In my travel bag

I have been traveling quite a lot the past few years and have literally "lived" in about 5 countries this year (I say "lived" to mean spending more than a week in the same location). I'm not the best when it comes to packing but I don't overpack much anymore either. (Yay!)

Pictured above:
Pens from Kikki K. (Singapore)
Travel-friendly body wash and body scrub from Molton Brown (London)
Balance facial oil from Jurlique (Singapore)
Gentle cleansing wipes from & other Stories (Stockholm)
Natural deodorant from earth science (New York City)
*Earth Science Natural Tea Tree Lavender deodorant
Radiance lotion moisturiser from Fresh (Singapore)
Sunday Block - sunblock from too cool for school (Singapore)
Sunglasses from Robert LaRoche (Vienna)

As you can already deduce from my little list, I have purchased all these items around the world. If I find something while I'm on the road that works, it becomes part of my travel items.



*This amazon product recommendation contains an affiliate link that will not affect the price. If purchased directly from this link, a small percentage commission is given to me to keep this blog going at no cost to you :-)


All opinions regarding these products are my own personal opinions alone. No companies or product endorsements here.

Best Travel-Ready Beauty products for your see-through ziplock bag

One of the biggest things that I do for my packing list when I travel is my carry-on see through ziplock bag of liquids. I hoard sample sizes, mini bottles from hotels, and multi purpose products.

Anatomicals bath products from the Pentahotel in Vienna, Austria

Tips for hoarding sample sizes:

• Every time you make a beauty purchase at a counter, specialty store, Sephora, Space NK, apothecary - ASK for sample sizes of anything at the cashier. The salespersons are usually obliging and will look for sample sizes for you.
• I always take mini-tubes of toothpaste with me from hoarding them from planes and hotels. Most hotels will have mini-tubes of toothpaste in the front desk that are for guests. There is a little note in the brochure where you can ask for toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, razors and shaving cream from the front desk if you forget or run out of it. 
• When trying new perfumes, ask for a sample to try it out. Usually you have to wear a perfume for a couple hours to get the full effect of the notes in the scent so it is advisable to walk around for a couple hours or take a sample size to make your informed decision whether you should get that full sized bottle. 
• This is an obvious one: when staying at a hotel, place the mini-bottles of bath products in your bag or different location in the bathroom (besides the sink) or room when leaving the room. The housekeeping team will replenish and put new bottles out for you. 

Best mini-travel sized products (in my opinion):

Josie Maran Argan Black Oil mascara in Travel Size

Josie Maran cosmetics are cruelty-free and natural. This mascara is glossy and is a favorite of mine because it works with my short and straight Asian lashes. It doesn't end up on my face like many mascaras and it doesn't snag or pull my lashes. The natural argan oil formula also helps nourish the lashes which means its ok to use everyday.

Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturiser SPF 47

This cute little bottle of moisturiser and SPF 47 is perfect for a multi-purpose product. The lightweight texture of the product and sun protection minimises the need to pack two products (a moisturiser AND a sunscreen).

& Other Stories Gorgeously Gentle Cleansing Wipes

I am pretty obsessed with these wipes. Its perfect for traveling because wipes aren't counted towards your ziplock bag. These wipes smell amazing, takes off make up gently, and no weird residue on the skin after using it. Probably the best wipes I've ever used. These are great for those nights where you're just too tired and lazy as well.

& Other Stories Moroccan Tea Body Mist in Travel Size

This refreshing scent and mini size is just too cute to not pack into the ziplock bag. The body mist line at & Other Stories are not overpowering scents and lighter versions of their eau de parfum. I have used both the body mist and eau de parfum versions of Moroccan Tea. It has a tea + mint scent that is just great for everyday use. 

NARS Multiple in Orgasm

I've already added this product in many lists on this blog before BUT it seriously is awesome. I like to use this product as a blush and eyeshadow base so its always on my beauty packing list of products to take with me. 

Beauty products you don't need to pack:

• Body lotion. The one that hotels provide are sufficient. 
• Body wash or soap. Unless you have specific skin needs then the one that hotels provide are decent. 
• Hair Conditioner. I use the one that hotels provide but I do tend to bring my own shampoo as my hair texture seems the change in different types of temperatures so I try and keep it consistent with my hair products. 

All opinions regarding these products are my own personal opinions alone. The pictures are taken from the companies websites which are linked to this blog. No companies or product endorsements here.

Summer must-haves

Summer Beauty Must-Haves

The hot temperatures of summer and my sensitive pale pink skin are not exactly friends. I rely on these products to keep my skin exfoliated, cool, hydrated, and smooth.

Azure Window, Malta. June 2016.

Face

Fresh. Rose Hydrating Gel Cream. 

This hydrating gel cream is lightweight and seems to keep my skin hydrated for the balmier days of spring and summer. I usually layer this in between my serum and balancing oil for extra moisture. This gel also smells great and the pump bottle keeps everything clean and sanitary. I hate getting moisturisers in jars because keeping the jar and product hygienic takes a bit more effort. ie. constant washing of hands. 

Jurlique Advanced Eye Serum

Another lightweight stunner in my skincare routine. I recently started using this eye serum because I'm not a big fan of the ultra-creamy eye creams out there on the market. If its lightweight, moisturises well, smells good, and works - I'm a fan! Jurlique products are from natural sources and I go to their spa for facials every now and then to give my skin a good cleaning and brightening. Their products work well on my sensitive-prone skin. This eye cream keeps the area around my eyes looking bright and hydrated. 

Jurlique Skin Balancing face oil

Last year, I moved to the mountains and drier climates. I needed some extra-duty moisturisers and was recommended to try this balancing oil for extra moisture by the facialist at Jurlique spa. I've been pretty hooked on this since then. I use it almost daily and notice the difference when I skip this extra layer of moisture to my routine. A small amount of this oil seems to act as a humectant and keep my skin hydrated all day. I was never really a fan of face oils until I discovered this product. As we get older, the ability to create natural oils within our body seem to diminish so we need a little extra boost from our nutrition and skincare routine to keep our skin from drying up. This little balancing oil will be in my skincare arsenal for a while. 

Make up

Nars Multiple in Orgasm

The multiple sticks that Nars cosmetics has are brilliant. Its perfect for traveling as it can be used for cheeks, eyes, and lips. I like to use it as a blush and eyeshadow base. Orgasm is Nars #1 best-selling blush for many years now and it is a peachy-blush with some highlighters inflected in the formula. I've been into cream blushes for the past few years and the application of this with fingers makes it fool-proof easy and fast. I also use the Laguna illuminator cream as a bronzer and contour and will soon purchase the multiple stick in Copacabana as my highlighter when my current highlighter runs out. Creams and sticks are good for glowing summer skin and they are also lightweight enough to wear to the beach without looking like a clown. 

Body

Molton Brown Eucalyptus Body Wash

I'm obsessed with this body wash and have been for a while. I tend to take my daily showers at night before bedtime so I need to have relaxing scents in the shower. Eucalyptus is the scent that puts me in the sleepy time state of mind. I've tried other Eucalyptus body washes and shower gels but Molton Brown's version is the most potent Eucalyptus scent I've found. I stock up on this body wash whenever I can. 

Rituals Hammam Olive Secret shower paste

I exfoliate my skin 1-2 times a week in the shower to get rid of dead skin cells and the built up grime that accumulates especially if I'm traveling on the road and constantly out and about. This shower paste has tiny exfoliating particles that creates enough friction to exfoliate my skin thoroughly. I use this on a loofah for a bit of extra exfoliation. Rituals is available in Europe so I purchase this whenever I'm in the vicinity of a Rituals store and running low. This tube lasts me about 4-6 months though because I don't use it everyday like I do with my Molton Brown body wash. 

All opinions regarding these products are my own personal opinions alone. The pictures are taken from the companies websites which are linked to this blog. No companies or product endorsements here.

These beautiful faces are my friends

I have beautiful friends who are beautiful from the inside and out. Inspiring friends who never ceases to amaze me with their energy, passion, kindness, and drive. We should always appreciate those we choose to become friends with. Whether its an old friend, a new friend, an acquaintance that profoundly affects you. 

This post is dedicated to my lovely and beautiful Woman friends around the world.  (Some of these pictures bring back some good memories)

Photo Credit: Bill H.