Makeup Tips When Traveling: Guide to a Flawless Look on the Go. Travel Light, Look Flawless: Top Makeup Tips. Essential Makeup Tips for Travelers. Travel Beauty Secrets: Effortless Makeup Tips. Travel Beauty Hacks.
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Traveling is an adventure, but figuring out how to pack your makeup without bringing your entire collection can be a challenge. Fear not! We’ve got you covered with the best routine, packing tips, and product recommendations to keep your makeup game strong while you’re on the move.
By bringing only the essentials, you save space in your luggage. This leaves room for other important items and helps avoid the stress of overpacking.
Makeup Tips When Traveling: Guide to a Flawless Look on the Go
When you’re traveling, simplicity and efficiency are key. Here’s a streamlined routine to keep you looking fresh and fabulous:
Prep Your Skin
- Cleanser: Use a travel-sized gentle cleanser to start with a clean slate.
- Moisturizer: Hydration is crucial, especially when traveling. Opt for a lightweight, travel-sized moisturizer.
WHAT I USE: The Clinique travel set has been my go-to wherever I go. It’s easy to use and to refill. The wash, toner, and moisturizer are my staple skin care products and the fact that I can easily pack them to go with me anywhere on earth is a gift! Also, if I am away for a week, I usually use up all the soap, so I can just toss them after without worrying about repacking them.
Base
- BB Cream or Tinted Moisturizer: These are perfect for a light, natural coverage that evens out your skin tone without feeling heavy.
WHAT I USE: The Clinique Moisture Surge is my holy grail of moisturizers. They now have it with SPF. I use it on top of their Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel. I have tried IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+, and it is also a great product especially if you are heading to a destination where you will be out in the sun most of the time.
Conceal
- Concealer: A small tube of concealer can cover blemishes, dark circles, and any imperfections.
WHAT I USE: It depends on the state of my skin. I use Too Faced Born This Way Foundation as a spot and undereye concealer if I really need to. But because I use powder foundation, I usually start with a tightly packed concealer brush to go over my undereye and nose area to cover darkness and redness and then I reach for a dome brush to do the rest of my face.
Because I use a packed concealer brush for my undereye and nose area, I get to use only one product (Mac Studio Fix Plus Powder) which is my powder foundation and the coverage on those areas is flawless.
This saved me time and eliminated the need for me to have another product like concealer since my foundation does it all now!
Eyes & Brows (Makeup Tips When Traveling)
- Mascara: A travel-sized mascara will enhance your lashes.
WHAT I USE: I’m not a big fan of eyeshadows since my lids are super oily and it will take a lot for me to maintain the look, so I skip it altogether. I do however invest in eyelash extensions. I only have the naturally looking extensions that allow me to skip my mascara and eye makeup altogether. In addition, I also save money and packing space for oil makeup remover, especially for those waterproof mascaras.
For my brows, I invest in Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Eyebrow Gel because it holds up the shape the whole day even if I have extremely oily skin. I might look greasy, but my brows will still be on fleek!
For my mascara, back in the day before I did lash extension, Dior Show was the only one that I used and invested in. I have very thin lashes and they tend to droop after applying mascara. With Dior Show, it coated it well enough so I didn’t have to go over it again making it droop less.
Cheeks
- Dual-purpose Blush and Bronzer: A compact that combines blush and bronzer saves space and adds dimension to your face.
WHAT I USE: My holy grail of blushes is from Sephora. The pigment stays all day long. You will see how oily my skin is but the pink blush is still coming through and I love it so much.
I also use the Sephora contour just on my jawline and noseline. If I haven’t had enough sleep (especially when traveling!) I tend to puff up. My nose and jaw just seem swollen and contouring on those areas makes me feel more confident when taking photos.
Lips
- Tinted Lip Balm or Lipstick: A tinted lip balm can add color and keep your lips hydrated.
WHAT I USE: If I know I will have some extra time to touch up during the day, the Glossier Lipstick is my go-to. My lips are pale and even if I have a full face makeup if my lips do not bring out some type of color, I still look washed out, so lip color is important for me.
However, there are travel days where I pack my itinerary so tight that I just won’t have time to touch up so I always reach out for my forever fave Maybelline Superstay Lipstick. This Maybelline lipstick makes me feel confident in pictures and events. Even after eating or drinking, my lips will always look alive!
Brushes (Makeup Tips When Traveling)
Invest in a travel brush set that includes essentials like a foundation brush, eyeshadow brush, and blush brush. Not all your “holy grail” brushes come in travel sizes, and as much as it is frustrating, I still bring them.
My holy grail brushes provide “emotional support.” I don’t have to make any extra effort or figure things out since I know exactly how to work them. I just feel extra confident when I know I’ve used them. Some things are worth making space for in your luggage or carry-on, and for me, my brushes are one of them.
Makeup Bag
Choose a compact, well-organized makeup bag with compartments to keep everything in place. I’m not really picky with makeup bags, however, an easy to open and close makeup bags with compartments seem to always work for me.
I tend to dig deep and sometimes the smaller products roll out and I don’t even notice them go missing. But the makeup bag with compartments, every part of my face has its own space and it makes it easier for me to reach for things and put them back in.
Tips for Packing Light (Makeup Tips When Traveling)
MULTI-USE PRODUCTS. Look for products that serve multiple purposes, like a lip and cheek tint or an eyeshadow that doubles as a highlighter.
SAMPLE SIZES. Opt for sample or travel-sized versions of your favorite products. They take up less space and are TSA-friendly. I have even scraped out powder from my compact into a smaller container and made it into a “loose” powder so that I don’t have to carry the mirror around.
Many brands offer travel-sized versions of their bestsellers. These minis are perfect for your travel makeup bag and ensure you have enough product without the bulk.
STICK TO ESSENTIALS. Bring only the makeup items you use daily. Skip the “just in case” products. If you don’t use it every day at home, you likely won’t need it on your trip.
DECANT & DEPOT PRODUCTS. Transfer liquids and creams into small travel containers. This saves space and weight. I’ve used a small pill box before for a liquid concealer container and it made a world of difference!
ORGANIZE. Use a makeup bag with clear compartments or pouches to see everything at a glance. This prevents digging around and keeps your routine quick and efficient.
LONG LASTING PRODUCTS. Choose long-lasting, smudge-proof makeup to ensure your look stays put throughout your travel adventures.
Wrapping Up : Makeup Tips When Traveling
When traveling, your makeup bag doesn’t need to take up too much space! With a few smart travel tips, you can pack all the beauty products you need without overstuffing your luggage. Opt for travel sizes of your favorite liquid foundation, setting spray, and tinted moisturizer to save space.
A small eyeshadow palette that covers all your eye makeup needs is a great travel tip to cut down on bulk. Cream blush and other liquid products are perfect for keeping your look fresh while on the go. Don’t forget, makeup brushes and a little bit of powder are must-haves for touch-ups during the day. If you really want to streamline, pack one palette for eyes and face to cover multiple needs. With these tips, you’ll be traveling light and looking fabulous!