Rise and shine, morning glory. 🙂 This morning I’ve got travel on the brain. Specifically, what was your best trip? Was it special because of where you went or what happened while you were there? Or maybe a little bit of both? If you’re hitting the road again this summer, it helps to be prepared in the beauty department. I hope these few posts can help.
Hmm… I use trip planning as an excuse to shop, and I bet I’m not the only one!
ECOTOOLS RETRACTABLE
KABUKI BRUSH
Doesn’t the Ecotools Recycled Retractable Kabuki Brush ($10) look like a secret spy weapon?
LOL! Or is that just me?
Okay, so it’s not a flame thrower or a pocket super computer, but the Retractable Kabuki exudes awesomeness in other ways. It’s built for travel, fitting snugly into my makeup bag.
I like the fat and fluffy brush head, too. It feels kinda like velvet against my skin and applies the perfect amount of powder (not too sheer or heavy!) for touch-ups.
It excels at applying powders or blush, but I bet it would also work as a foundation or creme blush brush. Read more…
3 SIMPLE TRAVEL
BEAUTY TIPS
As I rifled through the bag I’ve been living out of for the past week, I realized I learned quite a few things on this trip, some of them beauty-related. Most were born out of my bad habit of waiting until the last minute to pack.
What have I learned about summer vacations? No. 1 — Wet Ones Travel Packs to clean makeup brushes.
These are convenient no matter what kind of vacation you’re planning. In humid locales, brush heads used with moist products like concealers never completely dry out and become breeding grounds for mold and bacteria. I’m so glad I remembered to toss a few of these travel-sized anti-bacterial wipes into my makeup bag for the trip. The packaging didn’t take up lots of space, and I can clean all of my brushes with a single wipe. Read more…
PACK YOUR MAKEUP
FOR TRAVEL
If I’m checking in bags, the liquids in breakable bottles and small jars (like foundation) go into a large, clear plastic bag nestled securely (and cushioned by clothes) in the center of my check-in luggage. Sometimes I’ll even protect the bag in bubble wrap secured with extra large rubber bands. My powder products come with me in my carry-on bag.
I *always* carry my powder products — compacts and palettes — on the plane, storing them in a slim, rectangular-shaped makeup bag like this silver Trina Turk bag from a Clinique GWP. The shape works well for travel and even fits into a standard school backpack. Read more…
YOUR FAVORITE
TRAVEL BEAUTY TOOL
I never go anywhere without my MAC 266. It keeps me from venturing into The Land of Funky Brows. And then there’s my beloved Shu Uemura lash curler, but you probably know all about that, ha ha!
You guys left some great suggestions and idea starters in the comments on this post, like Jane’s idea about using Starbucks napkins as blotting papers: “brown napkins — like the ones from starbucks. absorbs the oil off my face better than those facial sheets. and their free and always plentiful!” Read more…
BURT’S BEES
COCONUT FOOT CREME
To all my ladies with naturally smooth, gorgeous feet, this post is NOT for you. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve still got mad love (and envy) for your photogenic tootsies, but the rest of us living in cracked heel hell, well, we’re the ones who need help.
After spending the winter ignoring everything around my ankles, I’ve ended up with two very cracked heels and a few square feet of scaly skin. My feet, as my eighth-grade self might describe them, look “hella gross,” and it’s time for action. I’ve started testing Burt’s Bees Coconut Foot Creme ($9 for a 4.34 oz. tube). I sure hope it helps me turn my tootsies around in time for sandal season. Read more…
YOU MUST CHOOSE
THE TRAVEL EDITION
You win a completely free vacation to the tropical location of your choice. Airfare, hotel, food, even souvenir spending money is covered (sweet!). There’s just one catch. When you travel to and from your destination, you have to wear a “special outfit” on the plane ride.
Your choices are…
Las Vegas show girl (complete with large feathered headdress), or full Scuba gear (with mask and flippers). YOU MUST CHOOSE! Read more…
MAC TRIP
AVAILABLE ONLINE
Hey, MAC-aholics. Remember MAC Trip from last year, and how frickin’ hard it was to track down? MAC released the collection of palettes, lip sets and brush kits as travel exclusives, and you could only find them at various airports and travel hubs around the world, not at MAC counters or stores.
It was pretty hit-or-miss, too, and I’m guessing more than a handful of MAC fiends nearly missed flights trying to hunt these babies down!
If you’ve been wanting to get your paws on MAC Trip, grab your credit card and do a little happy dance because MAC just launched the collection online. Read more…
Thursday already?
WOW! It’s like this week’s been on fast forward. The first half went by in a 
What’s on your plate today? I’m heading into the city for an hour or so this morning (on my way out the door right now) to a NARS preview event, where I hope to hear about their upcoming products and collections. I’m bringing my notepad and camera, of course, but you never know about pictures at these things. Sometimes they won’t allow photography, so if you see my next post is from jail, you’ll know I tried to take pictures somewhere I shouldn’t have, ha!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I recently went to Boston and just fell in love with the city. And my next fav is your city, San Fran!
I once made a mistake while packing and have a tip for the ladies. When travelling with your pressed powder products (anything from shadows to blushes to face powder), keep a cotton ball on top of it so they are less likely to break. I learned my lesson with about ten MAC shadows on a trip once and needless to say along with my shadows my heart broke a little too. 😉
I look forward to hearing what you discover at the NARS event!
.-= Natasha’s last blog post… Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush =-.
Thanks for the tip, Natasha!
My summer is already all planned out 🙂 At the beginning of July I’m going to the Netherlands with three friends for a week and I’m super excited, it’s going to be a lot of fun. Then from the 26th of July I’ll be in London for two weeks for another summer course at drama school and then from the 23rd to the 26th of August I’ll be in London again with half the cast of my musical. We’re going to invade the city and go see lots of musicals 🙂
.-= Karen B’s last blog post… LORAC Cosmetics =-.
That’s so exciting!
Got any plans to visit the makeup counters while you’re there?
The week did fly by, and im happy. 🙂
Were thinking of taking 2 small trips towards the end of the summer: one to Galveston, Tx and the other to New Braunfels, Tx. We kinda like going at the tail end of the season when theres less people.
Given that weve gone on 3 trips out of town where I needed makeup because it was for a wedding or a graduation, I think I have the makeup part of travel packing down pat – I bring a trip palette (older one but totally reliable), a long wearing blush (usually MUFE HD), powder and foundation, a UD 24×7 liner, a blush/powder brush (that EcoTools retractable kabuki is my #1 choice, a crease/blending brush and my brow brush) as well as my brow kit. That all fits into a rather flat makeup bag that I got from the Japanese dollar store. The bag is mesh and pretty secure but flexible and I can see whats in it at a glance.
Its with the toiletries that I always have an issue with – I either over or under pack. I do get those travel sized bottles of shampoo/conditioner, body wash and deodorant and try to pack them into ziplocs, but I also need my lotion, my face stuff, cologne as well as the hubs stuff. I dont want to rely on not bringing any because im not a fan of hotel toiletries (not unless its the W or something like that) and because im deathly afraid I wont be able to buy any.
Thank you for the tips. I will try to be better prepared for our next trips! 😀
Hi Nina,
I have the same exact issue with toiletries. It gets doubly wonky when you throw in a flight and carry on restrictions!! I still have yet to perfect that art. 🙂
Hey Karen,
This week has been super busy for me, SO glad tomorrow is Friday! Tonight I am grocery shopping for a dinner I’m making tomorrow night for my SO & one of my favorite couples 🙂 I might work out too if I have time.
I am going to Chicago over 4th of July weekend :-D. I am so paranoid of things breaking, I usually take products I’m less attached to (like very used, already damaged somehow or d/s) and NEVER my beautiful favorite things. That way they have no chance of breaking 😛
.-= Christy’s last blog post… hauls, hauls & hauls =-.
Hi Christy,
That’s very smart regarding not bringing your makeup treasures!
As for dinner, what are you making?
Hi Karen!
Yeah I’m a bit paranoid about it and that’s the best way for me to avoid heartache!
I am making a really yummy recipe I found at Trader Joe’s for tacos! I actually just wrote a post about it on my blog and share the recipe, so check it out if you are interested 🙂
http://skittles131.blogspot.com/2010/06/just-second.html
.-= Christy’s last blog post… hauls, hauls & hauls =-.
NARS preview event? LUCKY! MY invite must have gotten lost in the mail – yeah I wish. I am looking forward to some pics of that! I hope to make it to a NARS event someday. Still kicking myself for not going to his in-store appearance when I had the chance. Yes, if the #266 brush isn’t in my travel bag the trip is off…ha j/k…a little!
LOL! If either the 266 or my pan of Concrete shadow is MIA then all hell breaks loose.
I have a Boston trip coming up at the end of the month. Like Natasha, it’s one of my very favorite cities. Also headed to Maine with the kiddies for vacation this summer and NYC in the fall. It’s nice to live in the Northeast. 🙂 My favorite trips have been to Europe though – particularly Rome and Bavaria.
Hi Kim,
I would love to visit Boston someday.
As for Europe, it’s once of my fave places too! I’ve never been to Rome or Bavaria but both look like amazing places!
Thanks for the post! We’re going to Hawaii this summer and these tips will definitely be helpful. I’m going to try to get away with not using a checked baggage on the way there cause I’ve heard so many horror stories about luggage being lost.
Hi SBL,
Nice! Which island are you headed to?
I feel you on the not checking in. I used to do it, but don’t anymore. It’s much faster to carry on and you don’t have to worry about any delays or potential mishaps.
This is really helpful! I always have trouble carrying all my products with me when I go away.
.-= Trinidad’s last blog post… Hump Day Hooray: The Free Booze Edition =-.
Hi Trinidad,
Glad you found it useful! 🙂
This guide is just what I needed. I am at a loss as to what to take with me on my trip. Adding this article to my Instapaper fo sho!
.-= marisol’s last blog post… Someone’s been hauling! =-.
Packing is always hard for me, too. I always want to take everything and the kitchen sink.
Happy Friday!
I already went on my big trip of the year (to Punta Cana) but I’m going to San Diego for a conference in August and decided to bring the hubs along and make it into a vacation! I haven’t been there since I was a child, so I’m excited!
I looooove San Diego. That’s where I learned how to surf, so I have a soft spot. How long will you be there? I’m so jealous!
we are staying the 11th – 17th! Any ideas of things we should do? I am debating between sea world and the zoo (not sure if we can afford both). but also looking for more low-key things to do? any suggestions on which beach to check out?
It’s been years since I’ve been to either, but I do remember liking the zoo.
For beaches I like La Jolla… but on busy days it can be crazy.
As for low-key stuff, you could explore the different neighborhoods, like the Gaslamp and Cornado island. There’s also lots of good hiking, too!
thanks Karen! I’ll put La Jolla and Cornado island on my list. Maybe if we go on a weekday it won’t be so bad at the beach. And we are staying in the Gaslamp district or whatever they call it!
I just stumbled across your site. Great post and great tips.
When ever I fly Intl I stop by the Duty Free and pick one of those All In One compacts. They usually have eye shadow, blush, lip color, maybe a mini eye liner and mascara.
You almost never see them at the stores in the states but they always carry them at Duty Free. I’ll sometimes pick up bottles of whatever else I might need there so I don’t have to worry about getting them through security, they just deliver them right to you on the plane.
Cheers!
J.
.-= J is a Bird’s last blog post… A peek at LACMA Resnick Pavilion =-.
Oooohhh…I am glad to read that about the EcoTools retractable brush. I love their stuff and I recently discovered one of my dogs can chew through metal and need to replace my retractable blush brush. :-/
Anyway, I travel very frequently and only check luggage when I’m going somewhere for longer than 3 weeks so I pretty much have it down to a science. Albeit boring science. I stick mainly to neutrals, a pan each of greys and browns, one soft black liner, one brown liner, travel “that gal”, travel bo-ing, travel eyelash curler, soft black mascara, apricot blush. Sometimes I’ll bring along a colorful eyeliner . Then I’ll pick a couple lippies to take with. My practicality outweighs my desire to change up the make-up.
One thing some people don’t realize about the 3-1-1 liquid rule: you can have a separate bag for medical liquid. So contact solution, icy-hot, anti-itch, antiseptic, etc can go in a separate bag. You just have to declare it. So I have one bag of medical, one of regular liquid and tell the scanners. I’ve never had an issue. (Although, funny story, I had some chapstick I had forgotten in my purse taken but I told another scanner that some lipstick was medical and they let me through. I don’t mind TSA restrictions except for the lack of consistency.)