When I am home, I am like… eh about my makeup. I do it daily, but I just don’t put a ton of effort or time into it. I SHOULD… but I don’t.
When I am on vacation, it’s a whole other story. I honestly think I am @makeupbymario when on vacation. NOT saying I am great, but I am VERY SERIOUS about my makeup. Maybe it’s the fact I don’t have 900 other things to do, or maybe it’s cause hotel bathroom lighting is always SO legit. EITHER WAY- I really love doing my makeup on vacation. The way I used to love doing my makeup when I was in my teens. REMEMBER HOW EXCITING THAT WAS?!
That said, I actually wear LESS makeup on vacation. I spend more time on applying it, but definitely use way less product. I don’t like packing a shit ton of makeup. It weighs a lot, you have to deal with occasional spillage, it’s gotta be under 30z, & it’s just a pain in the ass. When travelling- I only bring my FAVORITE things & make do. In this case- less really is more.
SO, when I posted the above photos on the gram (eating the best pasta of my life BTW) I got some messages asking me about my makeup. TYSM!!!!! You have no idea how much this excited me. This is not something I get asked often if at ALL, so I was very happy the extra time spent did not go unnoticed & I do have some pretty great products in my toolkit.
MY VACATION MAKEUP ROUTINE
OKAY- now for the vacation makeup routine! I am sharing my steps, in order, plus ALL of the products that I literally can’t leave home without.
STEP NO.1: PRIME TIME
when at home, this is one of those steps that always gets missed but on vacation I bring TWO primers & use them on the reg.
During the day I use Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen– it has sun protection (SP40) & the matte finish helps keep my makeup stick throughout the day. At night I typically use Smashbox Primerizer– it’s a moisturizer & primer in one so it keeps your skin looking fresh & dewy.
STEP NO.2: CONCEAL
I use a few different concealers-
+ It Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye: I use this one strictly for my undereye circles. It’s super flexible which I love cause it never looks cakey under the eyes. I apply this with a mini beauty blender (make sure it’s damp!). My color is medium.
+ Tarte Shape Tape: this is the BEST concealer for blemishes & dark spots! I apply with a damp beauty blender & my color is light/medium sand.
+ It Cosmetics CC Cream: if my skin is looking good and/or it’s daytime- it is super natural & dewy. The coverage is buildable, but I do see this as a more “lightweight” foundation option. My color is light/medium. I also apply with a damp beauty blender.
+ Maybelline Fit Me foundation (dewy + smooth): this foundation was referred to me by a makeup artist who said it was her fave over any designer brand, so I got it. It is a really amazing foundation. I typically will use this at night mixed with some MAC strobe cream (extra glow) & apply it with a damp beauty blender. My color is 120 Classic Ivory & it’s the foundation I am wearing in the above photos.
STEP NO.3: POWDER
The last step in my face coverage is always a powder. I don’t go too heavy with the powder because I want to keep things looking fresh BUT I feel like a good powder helps that makeup stick & just gives your skin a more airbrushed finish.
I love It Cosmetics ‘Celebration’ foundation which although it’s technically a foundation, it is lightweight… BUT you have to use the It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe powder brush with it. This is the BEST brush for powder. I am the medium color.
STEP NO.3: COLOR
I have never NOT worn bronzer in my entire life. I live for a good bronzer. Contour is kinda heavy on my face, so I just do a mini contour with a bronzer.
+ Physicians Formula Butter bronzer is my fave bronzer & I have tried A LOT of bronzers. It’s not at all orange, which I love & for some reason it smells AMAZING (like coconuts?!). I brush it in all the places you would contour lightly.
+ Depending on my look, I may do a blush & if I do it’s Kevin Aucoin’s neo-blush in sunset. It’s the PERFECT coral-y color.
STEP NO.4: HIGHLIGHT
I have used Artist Couture’s ‘Coco Bling’ for a hot minute & I swear it is the best powder highlighter out there. I like to apply it with this brush (brush is key to getting that Kim K glow!)
When on vacation, sometimes I will double up on my highlight & start with a few pats of MAC Strobe Cream along my cheekbones/cupids bow/bridge of my nose & then layer with a light dusting of Coco Bling.
STEP NO.5: EYES & LASHES
+ Milk Makeup’s KUSH mascara: my go to mascara & it was a real lifesaver when the eyelash extension nightmare happened! It is infused with CBD, so not only does it make my lashes look so long, so full- but it’s SMOOTH & just goes on nicely. I always curl my lashes first before applying mascara as well.
+ Rimmel’s Scandal ‘Eyes liner: I have literally used this liner since it came out. I am picky with my liners & after years of testing, this one is def. my go-to & it’s only $4. I apply it to my waterline, top & bottom, & then I will typically smudge it out a little using a smudge brush. I will also, using an eyeshadow brush, apply a bit of my highlighter to the corners of my eye. It brightens the whites of your eyes!
STEP NO.6: BROWS
the key to filling in your brows it patience, something I am lacking in my life EXCEPT when on vacation & I carefully color in each hair individually using…
+ Benefit Foolproof brow powder: my shade is medium & this is a GREAT brow powder. The powder itself is shaped like a brow & their are two shades- a lighter shade for the front of your brow & then a darker shade for the “tail”. It goes on smooth & looks super natural!
+ Sephora Brush 20: BUT- the key is really this brush. I lost my entire makeup bag a month or so ago & my first thought was losing THIS brush. It is the best & worth every penny.
+ Milk Makeup Kush brow gel: to keep my brows in place, I finish them off with a swipe of this brow gel (also infused with CBD!). It comes in clear OR colors & really helps my carefully colored brows stay put.
STEP NO.7: LIPS
I love a lipstick on certain occasions, but when travelling I keep it SUPER simple.
+ Max Factor ‘Pink Petal’ Lipliner: this is a total dupe for the Charlotte Tillsbury ‘Pillow Talk’ liner everyone is obsessed with. I line my lips with this first to add a little color.
+ NYX Creme Brulee butter gloss: this is my hands down my favorite lipgloss ever. It’s the best color, the best consistency, & I’ve rebought it over 10x probably. For a natural glossy lip I just apply this over my liner to kind of blend it out.
STEP NO.8: SPRITZ & DONE
To finish it off, spritz some rose water on your face- it gives your look a dewy fresh finish & makes your makeup really STICK. The best setting spray & smells so yum!