What’s your pain point when you have traveling ahead of you? What to pack! And makeup wise? The hard “this or that” part always begins.
But what makeup to pack when traveling? After many trips, unused makeup, lost time between “what should I use now” sessions while being away *and* precious makeup products smashed I’m here to show you exactly what you need.
There is nothing better than having a minimal makeup bag with you filled with products that will help you look amazing in less time.
Here are my best tips and a packing list to save at the end!
Best Makeup To Pack When Traveling
What you use daily without fail
I’m sure we all have a lot of makeup that we love, don’t we? These juicy cream blushes? These base products that make your skin look flawless? The endless powders, highlighters and lipsticks?
No matter how many products you own or love I’m also sure that you have 1 to 2 max from each category that you can’t live without.
So a few days before your trip -whether it’s business or pleasure- think about all your top products and start adding them into a small makeup bag.
The ones that always perform, the ones that work quicker than others & the ones that are simple. Do you prefer spending your time choosing between 20 eyeshadows or having fun out & about?
For example, I use tinted moisturizer daily. Why do I need to take my foundation *now* that I’m just leaving for 5 days? I don’t wear a foundation unless I’m filming or it’s a special occasion. So why on earth do I think I’ll use it while being away?
Save yourself from this madness and just get your TOP ones. You’ll be amazed by how much more time you’ll have. The more practical your thinking the better!
Choose multitasking products
Another makeup “category” to pack when traveling is multitasking products.
For example, I’m obsessed with different kinds of bronzing / contouring / all over the face definition products.
I usually use each one for a different reason; my Face Trace Contour Stick when I want a more contoured look, my Rodial Bronze Glowlighter when I need a quick all over bronze glow and the list goes on.
How I’m deciding what will go into my travel makeup bag? By which one can multitask more. My Bronze Glowlighter makes my skin look way healthier & defined and in the days when I’m rushing I use it by itself and I’m good.
No need for highlighter or blush. So I’m choosing this over anything else. Plus it looks great as an eyeshadow too. Woohoo!
Other multitaskers can be a cream blush you can use on cheeks, lips and eyes, or a pencil like my favorite Endless Cacao that I use for brows, lips AND eyes.
As easy as that!
Choose a smaller makeup bag
When deciding on what makeup to pack when traveling try adding them on a smaller makeup bag in order to be as compact as possible.
The times that I thought it would be a great idea bringing a bigger makeup bag with me that fits in all my makeup and my brushes I had multiple disasters.
My brow pencils broke, my powders became a mess and the list goes on. You need something that keeps everything in place and not floating around. If you don’t struggle to close the zipper you’re not where you should be.
Take a smaller bag! These makeup products need to be protected at all costs, am I right?
The Ultimate “Minimal Makeup” Packing List For Travel
Base product
Tip: What’s your everyday choice? Pick this; traveling isn’t the best time to play around. My top choice is my La Roche Posay Effaclar Unifiant Duo tinted moisturizer.
Concealer
Tip: Take your most trusted for under the eyes and one more pigmented for imperfections if you need it. I’m bringing the Nars Radiant Creamy one for my under eyes and the Nars Soft Matte Complete one for blemishes.
Powder
Tip: Take your best one here and the most long-lasting. My favorite at the moment is the Rodial Glass Powder.
Bronzer / Contouring
Tip: Take one product that can be used for everything; all over the face warmth & definition. My top ones for this are the Rodial Bronze Glowlighter and the Makeup By Mario Softsculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer.
Blush
Tip: Bring a natural / versatile shade of blush and not something super unique. You need a blush that looks good with any makeup look. My favorite for this is the Saie Dew Blush in Peachy.
Highlighter
Tip: Pick your favorite one and ideally one that can be easily used as a glowy eyeshadow too.
Brow pencil & gel
Tip: If you have more than one brow products then definitely take the quickest with you. Same goes for brow gels too. I always use my Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer and for setting them in place the Patrick Ta Major Brow Lamination Gel.
Eyeshadow
Tip: If you have super small neutral everyday palettes take one of these with you. I use the Natasha Denona Camel Palette. Alternatively, opt for a long wearing single eyeshadow like the Armani Beauty Eye Tint in Camel or the Charlotte Tilbury Eyes To Mesmerise in Amber Gold.
Eyeliner
Tip: In case you want something bolder apart from a neutral eyeshadow you can take an eyeliner with you or a long lasting eyeshadow stick in a dark brown shade. My latest -multitasking- obsession is the VIEVE Eyewand in the shade Espresso; you can use it to darken up your eye look in the outer corner or apply it like a cat-flick with an angled brush. Perfection!
Mascara & Eyelash Curler
Tip: Take your absolute favorite one. My top one is the Lash Paradise Waterproof from L’Oréal along with the Kevyn Aucoin curler.
Lip Liner
Tip: Take a mistake-free one; meaning the one that you use more frequently. One that has a nice neutral tone that can be used with everything. I use my Endless Cacao from Makeup For Ever with any lip.
Lipstick & Lipgloss
Tip: Bring your favorite nude one for everyday and a bolder one if you have something special planned. And a lipgloss that works with everything to have in your handbag. I always have Velvet Fawn from Lisa Eldridge with me or Pillow Talk from Charlotte Tilbury. Gloss wise I always have the Róen Beauty in Remi or the Tarte Maracuja Lip Plump in White Peach.
You can print this list and have it with you whenever you have a trip. Everything in one place and exactly what’s needed for peace of mind, calmness and more time for you wherever you go.
Believe me, you don’t need anything more to look amazing!
