A flight cancellation left me with an unexpected extra day on the road, which seemed like the perfect excuse to take inventory of the makeup products currently traveling with me.
As someone who spends a lot of time in airports, hotels, and event venues for work, I approach travel makeup a little differently than I do my makeup at home.
For quick work trips, I actually try to bring as few products as possible. Event days often mean long hours and late nights, so I’d rather sleep a little longer in the morning than spend extra time getting ready. When I’m traveling for work, I don’t want to think about my makeup. I want products that are quick, reliable, and able to last through a full day.
Here is what’s currently in my makeup bag:
- Patrick Ta Double Take Blush in Soft Launch
- Glossier Stretch Concealer in Light 2 and Medium 1
- ABH Brow Wiz in Medium Brown
- Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Color Corrector in Cherry Blossom Light
- Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Diffused Bronze Light
- Rare Beauty Brow Gel
- e.l.f. Wow Brow in Medium Brown
- Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick in Biscuit
- SIMIHAZE Beauty Skin Suede Bronzer in Oak
- Smashbox Photo Finish Primer
- Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Powder in Fair 1
- Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette
- Sephora Collection Colorful Luminizer in Sparkling Honey
- MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash
- L’Oréal Telescopic Waterproof Mascara
- Ciele Tint & Protect Foundation (not pictured)
Why I Pack Both a Cream and Powder Bronzer
I travel with both a cream bronzer and a powder bronzer, and they each serve a different purpose in my routine.
The cream bronzer is what I reach for first. It melts into the skin, adds warmth and dimension, and gives that natural, skin-like finish that I love. Since I have dry skin, cream formulas tend to look the most flattering on me.
The powder bronzer comes next. I lightly layer it over the cream bronzer to boost longevity and help everything stay in place throughout long workdays and events. I gravitate toward luminous powder bronzers because they maintain that healthy glow and skin-like finish rather than looking flat or overly matte. As a bonus, it can double as an eyeshadow when I want a little extra definition without packing another product.
Could I get by with just one? Absolutely.
Do I want to? Not really.
Why I Love the Patrick Ta Blush Formula for Travel
The Patrick Ta blush duo earns a spot in my travel bag because it gives me options without taking up extra space. The compact includes both cream and powder formulas, so I can customize the finish depending on how my skin is behaving that day.
Some mornings I want a fresh, dewy flush, while other days I need my makeup to last from an early setup through an evening event. Having both formulas in one compact makes it easy to adjust without packing multiple blushes.
When I’m traveling, I gravitate toward products that are versatile, compact, and help streamline my routine, and this one checks all three boxes.
Familiar Products Win
If you’ve been following The Afterglow Edit for a while, you’ll probably notice that many of these aren’t the newest products in my collection.
That’s intentional.
Travel isn’t the time for makeup experiments.
When I’m home, I enjoy testing new products. When I’m traveling for work, I reach for products I know inside and out.
I know how they’ll apply.
I know how they’ll wear.
And I know they’ll look good even if I’m getting ready quickly in a hotel bathroom after a late night.
The Goal
My travel makeup bag isn’t about packing the fewest products possible.
It’s about packing the right products.
Everything in this bag has earned its spot because it helps me get ready quickly, look polished, and feel confident throughout long workdays. And if it lets me hit snooze one more time before an event day, that’s a win in my book.