Whether or not you’re a girlie-girl, it’s possible to make yourself feel feminine without filling your backpack with beauty products. A little bit can go a long way when it comes to makeup.
For the lips
A tinted lip balm can keep your lips moist while adding a bit of color. Pick one with sunscreen for added protection.
I recommend:
- Savannah Bee Company Beeswax Lip Tint in Tupelo Honey Shimmer, 3-pack for $13.00 is made with real beeswax. See it on their website >>
- BalmShelter Tinted Gloss SPF 17 in Girly Girl for $15.28 on Amazon offers sunscreen for those who prefer a glossy look. Get some from Amazon >>
For the face
As with tinted lip balm, a tinted lotion with SPF puts three products in one. It saves precious space when it comes down to a few items. Concealer can cover up zits and if you dab it on your eyelids it makes you look more awake. It helps get rid of that zombie-like look that comes from jet lag. And don’t forget to pack face wash to keep those pores clean.
I recommend:
- CoverGirl Smoothers SPF 15 Tinted Moisturiser, Fair to Light, $6.24 on Amazon has built-in sunscreen. Get it on Amazon >>
- Maybelline Dreame Mousse Concealer Corrector, $3.82 on Amazon is in mousse form, which is one less thing to spill in your bag. Get it on Amazon >>
- Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towlettes, 25 Count, $4.97 for one pack on Amazon offers disposable towlettes so you don’t have to drag around a wet washcloth or towel. Get them on Amazon >>
For the eyes
A tube of mascara is plenty for me as far as eye makeup goes, especially since it takes up hardly any room. A bit of saline solution dropped in your mascara can keep it from clumping. Whether or not you pack eyeliner and eyeshadow is a judgment call.
I recommend:
- Maybelline The Colossal Volume Express Washable Mascara, $5.27 on Amazon doesn’t stay stuck on after you wash your face. Get it on Amazon >>
- Maybelline Studio Lasting Eyeliner, $7.99 on Amazon, keeps you from having to bring an eye pencil sharpener. Get it on Amazon >>
- Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Ready Eyeshadow in The Afterparty, $28.99 on Amazon, is made with natural ingredients and this palette combines an everyday look with the smoky eyes for going out. Get it on Amazon >>
For the hair
Two plastic hair ties, the ones without clasps, should be enough for your trip, even if you lose one. For travel days when you don’t have time to shower, you can use dry shampoo or baby powder to soak up the grease.
I recommend:
- Scünci No-Damage Ponytail Holders, 18 count, $2.49 on Amazon, doesn’t get tangled like the metal clasp hair ties. Get them on Amazon >>
- Oscar Biandi 1 oz. Pronto Dry Shampoo is $11 on Amazon and has been rated by Allure as their top beauty product. I prefer it to the aerosol type because it doesn’t contain CFCs. Get it on Amazon >>
- Pack your preferred brand of shampoo and conditioner in TSA-friendly travel sized bottles. Get them on Amazon >>
I always struggle to decide how much make up I should take with me when traveling and that list is pretty exhaustive without being too long so thank you for sharing!
I think skin care is as important as make-up, especially when I am on the road (first taking the plane, then the change of climate… my skin doesn’t appreciate it much!). That’s why I recommend the Karin Herzog travel kit, I just love that oxygen skincare and cannot leave without it! Exclusive travel sized products are now available at Skymall (http://www.skymall.com/shopping/detail.htm?pid=204350315&c=106250)
When your socks wear out, cut the top elastic off of them and use as hair ties – they work well in any weather, hold well (I have waist length hair) and can be washed when you shower
I’ve got 6 hair ties that I take everywhere, usually on my wrists/in pockets and they’ve never failed yet.
Awesome tip! Thanks!!!!
I make sure my lip gloss/lip stick works doubled up as a blush and eye color. I’ve also put my broken eyeshadows into old contact cases, added rubbing alcohol, and created small solid eyeshadows. I love my makeup, but I love traveling light even more!
I can’t wait to try some of these products – I can’t wait to try the mascara, as I am on a never ending search for a decent mascara that doesn’t clump, smudge, flake, or make me look like Twiggy.
Olay make an amazing all-in-one DRY cleansing wipe that is perfect for travel. I keep half my sheets whole and use them for ultra fast showers in hostels. I cut the rest into quarters and use them just for washing my face. A tiny part of the wipe can really go a long way.
I also love a dry powdered strawberry-rhubarb dermafoliant that acts as a face or even body exfoliant. Made my Eminence (a spa/facial product company), this is a ricebran powdered based exfoliant that you can mix with a tiny amount of water, lotion, or cleanser to form a face scrub. I’ve also used it all over my body as a body scrub. Try taking a tiny bit in one of those micro-sized camping salt shaker.
I’ve made a list of 10 non-liquid, TSA friendly toiletries if you need more info. http://www.turnipseedtravel.com/1/post/2013/03/three-3-1-1-tips-and-top-ten-tsa-friendly-treats.html
I was living in New Zealand when I was introduced to Thin Lizzy 6-1 powder. Essentially you layer the powder in different ways to produce natural foundation, blush, lip wear and eye shadow. I tired it once and regrettably did not purchase it while I was there (I remember it not being too expensive but at the time I wouldn’t spend a dime on anything that didn’t furthur my traveling) and am not sure where to get it now although I’m sure a quick google search would help. Then all you need is mascara and a brush!!
Another note, is to try and see what the costs of make up will be if you plan on purchasing it in a new country! I never would have expected that it would cost so much more than in Canada and I ended up having my friends send me tubes of cover-up. We’re talking 23NZD for what I was used to paying about 8CDN for! :S I would have thrown in a few tubes knowing I would be there over a year and def lost some with all the moving.
I’ve seen ads for the Thin Lizzy product and have always wondered about it. Would love to try it out now!