I’m looking forward to this weekend for the dorkiest reason — finally I’m going to unpack my suitcases, put away my summer clothes, and take my makeup and hair products out of my travel bag. Until February, when I go on another trip!
With all the traveling I’ve been doing, I’ve had to learn the art of packing intelligently. In these days of rising luggage fees, I need to be economical. That means packing products that are multi-use and uber-effective. Allow me to share some of my latest finds — the items that got road tested in Hawaii!
My Smokey Classics By Lauren Luke. I know, I know – I just raved about this in my Best of 2009 post. But for traveling, this collection is hard to beat. My one complaint? The blush is too pale for my needs. But having a flat package of this much makeup awesomeness warrants no real complaints. This is eye makeup at it’s easiest, and I love it. Totally getting the Fierce Violets next.
Jessicurl Trial Size Collection. I’ve heard great things about Jessicurl, but finally I got a chance to experience what the brand can do for my particular texture of natural. And I really like it so far! I used Awe Inspirialing Spray to refresh my frazzled frizzies in the Hawaii heat, and the Confident Coils Styling Solution gave me moisture that stood up against the humidity. Look out for a longer review when I’ve had a chance to review the Too Shea! Extra Moisturizing Conditioner.
MAC in Lillyland cremeblend blush. I want to shout about this to the rooftops, y’all. MAC in Lillyland is a bright, resort-chic, vibrant and ultra feminine collection. When I was sent this Cremeblend blush in Joie-De-Vivre — a peachy coral that looks like the color of some houses in Miami — I gave it a suspicious raised eyebrow. Then I rubbed it on the apples of my cheeks, as I smiled at myself in the mirror. Love at first try. These colors are ideal for bringing out the glow in darker skin tones. It was so perfect for Hawaii, and now that I’m back in Chicago’s cold, a sheer application gives me a warm, sunshiny glow. Bravo, MAC and Lilly Pulitzer. Bravo.
Jordana easyliner eye pencil. Nothing sucks worse than traveling with your favorite regular eyeliner, then realizing the point’s dull or broken off and you’ve forgotten to pack your sharpener. This $1.99 drugstore pencil is just as effective as its more expensive competitors, plus it is effortless and automatic. Don’t sleep on Jordana, or its equally affordafab counterpart, Milani! You can get the look for a whole lot less!
RX for Brown Skin Protect and Defend Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 15. Dr. Susan Taylor’s products specifically cater to our skin’s needs. I’ve tried most of the products and a more detailed review is really in order. I really dig the sunscreen. It’s thick but not opaque and heavy like some other sunscreens are. A little goes a long way, to protect my face and neck. Good stuff for facing the elements.
And last but not least — Fashion Fair Shine Eliminator. Yes, that’s right. I just said Fashion Fair. The venerable brand for women of color gets a bad rap for being old school and stuck in the past, but FYI, Fashion Fair is in the midst of a major makeover. They’ve got some great new skincare products on the shelves, and this shine eliminating mattifier got me ready for my close up in steamy Hawaii. A creamy potion with the light feel of a serum, it worked great as a foundation primer and allowed me to maintain my glow while preventing me from being shiny.
What are your must-take travel essentials? Made any cool new finds lately? Share!
I love this list. I love Jordana and Milani (I wear their Luminious blush instead of Nars Orgasm…it is actually better.), and surprisingly as a woman without color (I’m Irish/Norwegian,and pale as a piece of paper), many of these products work equally as well.
Yay! I’m so glad you tried Jessicurl! I think their products are great (even though I don’t have curly hair).