe keeping. The leather exterior gives the wallet a sleek finish that pairs nicely with a variety of looks, and it comes in green, red, and purple, in addition to black. 

Wndr Ln 1.5 oz Travel Bottles

In the past, I undervalued the importance of travel bottles. But ever since I found these 1.5-ounce bottles, my travel game has completely changed for the better. They are the perfect size if you want to store a few days worth of serums or moisturizers that you may have in a larger container at home. I always prefer to transfer my skincare products to a smaller vessel because the compact bottle allows me to fit even more into my toiletry bag which makes this product a dream for overpackers (like myself). 

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