Space-Saving Makeup Packing

Space-Saving Makeup Packing

I will be the first to admit that I normally do not pack "light" when it comes to makeup (or really, when it comes to anything). However, sometimes, we have no choice, and we have approximately six inches of space in our bags for beauty products. What is a makeup-obsessed girl to do? Well, I have mastered the art of getting the most out of a small stash of makeup while traveling, even if I choose to pack a lot more 99% of the time, and I'm happy to share my tips with you!

The first step to packing light is finding the right makeup bag. Some bags are just too tiny to be functional, and others encourage overpacking by allowing you too much room for expansion. I have found that the best bags for packing light are actually the little bags sent to me by Ipsy each month. They are all different, but often, they are cute and the perfect size for a short trip.

The second step is acknowledging which types of products you can live without. This is the hardest part, for sure. For me, setting spray is an example of a product I love to use on a daily basis but that I ditch when I need to pack light. The biggest sacrifice I make, though, is options. I bring just one of each thing - one foundation, one powder, one blush, one small eyeshadow palette, one mascara, etc. Which brings me to the next step:

The third step is determining which of your necessary products are the best multitaskers. That blush you love but that only goes with one lipstick? Leave it. That foundation that looks great in person but causes flashback in photos? Leave it. You need products that will look good every day on your vacation, no matter the situation you may end up in. Find your products that are the most versatile and reliable, not the ones that are perfect in one specific situation. 

The fourth step is finding your smallest versions of your necessary makeup products. Maybe you have a sample-size or travel-size of one of your favorites, or maybe the packaging of one of your foundations is less bulky than all the others. Here, you are prioritizing size over preference, although you'll want to make sure you still like these products since they're the only ones you'll be using on your trip.

The final step is packing your makeup brushes separately. Brushes are tall and take up too much room in a small makeup bag, if they fit at all. Believe it or not, it's much more space-saving to simply gather your brushes, wrap them in something like a washcloth or even cling wrap, and then rubber band them together and stick them in a snug place inside your bag. You can pack a good number of brushes without compromising space this way, and they are nicely protected.

The Final Product: My Go-To Travel Makeup Stash

Bag: Ipsy

• This cute bag by Ipsy is 5x7, but it can hold a lot! The picture at the top of this post demonstrates that it can actually close with all of this in it! :) 

Primer: Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Foundation Primer (Travel Size) 

• I probably would ditch the primer altogether if I didn't have this tiny travel-size version of my favorite!

Foundation: L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte 24HR Foundation

• This is one of my favorites, as you know, but it is also my most slim, compact foundation

Powder: Urban Decay De-Slick Mattifying Powder

• Again, I'm lucky here that my favorite powder is extremely slim.

Cheek Products: Urban Decay Naked Flushed Palette - "Streaked"

• A slim, 3-in-1 product for blush, bronzer, and highlight is ideal for space-saving. Find other suggestions in this blog post.

Brow Pencil: NYX MicroBrow Pencil - "Taupe"

• This pretty much takes up no room, but I can't live without it!

Eyeshadow Primer: LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Primer (Sample Size)

• This is a good primer that comes with any LORAC palette you purchase. I keep them mainly for the reason that they are teeny tiny and great for travel!

Eyeshadow: BareMinerals READY Eyeshadow 8.0 The Bare Neutrals 

• I have always struggled finding a tiny eyeshadow palette that is great quality and versatile enough to take on a longer trip with several types of events and activities. Then, I found this one! This is a recent discovery, and I am so impressed. The formula is amazing and it has absolutely everything I need for a day or night look, including a matte cream color, a great crease shade, several shimmery lid shades, and darker shades to deepen up a look for nighttime. 

Eyeliner: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner - "Dark Brown"

• Eyeliners don't take up a ton of room anyway, but this one is always my go-to because of its lasting power in any situation.

Mascara: Covergirl The Super Sizer Waterproof Mascara

• When I'm only bringing one mascara, I choose a waterproof formula. This ensures that no matter the weather or regardless of any water activities I may be doing, my mascara will last. However, if you have a travel or sample size mascara that you love, that would be even better and more space-saving.

Lipstick: The general assortment in my purse

• Here's a little cheat: you are most likely bringing a purse on your trip, and you most likely keep a lipstick or two in your purse already, so use that to your advantage! I always keep about four lipsticks in my purse since it has the space, so I just make sure my assortment is diverse enough to get me through a whole trip. That usually includes one or two nude/neutral colors, one that is more shiny/glossy, and a darker one. Bonus: lipstick doesn't count as a liquid in the airport, so you don't have to keep it in a ziploc!