Beauty Tips for Those Who Travel

When I started out traveling, it didn't take long for me to streamline my makeup so that I have a finished but natural look. But it took a bit longer to figure out the hair part since I went through several styles over the years looking for something that would be easy wash and wear. I found it easier to keep the same routine on and off the road so that I didn't have to keep switching back and forth.

Actually, I don't totally have the hair thing nailed down. But I've realized that since I have wavy hair that's just not going to happen. But I've found that I can minimize the problems with hair gel and hairspray, especially when I'm in Europe and my adapter decides to fritz out and my curling iron won't work.

I usually curl the ends of my bangs and hair since they tend to be bent in several directions at the same time and curling the ends also controls the wave in the middle of the hair so that it might be a bit more consistent.

When I had short hair I either had perms or gelled my hair in a spike in an attempt to control it's unpredictable quality with limited success, especially since my hair grows fast and is thick. So, I keep it in long layers, if it's not behaving I can just pin it back or sweep it up into a ponytail, limiting the wildness or limpness depending upon how it's behaving that day.

Since I have wavy hair, which doesn't have the same buoyant body that curly hair and some straight hair has, I have had to try a lot of gels before I found one that was strong enough and light weight enough to control the hair without weighing down what body I do have and in fact enhancing it.

In both my makeup and hair routine I use products that are as much as possible uncomplicated, easy to use and long lasting because I don't have time to fuss over how I look. In this article I list what beauty items I use and why:

Makeup:

Cover Girl: The products that I use in this brand are easy to use, consistently dependable and work with my coloring and skin type.

Smoky Plum eye shadow; I have dark green eyes so a dark smoky purple is a good choice for my eye color and skin coloring. It's the only color I use since it goes with everything and can be used for casual as well as for dressier occasions without causing me to look too made-up. Also, because it's a dark color. I use it sparingly
which means it lasts longer since I use less of it.

Depending upon your coloring, any dark color would be a good choice, such as navy, brown, forest green, teal or gray.

Cheekers blush; I've tried different blush brands over the years and I've found this brand easy to apply, long lasting and most complementary to my coloring as well as nonirritating to my skin.

Waterproof Lashblast mascara; I will only use a waterproof mascara since I can't stand to have it slide down into my eyes and I need it to last all day without reapplication. I used to use their Marathon waterproof until they changed the formula and it just didn't work for me anymore.

I tried several other brands which either smudged all over my eyes or flaked off into my eyes. Then I tried Lashblast which doesn't flake and smudges less than the other brands although not as well as the old Marathon formula.
http://www.covergirl.com/

Almay:

Concealer; My skin tends to be clear since we moved out of smoggy California which caused my skin to breakout all the time, so I no longer use foundation. This not only streamlines my makeup routine, it also minimizes makeup smudging during the day.

I used to use their Line Smoothing concealer, but switched to their Smart Shade concealer when our local store stopped carrying the original product. This allows me to look more natural, not so made-up and yet still have a finished look. I use this product because it's kind to my skin and complements my skin tone.
http://www.almay.com/

L'Oreal:

Lipstick; Actually I find that I have to go back and forth between this brand and Almay depending upon when they change formulas and colors. I was originally with this brand, when they suddenly changed all of their colors to ones I couldn't wear.

I moved to Almay until they changed their formula, which greatly irritated my lips. Fortunately, L'Oreal has gone back to some of their original colors, so I'm back with them. Because I have dry skin, I use their Celebrity Colour Riche and Colour Juice Stick lines because I like the more transparent, subtle colors plus I need the moisture.
http://www.lorealparisusa.com/

Hair Products:

Suave:

Professionals Shampoo and conditioner; I've been using this brand for years. My hair has consistently looked good with no buildup or drying.

Rave hairspray; I used to use Suave's Professional line until I couldn't find it anymore. It's hard to get hairspray that actually works on my hair. My hair tends to fly away or go limp no matter what I use, unless it's industrial strength. This is the latest one I've been using and it works most of the time.
http://www.suave.com/

LA Looks:

Curl Hair Gel: This is the only gel that I've been able to use that doesn't weigh my hair down, doesn't flake or get gummy. This helps the wave to be more consistent, controls limpness and fly-aways and also allows for a more consistent body. This product line also carries several other choices for different hair needs.
http://www.lalooks.com/

I wash my hair, wrap it up in a towel until half dry, then scrunch in the gel and allow to air dry over night. Then I curl the ends and spray them to set them. I wash my hair twice a week and often only need to curl the ends the one time, then just touch up with hairspray.

Tips on how I pack my beauty supplies for the trip:

When I pack for a trip, I pack extra hairspray and gel just in case my hair decides to act up. I also make sure to have enough shampoo and conditioner, especially shampoo in case I need more to wash the extra gel and hairspray out if I need to use extra. I pack most of it in my checked luggage, although I do carry a small bottle of hairspray in my security zippie just in case I need it.

I pack the same makeup I use at home, except for the blush which I have one just for travel. I carry my perfume in a metal atomizer which I also pack in the security zippie.

Sources:

http://www.suave.com/

http://www.lalooks.com/

http://www.lorealparisusa.com/

http://www.almay.com/

http://www.covergirl.com/