BEAUTY: The best travel makeup bag ever. EVER.

Him: “Do you really need to bring all this stuff?”

 Me: “Umm…yes?”

This is how most holiday packing conversations go down in my house.

I’m usually clutching a beauty case filled with 22 eyeshadows, 3 fake tans and a cobalt eyeliner I have never used but hey, I might finally have time to try it out.

It’s true: I am crap at packing.

As a natural born hoarder, my need to take everything I own spills over into packing for a holiday. Because how will I know what I want to wear three days in advance? How do you choose between two almost identical black maxi dresses?

And what if I get bored of the two other books I’ve packed? I know I won’t ever get time to read them but WHAT IF?

This all goes to my theory that there are two types of travellers in this world. The ones who can travel light, with only 12 items in TOTAL, and the ones who throw everything in at the last minute -including 22 eyeshadows.

This year I’m going to do it differently, mostly because my toddler’s stuff takes up more room and our boot space is only so big. But you know, baby steps.

Here’s the stuff I intend to take with me this summer (but talk to me in January).

Solid perfume.

I know a lot of people don’t bother but I love taking perfume on holidays with me (even I’m camping) because so many of favourite memories are linked to my perfumes.

A solid version is the best way to avoid an epic bottle breakage and this Marc Jacobs Daisy version also doubles as a necklace, if you’re into wearing daisy chains that is.

Marc Jacobs Daisy solid perfume, BUY HERE.

Chubby stick.

I’m super obsessed with Revlon’s Colourstay Liquid Lipstick at the moment (Stella Sunrise and Premium Pink) but a bold lip is a bit much for a low-key beach holiday so I’m opting for a Clinique Chubby Stick in the delightfully summery Oversized Orange shade.

Clinique Chubby Stick, Oversized Orange,  BUY HERE.

Solid shampoo.

I’m going to admit that I only recently found out that solid shampoo was a thing. It’s the perfect way to ditch the heavy bottles of regular shampoo and conditioner. You can buy them at Lush Cosmetics (yes, that bath bomb place) and they’re best packed into a zip lock bag. To apply: swipe over wet hair, massage in and rinse (there’s also solid conditioners too).

Lush Seanik solid shampoo, BUY HERE.

Leave-in conditioner.

I’ve so looking forward to hitting the beach but not what it does to my coloured-treated hair. Kusco Murphy’s Dry hair leave-in is a nifty product you can chuck into your beach bag.

Kusco Murphy Dry Hair Leave-In,  BUY HERE.

Goe Oil.

This is the stuff that beauty dreams are made of; it’s a moisturiser for dry elbows, cracked heels, cuticles, and you can use it as a lip balm, a hair styling aid, chapped skin, and sunburn.

Goe Oil, BUY HERE.

Sunscreen.

I’ve written about my love of Ultraceuticals sunscreen before and I’m definitely taking it on tour.

Ultraceuticals Sun Active sunscreen, BUY HERE.

Eyebrow kit.

I’m not taking this because I intend to pull off some fierce Cara Delevingne brows on the beach, but how good would that be? I’m taking it because it magnetically stores tweezers, and I can’t tell you how many pairs I’ve lost to the twezzer gods.

Benefit Brows-a-Go-Go Kit, BUY HERE.

Cleanser.

With sunscreen comes great responsibility, no matter how many Long Island Ice teas you’ve consumed you need to take it off at the end of the day to avoid icky skin. Maybe pack some cleansing wipes, just in case.

Kiehl’s Washable Cleansing Milk, BUY HERE.

Moisturiser.

Yes, that’s a body moisturiser and I’m going double it up as a face moisturiser, controversial I know. Not really, I do it all the time when my skin’s a bit dry and needs some oomf.

Kiehl’s Creme de Corps BUY HERE and the lightweight version is also great for oily skin, BUY HERE.

Shimmer eye shadow.

Look at that, just one eyeshadow – not twenty-two. A gold or copper shimmery shade is a lovely way to add a bit of sparkle to your eyes if you’re heading out for aforementioned long island ice teas and obligatory dancing on tables.

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Eyeshadow, BUY HERE.

I know what you’re probably thinking, great list Nic but where is the mascara? I haven’t left it off (pffft as if, I wear that jazz everyday!) I’m planning on getting my eyelashes tinted just before Christmas so it’ll last me until mid-January.

What are your travel beauty essentials? Do you pack light or take your whole beauty case?

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