What to pack in your travel beauty bag

There’s no room in a suitcase for clothes that you won’t wear or beauty products that you won’t use.

What you need on holiday is a simple beauty routine, the same as what you do at home, or a slightly abridged version if possible.

I’ve been known to go away with moisturiser, deodorant and a hair brush, but these days I like to pay a bit more attention to my skin, and wear a little bit of make-up everyday. It helps me start the day in a positive way if I put my best face forward.

 

Pretty bags

I’ve only recently upgraded to some extra-special toiletry and make-up bags, and I love having such pretties taking care of my beauty and make-up supplies.

Toiletry bag

For Christmas I picked up a very sweet little make-up bag from Love Libby for Miss 8, who is loving playing pretend with make-up. But the fabrics are so divine that I bought a toiletry bag for myself too.

It has heaps of room for my skincare and other toiletries, and conveniently matches my make-up bag!

Makeup bag

I jumped on this make-up bag in the Disney Cruise souvenir shop. I just love souvenirs that you can use over and over, bringing back all those lovely travel memories!

This bag is the perfect size to hold my make-up, and the bright colour makes it easy to find in the depths of my handbag or suitcase.

 

What to pack – Skincare

I usually pack three items of skincare in my toiletry bag – moisturiser, de-wrinkler and facial sunscreen.

If space is tight, absolute bare minimum is my moisturiser. After all, my wrinkles will still be there when I get home, and I can always use the general sunscreen that we take for the whole family.

 

1.  De-wrinkler – Dermalogica Extra Firming Booster

I discovered Dermalogica Extra Firming Booster a few years back when I received a sample of it. I’m usually underwhelmed by samples, but noticed a serious difference in my skin after using this for only a couple of days!

I apply it before moisturiser to the wrinkles that I’m conscious of on my forehead, around my eyes and mouth. But you can use it all over your face and neck. It firms the skin and smoothes out those laughter lines.

I can certainly live without it if packing very light, but prefer to take it.

 

2.  Moisturiser – Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance

My can’t-live-without-it product is moisturiser. My skin is so dry that I had to find a seriously good one a long time ago.

As I’ve gotten older I’ve graduated to heavier moisturisers within the Dermalogica range, and Intensive Moisture Balance is just right for my 40-something skin.

 

3 & 4.  Sun safety – Dermalogica Age Smart Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF50+ OR Dermalogica Solar Defence Booster SPF50

At a minimum I wear sunscreen daily on my nose and cheeks, as I burn very easily.

I haven’t found a sunscreen that I love as yet, so at the moment I wear another Dermalogica cream – Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50+. I bought this online thinking that it was just a heavier moisturiser with SPF that I could use instead of my usual moisturiser. However it can’t be applied to the eye area, so I use it as a sunscreen over the top of my moisturiser, and will look for a new sunscreen when it runs out.

Do you have a favourite facial sunscreen?

 

5.   Night treatment – Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil

I don’t usually travel with this one, but it’s always an option. In the interests of keeping my bag light I usually apply my day moisturiser at night as well when I’m away.

If you’re keen to keep up your full beauty regime when on hols, then this light oil is divine for moisturising overnight. It is a super intensive treatment with a slightly oily finish until it soaks in well.

 

What to pack – Make-up

Make-up is definitely not essential in my book. Especially on holiday. Many times I have travelled perfectly happily without any, but I usually take at least a couple of items.

Just like at home, my first line of attack is mascara and lipstick. Much of the time this is enough, especially during the day. Sometimes I use BB Cream, perhaps even pressed powder and blush as well. And when a full face of make-up is required for an evening event, I add primer and concealer to amp up the glow.

Is this a lot of make-up? I guess it’s all relative, but I don’t think so. I can rarely be bothered with eye liner, eye shadow, lip liner, eyebrow pencil, bronzer, etc, etc. Whatever makes you feel good is the right amount of make-up in my opinion.

The last item in the pic below, on the far right, is my roll-on perfume. I discovered this before we went to the U.S. last year via this post from The Urban Mum and I love it! It’s the perfect size for travel and such a powdery pink scent. It has become my holiday perfume now and takes me straight back to all those wonderful memories whenever I put it on.

 

1.  Primer – Dermalogica Age Smart SkinPerfect Primer SPF30+

When I’m keen for a full face of makeup, perhaps for an evening function, I will smooth this on before my foundation. It hides fine lines and gives a lovely glow to the skin.

2.  Foundation – Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream

One of my very favourite souvenirs is the Dior foundation that I bought in the Champs Elysees Sephora store, after having my make-up done by a lovely French girl. Every time I put that on I smiled at the memory. However, I have now put it aside, even when I’m putting on the full war paint, in favour of this.

Garnier’s BB Cream is lovely and light, but still gives great coverage. I wear it day-to-day when I want a light cover. And even at night I find my make-up looks more natural if I add the primer before the BB, rather than wearing a heavier foundation.

3.  Clarins Instant Light Brush-On Perfector

On that same visit to Sephora I bought a Dior concealer (the little blue bottle in the pic above), which I love. So far I haven’t been able to find it here, so when it runs out I think I’ll try this Clarins one or perhaps the iconic YSL Touche Eclat.

I pop this on after foundation.

4.  Napoleon Perdis Camera Finish powder – gold compact

I adore this powder simply because it doesn’t dry out my skin. It gives a lovely matte finish, which is particularly flattering in photos. Very handy when posting #everydaystyle pics on Instagram.

5.  Stila Convertible Colour

I don’t go in for bronzer or contouring, but I do have a tendency to look a bit pale and washed out, especially when I’m wearing make-up which covers up my natural cheek colour. This cream colour can be used on cheeks and lips, but I like a little glow on the apples of my cheeks after I’ve put my powder on.

6.  Benefit They’re Real! Mascara

This is a truly fabulous mascara. The longest, thickest lashes I ever did have!

I like to pop a touch of powder under my eyes to prevent the panda effect.

7.  L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lipstick

I love a bright lip! At the moment I’m particularly loving 335 Carmin St Germain, which is quite a bright red. I also love L’Oreal Paris Infallible Le Rouge in 543 Charming Lilac, which is a vibrant fuchsia. But I’m also keen to give some more upmarket brands a go.

What’s your favourite brand of lipstick?

8.  MOR Marshmallow Little Luxuries Roll-On Perfume

As I said above, I’m loving this as my new holiday perfume. It’s such a small, solid bottle that I don’t worry about it smashing in my luggage and having glass and smell everywhere. But I like to carry it in its little cylindrical container just to make sure.

 

International travel tips

• Don’t forget that you can’t carry on liquids (like moisturiser, BB cream, deodorant, handcream) in containers larger than 100ml when departing Australia (3.4 ounces out of the U.S.).

• Put all carry on liquids containers in a clear, zip-lock 20cm x 20cm bag (quart-sized for the U.S.).

• Australian rules can be found here.

• U.S. rules can be found here.

Linking up with Ingrid at Makeup Monday on her site Fabulous and Fun Life!

Do you continue your same beauty and make-up routines on holiday? Or leave it all behind?

Are you on Instagram? I’m @escapewithkids. Come and post an #everydaystyle pic with me. I promise it’s fun!