When this blog post goes live, I'll be comfortably sitting by my mom's pool in my Canadian homeland, but right now as I'm writing this I'm stuck packing. A few weeks ago I posted my packing list for a scuba diving trip, and kind of skipped over what I use as travel makeup. Is it because I don't use any in the heat? Nah it's because I wanted to go a little more in depth!
When I travel, I try and keep things as minimal as possible and to focus on multitaskers and avoid brushes as much as I can. I still wouldn't call my routine minimalist in any way shape or form, I love makeup! I'm also a very sweaty human and I'm going somewhere hot, so I need things that will LAST. I also usually try to create a mix of tried and true products, but at the same time I love using the travel minis I accumulate and see what works and what doesn't. Sometimes I also end up associating a product with a certain destination which is kind of cool!
THE SKINCARE PRODUCTS
I definitely reduce my skincare routine when I'm traveling but I stick with the basics. Step #1 is suncare, I bring a sunscreen for my body and I discovered this one recently. It feels very light on the skin so it won't bother me and make me feel all sticky which is great. I'm also bringing a clay mask because I know that in summer with being outside, sweating, hanging out in nature, putting sunscreen on etc, the skin can get pretty dirty and feel pretty bad. This Ri Na Mara mask is gentle but I still feel it will help getting all that gunk out and helping my skin breathe again! I also like to take a multitasking product like a beauty balm to help with my nails, lips and dry patches. And lastly there is moisture. I'll be testing two new products that I got in my monthly beauty box so hopefully they do a good job. It's the Urban Veda Radiance Day Cream and the Ren Revitalising Night Cream, I'll keep you posted once I test them out!
THE COMPLEXION PRODUCTS
This is probably my favourite category as it can definitely make or break a look! When I travel though, I try to stay as minimal as possible. I've been using this Physician's Formula Organic Wear BB Cream for a while now and I have feelings... The ingredients are great, it has SPF and smells delicious, but the shade range sucks! I use their lightest shade and it's still too dark for me in winter. However, I can get away with it in summer so I'll be using that for my face SPF and base product for my trip. I also wanted to test out this Nude by Nature concealer, but just in case it doesn't work out I'm bringing my RMS Uncover up. I like to bring versatile concealers that will be able to multitask or be used on their own for lighter looks! I've also been using this PHB Ethical pressed mineral foundation as a face powder and I LOVE it so it's coming along for the ride. And then for bronzer, I'll be wearing my & Other Stories classic powder in the shade Beau Fawn that I use as a Bronzer, I just love it. Finally, it's not in the photo because I didn't own it yet, but I'm bringing RMS Beauty's Magic Luminizer, I'll be putting it to the test!
THE EYE PRODUCTS
When it comes to eye makeup and travel, I really try to keep it simple. I'll bring a cream eyeshadow for my everyday look (This one is Bobbi Brown, currently looking for natural dupes!) and then a small versatile palette that I can use to create more sophisticated and evening looks. This one is from the natural brand Alverde, I got it in Germany a few years back! This time I'm also bringing another one from Pacifica to test out, I'll keep you posted on how it works out! As for my eyebrows, travel = brow pencil. It's easier to have everything in one place. This Maybelline one is rated 2 on the EWG scale and since I was last minute and kind of broke, I went for that one! The last step in the eye makeup routine is mascara. I've touched on this in my Evening Makeup Look tutorial in December, but I've only ever found one kind of mascara that works for me : tubing mascara. It's a shame they need plastic to work, and I usually try and use natural mascaras anyway, but in a hot and humid climate where I know I'll sweat, I don't want to take any chance.
THE LIP PRODUCTS
This is my favourite category and definitely the one where downsizing is a struggle. What I'm bringing with me highly depends on what I'll be doing on the trip. I like to bring an everyday simple colour, which in this case is the RMS Lip2cheek in the shade Paradise. And then anyone that knows me IRL knows I love a bold lip so I'll be bringing 2 summery options : The Ere Perez Lip Tint in the shade fun, and the Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche lipstick in the shade Nearly Neon Orange. The lip tint makes it look like you just ate a popsicle. It looks packs a punch but feels like nothing on the lips and doesn't transfer, so it's perfect from clumsy people like me. The Bite Beauty lipstick is a bit more of a challenge because it's so creamy it tends to get everywhere. My trick for it is to apply using a lip brush since it sheers out the formula!
THE HAIR PRODUCTS
This is the easiest category for me! Usually if I'm going on a short trip, I'll try and avoid washing my hair. Problem solved. Otherwise I would bring sample products from the beauty box. The one product I won't leave without though is leave-in conditioner. This is a must if I'll be swimming or in an area with high humidity. I apply it to my wet hair and it keeps it from getting tangled as well as keeps it from becoming all frizzy. The one I'm using now is the Andalou Naturals Argan Oil and Shea Moisture Rich Leave-In Conditioner.
THE CONTAINERS
Right now I'll be away for quite some time but if I'm going for a weekend or flying carry-on only, I obviously don't bring full containers. Instead of buying reusable plastic bottle (which, let's be honest, I never used to reuse because they are impossible to clean), I decided to try these metal tins. Metal is easily recyclable and their shape makes them super easy to clean. So anything that can physically go in there will go. I also picked ones with a screw-on lid for extra safety, so these can be a great eco-friendly option!
THE MAKEUP BRUSHES
I always try and minimize the amount of brushes I use when I travel, and favour products that I can put on with my fingers. What I usually end up working with is a big fluffy bronzer brush, another fluffy one for my face powder and a little travel eye brush set. I also snuck in a lip brush to help with my Bite Beauty lipstick. Will I create award winning eye looks? Probably not. But it's enough for me and I prefer convenience!
