Today I embark on an almost 7 week long adventure throughout Europe, so I thought I'd share with you what makeup I brought along with me! I'll have a seperate post up in a couple of days on what skincare has come along with me. Deciding what makeup to take, or rather, what not to take, was honestly the hardest part of my packing. I've been writing and scrapping lists for month, trying to figuring out what was too little, or too much, of what I could take. This is a long post, but it's a great in depth glimpse into the products I couldn't live without for 7 weeks.
The makeup bag I'm taking I purchased from Typo a few months ago, but I unfortunately haven't seen it for sale again since I picked it up. It came with two smaller makeup bags, which I'll also be taking with me for the storage of other bits and bobs I'm taking.
To ensure nothing gets left out, my packing starts in order of application. So, beginning with my base:
SPF - The Mecca Cosmetic To Save Face and To Save Eyes will go under my foundation most days, unless I'm wearing my It Cosmetics CC+ cream, as that already has SPF 50+, so I'll be skipping the To Save Face on those days. For my body I'll be using the Nivea SPF 50+ sunscreen spray. I've not travelled to this part of the world before, but I'm hoping the UV won't be as strong as Perth (with the exception of perhaps Greece), so I'm hoping get a natural tan!
Primer - Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer - best primer I've found to date which prolongs the wear time of my foundation or CC cream, whilst still being appropriate for dry skin. I'm taking the smallest size, but when I return home I'll be investing in the largest size and moving product into this bottle.
SPF - The Mecca Cosmetic To Save Face and To Save Eyes will go under my foundation most days, unless I'm wearing my It Cosmetics CC+ cream, as that already has SPF 50+, so I'll be skipping the To Save Face on those days. For my body I'll be using the Nivea SPF 50+ sunscreen spray. I've not travelled to this part of the world before, but I'm hoping the UV won't be as strong as Perth (with the exception of perhaps Greece), so I'm hoping get a natural tan!
Primer - Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer - best primer I've found to date which prolongs the wear time of my foundation or CC cream, whilst still being appropriate for dry skin. I'm taking the smallest size, but when I return home I'll be investing in the largest size and moving product into this bottle.
Light base - It Cosmetics CC+ Cream (Shade Light) - This is my favourite face product ever, so of course it had to come on holiday with me. It provides a natural to dewy, light to medium coverage, depending on how you apply it or set it. The SPF 50+ in this product makes it ideal for day time wear. Only reason I'm taking a foundation in addition to this is the flashback from the SPF in night time photography, and greater longevity I know I'll need on some days.
Foundation - Makeup Forever Ultra HD Foundation (Shade Y225 Marble) - I picked up this foundation only just before leaving after hearing great reviews, so thought it would be perfect given all the holiday photos. This shade matches me perfectly right now, but might need to go hard with my Chanel bronzer if I get a tan!
Concealer - LA Girl Pro Conceal - This is my favourite affordable concealer. It provides good coverage, but doesn't crease under the eyes. Although it's currently a similar shade to my skin tone, the peachy undertone to this means it still gives a brightening effect. It's also great for concealing blemishes.
Powders - RCMA No Color Powder - I have transferred this to a smaller, traditional loose powder container, which you can read about here. I use this for setting the under eye area, and sometimes the rest of the face, in combination with Mac Mineralise Skin Finish, depending on the day. The MSF compact is so handy to throw in your hand bag for touch ups if required.
Cream Highlight - Essence Soo Glow - This product is now discontinued (lucky I bought backups), but this is a cream highlight, similar to the Becca poured or Mac cream colour base formulas. This is great for a quick glow, with or without a powder highlight on top.
Setting Spray - After I finish my makeup I will douse my face in the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray to settle powders and ensure my makeup looks fresh for as long as possible.
Cream Highlight - Essence Soo Glow - This product is now discontinued (lucky I bought backups), but this is a cream highlight, similar to the Becca poured or Mac cream colour base formulas. This is great for a quick glow, with or without a powder highlight on top.
Setting Spray - After I finish my makeup I will douse my face in the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray to settle powders and ensure my makeup looks fresh for as long as possible.
Cream Bronzer - Soleil tan de Chanel - This is my all time favourite bronzer, so of course I had to take it with me. It gives the skin a beautiful, natural, healthy bronzed glow, and when set with a powder bronzer has great lasting power. This can even be worn on its own for no makeup days for a touch of colour. This functions as both a cream bronzer and contour, or 'brontouring' as if heard it referred to. Only downside to this product is it's size and weight, but being without it was not an option!
Powder Highlight - Urban Decay 8 Hour Afterglow Highlight (Sin) - This is a champagne highlight which is perfect for my skin tone. It doesn't accentuate any texture, and is highly reflective, which is what I like!
All In One - Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palette - This palette is probably one of my favourite purchases of 2016, along with my IT Cosmetics CC cream and ABH Modern Renaissance. The formula and shade combination of all the powders is perfect. This bronzer is such a versatile shade it will be both my contour and bronzer shade. The packaging is sturdy and ideal for travel, with the self supporting mirror of great quality and size.
Blush - Milani Baked Blush (Luminoso) - Although the CT palette contains two blushes, this one is a must have for a summer glow.
Miscellaneous Z Palette - Anastasia Beverly Hills Golden Bronze highlight from 'That Glow' Kit. I use this as a bronzer of bronzer topper, which gives an overall bronzey glow to the skin. This works in perfect combination with the Soileil tan de Chanel. Also in this Z Palette is a few of my Makeup Geek Eyeshadows.
Eyeshadow - In addition to my favourite MUG shades, I needed to take a palette for when I'm wanting to glam up a little more. I found it so hard to decide between the Too Faced Sweet Peaches, Semi-Sweet and the ABH Modern Renaissance. So much uncertainty that I'll probably swap it out last minute before I leave. Modern Renaissance currently has my heart so I have a feeling that's what will win this competition.
Eyeshadow Primer - Urban Decay Original Eyeshadow Primer Potion - I probably won't be wearing eyeshadow regularly whilst on holiday, but when I do I'll use this to prep my lid and ensure the shadow lasts forever.
Eyes - For liquid liner I'm taking the Jordana Liquid Liner. It's easy to apply, pigmented, and very long lasting. I'm not usually one to use eyeliner or cream shadow, but for if I do, I'll have the Rimmel MagnifEyes, which has a champagne shade on it's smaller end, and bronze on the other. To make me look more awake when I'm sleep deprived I have the Rimmel Exaggerate Eyeliner in Nude. For mascara I'll be taking my recent purchase, Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara.
Brows - For outlining and filling my brows I'll be using the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer in Medium Brown. Sadly this will probably run out while I'm away, but a perfect excuse to visit a European Sephora! To set the brows I'll of course be taking the L'oreal Brow Artist in blonde.
Brows - For outlining and filling my brows I'll be using the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer in Medium Brown. Sadly this will probably run out while I'm away, but a perfect excuse to visit a European Sephora! To set the brows I'll of course be taking the L'oreal Brow Artist in blonde.
Lips - To be honest I'm one of those people that actually doesn't wear lipstick often but when I do I'll have; Jeffree Star Celebrity Skin and Gemini, Milani Nude Creme, Rimmel Kate Moss Nude no 42 and a few Essence Lip Liners.
Of course I'll be buying makeup while I'm over there, because what else is a makeup junkie going to do on holidays? So I have to leave a little room in my makeup bag for the new additions.
I'm planning a visit to the Charlotte Tilbury Boutique in Convent Garden (expect pictures on the gram!), are there any must see makeup stores in London or European cities? Let me know in a comment below or on my Instagram @themakeupgrub!
Thank you for reading!
Em xx
