{Tip Thursday} Traveling With Skincare and Makeup

So traveling with makeup and skin care items can be tricky. There are many restrictions on what you can and can't bring in your carry on, I worry about things breaking, spilling, cracking, etc, and this is how I pack to prevent that from happening. Keep in mind that while this may work for me, you may want to take a few more precautions, especially if you are going to be bringing expensive items with you. I'll have some more tips at the very end of the post about cracking powders, etc, so make sure you read till the end.

1. Airport Rules

-According to the 2011 rules, you are only allowed to bring liquids or gels that are 3oz in size or less in your carry on. If you want to bring something larger than 3 oz you can, you just have to put it in your checked luggage.

-If you re bringing liquids or gels on the plane, they have to be in a clear bag 1 quart in size or smaller and each passenger can only bring one 1 qt bag with them.

It's pretty simple, really. Just make sure to check the sizes of your containers because you will be surprised that quite a few of liquid or gel skin care products are less than 3 oz to begin with so you may not even have to repackage them. I checked luggage so I didn't have to worry too much about this. I did repackage some items cause I didn't want to be lugging around a huge thing of skincare and makeup because if your checked luggage exceeds 50 lbs then you have to pay more than the regular $25 fee (at LaGuardia). IMPORTANT: always check the TSA or the airport website the night before to make sure that you aren't surprised by any changes in policy. It takes 2 mins and can save you a lot of time and hassle later.

2. Makeup: What To Bring

As a general rule, I like to bring the basics, all in one products (or multipurpose products) and nothing I would be devastated about if it is lost or breaks.

What I brought to St. Lousi

Revlon Eyelash Curler, Sephora Professional Eye Primer, Pixi Eye Bright Liner in Nude, Pangea Organics Ecocentric Pyrenees Lavender Lip Balm, Shiseido Lipstick in RS701 Serenity, Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara in Black, Lancome Artliner in Black, Chanel Lipstick in Darling (sample size), Josie Maran The Wildflowers Palette, CoverGirl Clean Foundation for oily skin, and Calvin Klein Bronzer in Summer Affaire. (Not pictured: NYC Smooth Skin Loose Powder).

Josie Maran The Wildflowers Palette, CoverGirl Clean Foundation, CK Summer Affaire Bronzer.

I chose items that I either can't go without like my current foundation or favorite bronzer, or products that are very multipurpose. This Josie Maran palette is very small so it's very convenient for travel but it also has everything I need for an everyday look as well as an edgier night look.

And you can see my cute Victorias Secret Pink pjs, lol!

Lips:

Pangea Orgnics Ecocentric Lip Balm in Pyrenees Lavender, Shiseido Lipstick in RS701 Serenity, and Chanel Darling Lipstick (deluxe sample).

For lips, I don't usually go dark so I just brought my everyday color, which is anything like Chanel Darling, and something a bit more nude for an evening out.

Swatches:

Pyrenees Lavender Lip Balm, Shiseido Lipstick in Serenity RS701, Chanel Darling Lipstick.

Eyes:

Lancome Artliner in Plum, Shiseido Liner in 07 Brown, Pixi Eye Bright Liner in Nude, Sephora Professional Eye Primer, and Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara in Black.

For eyes, I choose products I know work for me. I brought the one Josie Maran shadow palette and then just chose fool proof products that I knew would compliment the shades. When you're away traveling the last thing you want to worry about is how to apply your makeup so just go for what you know works for you. Just make sure you bring something like liquid liner so that if you need to go from day to night in two mins you can..

A white or nude liner is especially handy if you spend a lot of nights out or are just tired and jet lagged. A little on the waterline and in the inner corners makes a world of difference.

3. Repackage items in smaller more portable containers.

Face powder:

I love NYC's Smooth Skin Loose Powder in Translucent, but lets face it, the thing is HUGE. Not to mention the fact that the lid pull of, but doesn't screw off which has the potential for a huge mess.

My solution:

I bought a $4 travel sifter at Sephora and put about a teaspoon inside. I would advise with loose powders that you tape the holes in the sifter shut so that when you open it you aren't surprised to find all of the powder above the sifter.

Eye cream:

I love the little sample containers from Sephora. They're free and the perfect size for a few days supply of any cream.

Face moisturizers:

From this:

Large irregular containers. The serum is in a glass jar as well, so it is in danger of breaking.

To this:

Just make sure to label the bottom of the contact cases so you remember what is in what. And make sure the container is clean.

Face wash:

I put a weeks supply of my facial cleanser into a 1 oz jar from a used up moisturizer. This is how much was left after I came back, so I got the amount just right. I like the screw on jars better than the squeeze tubes because the squeeze tubes with the flip tops tend to come open.

Things you can't really repackage:

You need to shake the sunblock before using, so don't bother with that. The texture of the foundation is very thick so it doesn't pour easily so I didn't bother trying to get it out into a smaller container.

Eye makeup remover--you want the child proof cap so that it doesn't leak an oil into all of your stuff. You can bring makeup wipes but I don't think they work on eye makeup as well as an oil based makeup remover. As far as perfume goes, take a roller or a travel spritzer. It's still glass, but smaller than the full size bottle. Just make sure to wrap it very well. My favorite toner spray is the DDF Aloe Toning Spray, and I took it in the original packaging cause the spray is finer than the one on any travel spray container. I use it multiple times every single makeup application so it's worth it to me to bring the full size.

4. Hair Care

Save all of those little samples you get at the drugstore or in the mail. It's a lot easier than bringing your own full size products. And while hotel samples are getting better, not all of them are the best quality.

5. Invest in Ziplock Baggies

I just used the regular sandwich size cause I wasn't bringing any of this stuff in a carry on. Basically, anything you worry about spilling/breaking/leaking should go in a plastic baggie. Trust me, there is nothing worse than having a foundation bottle break in your suitcase. Nothing.

You can just put any cotton pads, q-tips or anything in a ziplock as well, no need to buy the travel packs if you already have everything you need.

6. Find a nice, mid-sized makeup case.

IMPORTANT: The way to make sure that nothing breaks or cracks is by packaging your items so that nothing shakes or jiggles. If there is a lot of room between the items they will hit each other causing powders to crack and glass items to break. This is how I keep my powder eyeshadows, bronzer, etc, from breaking. I don't bother putting cotton balls/pads inside the containers. I've never had a powder eyeshadow or anything like that break for me while traveling if I make sure to pack the stuff very tightly.

I fit ALL of what I showed you in this post in a medium sized makeup case from Estee Lauder that I got with a gift with purchase a long time ago. It is the perfect size, not too big and not too small. I also like that it has the handle above. It makes carrying it easier and I don't have to worry about dropping it. If you're going for less than 2 weeks then there is no reason why you should need to bring more than this much makeup.

I know this was a very long post but I hope I gave some useful tips! If you have any other tips or tricks for getting your stuff to and from your destination in one piece don't hesitate to let me know in comments!

{Tip Thursday} How To Keep Your Lips From Getting Chapped

There's nothing worse in the winter than dry, tight, chapped lips. My lips would get so bad sometimes that the skin would actually break and bleed. Here are three relatively inexpensive tips to keep your lips soft and supple all winter!

1. Exfoliate regularly. You don't need an expensive scrub. Simply apply some Vaseline to the lips and gently scrub over them with a damp wash cloth or an old tooth brush. Do this every week or two.

2. Don't lick your lips! This one is important. Licking your lips may feel better right away, but your saliva has enzymes in it to help digest food and the enzymes will wear down the thickness of your lips leaving them more vulnerable to the cold.

3. Use a thicker balm nightly. If you want to prevent then from getting chapped in the first place, use a thicker balm, not just your regular Chapstick, nightly. I've been using The Body Shops lip butters and they are great! They smell good and leave my lips feeling incredibly moisturized.

Hope this helps!

{Tip Thursday} 3 Great Skin Care Trade Ins To Save You $$$

This week is all about saving money in the long run, and there are several items in your skincare routine that you can trade in for cheaper products without sacrificing quality or effectiveness.

1. Makeup wipes for baby wipes. Baby wipes are dirt cheap, are larger, and clean as well as a lot of facial towelettes. I use them in conjunction with my Almay Moisturizing Liquid Makeup Remover. I use a cotton bud soaked in it to remove most of the eye makeup and then I wipe the residue away with my a wipe. I used to use the Ponds ones, but at $6 for 30, it gets expensive fast. Just make sure you choose baby wipes that are hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic and scent free.

2. High end cleanser for drugstore cleanser. The cleansing part of the skincare routine is one the drugstores have mastered. You may not find a moisturizer, scrub or a toner of equal quality, but I can say with certainty that you should be able to find a cheaper alternative for your high end cleanser for much less. I really like Estee Lauders Perfectly Clean cleanser for normal or combo skin or any of the Shiseido foaming cleansers. But at over $30 each, that got expensive fast. I've been using Olays 7-in-1 Anti-aging Revitalizing Foaming Cleanser. At $10, it's a third of the cost and just as effective.

3. High end sunblock for drugstore sunblock. While I know people always advise us to spend more on a sunblock, I feel that drugstore brands like Neutrogena have finally matched the high end product. I used to love the Shiseido's Extra Smooth Sun Protection Lotion, SPF 38. But with daily use the $34 bottle goes fast. I recently discovered Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Daily Liquid Sunblock, SPF 55 (or 70 if you prefer). It's $12.99 and amazing! It's a liquid sunblock that goes on very smooth and non greasy. I feel comfortable wearing it under makeup and a moisturizer because the formula is so thin. I highly recommend this one and will be reviewing it soon.

That's it for now! Just three. I hope some of these tips help you save some much needed $$$!

{Tip Thursday} 5 Cheap Skin Care Secrets in Your Kithen

1. Strawberries. Strawberries naturally contain salicylic acid, which is found in many drugstore and high end acne products. Strawberries work well in treating acne and pigmentation problems! And they taste great too!

2. Oats. The same oats that are in your morning oatmeal work very well to exfoliate your face. They are gentle enough that they do not change the skins pH, which is why they are used to treat eczema. They soften and moisturize the skin. They also sooth puffy irritated skin as well. I will post a tutorial on a super simple oat facial mask later this week.

3. Yogurt (plain). The probiotic bacteria in yogurt kills off the bacteria that causes acne. When buying yogurt, make sure that is is organic and pasturized before the bacteria is cultivated. Many yogurts in supermarkets contain almost no live bacteria so if you use them on your face, it won't do anything.

4. Papaya. This one probably isn't in most kitchens, but a short trip away at the supermarket. Papaya is a natural skin lightener, so it helps treat skin discolorations and uneven pigmentation and age spots. It is also rich in antioxidants. And since it contains an enzyme papain, it is a natural non abrasive exfoliant. People pay a lot of money for facials that incorporate papaya, but you can mix up a facial at home for pennies!

5. Avocado. Avocados are incredibly hydrating, and not just for your skin, but your hair also. It super easy to mash up a bit of it and just spread it wherever you need some moisture. It will leave your skin smooth and supple and your hair very shiny.

That's it for this week!

{Tip Thursday} 5 Ways to Treat Oily Skin EFFECTIVELY

This Tip Thursday segment is all about oily skin. Having oily skin, I know all about how difficult it can be to look good during the day, to get a decent makeup application, etc, when my skin looks greasy. I do have some tips and tricks that REALLY WORK EFFECTIVELY and don't cost an arm and a leg. I have a lot of friends who spend a lot of money on expensive skin care products that end up actually worsening their skin in the long run. Here are some simple and easy tips and tricks that really have helped me get my skin under control.

1. Limit your use of harsh acids and peroxides. This one is a BIGGIE!!! Exposing your skin to very harsh acids like salicylic acid or peroxides like benzoyl peroxide can actually worsen your skin because they tend to be extremely drying. They strip the skin of any natural oils and moisturizers and your skin kinda panics and secrets EVEN MORE OIL!!! That is the exact opposite of what you want! If you have a problem with acne, try less harsh products like tea tree oil. It's natural, non-drying, but still very effective!

2. Don't skin the moisturizer! I used to do this as a teen. I would be so afraid of adding more oil/grease to my face in the form of a moisturizer that for years I didn't use one at all. Instead, what you should be doing is using a lighter moisturizer, preferably one with some SPF in it, a minimum of 15. What I do is I use a lighter moisturizer during the day, my Clinique DD GEL and then at night I use a heavier one, which has lately been my Philosophy Hope in a Jar because it's been so cold out.

3. Use a moisturizing, non-alcoholic toner. I used to use Clinique's Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion (idk why they call it a lotion when it really is a toner), but it was so harsh that the alcohol and salicylic acid would make my eyes burn when I was applying it and made the skin around my chin peel and look bumpy and blotchy. I looked like I had a rash. I now use a Fix + type spray that I mix up myself every couple of weeks. It's a mixture of water, glycerine, tea tree oil, and argan oil. It's incredibly effective because of the tea tree oil, but also moisturizing because of the glycerine and argan oil. My skin feels very smooth and soft after I use it, but not oily or greasy in the least. I will post a tutorial on how I make this week.

4. Use blotting sheets instead of powder daily. Excessive powdering can lead to clogged pores and therefore more acne and oil. Generally, wear the least amount of face makeup as possible. If you don't need a lot of foundation or powder, than don't use them because they do not help your skin at all in terms of treatment. Powder isn't the villain everyone makes it out to be, but reapplying it several times a day to keep your face matte won't let your skin breath and that can worsen your skin as well.

5. Make sure you remove all of your makeup thoroughly EVERY NIGHT, but do not wash your face more than twice a day or exfoliate more than twice a week. This is for the same reason as to #1. Over-washing/scrubbing can lead to stripped skin, and make your skin increase it's oil production in response. And going to sleep with makeup on is one of the worst thing you can do for oily skin because oily skin is often prone to break outs, and not washing your makeup on increases your chances of getting a surface infection or clogging your pores and causing more oiliness/acne.

{Tip Thursday} 5 Ways To Make Your Skin Care Products Last Longer

Another new segment! I think Tip Thursday's will allow me to give a lot of info and tips concisely and quickly! Let me know what you think, whether or not these hints are helpful, and if you have any hints yourself!

1. Apply your lotion, cream, or body butter on damp skin after a shower. This is a biggie for me. When you do this, the product of your choice spreads easier so you get the same result with a lot less product and hassle. This is especially true with some body butters (like the Bodycology ones) that are very thick. The only reason I use so much is because otherwise it is very difficult to spread on the skin. This also works with facial skin care. Simply apply your moisturizer after cleansing, without drying your face in between.

2. Use less product. This one is a no-brainer. Your skin can only absorb so much. When it comes to moisturizing your face, consider this: at the most, you should need no more than about a dime sized amount of moisturizer to cover your entire face. I use a gel moisturizer, and that is usually enough to get not only my face but also my neck as well. Unless you have a very thick moisturizer, this amount should be more than enough. The excess moisturizer you apply to your face and body only sits on the surface (or gets absorbed by your clothes) and goes to waste.

3. Reuse bottles that come with pumps. I find this particularly helpful with thin lotions (like St. Ives or Vaseline) that come on a squeeze tube. I find that it's a lot easier to not only use (because you don't end up with a greasy bottle), but it's a lot easier to get to all of the product. What I do is I squeeze as much of the lotion as I can into clean bottle and then I cut it open and use a spatula to get to the rest of it. Then, when the pump bottle is almost out, all I do is remove the pump and prop it upside down onto a little sample jar/container to catch the lotion the pump couldn't get too. This way I waste the least amount of product possible. If you can, find a nice clear pump dispenser. I had an old Taylor of London Rose lotion that I finished. It came in a clear bottle and I've been refilling it ever since. It makes it a lot easier to see when you've used up all of the products.

4. Purchase moisturizers that suit your needs. If you have very dry skin, don't buy a light lotion that you will have to constantly use and re-buy. Instead, purchase a thicker cream or body butter that you will need to use less of to get the same results. You will end up saving a lot of money this way.

5. Massage moisturizers into your skin. So many people I know just quickly slap on the cream and then forget about it. Taking an extra minute to massage the cream into the skin ensures that more of it gets absorbed into the skin and goes on more evenly. In addition, it will get absorbed into the skin faster and give you the full effect of the moisturizer.

Next week I'll be talking about ways to reduce the oiliness on your face that don't involve using makeup! Stay tuned!