I Lost My Luggage in the Mediterranean—10 Emergency Products That Got Me Through
When you go on vacation, you tend to throw at least a few of your favorite pieces into your suitcase. Of course, you want to be comfortable and pack sensible clothes, depending on your destination—but you also want to bring your go-to outfit formulas and beloved garments so you can feel confident on any occasion and be ready for any photo opp. When the airline loses your luggage, however, that plan goes out the window, and you have to figure out how to make do.
That’s exactly what I had to do when I traveled to the Balearic Islands in Spain for the first time in June. Thanks to a mishap with my layover from Madrid to Mallorca, my bag stayed on the mainland while I traveled to Palma, Mallorca. Of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca has a reputation for falling somewhere between Ibiza and Menorca—meaning it has cities known for their 13th-century history and arts scenes, as well as sprawling mountains and picturesque beaches. So, it’s safe to say that I was bummed that the swimsuits I hoped to throw on as soon as I landed and the sundresses I intended to keep cool in while exploring Palma or on my scheduled Riva Yacht cruise were stuck in my lost bag.
Thankfully, my lodging, Hotel de Mar Gran Meliá—a five-star hotel that’s among the Leading Hotels of the World and just celebrated its 70th anniversary—was super accommodating. It’s actually because of the hotel’s wonderful management team that I got my bag back after two days of it being stuck in Madrid, and they arranged for me to go shopping to pick up a few things. After all, I had very little with me, save for a backpack with the books I planned to read on the beach and my purse with a few personal items and toiletries.
There were a few products that helped me stay well-dressed and enjoy my stay even with the stress of lost luggage on my mind. And let’s be real: How could I not still enjoy my vacation? Hotel de Mar is located on the seafront and features a luxury spa; I was eating extremely fresh Mallorcan cuisine, as the island relies heavily on its own agriculture, and I essentially woke up in a Mediterranean paradise. But below, you’ll find what I was glad to have in my carry-on or picked up upon arrival—and what I suggest you do too if you’re ever in the same scenario.
Considering I was most looking forward to enjoying Hotel de Mar’s seafront, Bali beach beds, the pool, and the public beach just next door, it was instantly a concern of mine that my sunscreen was stuck in my toiletry bag. I was thrilled to see the pharmacy down the street from my hotel had a selection—and that I could get a high SPF from La-Roche Posay that agrees with my eczema-prone skin.
Here's the newest SPF from the brand, which we reviewed when it launched in spring 2026.
I always throw a few of my favorite makeup products in my purse, and when I’m traveling, I toss in a few that get around TSA liquid requirements. One happened to be my Glossier Balm Dotcom in Wild Fig, which saved my lips from chapping when I was sunbathing and gave me a minimalist but still summery makeup look when I had little else on me.
This will always be my go-to concealer because it’s long-lasting, easy, and compact—and exactly what I needed for my jet-lagged under-eyes.
Hotel de Mar very thoughtfully made sure my room was complete with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and all the necessities lost with my bag—and also generously treated me to some Sothys samples. A French pharmacy luxury staple, this repairing cream was much needed. A little went a long way; it went on smoothly and helped revive my face after a long day in the sun.
Need I say more? Having sunnies in my bag made my days spent outside all the more bearable. And I love my QUAYS (I also have the Chill Pill, which is now sold out) because they manage to look both casual and glamorous—perfect for a beach vacation.
When I went into Palma to pick up a few clothing items, inevitably, I went straight to Zara. I was in Spain, after all. I knew I wanted a swimsuit so I could get to the beach, and I found the perfect little red bikini that did the job and was simple yet chic. I think red suits are classic yet still a bit sexy—especially ones with bottoms that cut high on the leg. And I really struck gold with this suit: I was hoping to find a top that could double as a casual bra-top to wear while boating or dining poolside, and this did the job.
The matching bottoms.
No Euro summer wardrobe is complete without a long white skirt. That was also on my wish list as I rummaged through Zara, considering I could pair a white skirt with the tank top I was wearing, my bikini top, and other basic tanks I could pick up. I opted for one with a bit of layering for some more personality, but just about any white skirt can be styled to look dressed up or down, and very easy-breezy (like you’re totally not upset about your lost luggage).
Here's another one I considered.
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