What’s In My Bag: Beach Vacation Edition

Packing for a week’s beach vacation is both exciting and stressful at the same time. It’s hard for a beauty addict to go on a plane these days. How do you take all your beauty favourites and not have to check-in your luggage at the airport? I think I finally mastered the art of packing my beauty essentials. This is what I packed for my beach vacation:

Whats In My Bag Beach Vacation Edition 1

Whats In My Bag Beach Vacation Edition Face Skincare

Skincare

On the (face) skincare side of things, I massively downsized with travel sets and deluxe samples.

Mèreadesso Travel-Ease Voyage Express ($48, online only). I just adore this handy little set containing two of the brand’s best-sellers: the All-In-One Moisturizer and Face+Neck Cleanser. Together, they replace the multiple creams, serums, oils, toners, and masks I would usually use at home. The kit contains no-mess resealable sachets, as well as a cleansing cloth to use with the cleanser. They are the perfect duo to take on a hot beach vacation especially, since the moisturizer is on the lighter side, so your skin isn’t left feeling greasy or heavy.
Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil ($48). I just started using several Tatcha skincare products and let me tell you: everything they say about how divine this skincare is? It’s all true. The cleansing oil is dryer than what I’m accustomed to, and it takes off makeup just as well. The difference is the feeling after it’s washed off: completely fresh skin that you don’t even need to wash a second time.
Mèreadesso Tinted All-In-One Moisturizer in Dark ($48, online only). This is a tinted version of the famous All-In-One Moisturizer. It’s a lightweight, sheer coverage foundation / concealer, which makes it a fantastic pool side companion. The Dark shade shows off my new tanned complexion nicely. In the winter months, I think I would probably wear the Medium shade. On good skin days, this is my new best friend.
NARS Skin Restorative Night Treatment ($95). I’ve been using this at home for about 2 weeks before leaving on vacation, and it’s love. Its gel-to-oil formula literally melts on contact and your skin will glow when you wake up in the morning. I was given the little sample tubes during an impromptu trip to the NARS counter.
Katinko Ointment. We get this stuff imported from the Philippines. This menthol + camphor stinky Asian balm works for any parts that are bitten, itchy and irritated.
Neutrogena Pure & Free Liquid Sunscreen SPF 50 ($12.49, US only). Neutrogena just gets sunscreen. This face sunscreen is really smooth, lightweight and uses physical sunblock (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) instead of the chemical -benzones. It goes on really white, but to be honest I just want to be completely covered under the sun.

Whats In My Bag Beach Vacation Edition Suncare and Hair

Sun and Hair Care

Neutrogena Beach Defense SPF 60 Body ($11.39). I don’t have time to apply sunscreen lotion, so to me, spray sunscreens are golden. This spray by Neutrogena is waterproof and sweatproof. The spray itself is quite dense, which I like, because I feel like it covers more than other spray sunscreens out there.
Schick Hydro 5 Razor ($14). My razor of choice for years now. This one is actually made for men, but I’ve never found a lady razor that gives me a closer shave than this.
Moroccanoil Treatment ($). The only hair product I brought with me. This and the Caribbean sea and I’m all set!
Tangle Teezer Compact Styler in Feline Groovy. Beach hair is nice and all, but it leaves my hair in knots. Tangle Teezer is heaven-sent. It really works out all the knots in my hair quickly.
Amazing Maui Babe Browning Lotion ($16.99). This is the shortest tropical vacation I’ve ever taken, so I decided to bring in back up support. This lotion helped my tan develop into a beautiful dark brown quickly. The jury is still out on whether or not this is safe, because I’m pretty sure I got a mild sunburn on day 3. I probably left it on for too long, since they only recommend up to 1 hour use at a time.
L’Oreal Paris Sublime Sun After Sun Rich Repairing Lotion. Not just for after sun purposes, but for overall body hydration, this L’Oreal product is a star!

Whats In My Bag Beach Vacation Edition Complexion

Makeup (Complexion)

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC-5 ($41). For general redness concealing purposes.
NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Powder ($42). If you haven’t met her yet, she’s awesome.
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat in No. 3 ($50). For all-over highlighting.
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Ginger ($35). Only the best under-eye concealer!
Chanel Ombre Contraste in Notorious. I’m sorry, this was limited edition, I know, but it’s the contour powder I have that works for darker skin.
NARS Multiple in Luxor and Na Pali Coast (LE) ($46). Multi-use pink highlighter shade and a radiant bronzer.

Whats In My Bag Beach Vacation Edition Colour Makeup

Makeup (Colour)

Annabelle Skinny Brow Liner in Universal Medium ($8.95). Best brow pencil. You already know this.
Benefit Gimme Brow in Medium/Deep ($26). Best brow gel. Duh.
shu uemura Brave Beauty Palette in Orange ($90). Great palette especially when my tan developed. It works marvellously with warm skin tones. Swatched and worn here.
L’Oreal Paris Silkissime Liner. A smudgy black liner for quick and intense smokey eyes.
shu uemura Drawing Pencil in M Black 01 ($28). A long-wearing standard black liner for the waterlines. Swatched and reviewed here.
Clinique Quickliner for Eyes Intense in Intense Sable (LE). A smudgy (and long-wearing!) brown eyeliner when I didn’t want to wear black.
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($24). Because humidity and sweat.
shu uemura Petal Lash Mascara ($25). Because humidity and sweat.
Lips (not pictured): MAC Lipsticks in Lady Danger and Impassioned, MAC Richer, Lusher Cremesheen Glass, Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Crème in Ballet, Giorgio Armani Rouge d’Armani Sheer in 100: orange, red(-ish), coral, pink, and nude, aaaaallll covered.