An Escentually Amazing Deal

I made the switch from liquid foundation to Bare Escentuals mineral foundation about a year and a half ago, and I must say, I am hooked on all the BE products. They have some incredible goodies like their mineral veil, their blushes, and their eye shadows. They also make amazing and fun box sets of their things--perfect for gift giving or just trying something new out.

Well, if you need or want to get some Bare Escentuals products this season, shop now! From November 30th to December 2nd, all Bare Escentuals and md Formulations products are 20% off. What a deal. The only rub is that this promo is only available online at bareescentuals.com or mdformulations.com and you have to enter the code BEFAMILY at check out. Or, if you want to visit a Bare Escentuals Boutique, you have to present a coupon. If you're planning on going to a BE Boutique between the 30th and the 2nd, email me (asklydia@hotmail.com) and I'll send you the coupon to print off and take with you.

Bare Ecentuals products are worth every penny and they're rarely on sale, so Friends and Family time at BE is like a gift from...Santa!!

Now--get your game plan and get shopping on Friday!

Give Some Zzzzs

With all the stresses of daily life and the demands of the holiday season, the need for sleep is great. It seems like no one is getting enough sleep, even though it is essential to keep our bodies functioning properly, our minds to be sharp, and our skin to look beautiful.

The remedy? Aromatherapy! Head over to Bath and Body Works in your local mall and pick up any number of their aromatherapy products designed with sleep in mind. Anyone would benefit and enjoy products like Lavender Chamomile Dream Bath ($18.50), Lavender Chamomile Pillow Mist ($10), or Lavender Chamomile Body Lotion ($13). Really looking for a gift that will impress and provide rest? Pick up Bath and Body Work's Sweetest, Softest Dreams on Earth Gift Set for about $70. This kit includes all the Lavender Chamomile products along with cute lamb slippers and an eye mask in a reusable basket.

Sounds like the perfect gift for a stressed out mom or business woman.

Don't Give a Good Gift, Give the BEST Gift

One thing that's great about the holidays is that beauty companies make up special "Best of" kits to introduce their best selling items to the masses. Even though you're essentially paying for high end samples, best of kits allow you to give someone several higher-end goodies for less than the cost of one full size product. It seems like you're getting more bang for the buck, and as a gift giver, this is what you want!

Here are some best of kits that make my list this year:
  • Benefit Cosmetics Best Of Benefit , $46. The Best Of Benefit is the best of beauty at the best value. This beautiful set includes best sellers like BADgal Lash, Eye Bright, and Dallas, a bronzer/blush that works on every complexion.
  • Urban Decay's Midnight Cowboy Rides Again , $32. Always a fun brand, Urban Decay's best of kit is packed with their infamous Midnight Cowboy Rides Again Eyeshadow, their incredible Eyeshadow Primer Potion, 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Bourbon, and Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner in Midnight Cowboy. Wow-wee!
  • Best of Bliss , $45. Bliss is legendary for having great skincare products. This set includes Lemon + Sage Body Butter, Vanilla + Bergamot Body Buff, High Intensity Hand Cream, Aloe Leaf + Peppermint Foot Patrol, Vanilla + Bergamot Bath + Shower Gel, and a Miniature Lemon + Sage Soap in a signature gift box. That will keep your skin looking beautiful through the harsh winter!
I love gift sets...especially ones that contain high quality products. These three beauties are easy to give and even easier to receive.

Start the Countdown!

We survived Thanksgiving and made it through the insanity of Black Friday. Now it's time to refocus and start thinking about the holiday season. When it comes to gift giving it really helps to have a game plan. And when it comes to asking for gifts, it's always helpful to make a decent wish list to aid those buying for you.

To help you on both ends I will be highlighting some gift ideas, gift sets, and other fun products for the glamour girl (or guy!) in your life. Starting on Sunday, I'll focus on the holiday season and all that the retailers have to offer this year. I'll examine items for different types of recipients and all sorts of budgets, so be sure to come by often.

In the meantime, if you have a favorite beauty product you love to give or receive, leave me a comment or email me. Sharing is caring after all!

Twas the Night Before Black Friday...

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope all my U.S. readers have a pleasant Turkey Day and enjoy spending time with their friends and family. There is much to be thankful for so be sure to take a moment to reflect on all the good things life has to offer. A positive attitude sure can make you more beautiful!

As soon as the Thanksgiving meal is woofed down, stores across the country will be opening at the crack of dawn, offering the deals of the season. Here in the Seattle area, a few malls are even opening up at midnight to get the holiday shopping season underway. How many of you are planning to brave the crowds to get some shopping done tomorrow, Black Friday? I've done it in the past, but I have no interest in losing a minute of my much needed beauty sleep to stand in line with thousands of people to buy stuff I probably don't need.

Now, for all of you who are planning a Black Friday shopping extravaganza, here are some tips to make your shopping experience more successful:
  • Get plenty of rest. All that tryptophan and alcohol you consume on Thanksgiving may make you sleepy. If you're planning on getting up super early to shop, adjust your bedtime so you get as many hours of good, solid rest as possible.
  • Dress comfortably. I always find malls and shops a bit over heated, so I often leave my coat in my car and dress in layers. Comfortable shoes are a must!
  • Leave your purse at home. Yikes! I know how hard this one is, but when you're buying tons of stuff and you have to carry a lot of bags, the last thing you need is to lug around a purse full of junk as well. Try to limit yourself to the essentials: your credit card(s), ID, cash, keys, and maybe a lip gloss. If you're smart, you can fit all this in your pockets, making the purse unnecessary. Remember: Black Friday is about deal hunting, not looking beautiful.
  • Plan your attack. Make a list before you leave with all the gifts you need to buy, how much you want to spend, and what stores you want to go to. Doing so will keep you focused, keep you from overspending, and will make sure you don't forget someone. Plus, you can skip stores you don't need to go to to avoid mindless buying.
  • Be careful. Make sure you know where all your stuff is and be sure to keep receipts. Also, be sure to stash your purchases in the trunk of your car so they are not visible to any annoying car prowlers. Don't leave stuff scattered all over your car--you'll just be inviting someone to rip you off, and there's nothing fun about that.
  • Be nice and have a little patience. Before you start screaming about a line or start to vent on a salesperson, stop and breath. A little kindness goes a long way--think of it as good karma. Besides, Santa is watching after all and you don't want to be on the Naughty List.
Now, have fun and shop well. Go stimulate our economy!

Oh, and on a final, somewhat political note, I ask all of you to please, please, please avoid spending money at Wal-Mart (what my mom refers to as Wicked Evil). They're anti-union, they don't pay their employees well, they're sexist, and are the epitome of everything wrong and Republican about this country. Don't believe me? Click here, here, and here, for more.

Skip The Pie

Thanksgiving is upon us--I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. It's time for turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. But if you're looking for a guilt-free way to enjoy the wonderful scent of pumpkins this fall, here are a few products to sample:
  • Pumpkin Enzyme Peel by Peter Thomas Roth, $44. Utilizing pumpkin enzymes to easily and gently dissolve dead surface skin cells, this deep exfoliator stimulates cellular turnover, to reveal radiant skin that is supple and naturally hydrated. Age-fighting anti-oxidants and vitamin A help protect, nourish, and repair skin. Plus it has a delicious, irresistible pumpkin scent.
  • Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Shower Gel from Bath & Body Works, $9.50. This fragrance brings together all the sweet and spicy scents of fall – apple, cranberry, cinnamon, pumpkin and clove. You'll smell spicy and delicious with this combo!
  • Philosophy's Pumpkin Pie, $20. Their 3-in-1 workhorse can be used as a body wash, a shampoo and a bubble bath, all while making you smell like a fresh from the oven pumpkin pie. According to some researchers, the scent of pumpkin pie is an aphrodisiac for men, so this may actually be a 4-in-1 product!

Holiday Trend #4: Lip Service


We've examined trends for eyes, nails, and cheeks, and now it's time to go back to an old favorite.

Trend #4: Sexy, Red Lips!

The holidays are the time for strong, dynamic, rich colors. And there's not better way to show that you're in the holiday mood than by using these amazing colors in your makeup.

Try a deep, bold lip for a fun, sexy holiday look this season. While it may take a little practice to get your perfect lip technique down, it really isn't that hard to pull off. Click here and here for tips and tricks on creating a bold lip.

If you have your nails done, you should try to match the color of your nails with your lip color for a unified look. Sally Hansen, OPI, Revlon...basically all the major cosmetics companies out there, sell coordinating lipstick and nail color.

Nothing is sexier than a bold lip, and sexy, perfect lips might just get you some extra special attention underneath the mistletoe this winter!

Holiday Trend #2: The Eyes Have It

Ok, so you're not digging pink cheeks and you don't like the idea of a fancy schmancy manicure. So, let's go back to basics for this trend.

Trend #3: Bold Eyes!

By now you know the rule: when you're dressing up and putting on your face, it's best to focus on either your eyes OR your lips. Not both at the same time. Ever.

If you want to go with a dramatic eye at your holiday parties this season, bust out the fake lashes. Just apply a clump of lashes to the outer corner of each eye. Be sure to amp it up with some dark, heavy eyeliner. If you extend the liner out past the outer corner of your eye and wear the faux lashes, your eyes will look incredible: sexy and seductive like Claudia Schiffer, above.

Once your eyes look perfect, try a nude or slightly pink lip to finish off your look. Use your long lashes and flirty eyes to set yourself apart from the pack at any holiday party!

Holiday Trend #2: Nail It!


This look is a tad extreme, but if you tone it down a bit, you'll have a fun look for the holidays!

If pink cheeks aren't your thing, here's yet another way to set yourself apart this holiday season.

Trend #2: Finger Bling and Fun Manicures!

Ultra dark, gothy nails have been super hot for the winter for a while now. Want to take it to the next level this holiday season? Try a little bling.

I'm usually not a big fan of fingernail art--you know, those annoying and dare I say trashy decals (like American flags, roses, etc.) that usual grace talon-like super long fingernails. However, adding something a little more subtle can really make a manicure more special.

Try a few cubic zirconia gems just on one of your perfectly manicured fingers. Or go with a reverse French manicure in rich colors (not the usual pink and white combo). OPI recently advertised a very intricate harlequin-type pattern using two of their Russian collection colors.

A zazzy manicure is unexpected and slightly subtle while being extravagant and fancy at the same time. What a great way to perk up your look for a holiday party!

Holiday Trend #1: Pink Cheeks

Fortunately for some (unfortunately for others), the holiday season is here. That means it's time for family Thanksgiving dinner, office parties, New Year's Eve festivities, and thousands of other social engagements in between. Over the next few entries, I'll highlight some ways for you to stand out in a crowd this crazy holiday season.

Trend #1: Pink Cheeks!

Yes, I know...dramatic, seductive red lips have been everywhere lately. But since everyone else will be vamping it up in their classic colors, why not break away from the pack and opt for a brighter, sweeter look?

One sure way to do this is to try out a happy, pink blush. Since cold weather and dry skin are just around the corner, try a cream blush for a festive, merry glow!

A few to try:

Beauty Product of the Week: Befine Evening Sampler

What is it? Befine Evening Sampler kit contains an exfoliating cleanser, firming toner, and night cream that are "designed to rejuvenate and restore your skin while you sleep. A feast of 181 natural ingredients. Be.Products has created an evening menu designed to rejuvenate and restore your skin while you sleep. Starter Course: Exfoliating Cleanser with Brown Sugar, Sweet Almond and Oats: Deep cleansing to gently slough and moisturize. Almond is naturally high in minerals and removes impurities. Brown sugar and oats calm and heal. This non-irritating, light buffing cleanser clears away dull and damaged skin. Main Course: Firming Toner with Ginger and Willow Bark: Refresh, stimulate and close your pores with Ginger and Willow Bark, a natural source of salicylic acid softening the skin as it gives your face a firm finish. Balancing Ginger heightens circulation for a healthier complexion. Final Course: Night Cream with Cocoa, Millet and Rice Bran: Rice Bran proteins and vitamins increase the skin's elasticity and support collagen growth. As you sleep, Cocoa's caffeine increases circulation for a fresh, rosy complexion. Available at Ulta for $20.

What did you think? I love sample kits! They let you try out a whole line of products for the cost of one full sized product. It's totally the way to go.

I had never heard of Befine before, but saw the display at Ulta and was intrigued. All their products are nicely packaged and I figured I'd give this kit a test drive. I'll give my thoughts product by product.

EXFOLIATING CLEANSER: I must say, I love this product. When you first apply it, it feels very rough, but as you clean your face, the cleanser dissolves into a creamy lather. It smells slightly like mushrooms (I don't know if that's just my imagination, but that's what I think of when I use it) and leaves my skin feeling soft and very clean. Good stuff.

FIRMING TONER: I'm not the world's biggest fan of toner. I don't like the idea of putting alcohol on my delicate skin, but this toner is different. First, it spritzes out of a pretty glass bottle. Second, it doesn't contain alcohol (witch hazel is the base). And third, it doesn't make my skin feel tight or like it's been bombarded with chemicals. Instead, it goes on cool and makes my skin feel even cleaner.

NIGHT CREAM: Since this product contains cocoa, I half expected it to be brown and chocolaty in color. I was a bit disappointed when it came out white and looking like almost every other moisturizer I've used. Still, this night cream wasn't greasy in the least, and didn't leave my skin all shiny and over moisturized.

The final verdict? All in all, I am enjoying this trio of products. One of the best feels is when you take off all your makeup and wash your face for the night. That feeling of being totally clean and unmade up is oddly comforting to me. These three products left my skin feeling incredibly cleansed, but also protected....nurtured. Maybe its because the Befine products are packed with all-natural products. Maybe I'm just buying into the marketing. Whatever the case may be, this kit is a winner. And it would make a great gift this holiday season!

Brush Up!

High quality makeup brushes are a makeup case essential. When it comes to buying brushes, you shouldn't skimp on quality and you should expect to pay a pretty penny for decent tools. If you buy the cheap stuff, you'll regret it.

So now that you know you're going to have to spend a bit to get good brushes, what brushes do you need? Here are five that should be in your makeup case:
  • Concealer brush: buy a brush with synthetic bristles. Natural bristles will soak up too much of your foundation, and when it comes to spot-specific concealer, a lighter touch is better. Oddly, using a synthetic bristle brush will result in a more natural look.
  • Eyeliner brush: You want nice solid but not overly stiff brushes, all even across the top. Eyeliner brushes are great when you want to use eyeshadow (not pencil or liquid liner) to line your eyes to create a smudgy, smoky look.
  • Eyeshadow brush: Look for a soft brush that fans out at the top. These brushes are a must for blending shadow on your lids. You can get a variety of effects (from subtle to bold) with these brushes...you won't even think of using those annoying little foam applicators you get with your shadow once you become a pro with an eyeshadow brush.
  • Crease brush: This is a long, tapered brush that you use to apply darker eyeshadow into the the crease of your lid. Again, you want a soft brush, but you need to make sure the bristles are compact and don't flare out too much. This is a more precision brush than the all-purpose eyeshadow brush.
  • Powder brush: To apply your powder, you need a nice full powder brush with a curve-shaped head. Bristles should be compact and dense...not overly fluffy.

Ask Lydia: Fake Eyelashes

Hi Lydia,

I love your site and have learned a lot from reading it on a regular basis. I have a question for you. I have a bunch of crazy parties coming up and I want to make my eyes stand out by wearing fake eyelashes. My only problem is that I don't know how to apply them. Help!

Thanks!
Laura


Hi Laura,

Thanks for your email. False eyelashes can be really fun to play with. And there are so many on the market right now so you can get as wild and dramatic as you want. Since I wear glasses, I can't wear fake lashes....it just wouldn't look right.

If you want to add some zazz to your look, here's how to pull off fake eyelashes:
  1. Decide on your lashes. You can either get a full set of lashes or just use a few clumps of lashes on the outside of your lid to create a glamorous look. You also need to get the right color lashes. I say go with black--they look good on everyone. But if you really want to be wild, pick a pair of lashes with crazy colors in them. Just don't opt for fur lashes (yes, they do make them). The thought of some poor, cute mammal being slaughtered and skinned just so you can have exotic lashes makes me more than a little cranky!
  2. Once you've picked out your lashes, make sure the length is right. If necessary, trim them with very sharp scissors.
  3. Before you apply any other eye makeup, put on your lashes.
  4. With one set of lashes in your hand, apply a thin layer of glue to the lash base and let it set for a minute.
  5. Look in a mirror and apply the lashes above your real lashes, as close to the lash line as possible, following the natural curve of your lid.
  6. Adjust the lashes with a toothpick or tweezers.
  7. Apply the rest of your eye makeup. And since you're making your eye the focal point, have fun...go a little wild. Why not?
  8. At the end of the evening, remove your lashes with makeup remover or place a warm washcloth on your lids to loosen up the glue.
  9. Lashes can be reused--just be sure to clean them before putting them away. Keep them clean and dry so you can get at least one more wear out of them.
  10. You may want to practice with your fake lashes before your big night...that way you won't have to worry about looking like a fool in front of your friends.
Good luck with the lashes and HAVE FUN with it!

Sephora...Take Me Away!

I got my Sephora holiday catalog last week and I noticed that Sephora is now selling their own brand of bubble bath. For $16, you can pick from seven different scents and vibrant colors: Asian Ginger, Citrus Sage, Guava Passion, Tangerine Grapefruit, Morning Waterlily, Riveria Blue, and Tropical Jasmine.

I for one am anxious to check out these bubble baths in person--to give them the all important smell test and then the even more important soak test. I love taking a bubble bath from time to time. Lying in warm water in a tub full of yummy smelling bubbles is the ultimate in relaxation and luxury.

As an added bonus, if I like one of the scents, Sephora has coordinating Body Lotion ($18), Body Scrub ($16), Dry Oil ($16), Body Butter ($16) and Shower Gel ($15). Sounds like great gift ideas!

Face Lift

If you're a regular reader of Kiss-and-Makeup, you'll no doubt notice I made a few changes to the blog layout. Sometimes change is good, and I was getting tired of the old layout. Everything you're used to is still here, and probably in the same place. I hope you like what I've done with the place!

Shiny Happy People

Shiny hair is a beauty must-have. Silky, luminous hair looks healthy and is the perfect compliment to any look. So how do you get shiny hair? Here are some dos and don'ts:

DO
  • Boost your shine with a salon-quality shine boosting product like Kerastase Pixelist. These products are chock full of nutrients and gloss that add shine and protect your hair from styling and environmental damage.
  • Try an at home glaze. I tried out Clairol Natural Instincts Shine Happy about a year ago with mixed results, but there are several at-home products that add shine or color to your hair. If you want to pump up your shine and your color, try John Frieda's Luminous Color Glaze.
DON'T
  • Use a clarifying shampoo more than once a week. Your hair should have some oil in it, and you really don't want to strip all the natural and beneficial oils from your hair. Clarifying shampoos are too harsh for everyday use.
  • Color your hair more frequently than every six weeks. All those chemicals aren't great for your hair to begin with, but by dying more frequently than every six weeks, you'll end up doing a ton of damage to the health of your hair. And unhealthy hair never looks good.
  • Spend too much time in the sun. It's bad for your skin, bad for your eyes, and bad for your hair.
  • Shower in really hot water. This one is tough for me because I love a nice hot shower first thing in the morning. It's really better for your hair and your skin to shower in cooler water--its less drying and less damaging on your hair's cuticle.
When it comes to skin, the less shine the better...but when it comes to hair, that shine means beauty. Try these tips and shine on!

ANTM...Yawn!

I just realized I haven't posted anything about that annoying cultural phenomenon, America's Next Top Model, in quite a while. Maybe I'm just not feeling it this time around...maybe it's because I already have my top two girls picked out. And there doesn't seem to be as much drama this cycle, if I don't bring up the spiteful, jealous little bitch, Bianca. Ugh.

Anyway, if you're watching, who are you rooting for? I'm pulling for Heather--she seems to have more classic beauty and more maturity the rest of the pack. My #2 is Jenah. She's cooky looking, but I dig her. But overall, I'm just not feeling the ANTM love this season. What are your thoughts?

Blister Free and Beautiful

Like most of you, I love shoes. Even though I spend a good amount of time and money keeping my feet in decent shape, I still occasionally deal with something that destroys my path to pedi-perfection: pesky blisters.

There's nothing worse than sliding on a cute pair of new shoes only to suffer from a painful, ugly blister. But fear not! You can wear your sexy, killer, cute shoes without the pain of blisters with a new product: Band-Aid's Activ Flex Blister Block Stick. Apparently, all you need to do is apply the stick to your feet (or any other blister-prone part of your body) to get the protection you want. This product claims to reduce friction and rubbing. Because it is invisible, you can wear open toe shoes with absolute confidence.

Look for this product to become available in the next few weeks. It sells for about $7 (you can get a coupon from Band-Aid here), which is a steal considering how much you're willing to pay for the shoes that give us the blisters in the first place!

Paint It Red

By now we all know that classic red lips are IN this season. Once you've spent considerable time, energy, and money finding your red, you need to apply it flawlessly to pull it off.

Here are some hints for beautiful red lips this season:
  1. If you're still looking for THE red, try a shade that is rich. The more opaque the better. Make sure you have a nice balance of matte and shine and that the color goes on dark--the more pigment the longer the color will last (and stay true) on your lips.
  2. Prep your lips before applying your red. Exfoliate your lips by brushing them lightly with your toothbrush (trust me--there is no need to buy a special and pricey lip exfoliant!). Now that the dead skin cells are gone, put a tiny amount of lip balm on your lips. Just a dab is all you need...you don't want sticky or glossy lips...just moisturized lips.
  3. To enhance the shape of your lips, line them with a lip pencil that is the exact same color as your lipstick. If you don't have the exact shade, pick one a bit lighter. Never ever use a darker lipliner. Ever. I mean it! And go easy with the lip liner--you just need a light line of color, not a thick noticeable line.
  4. Apply your lipstick directly from the tube. Don't use a lip brush (despite what the experts say) because it makes the color too sheer. Apply the color in the center of your mouth and then move outward. Once you have it on, blot and let it settle, then apply another layer.
Remember: when you have a bold, red lip, it's best to keep the rest of your face relatively clean--just a bit of mascara, a smidge of neutral eyeshadow and some foundation is all you'll need. And for some reason, red lips look great when you're at your casual best.

Whatever you do, be confident with your look. While red lips are classic, they are very bold and can really transform your look. Have fun with it!

EPF? WTF?

Ok, you know that sun protection is essential for healthy skin. And you know that you need products that have an SPF rating. The higher the SPF rating, the more protection from UV rays you'll get.

But now there's a new classification out there that we're going to be hearing about soon enough: EPF. EPF stands for Environmental Protection Factor and it measures the potency of an antioxidant in its ability to protect against the sun, defend against pollution, and fight free radicals. The higher the number, the better protection you have from all those yucky things. Here's how some antioxidants rate: Idebenone has an EPF of 90, Vitamin E comes in at 80, Coenzyme Q10 scores a 55, and Vitamin C is a 52.

High end skin care companies are starting to label their products' EPF along with the SPF, so you'll be seeing EPF ratings on more and more items in the future. Just like SPF, the higher the rating, the more protected your skin will be. Check out this product by Prevage--for $150 it better shield me from the sun, pollution, and everything else that could negatively impact my skin!

It's Too Early For This!

Halloween just ended a few days ago. Election Day hasn't even passed yet, and already every retail store is pushing the holidays...hard. Coming back from my mini-vacation, my email inbox was filled with messages from beauty companies telling me what I need to buy this holiday season.

It just seems to early for all this! But I think I've caught on to how retailers push the holidays. It goes something like this:
  • December 26th: Put all the holiday stuff on sale and start selling Valentine's Day crap
  • February 15th: Discount V-day and push St. Patrick's Day and Easter
  • Day after Easter: Half off peeps and the start of the Mother's Day/Father's Day/Graduation/4th of July Season
  • July 5th: Goodbye Uncle Sam, hello Halloween! Oh, and Thanksgiving. Can't forget that!
  • October 31st: Adios, pumpkins. Time to bust out the Christmas spirit. Ho, ho, ho.
Even though I'm totally not feeling it right now, I'm bound to be forced into the Holiday frenzy soon enough. And I'm sure I'll be telling you all about the amazing products, palettes, and limited edition gift ideas hitting the market just in time for the happiest time of the year.

But I just can't do it yet...I need to bask in the calmness of the pre-Thanksgiving down time. There's plenty of time to worry about what blush I need to buy and what mascara is "the one" to give this year. After all, nothing says "Happy Holidays" like a brand new lipstick.

What's your take? Do you think they're pushing the holiday cheer a little early this year or am I just being a Ba-Hum-Bug?

Travel Beautifully!

I just got back from a quick getaway, so packing and FAA regulations were of no concern to me. Instead I just had to make sure I had enough clothes for a few nights and the right makeup to get me from day to night.

So what did I take? My normal Bare Escentuals mineral foundation and veil (i.e., powder!), a tube of mascara, two tubes of lip gloss, an eyeliner pencil, and the mark Flip for It palette I've been in love with lately. This, along with a moisturizer and undereye cream, neatly fit into my travel makeup case and didn't take up too much space in the suitcase.

With the holiday season fast approaching, you may be planning on a trip to the relatives (or to get the hell out of town and away from your clan). If you are, here are a few hints on looking beautiful while you travel:
  1. If you're flying, know the rules! Click here for an earlier post that thoroughly explains the 3-1-1 rule.
  2. Keep everything coordinated. Pack clothes in the same color-family so you can mix and match. If you have neutral, basic clothes and need to punch things up a bit colorwise, throw in a few pretty scarves to break up the monotony. The same goes for your makeup. Try to limit yourself to a great neutral palette and a few tubes of lipstick/gloss for color.
  3. Keep your lips hydrated. I left my favorite Burt's Bees lip balm in my car so I was constantly dealing with dry lips while in Portland over the weekend. Not fun. It would have been even worse if I had been flying. If your lips feel dry and cracked you're not going to have a good time. Just be sure to throw your favorite gloss or balm in your purse--apply it often to keep your lips feeling great!
  4. Be good to your skin. Don't forget to take your favorite face wash, moisturizer, or cream with you. When traveling, you're often in dry environments (like airplanes and hotel rooms where air flow is often overly regulated) and are dealing with new stresses (like pollution, stress from dealing with your family, whatever). When you're stressed, you need to be good to your skin--don't rely on hotel soap alone.
  5. Hoard samples! Sample sizes of your favorite products are ideal for travel. If you can't find sample sizes, you might consider buying small bottles designed for travel and filling them with a supply of your favorite goods. That way if something happens and let's say your sample size leaks or you leave it behind in the hotel you're not out a bunch of money or product. Plus who wants to pack a full size bottle of shampoo into a suitcase? Not cool.
On a final note, if you're like me and you use Bare Escentauls, be careful packing your mineral makeup. It can be very messy when you go to open it up. You might want to pick up a special BE refillable compact to safely transport your mineral makeup!

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