Tag Archives: Vacation Makeup Bag

Fall Beauty Wardrobe Heads West

A woman spun out of the finest silk makes the strongest robe. This line stood out to me when I devoured Eve’s Hollywood on the flight to LA. It was the book my friends and I decided to read together for our trip to LA. A vacation book club is a fun tradition my friend Lindsay started when we went to Mexico together earlier this year. And we always try to base our choice off of the destination.

Traveling with friends is different than a vacation with your partner. I’m sad it’s over. Since the spring, I’ve been looking forward to a trip to LA with my dear friends. One lives in Chicago, so I see her regularly, and the other in Northern California and I miss her so much. I lean on these ladies for laughs, advice and strength. They are my strong robes.

It was a much needed four day getaway. The highlight was all of the food we ate, with a close second just being able to hear the sounds of the ocean and see a western sunset. There was one night when we took a Lyft to Manhattan Beach during rush hour to make a dinner reservation and ran from it to soak up the sunset. We had about two minutes to spare and it was.WORTH.it. It wasn’t so much of a makeup trip, but I did pack a fair share of options from my fall beauty wardrobe.  I’m realizing that so many of my additions this season are base and concealer versus color and that’s what exciting me most. It’s also more bronzer heavy than my summer beauty wardrobe. Mainly because I use Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar as contour, blush and eyeshadow. This felt especially appropriate in the LA heat.

Some days I used my Glossier Skin Tint and layered over Dior Dreamskin Cushion for a little more glow and SPF power, especially on our hike. I skipped concealer under the eye most nights (we were well rested!) but I did layer NARS Soft Matte Concealer on redness, around the nose and a few travel blemishes. Always travel zits. Without fail, there’s always one reminder that I was on an airplane for several hours.

I did incorporate a little bit of color with Bite Multistick in Cerise on lips, cheeks and eyes. But, the go to lip combo was a mix of Bite Beauty Lip Pencil 10 and Glossier Rose Balm Dot Com.

Since I’ve been back this past week, I’ve been using mostly the same makeup. I had a moment the other day where I realized that I’m halfway through my beauty wardrobe. Fall is flying by. It’s clear that there are a few things that I just don’t need to own and a wish list that is growing for the holiday season.

The Makeup I Actually Wore on Vacation

It’s a wrap on vacation! I’m back from Sweden and Finland. It’s kind of crazy to think my last day at work was June 2 and now it’s June 19. A few weeks away was exactly the escape I needed. I’ve always had an affection for Scandivian design, and now it’s developing into a full-fledged obsession.

We spent most of our time in Stockholm and took a trip to a Helsinki as well. It’s approaching midsummer (a bug deal in that part of the world) but it was actually quite chilly. I kept on seeing 90+ degrees in Chicago so I was happy about it, except when it was raining.

We used our Away carry-on suitcases and didn’t check any luggage. For once, I didn’t overpack makeup. I really didn’t have that luxury and by now, I know I don’t need that much. I could have brought less, sure, but I used everything I brought.

I didn’t bring everything from my summer beauty wardrobe but packed items from it. It was really nice to use the same makeup and gave me a true immersion into the world of beauty wardrobe-ing. While we were in Stockholm, I saw news of the Urban Decay Naked Heat palette. Obviously I totally want but am deferring to my rules to help me put that in check. It’s almost a relief! And, the rational part of me remembers that I actually have several items in my summer wardrobe that are really similar.

I wore IT Cosmetics CC Cream during the day – the added SPF is a major draw when you’re spending the entire day outside. The coverage on this is unreal and it has some nice reflective qualities. After spending the entire day out, we got into the routine of napping, showering and getting ready again at night. The sun doesn’t set until around 11 (even later in Finland!) so it always felt like we were going out early. Vacation brain is awesome. When I did my makeup for night, I kept it really simple with just a few drops of Glossier Skin Tint and Stretch Concealer.

Another every day was NARS Sun Wash Diffusing Bronzer and Cloud Paints in Dusk and Beam. I used a flat foundation brush to apply the Cloud Paints and I’ve been really into the finish it gives versus my fingers. I ran out of my It Cosmetics Skinny Brow Pencil on the last day of vacation – grateful it didn’t happen sooner. I like to layer some strokes under Boy Brow. I have a MAC brow pencil that I intend to replace this with instead of buying something new.

I also kept my eye makeup pretty basic. I packed a single MAC eyeshadow in Grain that wasn’t *technically* in my beauty wardrobe but it’s because I didn’t want to bring the big face palette. During the day I’d sweep it on without any primer – despite bringing my NARS Smudgeproof eye base. Grain is the perfect skin colored pearl – it doesn’t look like color on my lid so when it got a little oily it took on a glossy look.

Most nights I used Ilia Next To You. Sometimes I’d layer it with the NARS duo in St Paul de Vence. I also used Bite Beauty Multistick in Blondie on my eyelids and lower lash line. I took a tiny liner brush and concentrated it on the lower lash line as well. It totally defined my eyes in almost an invisible way – I could tell my eyes looked more open but couldn’t tell I was wearing any makeup. I could have used less lip color. I wore Balm Dot Com and Gen G in Leo nearly every day.

I’m only a few weeks in to my beauty wardrobe, and I’m loving it. I’m excited to try new ways to use these colors. I’ll be honest, too, it feels good to use things up! I know this sounds backward but there’s nothing better than a well loved tube of lipstick nearing the end. Right?

Vacation Makeup Bag: Fall Getaway Edition

Vacation-Makeup

The pretties are packed and I’m ready for a vacation! Seriously ready. I’ve hardly taken any time off this year. A glaring reminder is the fact that I still have 14 vacation days stowed away for the rest of the year.  I’m ready to burn a few with a long weekend to DC. Since I moved back to the Midwest from DC in 2009, I’ve hardly been back. Can’t wait to catch up with friends and visit some of my fav places. Though, I’m not too happy about all of this rain heading up the coast from Hurricane Karen. I’m determined to make the best of the dreary days.

Vacaction-MakeupBag-DC

The makeup I’m bringing for this trip is a lesson in self-control. Two blushes is editing for me, guys. And please do congratulate me on bringing a single eyeliner. Cream blushes are my jam right now so I couldn’t possibly choose between Butter LONDON Naughty Biscuit and Illamasqua Velvet Blusher in Peaked. The BECCA Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation is like a tinted moisturizer with a little more oomph. Wears beautifully all day, so I like to travel with that one. I always over pack eye makeup, so I’m keeping it simple with Benefit Nude Swings, an always perfect with everything rose gold, and the option to go smoky with Chanel Enigma. That one eyeliner I can survive on for four days? Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl in Penny Lane. When you twist the cap, it sharpens itself! Since I know there’s probably a handful of lipsticks buried in my purse, I’m only packing two in my makeup bag. Burt’s Bees Sunny Day and MAC Retro Matte in Flat Out Fabulous. If I can’t actually get a sunny day, may as well channel good vibes through makeup!