More and more women are infiltrating corporate America, holding higher positions, and becoming jetsetter professionals like their male counterparts. However, unlike men, women can have a little more to pack before leaving for the airport. Makeup, lingerie, accessories for each outfit…how do you make it all fit in one little carryon? What do you carry on versus risk losing when checking bags through? How many liquid items can you really cram into those crazy small quart size bags? Whether it be a short trip or long, don’t get caught landing without your beauty necessities.
My first helpful hint is to wash your hair before leaving and take with you a dry shampoo. If you need to freshen up your do, dry shampoo will freshen it up easily and instantly. It can conveniently be carried on and eliminates having to bring many additional styling products, many of which would have to fit into the quart size bag. If you need to touch your style in the morning, use a heat protectant spray to mist your hair and then proceed with a travel size heat tool. Travel size blow dryers and flat irons work just as well as the regular size but just take a little getting used to.
Next, avoid product overload and pack two (or three) -in-one type of products. Leave the awkward long eyebrow pencil behind and the liquid liner at home and take eye shadow instead. A dark, inky brown can easily be brushed into the brows and then used as eyeliner; and with using the same brush. This same dark shadow can also be added to lids to take your daytime professional look to after five. If you’re really pinched for room and in a hurry, perform the old lipstick trick. A great shade of pink or the perfect tawny hue can easily double as cheek color. This old standby works like a charm! Also consider double-ended products, meaning those items that are sold with a companion item built into the other. Double-ended products include lash primer and mascara, lipstick and lip gloss, or even duo lipsticks shades, which give you color options without bringing additional products.
Skincare can get a little tricky unless you have trial size items that can either be purchased or received for free during a gift with purchase promotion. One of my favorite items is BB cream, or beauty benefit cream. This Asian beauty secret is newer to the US market and has been received with open arms. It is a moisturizer, sunscreen, and sheer foundation color all in one. Smooth this on your entire face and dust with bronzer and your skin will look radiant. And, by the way, the bronzer can look great when also used as a blush!
Lastly, facial cleansing cloths are the perfect, packable non-liquid. They can be used anywhere and anytime to quickly clean up. They also are sold in different quantities to accommodate the shortest and longest of trips. And speaking of freshening up, don’t forget to throw in your purse a small can of Evian spray. It will rehydrate skin, re-bloom makeup, and give you a little wakeup after a long flight!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
An esthetician, commercial makeup artist, and CEO of Intelligent Beauty LLC., Marianne Bockheim has been waving her magical mascara wand and dressing others for almost 20 years. She’s been seen at L.A. Fashion Week and Fashion Group headquarters of N.Y., and teaching in Grand Rapids Community College’s fashion department.
