Allegedly, I’m trying to pack light for this upcoming trip to Hawaii. “Allegedly.” 😉
Yeah, keep telling yourself that, Karen.
No, really, it’s gonna happen this time. I’m going to be that girl with the impossibly streamlined makeup bag.
I just have to figure out which makeup bag to bring with me… I realized the other day that if I bring a smaller-than-normal makeup bag, I should be alright, because there just won’t be room to go completely cray-cray overboard. This will take tremendous willpower, though, because if were to do what comes naturally to me, I’d bring something like this behemoth…
I got this awesomely roomy see-through makeup bag from a SpaceNK promo, and no sh*t, it’s big enough to fit body parts.
I already know what would happen if it came with me, and it would NOT be streamlining…
So, what about the bags I use daily? Like this MAC Mia Moretti bag that holds my makeup essentials? It’s a contender. It’s medium sized…and it’s transparent, so I can see what’s inside (that’s handy). It isn’t too wide, either.
And I know what this capable of, because I’ve stuffed it past the point of no return before, so that could be a problem… If I bring it (“Oh, it’s already been broughten!”), the temptation to keep throwing stuff into it will be too strong.
I’m leaning toward my very well-loved Kate Spade bag, which is almost the same size as the Mia Moretti bag, but not as wide, so it holds less volume.
That should keep me in check… Maybe?
I also like this Marc Jacobs bag, but I think it still might be a little too wide and, thus, too tempting to over-stuff.
OK, final option for now (unless I find something else, haha), is this cute, clear Sephora bag.
Part of me is like, “Get real, goofball, you’ll never survive on so little makeup,” but another part of me is like, “Yes, girl! You can do this!”
Most of the time when I travel, I write long and obsessive lists of all the things I plan to bring, but this time I just went with my gut…
This is all of the makeup and brushes I’m pretty sure I’m bringing (there are two dual-ended Chanel eye brushes in there, in case you were wondering).
I feel like this isn’t a lot (for me, haha!), buuuuuuut… I have a feeling that I can still remove a few things… Maybe a pencil or two, or the extra concealer? (BUT I LIKE HAVING OPTIONS, WAAAH.)
With a little elbow grease, I actually did manage to get everything *except* the BECCA X Chrissy Palette into the small Sephora bag.
But it’s really hard to remove things from the bag and put them back in, though! It’s like I need the Jaws of Life, and/or an advanced degree in engineering.
So the Kate Spade Bag is looking like the winner. It fits my necessities, and it has an extra zippered pocket on the inside, which is convenient for keeping brushes, eyelash curlers and mini sponges apart from the makeup.
I think this is gonna be it! It’s not exactly the tiniest makeup bag ever, but I think it’ll do. It’ll definitely be much less makeup than I usually bring with me.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I travel for work and I’m always looking to streamline. I bought a Hudson+Bleeker cosmetic case thinking the small size PLUS brush holder would be perfect but… sigh… it’s just such an awkward bag. I’m still searching!
Hi Emily,
I’ll have to look that bag up. If I find something that really works I’ll let you know!
definitely! let me know if you find a way. I have this one but in a different color style. https://www.hudsonandbleecker.com/collections/cosmetic-cases/products/cosmetic-bags-jetaime-white
I also have their jewelry case and I love it!
I love getting a glimpse into other people’s makeup bags, packing habits & favorite things, etc. Great job streamlining, Karen. I pack light as well, especially to Hawaii where you only need a few shimmery things. I always bring creamy eyeshadow pens – they last in the heat and take up no room. I also bring a couple of Korean lip stains to create different looks. And don’t forget a small vial of face oil and a light spritz to spray into your scarf when the plane gets stinky, which it always does!
Hi Kim!
Ooh, what are your fave cream shadows? I’m going through a cream product phase at the moment.
Happy Friday!
Hi Karen – I bring my trusty Tarte and NARS eyeshadow pens on trips & leave the fancy ones at home.
I’m dreading this weekend since i need to start packing. I have no idea what makeup to bring with me. I always want to bring a Lot so I can show off different looks…But I don’t want to overpack…
How long are you going to Hawaii for?
Btw, I really want to try that Milk face tint but of course my Sephora doesn’t carry it…
When do you leave for Poland? Is your BF going with you to meet your family?
We leave for Hawaii on Sunday, early in the morning. I’m trying to have everything as organized as possible because it’s going to be a challenge with the little one.
The problem with too many makeup bags… I use to have just one, but with every GWP my collecton grows. And just like you I tend to cram whever possible in there, so a smaller bag sounds like a great solution.
Hey I’ve been totally guilty of overpacking makeup – just love the options so much! I have this bag collection from IKEA: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40329081/, which I *love* since it’s simple, black and see-through. Guess it’s just a question of downgrading from the big one in the set to the middle one! Yikes!
Let us know if the small bag worked out for you, or if you actually found yourself needing more stuff when you were away! 🙂
Oh those are perfect! I wish Ikea was closer to me. To get there I’d have to cross a bridge and go on three different freeways. It’s on my way to my parents’ house, so next time I’m headed down there I’ll pop in.
When you pack your makeup, do you use everything you bring? I never do! You’d think I’d learn from that but noooo. LOL
Well, usually not all of it, I confess ! But after I get to where I’m going, and start unpacking, I like to find a big surface and spread out all the makeup on it. So even if I often don’t use every single item I took with me, I still *always* consider all of it to make up a look. So… I kinda don’t feel too bad lugging all my stuff around. I just enjoy those few minutes staring at everything and planning a look too much !!
Also, happy birthday, Karen! Hope you have an incredible time! (and thanks Kim for the reminder!)
Maybe it’s considering cheating but my lipsticks/lipbalms don’t go in my makeup bag, they go on my handbag to reach them easily or on the go.
Maybe it’s a lot of makeup for a no makeup person, but for you I think the amount is enough.
I think so too! And considering I usually bring a huge amount, this is nothing! LOL
Happy Friday to you. What are you doing this weekend?
First of all: Happy birthday Karen! I hope this is your best year in company of the Coywolf, El Hub and Tabs. (I must accept that I didn’t remember it until Kim said it).
Today I’m visiting a friend in Tlaxcala, a nearby city; and tomorrow I’ll go for tacos to the city center with another friend. Everybody is going to be saying goodbye these days because I’m leaving on June 20 for two months to Tapachula (I remember telling you of my trip in a mail). I need to start packing but I’m not sure about what to bring because of the amount of time and the fact that I’ll only have one documented luggage and two carry-ons, yes I’m that reckless.
MMMMMMM, tacos! I think I will have to get some for my birthday. Birthday tacos for everyone!
Have fun with your friend and I hope that you have an epic adventure in Tapachula. Have you started making a packing list? Those help a lot!
What are your plans for the weekend apart from packing?
I might do a little shopping. 🙂 I got some birthday money and a Nordstrom gift card I’m tempted to go ham on some makeup and workout clothes. Or I might just save it for Hawaii!
I was voting for the Kate Spade at the beginning. But mostly for the cute print. 🙂 I saw that you also had some hair products in your first, not toooooo big Space NK bag. I don’t think that’s oversized if you’re putting more than makeup in it. I generally use gallon ziplocs for the hair products/body lotions in case something leaks. Then I cram as much travel size (BB cream/sunscreen/lip products) into my carry on Quart size ziploc. But even I have 2 cosmetic bags and you know I only wear like the same 6 things every day. 🙂 OMG! Happy Birthday, btw!!! Just got the reminder note from FB. I hope you have a fantastic day!!!!
Thank you, Kim! 🙂
We’re trying to *not* check in bags so I’m hopefully going to get everything as streamlined and light as possible. Hopefully being the key word here, haha!
Oh, good luck – it’s a challenge! I hate to check bags, too. 🙂
Wow! I’m so impressed! I always have a hard time condensing my brushes down.. and then I end up throwing in extra eye shadow sticks.. or convincing myself that I also need another mascara
Have fun in Hawaii!
Hi Emery,
I’m the same way naturally! But I gotta keep things light because I’m also packing for the baby, and she’s a clotheshorse, LOL!
Happy Friday to you. 🙂 Hope you’re doing something fun this weekend.
Hi Karen! What is the eyelash curler in these pictures?
I’m dying over your foot in the one bag?
Kate Spade! It’s a cute bag and an appropriate size.
I actually tried to put my head in it too, but the pic didn’t quite work out, LOL!
I don’t know, maybe it’s because I’m pretty low key outfit-wise when I travel, but I don’t sweat much over packing makeup because I just need my palette, a face moisturizer or sunblock, eyeliner, mascara and lipstick. I can fit the last three in my purse, and the others can fit into one bag in my luggage.
This isn’t a small bag, but what I like about it is I can put skin care in here too and brushes.
https://www.morphebrushes.com/collections/set-bags/products/zmb4-loader-set-bag
I took that with me on my last two vacations. I find that with smaller bags I get frustrated trying to find the eyeliner or mascara I want.
I’m late to this post! But! I’m flying for the first time in 11 years this September for work. And the last time I flew, I was a pre-teen and all I needed was lip smackers LOL.
But now that I’m a “Grown up” and wear makeup daily, and work with government officials that never take me seriously (BLUH!) I NEED to pack some big girl makeup, but it also has to multi-task, because I’m ONLY taking a backpack.
You heard me right! I’m spending 6 days living out of a backpack, and need to live with skincare, and makeup out of a quart sized bag for almost a week.
GAH!
This post made me giggle! (‘It fits actual body parts’ bahahaha). I feel your pain though. Too bad you couldn’t fit it all in the Sephora bag, that was definitely the cutest bag! When I travel, I try to take as many multitasking items as possible (aka blush, highlight, and bronzer that also doubles as eyeshadow and lipstick), and keep it as minimal as possible, but I still don’t think I could ever fit anything into that small a bag LOL.
This has been my solution: https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Creek-Pack-Toiletry-Organizer/dp/B00F9S7BBO
It’s not the most glamorous looking but it’s easy to get things in and out. The “dopp kit” style is good that way. I put brushes in the side compartments and it protects them from getting too banged around. I think there is a see-thru option available in the Specter line – I have it in black.
Oh my gosh… what an ace job of streamlining! Yay! ?. I’ll be curious to see if you feel that you could have brought more brushes. Hope you’re having a super relaxing time! ??