Packing lightly for a roadtrip vacation

I wanted to have blogged about this before I left, but between the packing and the getting everything ready, I never did! I was out for a couple of weeks, roadtrippin’ with my favorite ally, across America. We are both obsessive packers with very different styles. He makes sure that we will be ready to deal with anything – flashlights, first-aid items, snacks – and I pack as little as humanly possible. : )

I’ve perfected my method over the years, picking clothing items that do double duty, limited color schemes and sample size toiletries. My makeup is no exception so I wanted to share the contents of my makeup bag for this trip and reference some of the posts I wrote in the past about these products.

My goal was to achieve a natural and easy look, using as few products as possible, in under 3 minutes.

For the face I used the Laura Mercier’s Mattifying fluid and it was enough for most days. If I wanted a little bit of coverage/evenness I went with LM’s Tinted Moisturizer. I also dabbed some concealer on my eyelids and under my eyes to look more awake. Casual and effortless but not shiny (I hate shiny foreheads and chins on vacation pics…)

My sample-sized Tarte Glam Gams bronzing stick became face bronzer because it works so well everywhere and takes up no space (no brush needed, either).

The eyes were all about polished brows thanks to e.l.f. Clear Mascara and defined long lashes with Tarte’s sample-sized Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara (the two products I was sure to use every day). Sometimes I added Lancôme’s eyeliner and a few nights I created a light smoky eye using L’Oréal’s eyeshadow and my lovely magical brush.

Loved my vacation, the pics look good and carrying my bag was easy – win, win, win!

Fundamental makeup brushes - recommended brands

Several makeup brands offer great brushes. As you can see from my last post, I managed to collect my makeup brushes from 6 different brands (and that’s before I explored my drawers and found 3 others…). Depending on your needs and level of investment you’re willing to make, here are three brands that are good across the board!

$ Sonia Kashuk Tools – everyone who has spent some time perusing the beauty aisles at Target knows these soft brushes. They are favorites of magazine editors and women everywhere. You really can’t go wroing - great quality at a great price.

$$ Sephora Collection Classic Brushes – Sephora is the ultimate makeup wonderland. The store’s brand products and tools are a good starting point. The selection is impressive and many of their brushes are double-sided, which I really appreciate.

$$$ MAC Brushes – These are the standard. I dare you to find a serious makeup artist that isn’t carrying at least one of these. Top quality, huge selection, every need covered. Follow the link to their interactive brush finder. Select your need from the menu on the right and have fun with the combinations!

One brush = endless eyeliner options - pic

I took this pic right after I wrote the previous post but never got around to sharing it.

So here's the effect I achieved using the Stila's wondeful brush and the darker shade of L'Oréal's HIP concentrated shadow duo in Dynamic - a beautiful metallic antique gold and a shimmery dark olive bronze. It doesn't really qualify as a forgotten eyeshadow because I actually use it a lot.

I got my bonus points by smudging it and I achieved a very natural look with a just a hint of color. I left my lashes bare so the eyeliner effect was clearer in this photo, but would normally have added mascara.

One brush = endless eyeliner options

While my goal is to pretend that I’m not wearing any makeup and just look naturally polished, eyeliner is my weakness and the only place where I get a little “showy”. We’ve established that in my previous three posts about different levels of eyeliner intensity, especially in that last one (read all about it here).

Eyeliner pencils are great but my eyeliner philosophy was greatly augmented when I discovered this magic brush – Stila #28 Smudge Pot Brush. On one end it’s a pointy (rather than flat) eyeliner brush and on the other end it’s a tightly packed smudge brush.

Though it was designed to be worn with Stila’s Smudge Pots (and I’ll surely write a post about them at some point), the really interesting thing is that you can use it to turn just about any eyeshadow into gorgeous, custom eyeliner!

Start slow and easy and pick up any basic old eyeshadow that you haven’t used in a while. Maybe it’s a basic brown that you’re not crazy about because it doesn’t go on evenly or a forest green that you bought after reading about it in a magazine, but can’t imagine wearing it all over your lid. Find it and let's get started!

Now dampen the pointy side slightly with tap water, wiggle it in the eyeshadow a couple of times and carefully draw a line as close to your eyelashes as possible. Pick up more eyeshadow if needed until you’ve completed both eyes. If you are worried that you’re not enough of an “artiste” to make this work, let it go. It’s honestly super easy and forgiving, nothing like liquid eyeliner.

You can leave it at that or turn the brush around and use the other side to slightly smudge the line. When you’re done admire your work and then go unearth all the forgotten eye shadows you can think of – you have just breathed new life into your eyeliner options!

  XQ2RU7SDRR6S

Er... no makeup toes?

Ah, we finally come to the exception that confirms the rule! I love a beautiful pedicure and can’t imagine going the no makeup way on my toes. Depending on the time of the year and my mood, I pick from 3 different types of nail polish: brights, darks and neutrals.

Brights: when it’s hot outside my toes scream for brights. I love a dazzling red like Essie’s Lollipop. This type of highly pigmented colors requires a base coat and extra care upon removal (yep, go ahead and do a second round with a new cotton pad drenched in nail polish remover so that your cuticles regain their natural color…). While I love these colors they’re higher maintenance than I’d like so I tend to alternate with easier to apply and longer lasting neutrals.

Darks: so chic, so edgy, such great contrast! While I love a classic burgundy, these past months I’ve been drawn to dark browns and greys. My recent discovery and current favorite is Sally Hanson’s Tyin’ the Knot! The color is a shimmering warm pewter that goes with everything and lasts forever.

Neutrals: thought the above categories are great, neutrals remain my favorites. I love effortless metallics with a hint of shimmer that don’t require base or top coats, brush on evenly and look great with just one coat if I’m in a hurry. They also come clean with just one swipe of nail polish remover. Truly easy peasy!

3 neutral favorites:

Gold/bronze – Sally Hansen Salon Complete Manicure in Gilty Pleasure. Beautiful, understated color that looks great with olive skin. Recurrently admired on my toes, I’ve started giving bottles of this polish away to family and friends.

Silver – Milani Nail Lacquer in Ms. Milani. It is a gorgeous color described at the Milani website as “chromed silver gold”. If that doesn’t make you want to see it on your toes, check for a pulse. : ) It’s warm, flattering and easy to wear. It goes with both my gold sandals and my grey peep toes, and that’s a feat!

White – Borghese Nail Lacquer Vernis in Luna Pearl. I absolutely love this color but it’s apparently no longer available for sale (except on eBay, where you can find just about anything if you search carefully enough). I tried many pearly whites until I found the right one, with just enough warmth mixed in. It was the nail polish I wore on my toes at my wedding! A similar shade would be Essie’s Show Me The Ring (which I guess would have been even more appropriate at a wedding). I love how clean and distinguished it looks on my toes.

Perfecting skin – level 2

Skin is of supreme importance to the no makeup look. Like I discussed in the level 1 post of this series, our goals are to achieve a more even tone, less noticeable pores and a finish with a slight glow to it. In level 2 we’re looking for a little more coverage, which will help with the correction of any flaws. The type of product we will talk about is mineral makeup.

Much like millions of women, I am a fan of bareMinerals. When I first heard about it a few years ago I thought it was a marketing gimmick, just a new name for powder makeup, loose instead of pressed into a compact. Then I picked up a small amount of the stuff, rubbed between my fingers and was surprised by the almost creamy, silky texture. I remain a believer to this day.

You can visit their website to choose the right color for you. Stick with the original formula rather than the matte formula to better achieve the luminous finish.

Application is a cinch. Use one of their brushes – I prefer the Full Flawless Face brush – to pick up a small amount of product (less than a penny-sized amount of powder) that you’ve tapped onto the lid of the foundation pot. Swirl the brush around the lid to spread the powder evenly into the brush. Then use the brush to buff your skin using light round motions. There is really no way to go wrong with this technique. Start with just a little bit, take your time with buffing and add more if you feel it’s needed.

Skin looks perfected but entirely natural. Foundation does not settle into fine lines and the gentle buffing makes sure everything looks even. If your skin is oily, finish with hint of pressed or loose powder on your forehead, nose and chin. Two minutes and you’re done!

A brighter smile

White teeth have a number of interesting connotations. They are associated with being healthy, wealthy and young, among others. There are also beauty benefits. Whiter teeth also make your skin look less sallow and your lips naturally darker, by contrast. You can see how bright teeth are a great staple for the no makeup look, making everything better before you add even a drop of product.

The good news? Whiter teeth are easier and cheaper to achieve than ever! A few simple steps will make your results even better. 

Select a product like Crest 3D White Advanced Vivid Whitestrips. The new technology is much better than in older strips. The packaging is easy to deal with, the size of the strips is right, and once you put them on they stay on since they have a slightly sticky texture.

Start the process by NOT brushing your teeth. Sounds counterintuitive, right? Apparently, the fluoride in toothpaste can prevent the bleach from doing its job. You can rinse with water or brush without toothpaste if you’d like. I like to floss with a non waxy product as well. Right before you put the strips on you can use a tissue to dry your teeth and help the strips adhere better.

Take the strips out of the pouch and place them on your teeth, covering them as best as possible and avoiding your gums. Since users’ main complaint is that strips don’t whiten between teeth, go over the edges with your nail, pushing the strip onto the space between your teeth.

Avoid eating and drinking while you have the strips on. Wait the recommended amount of time and remove carefully. Feel free to brush your teeth afterwards. Most specialists recommend avoiding dark foods and drinks (berries, coffee, wine) for 24 hours but the Crest website states that it doesn’t make a difference.

Enjoy your new brighter smile and enhance it even more by wearing a stain with a slighty blueish undertone like Covergirl Outlast Lipstain in Plum Pout.

Luscious lips

When your lips are dry, a stain just won’t cut it. That’s the time to turn to the great staple that is the tinted lip balm. Though the whole category has a certain “granola vibe” to it, not all tinted lip balms are alike and you are sure to find something perfect for your needs.

For the color-phobic I’d recommend Burt's Bees Pomegranate Lip Balm. Not a tinted lip balm, this one has just a hint of color and sheen. It smells and feels delicious without adding a lot of chemicals to the process. I’ll also admit that it’s on this list because I love it and I’ll plug it wherever I can. : )

If you’re looking for some color without a glossy effect, Burt’s Bees also recently launched a new tinted lip balm. Rose, a mix between pink and red, looks like very natural. Again, I like that the ingredient list is short and sweet.

Last but not least, luxe lovers can check out Fresh SugarTinted Lip treatments. Beautiful texture and scent, with three colors to choose from – Honey, Rosé and Plum.

One product to replace them all!

Many years ago, when I first tried self-tanner on my face, I was very careful. I made sure to use small quantities, rub it in at length and brush my nails after I was done with the application. After a few days of using it I was really happy with the results – the color was very natural and I looked healthy. I was proud of my cheat until a friend pointed out a small detail I had missed. There was a very clear demarcation line in the area where my jaw met my earlobe… I was mortified.

When you think of it, it was only natural... Never do I extend my face moisturizer onto my ears! Try it for yourself and see where your fingers go… Well, with tanner, you gotta! When you are done rubbing it in, work out the leftover from your fingers on your earlobes and around the ear. Now that you know this little trick, you’re ready to look your best.

Nobody does self tanners like Clarins – it’s like they have a magical formula that no one else’s heard of! Their Radiance-Plus Golden GlowCream-Gel is no exception. I recommend smoothing one pump of this product to your skin every night, and switch to every other night once the color is right. I swear you’ll end up wearing less makeup and fewer products when you wake up the next morning.

Defined brows

I’ve written about polished brows before but we should add a second step to that routine if we want to make sure brows look their best, especially if you have a few bald spots or are growing them out. 

Of all brow filling products, powder tends to look the most natural. Think of it as eyeshadow for your brows! The best color depends more on the color of your skin than that of your eyebrows. The lighter your skin, the closest you should stay to taupe, even if your eyebrows are dark like mine. Start light and go darker if the results are not noticeable enough.

Take a stiff, angled and short haired brush, dip it in the powder and then work it carefully unto your brow line, following their natural shape. Even though it sounds a little uncomfortable, apply it against the direction of the hair growth for best results. After application step back and check your work. It’s easier to see if both eyebrows are balanced from a distance.

When you’re done your eyebrows should look a little fuller, more even and defined. Ignore the wax that comes with the brow powder (many times it’s hard to work and flakes) and finish your work with a coat of transparent mascara.

Perfecting skin – level 1

Beautiful skin is essential to the no makeup look. It should look like your skin is naturally flawless. Here are the basics we are looking for:

• Even tone – no blotches, redness, sun spots or pimples;
• Small pores – not really erased since skin needs texture, but minimized;
• Glowing – flawless skin isn’t shiny or matte but has a soft sheen to it, especially on cheeks. Sometimes referred to as dewy skin.

So how do we achieve that? There are many options and many levels of involvement. I’d like to start this series of posts with the lightest one, the tinted moisturizer.

Tinted moisturizers are wonderful products to even out tone, create good texture and achieve the right amount of sheen. Most formulas include some SPF which allows you to skip that step!

Application is refreshingly easy. If your skin is normal or dry, you may want to start with a serum or light moisturizer. Wait a couple of minutes to let it sink in and then proceed to the tinted moisturizer. Pour a largish pea-sized amount of product on your fingertips, rub your fingertips together gently to warm it up and then massage it to your skin as if you’re applying moisturizer. Make sure it has gone on evenly and you haven’t missed any bits. If your skin is combination or oily this amount of moisturizer is probably enough in the summer, but in your case take a fluffy powder brush and add a tiny amount of face powder to the t-zone (forehead, nose and chin).

A favorite of beauty editors everywhere (and mine also) is Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer SPF20. I also like Stila’s Sheer ColorTinted Moisturizer SPF 15. Both offer plenty of natural colors, comfortable wear and a very natural finish.

Eyeliner pencil – intensity 1

What is the cosmetic product you take with you to a deserted island? (I’d love to hear your opinions in comments!) As for me, if I had to pick one it would probably be Lancôme’s Le Crayon Khol in Brun (a.k.a. brown).

Eyeliner is my weapon of choice, and I can say that this particular product goes above and beyond. It’s the perfect dark chocolate shade, it’s richly pigmented, it blends better than anything I’ve ever tried and it has considerable staying power.  As if that wasn’t enough, it also wears off well – when it’s a little smudged at the end of the day, it looks even better.

Intensity 1, the first post focusing on eyeliner, is all about intensifying the shape of your eyes in an understated way. Take a sharpened eyeliner pencil and carefully dot it between your upper and lower eyelashes, wiggling the tip into the lash line. Do it at small regular intervals, aiming for at least 10 dots. Run your finger over the base of your lashes gently to smudge any excess.  This technique makes the roots of your lashes darker, which in turn makes your lashes look fuller and your eyes more defined. The effect is very light, but you’ll see the difference. Look for intensity 2 next week.

 

A little sheen goes a long way

How do you extend the no makeup effect to the rest of your body? Maybe you’re wearing a little sleeveless dress and it would be lovely to work some magic. 

There’s a 3-part process that guarantees beautiful results. It’s scrub + moisturize + self-tan. Yep! That will be great, especially next week, after you’ve been doing it for a week. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water and eat a range of vegetables to make the most of nutritional benefits, while you’re at it!

Now, if we’re talking about something that you can do right now, in under 30 seconds, and that will yield very decent results, then we are on the same wavelength. Grab a bronzer stick with just a little bit of shimmer like the one pictured below (I also like Michael Kors’ Classic Leg Shine but unfortunately can’t tolerate the strong floral fragrance), run it once from your shoulder to your elbows, down the front and the back of your legs and on your collarbone (if it’s exposed), and blend lightly. You don't want it all over, just a one continuous line down each side. Kind of like highlighting for the body, it draws attention to one area of sheen, and makes the limbs look slimmer. It’s fool-proof, dries quickly, and doesn’t rub off on clothes. When the light catches and your skin glows, people will think you have had a great body skin routine for a month!

Lips!

Ah, lipstick on the teeth… the ultimate giveaway that your “better than natural” lip color is not that natural after all! I swear I try hard, and even do the thing where you wrap your lips around your thumb and pull it out, to remove some of the excess color. Nothing works for me, which is why I love stains and most of all, sharpie-like markers.

I remember when Yves Saint Laurent came up with their Lip Marker in 2003. I was ecstatic! Sure, it was expensive, the color wasn’t that great (I had #1, the peachiest color that was still way too pink and bright), and it dried up pretty quickly but it was so smart! And it stayed put! And none got on my teeth! I was hooked.

Fast forward to 2010 and those lip markers are everywhere. Covergirl has updated the formula to something that is beautiful, non drying and very wearable. My favorite is Sassy Mauve, which is what my lips would look like if Mother Nature had given them the perfect hue. 

Some people complain about application but basic ground rules will guarantee that you have the best effect. Make sure your lips are in good shape to start with – exfoliate them with a soft lip scrub such as the ones by Lush – moisturize lightly with some balm and apply a quick layer of stain. Step back and admire your work. Add more if needed. 

Even your kissing partner won’t be able to tell you’re wearing lip make up!

Better than natural lashes

If the point is to look like you’re wearing no makeup, what should the deal be with lashes? Your goal is long, defined and clean lashes that still read as natural. There are a couple of lash tints on the market and while they look the most natural, the final look is lackluster (and for a girl who strives for subdued, that’s saying a lot).

Choose mascara that is lengthening or defining, and that doesn’t clump. Newer mascaras with rubber wands are great at creating the right effect, and drugstore brands provide plenty of options. Apply just a couple of coats to the top lashes only, from the root all the way to the tips. If you need to, separate lashes some more with an eyelash comb.

If your coloring is on the lighter side, try dark brown instead of black. Some makeup artists shun brown mascaras but unless your eyebrows are very dark, brown is much better at achieving a natural look.

Don't forget to change your mascara every 6 months or sooner if it starts to dry up and clump (another reason to use cheaper drugstore brands).

Flushed

The blush look I try to recreate is the same that I get naturally, after exercising. My cheeks get a little flushed, a pink/reddish color and slightly dewy.

My current favorite achieves the finish I described above and is called Flush (Tarte clearly knows what they’re doing). It’s a cream-gel that sinks in and looks entirely natural. Though it feels a little sticky right after application, it dries after a few minutes. Staying power is a problem with most cream blushes but I find that this one does a good job of overcoming that.

Apply the stick directly to the apples of the cheeks (the part that is raised when you’re smiling) and blend with your fingers. Start small and build it up if needed. Let it dry until you can’t feel it anymore. Smile when people comment on how healthy you look.

Eyes that look “well rested”

There are few things that I hate more than hearing, “You look tired.” Sometimes I really am tired (and during some phases of my life it was a very accurate statement most of the time) but it bothers me even more when it isn’t true. I hear those words a lot less these days thanks to my little trick.

Inspecting my eyes I realized that my lids are very transparent and naturally have a purplish hue to them. Also, the area above the inner corner of my eyes is rather dark. Even though my dark circles aren’t very noticeable and I took the time to correct them, the other two areas were messing up my work.
 

Concealer became my savior! I’ll still apply a little under my eyes, but the trick really is to do it all over the eyelid and a little around the inner corner as well. Start by trying your favorite concealer and see if it goes evenly on your lids. Mine wasn’t ideal for that area but I have become a fan of bareMinerals Well Rested, which really does what it promises. It doesn’t look like eye shadow, stays put all day and erases all the discoloration and dark spots. My mom is also a fan, since it doesn't settle into lines. Eyes that look fully awake are now available to all!

Well-behaved brows

Brows are easy to forget but since they frame your eyes, it’s a good thing to put a little thought into them. Especially if they’re a little messy and unruly like mine, this tip makes a big difference.

I maintain their natural shape, tweeze the strays that don’t belong and then apply clear mascara. E.L.F. (which stands for Eyes, Lips, Face) makes a great $1 clear brow and lash mascara, but any clear mascara will do. Work the wand through the brows until the shape looks right – they are all pointing in the same direction and look clean – and let it set. 

No one can tell what you’ve done but in 10 seconds you look more polished.

Less shine please!

I live in Austin, TX, which means that the summer is ruthless. Temperatures are mostly over 100 degrees and it’s always sunny. Makeup literally melts when you walk out the door!

After putting on a moisturizer with a high SPF, I need something weightless that will keep shine to a minimum. Powder looks like makeup – a matte finish in August is too much of a giveaway – so I’ve found the perfect product to give me a fresh complexion that looks completely natural.

A pea size amount of Laura Mercier’s Secret Finish Mattifying makes my skin look velvety, like it’s been perfected. I apply it mostly to my t-zone (forehead, chin, nose and areas around nose) and I’m good to go. A friend recently commented that I don’t see affected by the heat. If only!