Lost’s Must Have Items: Makeup Edition

I know a lot of people don’t feel comfortable without their usual products, but makeup is one of those things that is surprisingly bulky and weighteous. In learning how to pack light, one must learn what is actually necessary for comfort and daily routine, and what can be left at home.

This is my personal list of what I bring on any trip lasting a week or longer. It’s usually during these trips that I find myself dining in a formal occasion or going to the theater. These occasions come with a dress, and with a dress comes a bit of makeup. Keep in mind that normally I don’t wear makeup, I just don’t feel I need it. You may want more or less than this, it’s just to give you an idea of what you might like to bring to achieve your simplest, most versitile looks.

#1. Foundation or concealer

When I have blemishes I find my confidence goes out the window, and then it doesn’t matter how pretty I look otherwise it won’t make a difference. Foundation and a bit of concealer helps with that. A lighter shade of concealer can also be used under the eyes as a brightener. This is especially helpful if you’re a party animal who stays up all night. Begone dark circles!

#2. Setting powder/spray

I use a mineral foundation as a setting powder, to make my skin look a bit more natural after a liquid foundation, and to dull any shine it might have. If you have any setting spray, bring it! You’ll want your look to last without having to worry about it!

#3. Eyeshadow

Keep this simple and neutral, or make sure it matches the one formal outfit you brought. I have a small, three shade pallet of two browns and a yellow and a small container of black that go with me everywhere. Just make sure if you go with darker colours that you have a lighter colour to offset it. There’s an old stage trick in which you apply that light colour on the skin of the inner corner of your eyes. This draws attention to and produces an optical illusion of enlarging your eyes.

#4. Eyeliner

I could almost get away without using eyeliner, but as I usually wear black eyeshadow, I keep it with me for emergency fixes rather than carry a pot of black shadow and a brush.

#5. Mascara

The way I do my eyeliner is very simple, mainly because every time I try to do the elegant winged look I end up with something more resembling a felled pine tree than anything else. A touch of mascara is a must for that minimalist eyeliner.

#6. Brushes

I bring three brushes; one for my foundation, one for my setting powder, and one for my eyeshadow. That’s it. I see people who roll out a toolkit of brushes on their hotel room counters and I just think that must have been so heavy to carry! I’d rather bring back a piece of art or a bottle of alcohol than haul brushes back and forth.

#6. Optionals

Lipstick. The rule I follow is that if I want to accentuate a certain feature, I keep the others simple. If I want to accentuate my eyes (my usual) I keep a very simple lip. If I want a dramatic lip, I keelhaul the eyeshadow.

Bronzer, eyelash curlers, blush, contouring items, no need for it. You can look amazing irregardless of these items.

Wash your hands, wear a mask, keep fabulous, and stay safe gentle reader.