Packing Beauty for a Long Trip

Today on Travel Week we are talking about packing for a long trip. Let's not beat around the bush, packing for a longer vacation is no mean feat, you don't want to pack too much but packing too little is probably worse. When I say a 'long' trip by the way, I basically mean anything over a week, anything where you're going to want more than one option for stuff! I'm going to run through how I go about packing for a longer trip, and hopefully that will help you guys! 

Starting with base, primer of choice normally goes to something with small, practical packaging, I'm pretty fickle with primers. Some good'uns are the L'Oreal Lumi Magique Primer (tall and slim with plastic packaging) and the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer (small and plastic). Base wise, if I'm away longer than a week, I generally take something light and glowy for the day (Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua) and something matter, that can be built up for more coverage (Jouer Matte Moisture Tint). This is something that really comes down to what the nature of your trip is, but for a beach holiday or a city break, that's generally what I go for. Also, as I mentioned in Monday's Post, go for foundations in plastic packaging! When it comes to longer trips, it's generally worth packing two concealers, one for undereyes and one for blemishes or redness, something like the L'Oreal Lumi Maqique Concealer and MAC Studio Sculpt is a good duo. Chuck in a setting powder with a good mirror for on the go, and your base is done.

For cheeks, I like to have a few options. I'd recommend packing some kind of blush palette if you have one, the Illamasqua Blush Duo in Lover and Hussy is a good one, and I love the NARS One Night Stand Palette, it covers all bases with a bronzer, highlight and four blushes. If you don't then pick out longwearing products that preferably have smaller packaging. I usually like to have one pink blush and one peachy blush on hand, as well as a bronzer and highlighter. 

For eyes you want a palette with a lot of options, the longer you stay, the more likely you are to want to mix it up. The Urban Decay Naked Palettes are great for this, as is the NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette. Chuck in an easy to use brow product, like the Soap and Glory Archery Brow Tint and Pencil, a mini brow gel (the one above came with the Collection Brow Palette), a black liner and your favourite mascara, and you are good to go for eyes.

As far as lips go I try to stick to the rule of three, an everyday nude, a bold evening lip pick and your favourite lipstick of the moment. This generally has you covered for all bases! (FYI, my current picks would be MAC Peach Blossom, NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella and the Dior Lip Glow.)

Once I've assembled all these beauty bits, if I still feel like I need more, this is where I go hell for leather on samples. Sample sized blushes, bronzers, lip colours, eye primers, I like to chuck a few extra bits in to give me options. 

As far as skincare goes, you'll want to pack a good makeup remover (I love the mini Bioderma bottles), and decant your regular cleanser, toner & moisturiser into smaller bottles, Muji is the best place to stock up. Chuck in your favourite eye cream, a Travalo with your favourite perfume, and buy shampoo and conditioner there, or use grab minis of one you like. I'd also recommend chucking in a multipurpose oil for dry skin, taming hair, treating hair, and even using on your face before bed.