What's in my Travel Makeup Bag?

Long time, no post--over the past week I was on an amazing vacation to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico! It was so incredible and I will definitely do a post on everything me and my family did there, but first I want to talk about the makeup I took with me.

I tried my best to bring small, compact products that would work well for a number of occasions, whether it was dinner, exploring, or laying on the beach. I brought everything I needed and more so I wanted to discuss what I brought and whether or not it was necessary.

Cover FX Primer sample
My skin tends to be oily in the heat, so I brought a more mattifying primer on vacation. I used this a few times when I was doing a full face of makeup and it worked well with the foundation I brought.

Purlisse BB Cream
I had a sample of this ages ago and absolutely loved it. I actually ordered a full size specifically for this trip because I really wanted to use it! It has pretty high coverage, SPF 30, and it matched me pretty well whether I was winter-pale or getting a slight tan.

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder (not CF)
I like to set my makeup with a pressed powder and this is the one I'm trying to finish in my Project Pan this year. The pan is very thin so I was worried about it breaking, but the powder is fine. The outer packaging, however, didn't make it.

RCMA No Color Powder
I did not need to pack this at all now that I'm looking back on my vacation! I have an "empty" Elf powder container that I've been pouring this RCMA powder into for months now and I had no idea how much powder had collected in the bottom of the container. I could've easily left the full container of RCMA powder at home and only taken the Elf container and had more than enough powder for the week.

Makeup Revolution Conceal and Define concealer
This is my new favorite concealer and I loved using it along with the Purlisse BB Cream. I do wish I would have brought another concealer because I got a bee sting on my cheek halfway through the trip and this one didn't quite cover it, but of course I had no idea that would happen.

Anastasia Fawn Contour Powder
I used this one whenever I got dressed up for dinner, but I could have done without it and just used a bronzer for contouring.

Physician's Formula Butter Bronzer
I wish I would have packed a slightly darker bronzer! I love this product but it works best for me when I'm at my palest. A few days under the Mexican sun and this was barely bronzing me.

Pacifica Blush sample
I packed two different blushes, one glowy and one matte, and I used this glowier one a lot less. My foundation was dewy enough!

Swatches from left to right: Fawn, Butter Bronzer, Paaarty, Pacifica blush, Opal

Tarte Paaarty Blush sample
I got a lot more use out of this matte, nude pink blush. It worked for every occasion and I was really glad I packed it.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Travel Sized in Opal
I was hesitant about packing this highlighter--everyone knows Becca's formula is soft and prone to shattering, and I had already repressed this one once, but luckily it survived the journey and I used it a lot.

Urban Decay Naked Basics palette
An oldie but a goodie, I used this quite a bit. Often I just went for a basic matte eye but when I was feeling more into shimmer I added the next product.

Nars Dual Intensity eyeshadow in Himalia (not CF)
This is one of my favorite single shadows and it pairs really well with the Naked Basics palette!

Nyx Epic Ink Liner
I attempted to use this once for winged liner and then promptly gave up when it didn't work out. I didn't have time to fuss around with liquid liner.

Covergirl Perfect Plus eyeliner (not CF)
I did end up using this simple black twist-up liner a lot, so I was glad I packed it.

Swatches from left to right: Venus, Foxy, W.O.S., Naked 2, Faint (Naked Basics), Himalia, Gloss Bomb, Velvet Teddy

Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara sample
I love this mascara and I was happy that I brought it, but I had such a tough time removing it at the end of the night! Usually my eye makeup remover rocks but somehow putting it in a travel container made it not work as well and every morning I woke up with raccoon eyes.

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb
I've recently hopped on the lip gloss train so I wanted to bring one of my favorites on the trip. It smells delicious and felt amazing on my sunburned lips!

MAC Velvet Teddy (not CF)
One of my all-time favorite nudes, this paired well with a lot of my outfits. I packed a lot more lip products in a variety of colors but these were the only two I reached for, along with a good lip balm.

Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen!
I packed two sunscreens, an SPF 15 and an SPF 50 and I wish I would have packed a spray-on one as well! I got sunburned my first day in Mexico and after that I learned my lesson and drenched myself in lotion and sunscreen. I'm happy to say that my burn turned into a (slight) tan!

This is probably a lot more makeup than other people bring on vacation but I love getting dressed up for dinner so I think I brought just a few extra items!

What do you love to take traveling?

Xx Katie