Traveling with Your Makeup

With all the new airline regulations, it is getting harder and harder to pack for a getaway with your makeup in regards to what can be brought on the plane with you and what must go into your luggage. When it comes to makeup, remember your essentials for a basic day and night look. Sometimes it is hard not to pack your entire traincase! Below is a list of items you should make sure is in your makeup bag when packing for a trip;

- Foundation or concealer
- Brushes
- Two blush (Think one for a day look, one for night)
- Eyeshadow
- Mascara
- Black eyeliner
- Eye primer
- Lip Conditioner
- Lipgloss or Lipstick (Aim for only three or four of your favorites)
- Lip liner

Foundation or Concealer. Choose one with an SPF if you can; if your favourite foundation doesn’t come with SPF, you can mix your liquid foundation and sunscreen together in equal parts when you get to your destination. Your foundation should always travel in a Ziploc bag in your luggage instead of your carry on. If you are worried about your luggage possibly getting lost along with your staple cosmetics, it’s easier to manage a powder foundation in your carry on.

Basic Brushes; Foundation brush, eyeliner brush, blush brush, smudge brush, and eyeshadow brush are the usual essentials. I travel with a small set from MAC Cosmetics including the 187, 316, 190, 194, 168, 266 and 275 brushes.

Brushes do not take up a lot of room, but they are essential tools, so make sure you pack all the ones you will need. Remember to cleanse your brushes before you leave so they will be fresh to use when you arrive at your destination. You can also buy small containers from a beauty supply store (even some dollar stores are now carrying them) and bring a little bit of your brush cleanser.

Eyeshadow is the hard part; whether you are traveling with eyeshadow pots or palettes, exercise caution. If packing your eyeshadow in your suitcase, rest them in between your clothing in plastic bags; your clothing will provide sufficient padding and the bag will prevent any spillage and transfer in case there is an accident. If packing a palette in your suitcase, place a piece of paper towel in between the shadow and the top lid of the palette and make sure it closes tightly. This will prevent any shattering if the palette is rattled around. Place it in a freezer bag and set it in between your clothing. I usually bring an eyeshadow that can be doubled as eyeliner, and then some basic colors. I go for lighter pinks during the day, and darker browns, golds and blacks for the night time. The color scheme you choose is your personal preference.

Most mascaras, liquid eyeliners, lip gloss and lipsticks can travel with you in a carry on but make sure they conform to TSA regulations. Sometimes, if the agents are feeling picky, they may throw out your mascara without reason. All gels and liquids (including your mascaras and lip gloss) have to be less than a total of three ounces each, or they will throw it out. The good news is most lipglosses are about 1.92 grams, which is only .06 ounces. Remember to store them in clear plastic Ziploc bags per TSA regulations and you shouldn’t have any problem.

Of course, some cosmetic companies have had their items conform to the new TSA regulations, and some companies like Cargo Cosmetics have created all new products simply to help for the ease of travel with your makeup by dividing lip glosses and even eyeshadow in to small packets that fit easily into a suitcase or carry on.

So, wherever your travels take you, make sure you are packing well and if you are unsure about a product you’d like to bring with you, please visit http://www.tsa.gov/ for full information.