Packing Beauty for a City Break

I am something of an expert when it comes to packing for city breaks. Besides being a massive fan of them myself, I live in London, the epitome of crowded, humid and antisocial. I've got all your city break beauty packing picks covered.

When spending the day pounding the pavement in a new city, you're gonna want a base that's long lasting, got a little SPF protection, and not gonna feel heavy or cakey on the skin. I'd recommend packing your favourite long lasting primer (I love the Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer), and a matte base with buildable coverage, like the Jouer Matte Moisture Tint. Concealer wise, you want something long lasting and multipurpose, with good coverage, like the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. You're definitely going to want a setting powder, and I'd even recommend decanting a little makeup setting spray into a smaller spray bottle, to help keep things fixed down (I've decanted some of my Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray into a Muji bottle and it's super handy). 

Since heavy makeup isn't the aim of the game here, skip packing bronzer and highlighter, and go for either a good illuminating blush (NARS Daydream or Orgasm are both great) or a long lasting cream blush, like the No7 Pop and Glow Blush. 

For eyes you're gonna want a small, slimline palette with a few options, something like the Bare Minerals Power Neutrals Palette, and your favourite mascara. Just keep it all simple. An easy brow product is your friend here too. 

For lips, pack a long lasting everyday shade, I love the Lipstick Queen Pink Sinner lip colour, and a bold lip pick with a sheer formula, so you can wear it sheer or build it up for something bolder. The MAC Lustre finish lipsticks are good for this. 

Skincare wise, you'll want a good cleanser to shift the city grime from your skin, The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter is a good one, and a spray toner that can double as a skin refresher throughout the day. Moisturiser with SPF is a good idea too. Hairwise, resign yourself to hairbands and dry shampoo, and rock a messy bun for the week. It's worth packing a heavy duty deodorant, and some blotting sheets too.

What are your city break essentials?