It’s hit or miss whether you’ll have a decent hair dryer in your hotel room while on vacation, which isn’t good news if you’re in a hot and humid climate and you’re taking lots of pictures. Fortunately, Dyson has saved the day, releasing a travel version of its popular Supersonic hair dryer. Retailing at $300, it’s $80 cheaper than the brand’s signature model while retaining all the same clever tech we know and love from Dyson.

In addition to the brand’s signature powerful airflow that dries hair as speedily as possible, and optimized temperatures to avoid frying your locks, the new hair dryer offers a number of smart features specifically designed for travel. At 0.7 lb., it weighs less than a can of Coke, and is much lighter than the original version that comes in at 1.9 lb. (32% smaller and 25% lighter, to be exact). This means you don’t need to worry about it sending your bag over its weight limit or taking up too much space in your carry-on. The best feature however, is the global voltage compatibility, which adapts to the voltage requirements of whichever country you’re in automatically, so you can use it anywhere in the world without risk.

We also like that it’s compatible with all of the existing Supersonic attachments, so you don’t have to forgo them on your trip or purchase any additional ones. The Supersonic travel hair dryer offers three heat settings: high, medium, and constant cool, and two speed settings for gentle and fast drying. Plus, it’s available in this adorable pink colorway.

Our editors are big fans of Dyson’s hair tools—and especially so for travel days. Its Corralle hair straightener is completely wireless, which helps you skip issues with voltage requirements entirely. I personally have been using its AirWrap styling tool daily for years, both at home and abroad. While it’s not as small as this new travel model, the long, slim shape of the AirWrap means it slips neatly into a final teeny pocket of space in a weekender bag far more easily than a regular-shaped hair dryer. Plus, it delivers foolproof results every time (my favorite is the frizz-banishing brush attachment). I’m always happy to unpack it when I arrive at my destination.

You can shop Dyson’s new Supersonic travel hair dryer now, as well as more editor-tested options here.

A version of this article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK.

I know people who choose where to vacation based on the food scene, climate, and sometimes, social media virality of a destination. As for me, I base my travels around perfume. Fragrance has been an integral part of my life for as long as I can remember—I began collecting perfumes in high school and have leveraged my olfactory fascination into a successful career as a fragrance writer, consultant, and expert.

My fragrant curiosity has led me to explore some of the world’s top perfume destinations, not just for work, but also for pleasure. I’ve followed my nose to Grasse, France, (a.k.a. the perfume capital of the world) to learn about the history of perfumery; I’ve spent birthdays sniffing my way through Paris’s niche perfume shops in an effort to discover otherworldly creations; and I recently stayed in a master perfumer’s house in Florence, Italy, where I developed my own personal scent before venturing out to visit the world’s oldest perfumery. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Perfume tourism isn’t new, but it is gaining traction. Research firm Market Intelo projects perfume tourism will grow from $1.12 million (in 2024) to $2.08 billion in 2033. This goes hand in hand with the fact that the fragrance industry is the fastest growing sector of the beauty industry, with no signs of slowing down. People are looking for new ways to explore fragrance cultures and get exposed to unique scents and experiences—and if that sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place.

This guide includes seven fragrance-forward destinations around the world that are leveling up perfume tourism through retail experiences, factory tours, perfume-making workshops, museums, and more. Every location has something different to offer, but they all have one thing in common: Perfumery is deeply ingrained in their heritage. So go forth and let your nose guide you to the world’s best perfume destinations.

Grasse, France

Hidden in the rolling hills above the French Riviera lies the perfume capital of the world: Grasse. Grasse has long been considered the mecca of perfumery, not only for its optimal flower-growing climate—where roses, jasmine, lavender, and violets abound—but also because many perfume-making techniques originated in the town. Designer perfume houses like Chanel, Dior, and Lancôme all cultivate flowers for their fragrances in the area, and UNESCO named the town a World Heritage Site in 2018 for its intangible contributions to perfume conservation and composition.

I never travel without a makeup bag. Whether it’s packed inside of my carry-on for a weeklong vacation to Italy or tucked away in my weekender for a one-night stay in the Hamptons, it’s always with me—fully stocked with my favorite beauty products. As essential as a makeup bag is for me, though, I struggled to find one that I truly swore by. That all changed when I got my hand’s on Parallelle’s game-changing makeup bag. And now after a year of regularly using the medium-size kit, I can honestly say it’s the best makeup bag I’ve ever traveled with.

Most cosmetic cases on the market today are simply a large empty pouch, no pockets in sight, where products get dumped on top of one another. This used to mean that when it was time for glam, I spent twice as long rummaging through my bag to find what I needed as I did actually putting on makeup. It also meant that if my foundation leaked or a lipstick tube opened in transit, my entire collection was a mess (and yes, that happened plenty of times). When I would arrive at a hotel or an Airbnb, I would have to empty my entire makeup bag and lay everything out on the bathroom counter just to find what I needed. Parallelle’s makeup bag, on the other hand, keeps my products more organized and easier to reach than ever before.

Why I love it

The standout feature of Parallelle’s makeup bag is its foldable shape. After you unzip the bag, each side can be pulled down to lie flat, allowing you see all of your products at once. It’s designed to keep each product secured in an upright position, again making them easy to spot and reducing the risk of any spills. The bag’s structured silhouette and flat base offers the stability and durability I want all of my breakable—and expensive—beauty products to have while in transit.

The other features I love: thoughtful pockets and flexible compartments. The medium-size case features 16 wall pockets, 4 elastic mesh pouches, and 3 adjustable compartments. The small wall pockets are ideal for holding slim products like mascara, eyeliner, lip liner, or lipstick. The four elastic mesh pouches hold loose items, like blush, bronzer, and pressed powder. The adjustable compartments are where you can stash bottles and containers, like foundation, makeup remover, and setting spray.

A few months ago, Parallelle launched an updated model of its original makeup bag that includes five elastic loops for makeup brushes. This upgrade saves me from needing to pack a separate case for my brushes—which is always helpful for an overpacker like myself. There’s a place for everything in this makeup bag—and I mean everything.

How it’s held up

I’ve taken the Parallelle makeup bag with me on countless trips near and far. It’s accompanied me on a number of weekend getaways down the Jersey Shore, a bachelorette trip to Scottsdale, and most recently a few days in Banff National Park. Whether it’s squeezed into an overpacked suitcase or at the bottom of a small duffel, the sturdy bag never lets me down. No spills or leaks, and everything is always in the correct place. When it’s time to get ready for dinner in Old Town or an afternoon exploring Lake Louise, I simply pull out each product I need and slip it right back into place after I’m finished with it.

Passport photos are important—by government mandate, it’s the image that unequivocally declares “this is my face.” And while Anna Wintour gets Mario Testino to shoot hers, those of us perched awkwardly atop plastic swivel seats in busy pharmacies have to do much more than just sit still to get a worthy photo. Don’t worry: There are some insider tricks to ensure the results are as flattering as they can be. So roll back those shoulders (it elongates the neck), and get ready for that snapshot countdown with a little help from the experts.

Ditch the glow

“This is probably the only instance where glow is the enemy,” says makeup artist Lan Nguyen-Grealis. “While highlighters and shimmers should be avoided, brightening powders, especially under the eyes, are great for cheating good lighting.” If you’re using a phone, the combination of an HD camera and direct lighting can amplify texture—use a blurring primer to create a smooth canvas rather than opting for blanket coverage. Skip the sunscreen (but only for the picture) as SPF and flash photography don’t tend to mix.

Boost your color

This is not the time to skimp on color. “A soft cream blush will help reinstate bone structure and a healthy tone to the skin, both of which tend to get washed out with direct lighting—especially with the flash of a photo booth,” says Nguyen-Grealis. “Enhance lips with a stain or tinted balm that matches the natural tone of the lips for definition that doesn’t look obviously makeup-y.”

Add definition

“Focus on creating symmetry by subtly defining your eyes with kohl eyeliner inside the top waterline and adding a sweep of mascara,” says Nguyen-Grealis. Brows also add structure to the face, but think balanced rather than bulky: “Instead of using pencils and shadows, simply brush up using a fiber brow gel that gives the illusion of a fuller brow without dominating the face.”

Consider the light

“Think about bathing yourself in light,” says photographer Charisse Kenion. “When it comes to choosing the required light-colored background, stick with off-white or creamy tones that won’t show up too yellow and make you look either ill or too warm. Also avoid any grey tones because they can make you appear tired and add extra shadows.” Looking to brighten up your skin for the photo? “A simple trick anyone can do is to place a white piece of card on your lap to reflect a bit of light up under the chin and illuminate the face,” adds David Bate, Professor of Photography at the University of Westminster. “If using your phone or a camera at home, placing a white sheet over the window can dramatically soften the light and improve the look of a face.”

Smize for the camera

“The difficulty with passport photos is that you’re not allowed to smile,” says Ruth Crilly, a professional model and content creator at A Model Recommends. The fashion industry has mastered the art of perfecting that stylishly miserable look, so take your cues from the pros. “To avoid looking hard and angry, keep your mouth closed but your jaw loose to create just the right amount of space to give some nice shape to the face. If it’s easier, press your tongue to the roof of your closed mouth behind your teeth—it’ll have the same sort of effect. It can be helpful to tip your chin towards your chest and look down before raising your face slightly just before the shot to ensure you look animated rather than staring murderously into the lens.”

Upgrade your kit

“Unless you’re planning on creating some travel vlogs, you don’t really want to spend your entire travel budget on a camera to take a passport picture—and there’s really no need as phone cameras tend to be pretty good these days,” says Kenion. As tempting as it may be to slap a “Paris” Instagram filter over the top of your headshot, passport pictures have to remain totally unedited, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get a little techie to eke out the best result. Sometimes it pays to delve a little deeper into your phone settings. Always start with portrait mode—this switches the primary camera to the telephoto camera, which has a higher zoom and simulates the look of portraits taken with a DSLR camera. Then, it’s time to get creative with exposure, focus, and gridlines to balance your shot. Gridlines are one of the easiest ways to improve your portrait; simply go to your phone’s settings and switch it on in the camera app. “TikToker Alix Earle set the internet alight when she shared that she uses a Newmowa LED Video light that clips to her phone. I bought one too and it’s brilliant for illuminating the entire face with bright light,” Kenion adds.

We’ve all been there: back-to-back holidays and summer birthdays approaching and you realize you need to purchase a few last-minute gifts stat. There’s no need to panic—thanks to Amazon Prime’s speedy two-day shipping, there’s still some time to get your hands on actually thoughtful gifts that the travelers in your life will love. We’ve searched Amazon high and low for 71 of the very best gifts—from noise-canceling headphones and portable campfires to beauty gift sets and duffel bags, there’s something for everyone on your shopping list. 

We made sure each of these gifts are Amazon Prime eligible, so you can rest assured they’ll arrive to you or the giftee in a matter of two days. We gathered a variety of presents ranging in price, including tech gadgets, luggage sets, camping essentials, cozy blankets, and more to help you find the perfect gift. Keep scrolling for all of the best last-minute gifts you can buy on Amazon or jump right to the section you think the traveler in your life will appreciate most: 

For the tech-obsessed 

We all know someone who always seems to have their eyes on the latest and greatest new tech gadgets. Amazon has plenty of cool tech gifts this year—Bose noise-cancelling headphones, Ray-Ban Smart glasses, and a portable projector to name a few. Other smaller tech essentials like compact portable chargers, tech organizing kits, and the JBL bluetooth speaker are perfect gifts for travelers—they’re easy to throw right in a backpack or carry-on. 

For the outdoor adventurer

For travelers who prefer to spend their time outdoors, we have a mix of fun and useful gifts they’ll appreciate. We’re talking camping hammocks, portable campfires, picnic-ready bags, and reusable travel mugs. Whether you’re shopping for someone who loves to camp, hike, or turn their backyard into their own playground—we’ve got you covered. 

For the homebody 

These gifts are for your friend who loves nothing more than to post up on the couch with a cozy blanket. Choose from tea sets, chic diffusers, and candles that remind them of their favorite destinations. 

For the beauty and skincare lover

These gifts will make anyone feel pampered. Treat the beauty and skincare lover in your life to a fun gift set, like the Burt’s Bees lip care set or the Clarins Holiday Sparkle gift set. If you really want to spoil someone you love—gift them a skincare fridge or Nuface mini starter kit. They’ll thank you later. 

For the traveler always on the go

Most travelers could use some new gear, so gifting them something they can use on their next trip is a pretty safe bet. From luggage sets and garment bags to cosmetic cases and sleep masks, Amazon has plenty of options that travelers can carry on no matter where they’re headed next.

For the friend always buying new shoes 

As far as gifts go, a new pair of shoes is always welcome. Consider buying a pair of cozy slippers, hiking boots, or everyday white sneakers for someone you know. These shoes are essentials in every traveler’s closet and they’re all reasonably priced on Amazon from brands like Adidas, Timberland, and Merrell. 

Even more last-minute gifts

If after scrolling you’re still stumped, shop any of these last-minute gifts below. You can’t go wrong with a Carhartt beanie, pair of Barefoot Dreams socks, or a book listing out 1,000 perfect weekends. When in doubt, send them an Amazon e-gift card—they’ll appreciate the gift of choice.