If you’re anything like me, you buy lots and lots of beauty products…and you never really use most of them completely. I mean, I don’t think I’ve ever actually used up a nail polish or a perfume or even a lipstick.
Beauty products are insanely appealing, which makes not buying them really hard. Unfortunately, they’re also easy to lose and they never seem to be on hand when you need them. I’ve figured out a few tips and tricks regarding which products to bring with me on trips, to work, out at night — you get the picture. It’s a work in progress, but I think I know a thing or two about what to consolidate into your travel makeup kit, and I’ll share some tips with you here.
TAKE: Mascara. Always. No matter where you are, no matter what you’re doing, you will look better with a few coats of mascara. I’ve learned that it’s smarter to buy a few travel-sized tubes than it is to buy one full-size. I like to throw one in my makeup drawer and one in my makeup travel kit – it never gets unpacked because I know that I can never do without this essential and I don’t want to risk forgetting it. I’ve also decided that one travel size needs to go in my work bag, because you never no when the work day is going to bleed right into a night out.
LEAVE: Your big eye shadow set. It takes up a lot of room and you can probably do without it. If you’re on a trip or putting on your face between plans, you probably don’t really have to time make your eyeshadow look good anyway. Instead stash a shimmery bronzer and use your finger to add a little color to your eyelids. Which brings me to….
TAKE: A small bronzer. Even without a brush you can use it to smudge over your eyelids. And if you find a little brush, throw that in there too. Just make sure you put it in a zip lock bag or do something else to keep it from getting all dirty and covered in germs.
LEAVE: Blush. Bronzer is more fool proof.
TAKE: One or two classic lipsticks. I like to have a few lipsticks on me at all times. I keep something bold, like a classic wearable red, plus something more subtle, like a nude/pink. Just make sure these colors work with mostly any outfit you could find yourself wearing. Also, make sure the products are moisturizing cause ain’t nothing cute about brightly painted dry, cracking lips.
LEAVE: Your bold lipstick. Stash your fuschia and your orange and other trendy shades like that at home. It’s likely that they’ll clash with your outfit when you’re on the go. Instead keep those at home for when you can coordinate them to what you’re wearing and the rest of your makeup.
TAKE: A travel-size deodorant. Because duh.
LEAVE: Your full-on foundation. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
TAKE: A small concealer. It can cover up dark circles and any blemishes that pop up.
LEAVE: Nail polish. Do you really want to deal with it shattering and leaving color and glass shards all over everything? Didn’t think so.
TAKE: Bobby pins. They are teeny tine and so cheap that it’s okay if they get lost in shuffle. They also have so many uses. Why would ever be caught without them?
What to Take and What to Leave: How To Pack Your Makeup Bag
