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My baby brother is getting married, which means my carry-on and I are skipping off to New York!
This is uncharted territory for me; having to actually put myself together on a trip. Aside from my promotional trip to Maui with Ulta Beauty last summer, I’m pretty content looking like a basket case on vacation. Minimal makeup because I don’t like wasting time applying it in the morning. Minimal clothes because I want to save space, and honestly, leggings are wearing a theoretical hug. I’m there to enjoy new experiences, and I can’t do that if my jeans and suffocating my butt.
So, here’s the deal. This travel makeup kit isn’t exactly minimal in the variety of products. It’s still kind of a lot of stuff. But what it does have going for it is that you’ll be ready for pretty much anything. I don’t know exactly what kind of look I’ll be wearing to my brother’s wedding. And I probably won’t know until that day. But whatever it is, I’ll be prepared.
want the condensed version?
SHOP THE COLLECTION
Makeup
NYX Microbrow Pencil
Nars Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
Urban Decay Born To Run Eyeshadow Palette
NYX Epic Ink Eyeliner
L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise in Waterproof Black
Becca Backlight Priming Filter
Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer Broad Spectrum
Tarte Colored Clay CC Undereye Corrector
E.l.f. 16 HR Camo Concealer
L’Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Powder
Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer
Clinique Cheek Pop in Ginger Pop
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette
Kat Von D Everlasting Lip Liner in Rosary
Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Sour Cherry
Nars Lip Gloss in Chihuahua
Brushes + Accessories
Ardell Natural 110 Lashes
Duo Lash Adhesive in Clear
Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
E.l.f. Eye Contour Brush
E.l.f. Crease Brush
E.l.f. Fluffy Eye Blender Brush
E.l.f. Flat Eyeshadow Brush
E.l.f. Small Tapered Brush
E.l.f. Complexion Brush
E.l.f. Blush Brush
E.l.f. Travel Blending Brush
the makeup
Highlighting Primer // My secret weapon when I want to wear more makeup but still look fresh and dewy. Apply this all over your face so you end up looking like a shimmery, slimy fish. Once you apply your foundation, concealer, and everything else on top, you’ll be left with beautiful skin that looks flawless, but not overly mattified and dry.
BB Cream // I don’t remember the last time I wore foundation. Even for special events, I wear a light BB cream and layer coverage only where necessary. The Tarte BB Cream I use is technically labeled as a primer, but it offers a surprising amount of coverage and it disguises my pores.
Peach Corrector // If you have under eye discoloration, I highly recommend using a peach corrector. Even though it’s another layer of makeup, you’ll use less product overall. Have you ever layered and layered and layered on concealer only to still wind up scowling at those dark circles? Peach corrector solves that problem.
Brightening Concealer // Select a concealer that is slightly lighter than your skin tone for a brightening effect. Not too light though, you still need to be able to use it over blemishes, and not look like you’re trying to contour your face into a different face. Go for something with high coverage and use as little product as humanly possible.
Pressed Setting Powder // I don’t even like dealing with loose setting powder at home, so there’s no way I’m traveling with it. Pressed powders provide the same results with much less hassle. I go for one that has some pigmentation to it. This adds a bit more coverage over my BB cream-clad face while keeping my dewiness from getting out of control.
Matte Bronzer // Shimmery bronzers have their time and place, but a minimal travel makeup kit isn’t one of them. A medium toned matte bronzer will work with every look. You can always add shimmer in other ways.
Matte(ish) Blush // Definitely stay away from glittery blushes or formulas with a holographic sheen. However I do like a blush with a small hint of shimmer. It just livens up your face, and it works well with your matte bronzer.
Highlighter Palette // Highlighters can really change up a look, so I like having a few on hand. I love the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette because it has a few different shades and shimmer levels so I can look as disco ball or as glow from within as I’d like. So yes, I think it’s worth the price.
Eyebrow Pencil // I go back and forth between eyebrow pencils and pomade, but right now I’m loving the convenience of pencils. NYX Micro Brow is still my favorite.
Eyeshadow Primer // Not to sound dramatic, but my entire face would be ruined without a good eyeshadow primer. Nars Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base has been my favorite for years, and it probably always will be. It controls oil, dries quickly, makes your eyelids feel super smooth, and grabs onto your eyeshadow and doesn’t let go.
Eyeshadow Palette // I’ve mentioned this eyeshadow palette so many times before, but it’s still my favorite. I can create just about any look I could even want with this thing. It also contains zero ridiculous colors that I’d never use, so somehow that feels like justification for it not being the most space-saving option.
Liquid Eyeliner // This newly discovered NYX eyeliner is a great dupe for Kat Von D Tattoo Liner, but is less than half the price. It has a bendy brush tip like Tattoo Liner, and is super black. The only downside is that I absolutely need to wear eyelid primer when wearing it, even if I’m not wearing any eyeshadow, or it will smudge into my crease.
Mascara // I am basically a professional crier, so I always wear waterproof mascara to events. Waterproof mascara tends to be clumpier than non-waterproof versions, but I make it work with L’Oreal Lash Paradise Waterproof.
Red Lipliner // A red lipliner is essential for keeping your red lipstick contained, but it’s also nice worn on its own for a popsicle-kissed look, or topped with gloss. Right now I’m working my way through Kat Von D Everlasting Lip Liner in Rosary— it’s a great lip liner, but may or may not buy it again.
Red Lipstick // Wear it alongside a dramatic eye look, wear it with a natural eye look, or wear it with no other makeup so you look like you tried even when you didn’t. Take your time selecting the perfect shade for you, and you’ll never be at a loss for lips again.
Natural Lipgloss // Basically the opposite of your red lipstick. Wear it alone for a casual look, use it to balance a bold eye look, or add a little bit to the center of your lips to add dimension over the red lipstick.
BONUS: Foundation Stick // I forgot to add this one to the collage, (sorry about that!) likely because it’s not on my usual list. On some occasions, I do carry my Make Up For Ever Stick Foundation for on-the-go touch-ups. I go through phases where my skin breaks out for inexplicable reasons, and a foundation stick is handy for instant coverage right where you need it.
brushes
Small Pencil Brush // For placing darker eyeshadows with precision so I don’t end up looking like a trash panda. (AKA, a raccoon.)
Small Fluffy Crease Brush // For precise blending of said dark eyeshadows.
Large Fluffy Eye Blending Brush // For buffing the upper crease.
Synthetic Flat Brush // Great for applying eyeshadow bases and then packing eyeshadow on to eyelids for highly pigmented looks. Also good for creating cut creases and smudging colors onto your lower lash line.
Tapered Face Brush // I use this for applying setting powder under my eyes and on my oiliest areas, which are the middle of my forehead, the tip and sides of my nose, and my chin.
Fluffy Bronzer Brush // I apply bronzer with a fluffy brush so I can avoid harsh lines and make sure my skin looks naturally sun-kissed. If I want to contour a bit more, I’ll simply pinch the brush to apply color in a precise area, then release the bristles and blend over everything.
Blush Brush // I like a small-ish blush brush. I already have huge cheeks, and the last thing I need is to get blush all over the place and make them look even bigger.
Large Powder Brush // Perfect for applying finishing powder, whether that’s a light layer of mattifying powder, or an all-over dusting of Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder for that “glow from within.”
accessories
False Lashes // I don’t wear false lashes very often, but when I do, these are the ones I use. I like them because they are similar to my natural lashes in length and shape. They give the illusion that I have about 3x the amount of natural lashes rather than a tarantula-like strip of fake ones.
Lash Adhesive // Classic Duo Lash Adhesive in Clear. I just use the basic stuff.
Hydrating Gel Moisturizer // Nothing makes a full face of makeup look more out of place than crusty skin. Since my skin is famous for being oily and dry at the same time, I need a moisturizer that will calm the flakes but not add to the greasiness. Gel moisturizer seems to sink into my skin better than any other formula, leaving a smooth surface that feels dry to the touch, but that you know is actually quite well-hydrated underneath. Like, jello. Hope that makes sense. 💁🏻♀️
That’s all for today!
Like this post? You’ll love this one too >> My Travel Toiletry Bag || How to pack the perfect toiletry kit for most travels!
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Till next time ♥︎
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FTC- Not sponsored by any brands mentioned. I purchase all products myself. All opinions are my own. Some links may be affiliated.
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