Caelynn Miller Keyes’s Holiday Rules
Caelynn Miller-Keyes was raised in Fredericksburg, Virginia, in a loving blended family. As a teen, she competed in beauty pageants and won titles such as Miss Virginia Teen USA 2013 and Miss North Carolina 2018, and finished as the first runner-up for Miss USA. Caelynn is best known for her appearance on The Bachelor in 2019, where she competed for Colton Underwood’s heart and was eliminated in week 8. She later returned to Bachelor in Paradise in Season 6, where she met and later got engaged to Dean Unglert.
Since leaving the Bachelor franchise, Caelynn has made a name for herself as a fashion influencer and travel blogger. She has partnered with notable brands such as Wilson Tennis, Astral Tequila, and Revolve and released her own jewellery collection with Sets and Stones. Caelynn also hopes to use her platform to get more involved in charitable causes that are important to her, such as helping children with disabilities through Reachcycles and advocating for sexual assault survivors.
Additionally, Caelynn is passionate about raising awareness for senior dogs and actively promotes dog adoptions. When she’s not travelling, Caelynn enjoys spending quality time with her loved ones and playing tennis. She currently resides in Las Vegas with her fiancé and their rescue dog.
Tell us about your upcoming podcast alongside your fiancé, Dean Unglert?
It will be a fun weekly podcast where we talk about marriage, relationships, and our lives with our other co-host, Jared Haibon! I have always loved coming on their podcast before and am excited to bring a female voice to it! The dynamic is pretty fun.
What was your biggest challenge in starting your career, and how did you overcome it?
Imposter syndrome was and is my biggest challenge, especially in photography. But I think the more confident I become in what I do, the less that voice takes over.
How do you approach balancing work with your personal life?
It’s tough sometimes. I love what I do, and sometimes I prioritize that over my personal life, so I have to put things down and enjoy life outside of work.
What do you hope to achieve in your career in the future?
I love fashion and jewellery, and I would love to create my own line. But I have several different passions. I’d also love to be more in the photography space. I’m really considering getting into wedding photography!
Can you tell us about a cause or charity you are passionate about and how you are involved with it?
My fiancé and I adopt senior dogs, and we love Wags & Walks in LA and Nashville. They do such incredible work! We adopted our first dog, Pappy, from them.
You are currently planning a destination wedding! What tips do you have for planning an intimate celebration?
It’s easier said than done, but enjoy this time and try not to stress!! You can’t invite everyone you know, and that’s okay. Prioritize the people who are most important in your life and prioritize what’s important to you for the wedding day. For us, that was the location and music. When you get the most important things you want, like a band, florals, etc., it feels easier to compromise on other things.
Caelynn’s Holiday Rules
What is your favourite travel destination?
I love Italy. It’s such a special place. Dean and I spent a month in Italy a year ago, and it was unbelievable. We drove from Lake Como down to Amalfi and made different stops along the way. There’s something for everyone there, beautiful beaches, but also stunning mountains in the Dolomites. The food, the wine, everything was perfect!
What is your travel style?
Simple. Similar to my everyday style. Comfort is the most important thing to me when picking out an outfit. I almost never check a bag, even if I’m gone for a month, I’ll still use a carry-on, so items that won’t wrinkle are very important! And I’ll pick things that I can mix and match and easily accessorize. It helps limit what I bring!
What are some must-have items for a comfortable yet stylish travel outfit?
Sets always make you look put together! Wide-leg pants with a button-up are my go-to and super comfortable. I also got a pair of pants from Frame that is meant for you to travel in. They look like jeans, but they’re extremely comfortable. You also can’t go wrong with a simple white tee.
How can one pack light while still having a variety of outfits for a trip?
I usually pack two pairs of shoes, one I wear to the airport, and one is in my suitcase. Then I’ll pack skirts, shorts, pants, and different tops that can go with each piece. I usually pack around ten items in total and mix them around during my trip.
What are some tips for dressing appropriately for different climates while travelling?
Blazers are my go-to! I always pack at least one in case it gets cold.
What are some essential beauty products to pack for a trip?
I have a cold brew eye stick from peach and Lily, and it’s a must-have! It helps you look awake even if you’re incredibly jet-lagged. I also prioritize my skincare routine over makeup. I try not to wear too much makeup while on trips. I’ll stick to a cc cream or ilia’s skin tint with SPF. Regarding skincare, Osea hyaluronic acid is always in my bag and EltaMD sunscreen.
What are your tips for maintaining healthy hair while travelling?
I have small, magnetic travel containers from cadence, and I keep 7 seconds leave in conditioner in one and Kerastase hair oil in the other. If I have space, I’ll bring my own shampoo and conditioner too. But similar to makeup, I try not to use too much heat on my hair. Travelling, for me, is a time for little to no makeup and natural hair.
How can one create a simple yet effective skincare routine while on the go?
My travel bag usually has the essentials: face wash, hyaluronic acid, moisturizer, and SPF. And then, I’ll add my extra steps if I can fit them. The cadence containers have allowed me to bring more products on my trips!
What are some compact and travel-friendly makeup items to bring on a trip?
Merit has a great bronzer stick, and Charlotte Tilbury’s products are usually on the smaller side; I love their blush and highlight. I also love Rare Beauty’s products; their lip pencils and lipsticks are typically in my makeup bag.
Where are you off to next?
I’m heading to Bali and Italy this summer! And Dean has a surprise trip he’s planning for us. I have no idea where it could be, but I can’t wait! We’re also hoping to honeymoon in South Africa