Stay Proof, Day-To-Night Makeup (For Travel or Life)

Travel life rarely feels like real life.  We would leave the house in the morning and not return again until that night.  We’d wander around cobblestoned streets, pop into little cafes, discover fun parks or places to run the kids, and find ourselves – at some point in the day –  sitting outside with a glass or two of Champagne.  (Or Cava!)

It was bliss.

What isn’t bliss, however, is seeing pictures of yourself from that same day and realizing that while you felt like a princess-who-doesn’t-deign-to-work, you looked like a sweaty mess.  So I needed a makeup routine that could stand up to long days of travel (including overnight flights and a quick dip in the Mediterranean), yet something that didn’t look like a face full of makeup.  It’s summer, it’s hot, and a smokey eye isn’t going to happen.  At least not with this girl.  And lastly, sunscreen.  My routine had to include mad amounts of sunscreen, but without the sweaty shine.

Here’s what worked for me.  This routine isn’t short, but it is easy, and it definitely stood up to the overnight flight, swimming in the med, the windswept Normandy beaches, and the hot, sticky humidity of Barcelona.

Start With The Base

1. Supergoop! SPF 30 Anti-Aging City Sunscreen Serum, $42 (also on Amazon) – This stuff is super sheer, and lightly tinted.  I use this everyday.

2. Supergoop! Advanced Anti-Aging Eye Cream, $32 (also on Amazon) –  I’ve been trying to find an eye cream with a good SPF.  This is it.  I can also swim without it stinging my eyes.  Supergoop rocks my world.

3. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, $24 (also on Amazon) –  This goes all over the eyelid.  It covers up any redness from lack of sleep, keeps the rest of your eye liners and shadows in place, and has anti-aging properties.  I use this everyday (whether I wear eye makeup or not).  It’s an instant wake-up.

4. Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer, $55 (also on Amazon) –  This goes on after the SPF.  This product is the key for keeping the rest of my makeup in place for long periods of time.  You don’t need a ton – a little goes a LONG way.

Face (and Cheeks!)

Once the base is on (and I usually wait a few minutes in between layers to let them set a little – especially after the primer)…then it’s time to get pretty.  Here’s what I’ve been using:

5. Jane Iredale ‘Glow Time’ Mineral BB Cream (Shade #7), $48 (also on Amazon) – You can use a more traditional foundation here, but in the summer (or when I ski, actually), I turn to this all natural BB cream.  I started using it when I was going through chemo and my skin was freaking out.  The best part about this product is that the coverage is completely controlled by the amount you use.  That said, you have to put it on correctly (read: sparingly) or you risk looking like a mime.  The website has a tutorial that’s worth watching, or you can just mix a little with the Hourglass primer above and do two in one step.  (Works surprisingly well.)

6. Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush (Exposed), $28 (also on Amazon) –  The best blush out there.  Scotti says so (and I wholeheartedly agree).

7. Urban Decay Naked Skin Powder Foundation (Medium), $36  (Similar on Amazon) – This is the product I accidentally bought instead of a finishing powder.  Serendipitously, it makes my skin look completely flawless when applied with a brush, right over whatever else I have on.  I also throw it into my backpack for touch-ups during the day.  Sometimes I’ll even skip the BB cream or foundation all together and just use this product.

Eyes

8. Bobbi Brown Cream Shadow Stick (Sand Dune), $29 (also on Amazon) – The last few years, my eyelids have started…drooping?  My mother warned me this would eventually happen.  Anyway, I need something to add a little depth – kind of like what a smokey eye does, but I want something that will add depth with a no-makeup look.  This cream shadow stick is perfect.  It takes me seconds to apply, and I just crayon it over my lid and into the crease, then smudge a little with my fingers.  This is the type of product that makes me just look a little bit better, without being obvious in any way. (It also stayed on through my dip in the Mediterranean.)

9. Stila Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner (Black), $22 (also on Amazon) –  Eyeliner skills are not my thing.  But this (admittedly scary) waterproof liquid eyeliner comes with a brush-like tip that goes on super thin, almost like a really soft Sharpie.  When I want to make my eyes pop without looking like I’m wearing makeup, I use this really close to my lashes.  With layers, I can get a slightly thicker line.  Like the cream shadow stick above, this product also survives swimming and overnight flights.

10. Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer, $22 (also on Amazon) –  This product has completely changed my lash game.  Instead of applying a zillion coats of mascara to get epic lashes, I use this white primer first.  It amps up any mascara.

11. Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara, $21 (also on Amazon) –  This is my fav mascara, primarily because I insist on paraben-free.  It’s no DiorShow, but when combined with the lash primer, it can compete.

Don’t Forget The Brows

12. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz (Soft Brown), $21 (also on Amazon) –  Brows make a huge difference, especially if you will be taking pictures that day.  Scotti has talked about this before.

These are the pieces I throw into my bag to help keep my look refreshed and clean (instead of sweaty and greasy).

1. Supergoop! ‘Defense Refresh’ Setting Mist with Rosemary, $28 (also on Amazon) –  This is a really great setting spray that will also refresh your SPF.  Find yourself spending more time at the park?  Spray a little on.  Sitting outside for lunch?  Spritz-spritz.  You get the idea.  I adore this stuff – never leave home without it.

2. Urban Decay Naked Skin Powder Foundation (Medium), $36 (Similar on Amazon) –  My powder foundation mentioned above.  I use it for touch-ups before dinner.

3. Sephora Herbal Rose Blotting Papers, $8 (also on Amazon) –  These blotting papers are still the best thing to reduce shine.  I typically follow with a spritz from the setting spray.

4. Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment (Rose), $24 (also on Amazon) –  This is my favorite everyday lip.  It has just enough color, a decent SPF, and feels amazing on.

5. Bite Beauty High Pigment Lip Pencil (Zinfandel), $24 (also on Amazon) – Since this look is a pretty minimalist makeup look, I can get away with major lips.  I’ll often swap the Rose lip treatment for this one if we find ourselves in a fancier restaurant.

6. Marc Jacobs ‘Star’ Leather Crossbody Bag, $495 (Similar on Amazon) –  My bag is all sold out, so I just found a seriously drool-worthy option for the collage.  SO good, right?

So there you have it:  all-day makeup for traveling and exploring and those times when you are jet-lagged and miss lunch and the only restaurant open in the little french town is one that serves freaking HOT DOGS.  But the wine is good and you look alright sooooo…..

…..you go with the flow.

If you guys have any additional makeup tips and tricks for keeping your makeup fresh as a daisy all day long, please share in the comments!

xo,

S