Rainy day essentials: 6 beauty saviours to keep in your handbag
There’s no telling when a downpour might derail your day, especially in monsoon-prone cities like Manila, Singapore or Bangkok. But while you can’t control the forecast, you can arm yourself with a few smart rainy day essentials. The right beauty products won’t just help you look put together—they’ll also protect your skin, hair and makeup from humidity, frizz and the general havoc of being caught in the wet. These are the compact, high-performance rainy day saviours worth making room for in your handbag.
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Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray
Created to support compromised or irritated skin, this minimalist spray is formulated with just three ingredients: water, sodium chloride and hypochlorous acid. The last one is the key—it's a potent antimicrobial that mimics your body’s natural immune response. With a pH-balanced, non-drying formula, it’s suitable for sensitive skin types including acne-prone, eczema or rosacea. Use it after cleansing to reset skin or spritz it over makeup to calm inflammation caused by heat and pollution. Compact, fragrance-free and refillable, it’s a low-effort, high-impact addition to your rainy day essentials.
Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer
This gel-based primer has achieved near cult status for its ability to lock down makeup in even the most humid conditions. A blend of blue agave extract, aloe water, cherry blossom, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide creates a tacky-but-breathable base that anchors foundation without suffocating skin. The hydration helps balance oil production—a common issue during rainy, muggy weather—while the finish stays fresh for hours. It’s also vegan, silicone-free and suitable for most skin types. The travel-sized version makes it easy to reapply on areas where your makeup tends to melt first, like the T-zone.
Kiehl’s Calendula Skin Soothing & Stabilizing Emulsion
Think of this as a skin mood stabiliser. Designed for reactive or weather-stressed complexions, this lightweight emulsion uses micro-milled calendula petals and calendula extract—both known for their anti-inflammatory properties—to reduce visible redness and soothe irritation. The texture is milky but not greasy, making it a good choice under SPF or makeup. It also contains beta-glucan, which reinforces the skin’s barrier function against environmental triggers. Ideal for the in-between moments after rain, before a meeting, or during a long flight, this is one of those rainy day essentials that quietly does the heavy lifting.
Tirtir Mask Fit Red Cushion Foundation
Hailing from South Korea, this cushion has developed a loyal following for its ability to stay put under extreme conditions, including heavy rain, sweat and mask friction. It offers medium to full coverage with a dewy, skin-like finish that doesn’t oxidise or shift throughout the day. The formula includes centella asiatica extract and niacinamide, giving it added skincare benefits such as calming inflammation and brightening skin tone. The compact is sleek, sturdy and refillable, making it an ideal handbag companion for touch-ups on the go—without ever looking cakey. Among rainy day essentials, this is your insurance policy for a polished face.
MAC Stack Waterproof Mascara
MAC’s original Stack Mascara became a viral hit for its customisable volume and length, and this waterproof version offers the same buildable drama with zero risk of panda eyes. Its Lash Flex polymer technology keeps the formula flexible, meaning it doesn’t flake or clump—even after hours in a humid environment. The brush is designed to catch both short and long lashes, giving definition that lasts through rain, sweat and tears. It removes best with an oil-based cleanser, which is a small trade-off for mascara that actually survives a storm. No rainy day essentials kit is complete without it.
Kérastase Gloss Absolu Glaze Drops Hair Oil
Frizz is often caused by raised cuticles letting in excess moisture—exactly what happens in rain-soaked air. This ultra-lightweight oil-serum hybrid is designed to seal the hair shaft, smooth frizz and reflect light for a high-gloss finish. Enriched with lactic acid and centella asiatica, it also strengthens and soothes damaged strands over time. A single pump is enough for most mid-length styles, and it won’t weigh hair down or leave a greasy residue. For those who colour or bleach their hair, it also offers heat protection up to 230°C. Pack the travel-sized bottle to revive your style after rain-induced chaos.
Rain doesn’t have to ruin your look. A well-curated lineup of rainy day essentials can preserve skin clarity, makeup integrity and hair polish, all from the compact confines of your handbag. These products won’t shield you from the storm, but they’ll make sure you look like you never walked through one.
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