What to Pack For a Winter Trip to Berlin, From Coats to Sleep Masks

Eucerin Intensive Repair Body Lotion ($13, originally $17)

Because temperatures were below 35 degrees the week that I was visiting Berlin, a repairing body lotion was the first thing I packed. I applied the cream every night and morning to prevent itchy, chapped skin.

Bumble and bumble Seaweed Nourishing Air Dry Cream ($36)

While on vacation, I want to minimize the time I spend getting ready so I can have more time to explore. So, instead of fully styling my 4A coils and curls with braids, twist outs, Bantu Knots, or finger curls, I opted for a true wash-and-go. After soaking my hair in the shower, I'd rake this air dry cream from root to tips and scrunch up to get perfect, fresh spirals.

Slip Pure Silk Sleep Mask ($50)

I travel 70 to 80 percent of every month for work. Although experiencing a new city, hanging out with locals, and enjoying traditional meals is fun, traveling this much can be tiring. What's worse, I used to struggle with sleeping on planes — until I discovered the Slip Pure Silk Sleep Mask. The moment I put this on, whether during a flight or in a hotel bed, I fall asleep within minutes. It's especially helpful when I'm bouncing between time zones, as I know it will have me catching Z's instantly.

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 41 Running Shoe ($77-$150, originally $140-$150)

One of my goals is to eventually run the Berlin Marathon, so I wanted to make sure I squeezed in a few runs and got a lay of the land. I opted for Nike Pegasus – a shoe that's gotten me through over nine races in the last eight years. Aside from logging miles, they were also durable enough for the hills and cobblestone streets and stylish enough to wear with a cute outfit.

Slate Rechargeable Electric Flosser ($99, originally $119)

If a picture lasts a lifetime, I want my smile to look its absolute best. Enter: Slate Rechargeable Electric Flosser. I've been a fan of Slate since they launched last year, and I love that this compact flosser fits into all of my bags and is super easy to use. All you do is pop on the floss pick and push a button to start. I used the handy tool every morning and night to remove any leftover gunk from all the delicious meals I was eating. The result? Pearly whites in every photo.

Olivier Midy Eclat Midy Anti-Aging Face Oil ($146)

I have a very minimal skin-care routine: gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF. It's rare that I venture outside of this regimen, but I was testing this Olivier Midy oil prior to the trip and decided it would be perfect for achieving the glowing skin I imagined for Berlin. (Spoiler alert, it completely delivered.) Each day, I applied three to four drops of the plant-based blend and watched it provide instant glow and moisture. With consistent use, the face oil is said to improve elasticity and boost collagen synthesis.

DL1961 Hepburn High Waist Wide Leg Jeans ($164, originally $219)

My week-long trip was filled with lots of shopping, sightseeing, fancy dining, and hopping around to cool bars. Because I was only bringing a carry-on, I needed at least one pants option that could work for both day and night. I found exactly what I was looking for in this DL1961 pair of jeans. The vintage-inspired denim looks great with sneakers and can be easily dressed up with a heeled boot.

Freja Chrystie Bag ($278)

For three months, Instagram ads targeted me with this Freja bag. Deemed the perfect work bag by fashion girlies, I was excited to test this one out while in Berlin. I wore it as part of my airport uniform and felt so put-together and organized. The bag has four interior pockets, a button clip-in to hold your keys, and tons of inside space where I could stash my passport, wallet, over-the-ear headphones, clear water bottle, a book, and other essentials. As a bonus, it also fit my semi-bulky DSLR camera.

Burberry Nylon Puffer Coat ($1,990)

I take this coat with me on all winter vacations. It protects me from strong winds with a high front zipper and keeps my ears warm (sans earmuffs) with the furry, detachable hood. The Burberry puffer is also water-repellent, which helped on the one drizzly day of my Berlin trip. What I really love about it is the built-in belt that accentuates my waist and keeps all my outfits fashion-forward.

Natasha Marsh (she/her) is a freelance writer who writes about fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. Prior to freelancing, she held styling staff positions at The Wall Street Journal, Burberry, Cosmopolitan, British GQ, and Harper's Bazaar.