I am definitely not a minimalist and ‘travelling light’ does not come naturally to me but I’ve managed to travel with carry on hand luggage only for a number of big trips recently. I love makeup and that’s no different when I’m travelling, so I thought I’d share what I pack to keep my ‘look’ whilst travelling.
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With some trial and error I’ve perfected a minimal makeup kit that I’ve been really happy with.
The biggest hand luggage challenge I always have when flying is fitting all my liquids into those tiny sandwich bags. I look forward to the day the rules change on that (June 2024 in the UK perhaps?) but for now we’re still squeezing containers holding 100ml or under into those airport issue bags.
The key for me – swap liquid products for pastes/putty/sticks/powders
I realised last year that I needed to minimise the amount of liquid makeup items so I can fill that sandwich bag with suncream, contact lens solution and other essentials (like a teeny tiny bottle of camera cleaning solution) instead. It’s hard to find answers to ‘what counts as liquid makeup’ as some info seems to think pastes and powders count, but in all my recent trips I’ve had no problem at all with packing pastes and powders separately to the liquids, so that’s been the key for me.
I’ve mostly gone for pastes/putties rather than powders where I can because I have a tendency to drop powder products, which results in a lot of mess and waste. If you’re less clumsy than me you might be okay with more powders.
Contents:
Packed in my makeup bag, not counted as liquids
This setup has been totally fine for me, flying from the UK to destinations including Cuba and Japan, but always check your departure airport guidelines too. Plus, don’t forget that if you transfer flights you’ll have to go through security again there, too (no, it doesn’t make sense to me either). This has caught me out before when buying suncream and it’s very annoying.
First things first, the makeup bag itself: my current makeup bag isn’t technically a makeup bag, it’s a Glitch Goods Zip Pouch in Glitch Skull (RGB), by Rob Sheridan. I love it! It’s the perfect size, the dark fabric hides makeup smudges and it makes me happy to have artwork I enjoy in my bag.
I always pack
Pressed powder: at home I might use loose powder but for travelling I’ve been using Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Oil Control Setting Powder* (see it at Boots here*, or on Amazon here*) I use translucent as I’m very pale and it’s worked well to de-shine me before I set out for the day and even get rid of the ‘glow’ later on. I like that it has a mirror and a sponge that you can easily wash, too. However, I’m not sure how it would work on darker skin tones and there doesn’t seem to a huge range of shades, sadly.
Powder brush: the sponge is good when out and about but I like to use a brush when first applying. Any powder brush is fine, I just use one I was given.
Brow kit: I haven’t found the perfect brow product yet but I quite like Rimmel London Brow This Way Eyebrow Kit* (see it at Boots here*, or on Amazon here*) It’s the best so far and it’s small and neat with a handy brush and spooly included.
Concealer: at home I use liquid concealers but I remembered stick concealers when thinking of liquid swaps and bought Rimmel London Hide The Blemish Stick Concealer* (see it at Boots here*, or on Amazon here*) – it’s great! I use it most of the time now. Online I can only see pale shades though, I’m not sure if that’s because it’s an older product? I’d hope to see more options.
Lipstick: I like a red lip so I usually pack one or two lipsticks. I’m on a hunt for a lip balm with SPF and good colour but haven’t found one yet so in the day I tend to wear something softer like KIKO Milano Velvet Passion Matte Lipstick in 311, Poppy Red* and in the evening MAC Matte Lipstick* in Ruby Woo (the Boots site doesn’t seem to have that shade, sadly). The staying power for both is great and a tube lasts me absolutely ages, though some people find the MAC a bit drying. They make a mini version of the MAC but a lipstick is so small anyway I don’t think it’s worth it.
I often add
Blusher: have I mentioned I’m very pale? Usually I wear some blusher so I don’t look completely vampiric (unless that’s the look I’m going for), but if I’m going somewhere sunny I might not need it so much. I have dropped and shattered way too many blushers in my time so I gave e.l.f. Putty Blush* (see it at Boots here* or on Amazon here*) a go and I like it. I’m using Bora Bora at the moment and I think it looks nice, if I’m careful not to put too much on the brush!
Retractable blusher brush: if I’m taking blusher I’ll take this No7 Blusher Brush*, which has a lid and is retractable, so nice and neat. You could just use your fingers but I think the application is more natural when I do it with a brush.
I sometimes also add
Eyeshadow: I usually don’t get to wear it much when we’re away because we pack so much into each day I don’t often end up having chance to spend time ‘getting ready’ for the evening as such, but if I think I will or we’re going somewhere cooler I’ll pack a small eyeshadow. At the moment this No7 eyeshadow in Taupe* is my go-to as I can blend it nicely or add some brow powder if I want to go darker. I like the idea of cream shadows (that dropping habit again) but find they crease on my eyelids.
Eyeshadow brush: if I’m taking the eyeliner I’ll take a fluffy eyeshadow brush as it blends nicely, but any will do. Again you could use your fingers but mine make the powder a bit greasy.
Packed in the liquid bag through the airport
I always pack
Liquid liner: I always wear a slick of cat eye liquid liner and since NYX stopped making their perfect liquid liner I’ve been using KIKO Milano Definition Waterproof Eyeliner* and it’s the best replacement I’ve found (thanks to Verity). It’s quite gloopy so it takes a bit of practice at first but it does not budge, even on a sweaty day with my camera at my eye. Use an oil-based remover to take off (I use Golden Jojoba Oil by Naissance* and put some in a tiny soy sauce bottle for travel).
Mascara: Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Doll-Size Mascara* is a handy size for saving space, I really like this mascara for longer-looking lashes and I also recommend it as a contact lens wearer – the brush is less likely to come into contact with my lenses than those skinny brushes everyone seems to use now.
SPF: I don’t really count this as makeup but mention it here as I know some people do. I wear SPF/suncream every day no matter what the weather and use one designed for the face on my face so it doesn’t bother my skin. I like Ambre Solaire Super UV Anti-age Face Protection Cream SPF50* (see it at Boots here* and on Amazon here*) when the sun is stronger and the tube fits nicely in my sandwich bag. At less sunny times I tend to use Neutrogena Hydro Boost City Shield Hydrating Lotion SPF 25* (see it at Boots here* and on Amazon here*)
I sometimes add
A bit of bb cream: thanks to the advice on Acne.org I’m now pretty happy with my skin so I usually just use a bit of concealer and powder, but on one trip I wanted the option of a bit more coverage so I put a bit of MISSHA M Perfect Cover BB Cream SPF* in a tiny plastic bag spare buttons come in and that was perfect.
If you have any other suggestions please let me know – I’m always keen to try new things and find better ways!
Notes on Travel is a blog by photographer Jayne Lloyd, noting the things I found useful to know when I am travelling. I’ve tried to be accurate but please do check for up-to-date information before going as things are always changing! I apologise for any mistakes, please do let me know if you have more recent info.
*This post contains affiliate links, indicated with a ‘*’ – if you click them and decide to buy something I may receive a small cut of the payment, but it won’t cost you more. Find out more in my Notes on Affiliate Links. Thank you!