Be a Jet-Setting Beauty

 
When it comes to emptying our closets of clothes we’ll never wear, or ridding our bathroom cabinets of the mascara that we wore to prom in 1995, women tend to keep as many things as possible – just in case.

It’s equally difficult then when we’re traveling for either work or play to choose only a few things to bring along, lest we end up giving our happy hour money to the airline for an overweight bag. And just for the record, some airlines are now charging $25 if you check more than one bag! Gone are the days where you can pick up your medicine cabinet and just dump all of its contents into your suitcase just to avoid the decision making process.

The key to looking beautiful and put together when we reach our destination is to have products that do double- and sometimes triple-duty. Here are some simple things to keep in mind.

The number one tip is to drink lots and lots of water! Beyond that, buy travel-sized containers for those expensive skin and hair care products so that the TSA agents aren’t getting for free what you broke into your piggy bank to buy.

 Portable cleansing cloths, such as Pond’s Clean sweep cleansing and makeup removing towelettes, will leave your skin feeling toned and refreshed, ready for makeup application and can be used to clean up any flaky mistakes.

Instead of foundation, try a tinted moisturizer. Like foundation, a tinted moisturizer will even out skin tone, cover flaws and serve as a base for your cosmetics. Since UVA rays are the cause of most wrinkles, remember to choose a product with an SPF of at least 15. Tinted moisturizers give your skin a natural glow. A touch of mascara and a little lip balm will take you through the flight.

When you’re ready to step out just dap a bit of concealer under your eyes and on any uneven areas and blend softly.

One eyeshadow color will do. You don’t need to bring every color shadow and pencil that you have. You can even use your eyeshadow as eyeliner as well. Use your shadow to darken the crease and upper corner of the eyelid, trace your upper lid with a dark pencil and smudge it for a smoky look.

Two lip colors will work. Bring a neutral tone for day and a darker one for nighttime glamour. But remember to play up only one feature at a time to avoid looking cartoonish. Light eye makeup, darker lip and vice versa. One blush color work for day and night. Just apply a little more at the end of day to help you look healthy in darker evening light.

Prepare a travel kit to include things such as individual shout wipes, stain remover, static cling eliminator, a tiny sewing kits, floss, individual nail polish remover towelettes, a nail file, and tweezers. Be sure to replenish your kit after every trip to make sure that it’s always ready to go when you are.
 
Airplane air is stuffy and dry. Bring eye drops to help your eyes look bright, if necessary. A spritzer bottle of rosewater will hydrate your skin externally. After spritzing, you’re your skin lightly with a tissue.

If you’re traveling on a pre-dawn flight, forget about applying lots of makeup until you’re flight is near landing or until you get to the destination airport.

One last thing. Eat an apple. They whiten teeth and freshen breath and they’re good for you!

And did I mention that you should drink lots of water?

PHOTO CREDITS:
Photo: Neysa Ruhl Photography
Location: Gateway Quarter
Model: Michelle Kelley
Makeup Artistry: Cecily Claytor, Zoë Custom Cosmetics