The smell of breakfast waffles wafting through the hotel lobby, a fancy cocktail under the azure sky and the limitless sea in front of me. Yes, I am planning on hitting the beach this weekend. After a string of banal days that blurred together, everything is finally looking up! Following a long week at work and household responsibilities, I thought that unwinding at my favourite holiday destination The Andaman Islands with my crew wouldn’t be all that shabby! (a welcome change from the same old weekly ‘Friends’ marathon on the couch).
While the idea of jetting off this weekend has gotten me pumped, there is just one aspect to it which I despise. And that is *drum rolls* — the packing. Little too early in the week to be worrying about it, you say? But from where I see it unfold, I will procrastinate, panic at the eleventh hour and shove things mindlessly into my bag (please let me know that I am not the only one?). Someone who is an archetypal procrastinator I take an awful lot of pride in this process—this last-minute practice had become cumbersome, no pun intended. Lugging around my travel bag when my girlfriends were busy acing their effortless airport looks frazzled me (a standing ovation for my brilliant time management, please). But in all seriousness, till very recently I struggled with the art of travelling light, pretty much always leaving something behind which used to give me stress right before catching my flight — especially my toiletries and makeup products like sunscreen (the most important product literally EVERY expert recommends). If you, on the other hand, are trying to circumvent similar issues then I have a tip that might just make travelling a piece of cake for you too. After all, rejuvenating your spirit should come with the convenience of room service, soulful conversations and not a side of dreadful sunburn. I highly recommend curating a travel makeup kit and slipping it in your bag before you catch that flight. Ahead, holiday minis that are convenient, cost-effective and practical.
HOW TO CUSTOMISE YOUR TRAVEL MAKEUP BAG
1. All Bases Covered
Travelling can make my skin susceptible to the weather change, the never-ending pollution (which we managed to avoid the last two years) and most importantly, stress. The sudden temperature change confuses my skin to a point where I constantly breakout every time I travel. This lightweight primer from Smashbox, their most popular offering, The Original Photo Finish Foundation Primer - Smooth & Blur is my go-to before donning a full face of makeup. A forever formula in my mini makeup kit, this primer helps my makeup last longer, especially without breaking out (which is important). Grab this if you are planning on travelling with your base essentials. I’d recommend getting yourself a couple of beauty blenders for a flawless holiday finish.
2. Champagne Mami
Whether you want to sport a soft glam look or channel a superlative glow goddess, theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer Highlighter, Shadow & Shimmer Travel Size is a must-have in your travel makeup kit. The champagne luminizer that diffuses light into the skin imparts you with an unparalleled holiday sheen. This is actually an editor-favourite back here at the Nykaa Office.
3. LASH STASH
My Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Mascara boasts a water-resistant formula that is sweat and smudge-proof. The perfect travel companion that gives me voluminous, multidimensional eyelashes for legit 12 hours straight. This tiny roller is so compatible that it fits right into my mini makeup kit. One sweep to amp up that holiday Instagram feed.
4. BLING IT ON - THE - GO
Get your hands on this stylish, rose-gold travel makeup bag to hold all your essentials. The bag comes with a strong zipper which ensures no spillage. With this travel kit handy, the only hot-mess this summer would be you, acing uber-glam looks. I also pack mine with all the bare necessities and slip it in my office bag, overnight carryon for sleepovers with my girlfriends or my suitcase before my holiday begins.
