First – I survived my flights! I shared the contents of my TSA Approved Quart Bag, but what about business trip makeup?
It depends on the trip.
For me, the contents of my quart bag will be more-or-less the same regardless of the nature of the flight. Makeup, however, is going to different significantly between a business trip and, say, flying out of town for a wedding or a brief vacation.
Context is important. I’m attending an conference for a product my industry uses. This means I will be representing my organization to one of our vendors… to me, this calls for trying a little harder than just looking awake (which I can frequently swing at my office, being both a combination of my field and business casual office). I will be in conferences and meetings during the day, and there is a reception cocktail hour one of the evenings, and we will likely have to do dinner-type things with this vendor.
My business trip makeup
Here’s what I brought, considering space is a premium:
Foundation – Urban Decay Naked Skin Powder Foundation. With limited liquid allotments, powder was the obvious choice; I don’t need to take up precious space in my quart bag for it, and it is really easy to customize coverage based on the area of the face – for instance, my forehead and chin are fine, but my nose has some redness. I brought a tiny bit of my beloved Ponds BB+ cream, but I don’t know if I will use it.
Concealer – Why, Maybelline Instant Age Rewind, of course. We aren’t savages.
Mascara – Travel sized benefit They’re Real! mascara.
Eyeshadow – Lorac PRO 2. It’s reliable and full of day- and night-time friendly options. Plus Naked2 Basics because it is basically always with me. It’s too good not to have – especially when I don’t feel like trying. Also bareMinerals Prime Time eye primer.
Tools – Lash Curler (mine is Sonia Kashuk, whatever will do), EcoTools Eye Enhancing Duo, a Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge (I didn’t want to risk my beautyblender), and way too many brushes. It’s the one thing I can say I overpacked.
Blush – Trusty ol’ e.l.f. Twinkle Pink. Packaging is small but sturdy, and the color is subtle enough that it is work safe regardless of the crowd.
Brows – Anastasia Dipbrow. I actually would NOT have brought this for this trip but my Etude House Drawing Eye Brow pencil ran out two days before I traveled, no shit. No time for a new one to be shipped. Tears, man. There’s an old brow pencil that is literally just along so I can use the spoolie. I don’t use the product anymore (Milani Easy Brow)
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray – I have an oily T-zone, so I use this every time I bother with foundation. That, and I will be in a warmer climate (don’t know what to expect from the conference facility, though), so I’d rather lock it down and look professional for 12+ hours.
Lipstick – MAC Creme in Your Coffee. It’s just the right choice, okay? Also MAC Brave. Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Naked. Bonus, lip pencils in MAC Soar and Urban Decay 24/7 Lip Liner in Naked.
I’ll be in a warmer climate than I’m used to, and I don’t really know what to expect from the conference facility (will it be hot? will it be over-air conditioned?) so this should be interesting. What facepaint do you bring on business trips?