Stila

Continuing with the travel theme I touched on the other day, let’s get into specifics—the products I use when I travel and why. As I mentioned, I’m in Cincinnati for a few days with just carry-on luggage. (A product junkie’s worst nightmare!) My goal, of course, was to take as many non-liquid things as possible, so I’m quite proud that for probably the first time EVER, I managed to actually comply with that silly plastic bag rule.

Here’s what I took with me:

An amazing cloth mask from Olay’s Pro-X line that I’m not really supposed to talk about until September, when it comes out, but which you can take a sneaky peek at here (they’ll be sold separately, not just in the kit). You know how your skin always looks horrible for a day or two after you fly? Dehydrated and sallow and like you’ve suddenly aged ten years? Well, this is the closest thing to a miracle I’ve found. SK-II and I think YSL both make something similar, but this does essentially the same thing (firm and intensely hydrate) at a better price point. I will never travel without these again! I’ll spill more details closer to the launch date.

Vapour Organic Beauty Atmosphere Luminous Foundation. I’ve been test driving this line (available to Canadians on The Shopping Channel) and am head over heels in love with this (a stick) foundation, mostly because it’s so darn easy to use. (And also because it’s organic, of course.) You just swipe it on and smooth out the colour with your fingers. Done and done.

Revolution Organics Freedom Glow Beauty Balm. One of my fave blogs, Beauty to the People, gave this cream blush (which is again, in a stick format) a shout-out the other day, specifically touting the skin-brightening powers of the bright pink shade. I don’t always go for this bold of a hue at home, but since flying does something evil to my complexion, I need all the colour I can get! (Read my review of the entire line here.)

Solid perfume. These are a genius invention! Usually, I just grab whatever I have lying around—this time, it’s Lush Go Green, a very fresh, grassy scent. My all-time fave, however, is a vanilla (Creme Bouquet?) solid perfume from Stila… but it appears to be discontinued, eek!

Dior Eye Show Eyeshadow in Undressed Beige. This solid cream waterproof shadow goes with everything—it’s beige with a bit of a sparkle–and it does not crease, ever. Perfect for long travel days when you don’t have time to touch up your makeup.

For the same reason, I also try to bring waterproof mascara and eyeliner. This week, I’m testing Givenchy Phenomen’Eyes Waterproof Mascara (REALLY like it) and some mini waterproof liners from Sephora that work for both tightlining and a smudgy, smoky look.

A bright lipstick to wake up your face. (Like the blush, VERY much needed when you travel.) Lately, I’m loving an oldie but goodie: Cargo’s Plant Love lipstick in Maria (that’s for Maria Menounos!). It’s a sheer orangey red.

Tinted lip balm. Another solid (and therefore a better choice than a gloss). Two of the best are by Green Beaver and Korres—I wear them during the day and even to bed.

For skincare, besides the aforementioned (amazing, incredible, cannot-live-without-it) cloth mask, I always bring travel-size bottles of cleanser, moisturizer and SPF, as well as some kind of exfoliating agent if space permits. My new fave brightening brand, Lumixyl, gave me a mini starter kit that I’m using on this trip (cleanser, glycolic acid treatment, brightening moisturizer and SPF) and I’m loving it—it doesn’t leave you greasy at all and the glycolic really tingles…in a good way. Check this post for a bit of info on their signature brightening treatment, and stay tuned for a more in-depth post.

Kiehl’s Hair Conditioner and Grooming Aid Formula 133. Like the name says, it doubles as a conditioner and a styler—so it saves you space—AND it works amazingly well at getting rid of tangles and giving your hair a smooth, silky feel. Great product.

Non-spray format dry shampoo. The best one is by Clean, as it’s a powder (and it works and smells great). A number of my spray dry shampoos have not survived plane rides, so be forewarned. (I do bring regular shampoo too, by the way—I’m just not fussy about the brand when I travel.)

And finally, for the plane I usually (although I forgot them this time) bring two verrrrry clever products:

I have no idea if it’s still available, but Guerlain used to make a moisturizer in a solid, stick format (notice a theme here?) called Issima Hydramythic Fresh Moisturizing Stick. It’s SO, SO great for staying hydrated on the plane when you can’t carry a liquid or gel.

And Cake Beauty’s Satin Sugar All Purpose Treatment Balm is a must-have: I bring this instead of hand lotion, as it treats and prevents dry skin, chapped lips, frizzy hair, ragged cuticles… it’s a wonder product!

So what do YOU carry with you when you travel? Are you a low-mainty girl that can fit everything into a carry-on, no problem—or does your beauty kit practically need its own plane ticket?