Favorite 5: Makeup Travel Essentials

My key word for skincare travel essentials was moisturizing (see my previous post here). My key word for makeup travel essentials is versatility. If you have limited space in which to pack your makeup, it’s a necessity to choose your products wisely. All my Favorite 5 makeup travel essentials are multipurpose—time to think outside the box!

1. Multitasking Foundation: When traveling, you may not have room for a primer, foundation and concealer so it’s important to find a foundation that can do it all. I’ve currently been testing out, and really liking, the Covergirl outlast stay fabulous foundation + sunscreen in 810 classic ivory. It claims to act as a primer, concealer and foundation, all with SPF 20. This is definitely a fuller coverage foundation (eliminating the need for heavy concealing) and therefore is a little thick. It’s not as watery as the Revlon Colorstay and not as thick as MAC Studio Fix Fluid (I’ll be comparing these three popular foundations soon). There is a wide shade range and the SPF is a bonus.

2. Small Eyeshadow Palette in Neutral Shades: My pick is the Sonia Kashuk Sweet Nothings Eye Palette, available at Target. This palette has the perfect shades for a multitasking palette. You can use the white shade (top left) to highlight the brow bone and inner corner of the eye. There is a yellow-based shade (top right) to neutralize undereye dark circles and do some light concealing. Then you have four brown shades with different undertones (from red to gray) to create many different looks. The brown shades can also act as an eyeliner—wet a liner brush before dipping it into the shadow to darken the color a little bit. Another bonus is that the shades are matte. It is SO HARD to find matte shadows, especially in a palette. Matte shades are perfect if you are at a more formal or serious affair (like a conference or interview) but are also nice for everyday or fun looks. The white shade has the slightest amount of shimmer in it, which is exactly what you want for a highlight color. I use this palette almost every day (for shimmer shadows I love the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette).

3. Brow Pencil: I haven’t tried many brow products, but the one I like the best is the Maybelline New York Define-A-Brow in light brown. This pencil is actually lighter than my brows. I have pretty full brows and don’t really need a brow product, so I use a shade lighter than my brows so that they do not look to heavy. If you like, your brow pencil can double as an eyeliner!

4. Mascara: Need I say more? Mascara can open your eyes and make you look more awake instantly. If you apply the mascara at the root of your eyelashes, it can also create the illusion of eyeliner. My all-time favorite mascara is Maybelline New York Great Lash (the original one). I’m currently using the Maybelline New York The Colossal Volum’Express. It gives great volume and holds through the day. I don’t have issues with clumping with this mascara either.

5. Lip/Cheek Combo: I hadn’t ever found a lip/cheek combination product that I’ve liked, but I knew I wanted to include one in my post (5 items is not a lot!). I went to Target and picked up the e.l.f. All Over Color Stick in Pink Lemonade and actually really liked it (and it was only $1!!). It blended nicely on my cheeks and gave a just bitten color to my lips. I’m guessing it’s supposed to smell like pink lemonade, but it smells like fruit snacks to me.  

Bonus Item: Oil Blotting Sheets: Travel can make your skin really dry, but it can also make you produce excess oil. Yup, that makes total sense…  I like the Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets for touch-ups throughout the day. It picks up excess oil without messing up my makeup. You can get them at drugstores.

Thanks to reader Tess for requesting this post!

What are your makeup essentials for traveling? Let me know in the comments below!

Disclaimer: These items were purchased with my own money and all opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you.

Favorite 5: Skincare Travel Essentials

Travel can be very rough on your skin…not to mention the lack of space you have to pack things. Traveling can really dehydrate your skin, especially if you’re flying. The items I picked focus on moisturizing the skin and smoothing out the texture. Here are the top five items I would bring to take care of my skin when traveling:

1. Face Wash: A creamy face wash is a real multitasker. Not only can it cleanse your skin, but it can also remove face and eye makeup and not totally strip your skin of moisture. I’m currently using Simple Moisturizing Face Wash. It is very creamy and my face does not feel dry after using it. I also find that it really does remove my makeup (with some mascara rings leftover, but to solve that problem see #4). You can find this face wash at the drugstore (use those coupons!!) or Target.

2. Chemical Exfoliator: There are two different types of exfoliation: Chemical and physical. Physical exfoliators are probably what most people think of when they think of an exfoliator. A physical exfoliator has beads in it that rub on the skin and loosen up the dead skin cells. I find these to be too harsh on my skin, so I use a chemical exfoliator. Having “chemical” in the name can sound scary, but chemical exfoliators can be quite gentle. My absolute HOLY GRAIL exfoliator is the boscia (they don’t capitalize their name) Tsubaki Oil-Infused Exfoliating Powder. This is a powder that you pour (a tiny bit) in your hand a mix with a hint of water and then apply to your face. This makes my skin so smooth and bright! I cannot be without this exfoliator, I notice a real difference when I don’t use it. It’s also gentle enough to use every day. I get this at Sephora.

3. Face Mask: Travel can throw your skin out of whack. Whenever my skin is doing anything I don’t want it to, I reach for the Origins Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask to Rescue Problem Skin. Whether I need moisture, calming or to nip blemishes in the bud, this mask does it. It’s also got camphor in it so it is relaxing as well. It leaves my skin smooth and bright. This mask + the boscia exfoliator = happy skin for me! I get this at Sephora as well.

4. Moisturizer: You can choose your favorite moisturizer. Right now I’m using the Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet. I got this for Christmas in a gift set and love it. A lot of moisturizers irritate my skin and make it red (it comes with the territory of having pale, sensitive skin), but this one does not. I’ve also been loving the moisturizer that came in my January 2015 ipsy bag (La Fresh Eco-Beauty Be Good. Good Day. Day Moisturizer). Both are very moisturizing, but do not affect make-up application. If I have mascara rings under my eyes after I wash my face, I put the tiniest bit of moisturizer over the rings and wipe it off with a tissue. You guessed it, I get Caudalie at Sephora.

5 Eye Cream: You don’t need much eye cream to travel with since you use so little at a time.

So I suggest taking a sample. If you order online from Sephora (I may order from Sephora too much…) you always get to choose 3 free samples. I always snag the eye creams. It’s a good way to try out different eye creams since they can be so expensive. Samples also tend to have the perfect amount to travel with. One very popular, moisturizing eye cream is the Fresh Rose Hydrating Eye Gel.  The skin under your eyes is thinner than the skin on your face so you need an extra punch of hydration. I got this sample for free when I purchased something else from Sephora—(probably one of the above items)

Bonus Items: I couldn’t help myself!

1. Hand Cream. You show a lot of love to your face when you travel; don’t forget about your hands! I love the L’Occitane Hand Creams (5 points if you guess where I got it from…). Whatever hand cream you choose to bring, I suggest choosing one that has a scent that will remind you of home or will help you relax. Traveling can be stressful, so taking a moment to stop and smell the roses can be beneficial.

2. Dry Shampoo. Especially if you are on a plane all day and then immediately have to go out somewhere, dry shampoo can help freshen up your roots, absorb excess oil and add volume. It’s also helpful if the hotel has low water pressure so you don’t want to wash your hair every day. I like the Dove Refresh+Care Invigorating Dry Shampoo. I got mine at Target.

Always make sure to keep skincare items is a separate resealable bag. That way if something leaks or gets punctured, product does not get all over everything else (like your clothes)!

What are your skincare travel essentials?

Thanks to the reader (Tess) who requested this post! Favorite 5: Makeup Travel Essentials is on it's way!

Disclaimer: These items were purchased with my own money (with the exception of the above noted eye cream sample) and all opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you.