Best Makeup for Travel Ultimate Guide

I want to share what I consider to be the best makeup for travel. My makeup bag is usually filled with the same items each time because I bring the best-of-the-best holy grails with me. Traveling is a special occasion for me, so I want a flawless bullet-proof face that lasts all day. Time to get started!

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

How many times have I talked about this primer? I fully believe that it extends the wear of your makeup while providing a smooth surface for makeup application. I have an excellent list of options in my writeup on the best long-lasting face primers to lock your look in.

Foundation

Second, we need to talk about complexion. It is foundation time!

• wet n wild photofocus Foundation Dewy: This foundation is buildable to full-coverage and dewy in a healthy way, with no photo flashback. It is incredibly long-wearing and flawless on the skin. Even on combination skin like mine it looks excellent all the way through the end of the day, which speaks volumes! I consider the Dewy version to be the perfected formula of the Matte, but I also love it mix it with the Matte version.
• wet n wild photofocus Foundation (Matte): This foundation is full-coverage and matte, with no photo flashback. It is incredibly long-wearing and flawless on the skin. My only caution is that less is more. If you get too heavy-handed it can look thick and cakey.

Concealer

• elf Hydrating Camo Concealer: The formula is thick and creamy, and blends into the skin flawlessly. It is full coverage with a natural finish that is not too dry or dewy. This formulation is appropriate for all skin types, including dry skin.
• Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer: A drugstore classic concealer, this formula is also creamy and buildable to full-coverage with a natural finish. This was my go-to before getting my hands on Hydrating Camo Concealer, but this is and always will be an OG.

Powder, Brows, Set

Next, I am talking about a variety of products. Specifically, brows, setting powder, and setting spray.

• elf Lock on Liner & Brow Cream: The creamy formula effortlessly fills the brows and lasts all day. When you find the shade that matches you, it will also look soft and natural. This product provides some hold to keep brow hairs in place. If you are looking for additional hold, then I recommend including a brow gel, which is completely optional.
• Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder: This powder bakes like a dream, and it proves a soft focus or blurring effect to the skin, especially when used as an all-over setting powder. Basically, I call this stuff instant Photoshop. It will also add a slight amount of coverage.
• Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray: All Nighter is famous for creating a bullet-proof face, and it absolutely works to extend the wear of your makeup! Of course, it also melts the makeup into the skin for a perfect set. I drench myself in this spray then dry with a hand-held fan.

Bronze

• Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer: Matte bronzer fans rejoice as Hoola is the real deal. It provides a toasty sun-kissed look to the skin, but it is not muddy or orange.
• Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna: Laguna is the perfect shade of bronzer for my fair skin, and you can see my deluxe sample is nearly gone. The light brown shade is soft and buildable, but never muddy or orange. It has the slightest amount of shimmer. When wearing this bronzer in photos I cannot help but stare and admire my bronzer. I need a full-size!

Kat Von D Shade + Light Refillable Powder Face Contour Palette

This is rather large for a travel makeup bag, but I really do not care because it is that good. You have all the color options that you need for matte highlight and contour. The formula is high quality and easy to blend and build. I never seem to reach for any other contour palette when I travel.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Matte & Satin Blush Trios Palettes

The variety of hues provided make it easy to select a trio that will work with your outfit or whatever look you are going for. Having three options gives you more to pick from in one compact palette while on the go. I like to mix shades for a custom look if I do not wear an individual shade from a trio.

Highlight

There are so many awesome highlighters in my collection that pains me to only mention two for travel, but deluxe samples are king to save space. I have been reaching for Smashbox X Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighters in Champagne Pop or Opal because those are the shades that I have. They are perfect on my pale skin and give me that showstopping glow that I crave. Luckily, these shades compliment a variety of makeup looks and are fairly universal in that regard.

Urban Decay Naked Heat Eyeshadow Palette

For starters, it is one of my all-time favorite palettes because I love warm eyeshadows, and reds specifically. With that being said, I tend to wear red clothing when I travel, I guess! But, Urban Decay eyeshadows are one of the best formulations on the market. They are super pigmented and practically blend themselves, which is why I make it a point to collect their palettes.

Eyeliner

I typically grab whatever sample that I have on hand. There is no set eyeliner that I use. I am sure that I have traveled with all of the below eyeliners before. Each eyeliner provides a matte black line that lasts all day, with a tip that is easy to control for thin or thick lines. Stila and Maybelline’s versions are both felt tip, and I consider them to be dupes for all intensive purposes. Kat Von D’s features a unique brush tip that makes it a cult favorite.

• Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
• Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner
• Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper

Mascara

I do not have a set mascara for travel. I grab whatever open mascara that I am currently using and run with it. You can see my full list of selections in my roundup of the best drugstore mascara for feathery lashes.

• Loreal Voluminous Primer: I am not one to promote a mascara primer because I think they are a useless, unnecessary step. But, Loreal’s Voluminous Primer enhances any mascara to make your lashes look fuller, longer, and overall more volumized. This is a step not to be skipped in any routine.
• Maybelline The Falsies Lash Lift Mascara: I am talking about the Falsies Lash Lift Mascara here because it is my current open mascara that I am using up. However, it does a lovely job of bringing on the feathery, false lash effects. I cannot say if it is truly a replacement for a professional lash lift, which is a bit far reaching, but it does its job effectively.

Lips

Let’s be honest here, the only liner that I reach for is wet n wild’s perfectpout Gel Lip Liner out of any other liners in my collection. This formula is so creamy that the color applies without effort or tugging. I have all of the shades so I can virtually match any lip color.

When it comes to lip color, I go straight for the wet n wild megalast Liquid Catsuit Matte Liquid Lipstick line. I pretty much will not travel with anything else. I have all of the shades ever made, so again I usually have whatever I need to finish off my look. This formula is full-coverage and long-lasting, even through eating and drinking. Only a minor touchup should be needed during the day. Some people find these to be too drying on the lips, but really they do not bother me.

Shop The Makeup

I fully stand behind all of these products to support a bullet-proof, flawless face. You will also notice my color options are carefully picked to give you what you need in a compact way, plus you can easily incorporate samples to save space. What is typically in your travel makeup bag? Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.

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