I’m ashamed to say I have read none of this. I will be changing that :)
ugh, me either. i’m so ready for school to not dominate my every waking second. yay yay yay last day of classes!!
There are two, shall we say, ‘secrets’ to packing a successful, compact toiletry/beauty case for traveling. The first is obvious: pack travel sized products.
The second little secret is to pack products which serve more than one purpose. Use an oil that is suited to your face, hands and hair, or pack a cosmetic that can put a rose in both your cheeks and lips. The more purposes an item serves, the more it earns a position in the cutthroat world of toiletry cases.
Beyond your basic toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and deodorant, here are ten of my personal favorite products; several are multipurpose, and they all come in handy travel sizes.
Now you have more room for that duty free perfume you’ve got your eye on.
Multipurpose Oil –Trilogy Rosehip Oil
This is a brilliant moisturizer that suits all skin types, and can be used on the body, face, and for dry hair. Great to use after time spent in the sun and for cracked cuticles as well. Natural, nourishing and multipurpose.
Dry Shampoo/Hair Powder – Principessa Hair Powder
If you can’t get hold of shampoo for a few days, are in seemingly endless transit, or don’t have time to wash your hair, this is your best friend.
It soaks up oil, extends your blow-dry and gives limp travel hair an instant boost.
Lip Balm – Yes to Carrots C Me Smile Lip Butter
Lip gloss doesn’t moisturize so make sure you pack a balm. This small compact balm is full of natural goodness for lips that have borne the brunt of in-flight air conditioning.
Cheek/Lip Stain – Benefit Benetint
Stains are long lasting and can be used on both lips and cheeks. Instead of packing a blush compact and a lipstick (too fiddly for traveling), go for a tint.
One handy little bottle means rosy cheeks and lip color and more room in your toiletry case.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is an absolute no-brainer and finding a travel sized product is easy, so no excuses. Go with a minimum of 30+, particularly when traveling in the Southern Hemisphere (we lost our ozone layer).
For light face coverage, try a tinted moisturizer with SPF.
Atomizer
Buy an atomizer, available at chemists and most perfume specialty stores, and fill it with your favorite perfume. Not only does it save lugging the full sized bottle around (and the risk of breaking it) but they’re small enough to take in carry-on luggage, so you’ll always have a spritz of your signature scent on hand.
Face Wipes – Garnier Fresh Complete Cleansing Wipes
Cloth wipes don’t break or leak, are easy to transport and a great pick me up after a long day of sightseeing. You can also take them on a plane for that much needed in-flight freshening up.
Hand cream – Nivea SOS Intensive Balm
If you’re flying a lot, or in a dry climate, then your paws will get dry and itchy and when your cuticles split, it’s painful. This perfectly sized handcream provides quick absorption and is uber-hydrating.
Manicure Kit – Dumpling Dynasty Beauty Kit
Manicure kits, like sewing kits are things you think you can do without but when you lose a button, a key or a splinter, these little things come in mighty handy.
Mineral Powder – Inika Mineral Powder Foundation
No one wants to be bothered with a full face of make up when traveling. This light, completely natural mineral powder acts as a concealer and foundation.
It’s the definition of no fuss.
Just received my Google Wave invite, now if I can figure out how to use it…
Stylish Books For Your Collection
Jennifer Carroll’s Underneath It All: A Girl’s Guide To Buying, Wearing, And Loving Lingerie
you lucky bitches. invitation only is dumb dumb dumb.
Because life’s too short to blend in. Don’t settle for average.
Because you’re only young once. You’re way more gorgeous than you know & have a fabulous body you’ll one day look back on and wish you had! Take advantage now and show off how fabulous you can be.
Because fashion is a method of self expression. What are you trying to say?
Because you never know who you’ll run into. Brad Pitt at the grocery store? Hey, stranger things have happened.
Because it obviously annoys some people (like the guy who asks why YOU are so dressed up). The fact that it annoys them so much is all the more reason to keep doing it.
Because you never know, there’s always a chance you could get snapped by The Sartorialist (or maybe the girls over at Street Spotted)!
Because you deserve to look your best at all times.
Because you’ll never improve your sense of style if your default look is “I give up”. Yes, that was a Seinfeld reference. But it’s true!
Because dressing up helps you weed out friends who don’t love you for you. If they have a problem with the way you dress, they’re not the kind of friends you want around.
Because cute clothes and accessories are a great conversation starter. Wear something fabulous and people will ask you where you got it.
Because parties aren’t the only time to celebrate.
Because that fabulous party dress in your closet cost too much to only be worn once. Remember cost per wear?
Because it’s fun!
Because even if you live in an “unstylish” city & are scared to dress up, cities don’t become stylish without someone going first. I know it sounds cheesy, but be the change you want to see in the world. Everyone else can follow your fabulous lead.
Because dressing up helps you make fashion mistakes and get past them. Mistakes happen to everyone and that’s how you learn what not to do – get them out of the way now!
Because it’s a test of your confidence. Dressing unconventionally forces you to develop the self-assurance necessary to stand out from everyone else.
Because fashion is one of the rare instances where art comes alive. What artistic statement do you want to make?
Because if you’ve got it (great style, killer confidence, amazing legs), it’s just wrong not to flaunt it.
Because someday when you have a 9-5 corporate job and are required to wear business suits, you’re going to miss the freedom of dress you had in college. Experiment now! There’s no better time.
Because glamour isn’t only reserved for the rich and famous, even though maybe they’d like you to believe it is.
Because if conspiracy theorists are to be believed, the world might end on 12/31/2012 – that’s only 1211 days from now! Even though we all worried about Y2K too, why not be on the safe side? Don’t spend the theoretical 1211 days you have left in sweats.
Because Carrie Bradshaw would not approve of your sweatpants and UGG boots. You can do better than that. And deep down, you know I’m right.
Because dressing well means you don’t have to do your hair at all – you’ll have that ultra fabulous, slightly disheveled Kate Moss look.
Because nothing beats the rush you feel when you look in the mirror and LOVE what you see.
Because you want to. That’s the only reason that matters.