I love to travel but it isn't often that I get to. The last time I left Vancouver, on an airplane, was when I went to Oahu in 2009. Since then, I have only taken a handful of overnight trips to Seattle. Suffice to say, I haven't found the need for a travel cosmetic bag to hold all of my makeup and skincare. However, this recently changed when Mr. Waffle and I went on a 4-day trip to Seattle in July.
Truthfully, this post is mainly to showcase my favourite travelling cosmetic bag that I recently purchased: the limited edition and now-discontinued tokidoki Passport Medium Hanging Travel Bag.
Not only is this travel bag extremely cute but it's very well made too; sturdy and holds a lot. In fact, the bag is so spacious that it could hold all of my basics AND 6 sheet masks. If there were ever to be another tokidoki travel bag like this one, I'd snatch it right up.
So what would actually go into this too cute of a travel cosmetic bag?
All of that ^ of course.
For skincare, the basic necessities would be: Naive Facial Cleansing Foam (any non-drying facial cleanser will do), Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes, 100% Pure Argan Oil Hydration, Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer*, Creamy Eye Treatment*, and Blemish Control Daily Skin-Clearing Cream Treatment*, Caudalíe Lip Conditioner, and a trusty tube of Lucas Papaw Ointment. Oh, and a tube of Bioré Aqua Rich Watery Mousse Sunscreen!
For makeup, I would bring: Stila Stay All Day 10-in-1 HD Beauty Balm*, NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, Stila Set & Correct Baked Powder Trio in The Correctors*, Illamasqua Powder Blush in Lover and Cream Blusher in Rude, MAC Fix+, dejavu Lash Knockout, and Sonia Kashuk Eyelash Curler.
When it comes to travelling, I believe in less makeup and more skincare. Travelling can wreak havoc on my skin and because of that, I always bring what I use on a daily basis and the "just in case of emergencies/fix it" products. Makeup won't fix a sudden rash or inflamed cheeks but skincare can. Plus, I can't be bothered with eyeshadows during my vacation or the brushes I'd need to bring to apply it all.
What does your travel makeup bag look like and/or what would you put in it?
Products marked with * were provided by PR/company for review consideration.
Along with a crappy letter the credit card company sent me alerting me my card was e-stolen, I received some pretty packages in May and June.
The SO sent a package after I learnt we could use my Sephora gift cards on the Sephora US sit. I kindly made an order for a face wash for the SO in March but added a little something, something for myself. There's also a little something, something from Ulta and BurnOut too!
From Sephora: NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Alaska
From Ulta: Real Techniques Expert, Setting, and Shading Brush
From BurnOut: Eco-Senstive Clean and Clear Sunscreen SPF 32
More Real Techniques brushes... In my defense, the RT brushes were buy-one-get-one 50% off. Who could resist the new Expert Face Brush and Setting Brush? Not me of course. The sunscreen speaks for it self. It's summer time & we all need to be smothering on the SPF. BurnOut made it onto EWG's Top Sunscreen list and Jenny of My Funny Valentine wrote a very convincing review on it.
Lastly, we have some some freebies/samples to cancel out some of the spending!
Target Beauty Bag
Sephora + Ulta samples
I always sign up for the Target Beauty Bag and have it sent to the SO's address. Honestly, I am more interested in the bags than the samples inside. This is the third bag I have successfully signed up for and received and it's by far the best -perfect for summer!
From Sephora: NARS Pure Radiant TM in St. Moritz and Hourglass No 28 Primer Serum. Wonderful samples. Wonderful products! They're both going to make killer dents in my wallet when the time comes to (re)purchasing them.
From Ulta: DDF Protective Eye Cream SPF15+.
This sample is really disappointing. The expiration date on the tube says 11/11. As in November 2011? Expired samples are unacceptable in my books and I'll be throwing this out just as a precaution. My under eye area has been extra sensitive lately and I am not willing to take any chances.
And that's a wrap! It feels so nice to get packages again. Have you received anything lately?
I did something bad. Like, really really really bad...
You see, it all started when the SO (significant other, for those wondering) arrived a week after my parent's had left for Asia. Dear, sweet, awesome SO came to me with a suitcase filled with goodies from the Sephora Friends & Family sale but we mysteriously ended up in Seattle for a weekend and it was there where I temporarily went insane.
So we innocently wandered into the Sephora in Seattle downtown because I had planned to pick up one Illamasqua blush. But all Hell broke loose at the check out. The sales associate had informed me I had hit VIB status and at the same time, the VIB 20% off discount was going on. The SO saw how ecstatic I was and at that point, all he could say was, "Go look some more.". Best. Boyfriend. Ever. Am I right?!
From one measly little blush, I ended up with four. Add in a few brushes and a rollerball set and somehow I managed to spend over $200 before taxes and discount. To make matters worse, I had already purchased the Make Up For Ever HD Complexion Starter Kit (prior to the VIB status) the day before at another Sephora.
Here's the wreck:
Haul from Sephora F&F Sale:
Too Faced Sweet Dreams Makeup Collection, Jack Black Balm Squad Lip Quad, Tarte Lip Service Limited Edition LipSurgence Collection, nails inc. Special Effects Electric Lane Holographic Glitter Top Coat
Haul from Sephora VIB Sale:
Make Up Forever HD Complexion Starter Kit, Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Lover + Hussy, Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Blissful + Tipsy, Fresh Sugar Obsessions Rollerball Trio
Haul from Sephora VIB Sale:
tokidoki Pittura Brush Set: 24 Karat Edition, Sephora Collection I.T. Natural Foundation Brush
It was like some blush fiend *coughs*Tracy*coughs* had taken over my body. My hands kept picking up blushes and then putting it back. The cycle of "should I, but I shouldn't" was relentless. I'd walk to and away from the same (and last) Jack Black Balm Squad thinking how useful it would be if I had two sets instead of one. My kind kept screaming, "It's meant to be, can't you see? Last set dude, you better get it or you'll regret it!". Then something clicked in my brain. I realized my old hoarding tendencies were kicking in again and I knew what I had to do. I walked away and made a beeline for the checkout. The SO also made sure I didn't step away from my spot or grab any "candy" around the checkout area.
So you see, I was quite strong but also quite insane! The restraint I showed (or lack of) really surprised the SO. Even he thought I could have done far worse!
Keep in mind too that this doesn't happen often. In fact, this is the first time I have ever splurged this much on make up all at once. Putting this all out there makes me feel less guilty but you be the judge....
Should my splurging go unpunished or do I need help?!
Disclosure
Make-Up Kismet is a personal blog written and edited by myself. This blog was created to share my experiences with whom ever reads it.
All reviews posted are written by me and are my honest opinions. All products reviewed are purchased by me for personal and/or review purposes unless stated otherwise. Each person is different, as are our experiences. With that said, I cannot be held responsible for any unsatisfying reaction to a product I review or recommend.
Photos on this blog are either from Google, other Bloggers or, my own. I try to depict all products as accurately as possible. I may edit photos for this purpose.
