picture a 19th-century noblewoman waiting to board a steamer bound for faraway lands.
Can you see her? Standing there on the dock surrounded by wardrobe trunks and chest cases containing all of her earthly possessions?
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You can?
Awesome. because she looks exactly like I did up until a few years ago whenever I traveled anywhere.
Yep! I used to pack sooo much stuff, “just in case,” but those “cases” rarely happened, and I’d usually come home with half of the things I brought still untouched.
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Thankfully, possibly because I discovered the joy of traveling with only my carry-on bag, I’ve finally learnt how to streamline and pack the bare minimum.
The things in my (very streamlined) travel makeup bag
Case in point: I just spent a few days in Edinburgh, Scotland, and only brought along a minimal makeup stash (at least by a beauty lover’s standard).
I knew I wouldn’t want to waste the little time I’d have to explore the city on my weekend away doing my makeup, so I streamlined my beauty arsenal.
Hello from Edinburgh Castle!
Would you like to have a look inside my travel makeup bag?
Foundation: Chanel perfection Lumière Velvet
With its matte yet luminous finish, I Chanel perfection Lumière velvet foundation each day of the year, but its plastic packaging makes it especially convenient for traveling.
Concealers: Bobbi brown Corrector, Deborah brilliance Creator, and Laura Mercier secret Camouflage
Concealers are where I just can’t downsize. I need two — Bobbi brown Corrector in Peach and Deborah brilliance creator in 01 Light — for my dark under-eye area (thank you, genetics) and one — Laura Mercier secret Camouflage in SC-3 — to hide any blemishes (thank you, hormones).
Powder: puroBIO Indissoluble Compact Powder
Normally I use two different powders for my under-eye area and the rest of my face, but for the sake of traveling light I only packed puroBIO Indissoluble Compact Powder in 01 (I reviewed it here on my blog, if you’re interested).
I’m glad to report I survived! (But I may or may not have purchased an emergency hourglass Ambient lighting Powder while in Edinburgh…)
Blush: Max factor Crème Puff blush in nude Mauve
I didn’t take any bronzers or highlighters with me, only this little baked blush from Max Factor. It’s a terrific multitasker, as it subtly sculpts while giving cheeks a hint of a radiant flush.
Brows: KIKO eyebrow Fibers Coloured Mascara in 06 Black
Streamlining brow products for me only means one thing: brow mascara. I love that it fills in, defines and sets in one quick step. I really like this one from KIKO, but I wish it had a smaller brush.
Eyeshadow: KIKO cream Crush lasting Colour Eyeshadow in 03 mat Light Mahogany
KIKO’s cream Crush Eyeshadow is a new discovery of mine, and I’m completely in love with it! I really like its bouncy texture, and it’s easy to apply and blend using just fingers.
This particular matte pinkish brown shade doesn’t look like much in the jar, but it is gorgeous on eyes.
Eyeliners: Stila stay all day waterproof liquid Eye liner in Black & Essence Long-Lasting Eye Pencil in hot Scorch
I’ll reach for eyeliners when I want a flattering makeup look that’s still quick to do, and for my trip to Edinburgh I took Essence Long-Lasting Eye Pencil in 19 hot Scorch for daytime and STILA stay all day waterproof liquid Eye liner in Black for night.
Mascara: PUPA Milano Vamp! in 100 Black
Mascara is the one makeup product that I feel I always need. My favorite of the past few months has been PUPA Milano Vamp! Mascara in 100 Black. I find it very similar to too faced better Than Sex Mascara in the sense that it gives very voluminous, dramatic lashes, but it’s less than half the price (at least here in Italy).
Tinted Lip Balm: Fresh Sugar Lip treatment in Berry
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While in Edinburgh, my daytime makeup uniform consisted of either the Essence eyeliner or KIKO eyeshadow on my eyes and this mini FRESH Sugar Lip treatment in Berry on my lips. I love how moisturizing it is, and the pretty tint lasts. It’s definitely my all-time favorite tinted lip balm.
Lipstick: Maybelline SuperStay 14HR Lipstick in Fuchsia Forever
Even though I love lipsticks, I forced myself to only pack one. I picked Maybelline SuperStay 14HR Lipstick in Fuchsia forever (which you may remember from 4 lipsticks I love that no one ever talks about), not only because of its amazing staying power, but also because it’s a shade I like wearing equally well during day and night.
So, have I inspired you to downsize your makeup while traveling, or do you still feel the need to pack eight lipsticks and 15 eyeshadows?