Helen Owen’s Tropical Vacation Essentials

Helen Owen x PQSwim

A version of this story first appeared on Forbes.com

Helen Owen lives her life on the go, sharing her travels with her 1.6 million Instagram followers. She’s an all-star influencer (who won Revolve’s Breakout Ambassador of the Year Award) as well as a creative director, entrepreneur, and designer. Next up for Helen? A newly launched swimwear line with PQSwim!

Inspired by her world travels, the line is perfect for your next tropical vacation. Mix and match different bikini tops and bottoms, style with the chic cover-up options, and be the chicest on the beach.

Prepping for a warm weather vacay soon? I asked Helen for her top 20 vacation must-haves. Keep reading to see all the essentials Helen packs for all her travels!

1) My swimwear line with PQSwim!

My collection with PQSwim is the first must-have that comes to mind for any warm getaway. The pieces I designed with PQ are statement, stand-out bikinis that every woman should feel confident in. This green one-piece is the perfect amount of sexy with the most flattering cut, combined with buttery soft fabric that is a dream to wear. For the perfect little bandeau bikini, with color block detailing and minimal tan lines, I love this second suit for days spent soaking up the sun.

2) P.volve Gliders

The most effective, quick and travel-friendly workout there is, P.volve, sculpts your body without bulking, and it’s been my go-to for getting workouts in while traveling. These gliders will take up almost no space in your luggage but will provide a quick, booty focused workout that delivers maximum results; a necessity if you’re planning on living in a bikini for a week!

3) Stojo Collapsible Cup

This to-go cup has been one of my travel staples for over a year now. A full size coffee cup that collapses down to fit in even a micro-purse; genius! And so environmentally friendly.

4) AirPods Customizable Leather Sticker

AirPods are a no-brainer for travel, but I recently discovered these leather, customizable stickers that act as an AirPod case and even have a little hoop for a keychain. I have one that has an “H” and Zack has a “Z”, and now we don’t get them mixed up!

5) Leatherology Jewelry Travel Case

Jewelry is my favorite way to tie an outfit together, especially while on vacation, but organizing all my little dainty necklaces without ending up with a mess to untangle upon arrival was always a challenge. That is, until I discovered these jewelry travel cases that keep everything organized and separated. It’s also easy to see all your jewelry options when you are accessorizing!

6) Four Sigmatic Coffee Packets

I always have a handful of these adaptogenic coffee packets in my bag in case I need a pick-me-up on a flight, or an on-the-go coffee that has serious health benefits.

7) Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen

My absolute favorite sunscreen! This formula feels more like a weightless primer than a cream. It sits on the skin so beautifully and evenly and doesn’t leave you feeling greasy and shiny.

8) Glossier Cloud Paint

A little dab of creamy cloud paint on the cheeks gives a radiant, healthy, natural looking glow without any effort—one of my favorite beauty products on vacation when you want a wash of color on your face!

9) Neutrogena Singles

I have one of these single makeup wipes in every bag I own. They’re perfect to remove makeup on a long-haul flight. You never know when you or a friend will need a wipe, and these single packets mean you can keep one in the corner of every purse without needing to bring a big packet of wipes with you.

10) Colgate Wisp

These are a quick, easy way to brush your teeth and freshen up without water. After a long flight, these are a life (and breath) saver!

11) James Read Glow Drops

I love laying in the sunshine, but lately I’ve been careful with protecting my skin and finding other, less damaging ways to obtain that bronzy glow. This product is a self tanner without the mess. You simply mix a drop or two into your lotion and it builds into a natural, deep glow (without looking like an Oompa Loompa!)

12) Olaplex Bonding Hair Oil

My holy grail hair product as of late, even more crucial in dry or humid climates. I finger-brush a few drops of this through my wet hair after washing and it transforms my hair as I dry or style it! Frizz-free, super soft, hydrated and healthy looking hair.

13) Olly Sleep Gummies

I take two of these sleep gummies before bed when I’m in a new time zone and drift blissfully to sleep wherever I am.

14) Slip Silk Scrunchies

I have the hair type that creases very easily, so if I put my hair up in a ponytail, I have to commit to the ponytail until my next wash or else I’ll have a massive dent in my hair. These scrunchies are the solution to that problem. They keep my hair smooth even after I tie it up. Game changer!

15) 12th Tribe Scarf

My absolute favorite vacation—scarf tops! Tie this scarf in a variety of ways to create different easy boho tops. I love wearing it with loose, breezy pants or denim shorts. Or tie around your waist over a bikini as a quick, impromptu cover-up.

16) Flook The Label Dress

I recently discovered this beautiful brand before my trip to Tulum and fell in love with these beachy, ethically made pieces. It’s the perfect little knit dress to take you from a beach day to a nice dinner.

17) Superseed Life CBD Cookies

This is a product that I didn’t know I needed until I discovered it, but has truly helped me face tough times, anxious days or just help me mellow out on a flight. I was taking CBD gummies (mostly because they tasted good) but really felt no effect, and was beginning to think CBD was a gimmick until I tried these cookies. I highly recommend these for anyone who gets antsy or anxious while flying.

18) Glossier Perfume

I always associate smell with memories, and I love having a “scent of the summer” or using a specific perfume for a certain period of time, forever tying that smell into my life experiences. This Glossier perfume is more of a smell-enhancer than a specific scent. It mixes with your natural scent to bring out a beautiful, warm smell that comes off differently on everyone who wears it. I wore this scent all summer and it’s something you can’t get enough of.

19) Beach Bag

A big beachy bag to lug all your belongings around in once you arrive is something easily forgotten, but so so important and useful once you’re traveling; even better if it happens to be a beautiful bag that ties an outfit together perfectly. I am in LOVE with this one from Sensi Studio. I love the dual tones and the bamboo handle.

20) Saje Peppermint Oil

Another product I recently discovered and now can’t live without, I like to do a “peppermint halo” almost every night, whether at home or traveling. A peppermint halo is where you dab peppermint oil around the edge of your face and it feels like a cooling, calming effect. As someone who gets headaches frequently, this is one of my favorite methods to relieve headaches and calm down before bed or on a long flight.