Beauty in the Bag
We admit it: We’re jealous of those guys who travel for weeks with nothing but a toothbrush and razor in their toiletry bag. As women, we want to feel pretty on the road without toting around a lot of products. So we mined tips from makeup artist Kimara Ahnert on how to simplify our cosmetics case while still enabling us to take our look from a day of hiking to a night of dancing. She’s used to being on the go—Ahnert runs her own studio on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, has created her own product line, and works with stars such as Catherine Zeta-Jones, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Isabella Rossellini. She recommends stashing a separate makeup kit with only the essentials and leaving it in your suitcase. You’ll save time packing and won’t be tempted to toss in unnecessary extras. What does Ahnert consider essential? She’s pared it down to just six products:
For Eyes: Mascara is a must, as well as two eye shadows. “Use a base color that goes over your entire lid, such as in a shade like sandstone,” she says. “It’ll brighten your eyes and even out redness to give you a flawless look.” Toss in a colored shadow and it can double as eyeliner.
For Face: Use a liquid powder foundation with enough coverage that it’ll be able to serve as your foundation and concealer in one. Or, check out this really cool moisturizing foundation that has a concealer built right into its cap: The Geisha Goddess Tinted Face Duo from Global Goddess. A shimmery powder with both peach and golden tones works as both your blush and bronzer. We love the Mineral Shimmer in Sunlit from Ahnert’s line. Packed with vitamins A, C, and E, it gives you a glow no matter how jetlagged your skin may be. “Get a fan-shaped brush because it’ll pick up less product for a more even application,” says Ahnert. “Then dust on the apples of your cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead.”
For Lips: A tinted lip balm with SPF will help define your lips while protecting them from the elements. Ahnert created her own with SPF 15 in shades like Bali and Capri—the product feels rich without being goopy like some balms. There’s also Neutrogena’s tinted lip balm with SPF 20. Shade #10 is a pretty terracotta and works for nighttime too.
What are your favorite makeup products that you wouldn’t travel without? We’d love to hear about them!
