Over the years, I’ve become a professional procrastinator when it comes to packing. It’s not that I like being unprepared for a trip (does anyone, really?); packing just gives me so much anxiety that I throw in the towel before I even start. Of course, I know I have to change my attitude if I ever want to make packing anxiety-free, or maybe even enjoyable. So I thought I’d start with the most difficult packing category: cosmetics.

If you’ve ever been on vacation and attempted to do your face, only to realize you left an essential item at home, you know just how important it is to pack carefully. Between skin, makeup, and hair, you likely use way more products than you can pack for one trip. By following the philosophy of “working smarter, not harder,” though, you can develop a travel-friendly version of your beauty routine.

I spoke with some of my favorite beauty industry babes about their essential travel beauty hacks. Before I share their tips, here are three of my own:

1Pack your products in the order that you use them

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from being a terrible packer, it’s that it’s way too easy to overpack or worse, forget a product at home that you really need. Packing in the order that you complete your routine ensures that you take exactly what you need, nothing more and nothing less. You may want to try this technique while you’re actually doing your routine at home so you don’t miss any steps.

2Hold onto sample sizes of your favorite products

Unpopular opinion: I’m not a fan of non-labeled travel containers (unless they’re necessary). I don’t have the patience to keep labeling, and I like to know exactly what’s in my jar. Unfortunately, some of my favorite products don’t come in travel sizes (all year ’round), so when I do get my hands on them, I hold onto the packaging or completely save it until it’s time to travel. For instance, I use a lot of Sunday Riley products in my skincare routine, so when I come across sample-sized kits, I stash the products away until it’s time for me to pack for a trip.

3 Lay out all your products when you arrive at your destination

A lot of people I know use this technique with their clothes so they can effortlessly pick out outfits on vacation. This also works wonders for beauty products. If you can see all the products you have to work with, it’s easier to keep track of everything, and it also takes some of the stress out of doing your beauty rituals in an unfamiliar place.

And now for advice from my beauty gal pals. Get your notepad ready.