LONG WEEKEND BEAUTY PACKING + MINI REVIEWS

Hi peeps!  Hope you had a great Easter long weekend. ^_^ 

 We managed to get away on a bit of a road trip to catch up with family and see some new sights for a few days.  So, I thought I'd share what beauty items I packed - a few are recently acquired items, but most are my 'go-to' that I know I can depend on while I'm travelling.  I'll also share my thoughts on some of the items - particularly the newer ones I've tried.  The rest I consider my essentials for good reason and I highly recommend them all.  As pictured above, I packed three separate little bags: one for skin care and bath products, makeup and another for makeup brushes.

Skin Care & Bath

A. Mecca Cosmetica Clean Slate Makeup Remover (deluxe sample size)

Very nice, is just like a cleansing water in that you apply it with a cotton pad and don't have to rinse it afterward.  It effectively removes all traces of makeup while still being gentle on the skin (it doesn't sting my eyes) and leaves my skin feeling hydrated.

B. Avène Thermal Spring Water (travel size)

I love using this on my face directly after cleansing and before I apply all my other skin care products such as serum, moisturiser and sun cream.  See comparative review here.

C. Erno Laszlo Phelityl Pre-Cleansing Oil (mini size)

I brought this just in case the Mecca Cosmetica Clean Slate one did not remove all my makeup, or if I needed to quickly remove all makeup in one go without having to use a lot of cotton pads.  I did use it once and I found the texture to be a lot thicker, greasy and harder to work with compared to other cleansing oils such as Shu Uemura Skin Purifier High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil and Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil.  I also definitely had to use a face cleanser afterwards to remove all of the oil as it doesn't emulsify and remove with water as it does with traditional cleansing oils.  Of course, I have since learned that it is meant to be followed with Erno Laszlo's Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar.  Had I known, I would have brought this as well seeing as I purchased these two items as part of the Netaporter - The Holiday (Beauty) Kit (posted here).

D. Ren Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Gel (deluxe sample size)

A good, rose-infused cleansing gel that smells delicious - like turkish delight. :-P  It's gentle and leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed.

E. Omorovicza Illuminating Moisturiser (deluxe/travel size)

I purchased this in an introductory set back in November believe it or not (se

e post here)!  I can't believe I waited this long to use it coz I found this an absolute joy to use for the first time during my weekend away.  It smells and feels ultra luxurious on the skin and feels like I'm at a beauty spa every time I use it!  I must say, I wasn't that thrilled with the only other Omorovicza product I've tried, which was their much-hyped-about and exorbitantly expensive Queen of Hungary Mist (for one, the scent stops me from using it all that often!), so I was extremely surprised and happy that the moisturiser works for me and exceeded my expectations after such a disappointing first impression of the brand.  The moisturiser leaves the skin feeling nourished all day for those with normal to dry skin conditions like myself.  It sinks into the skin quickly and doesn't feel greasy or heavy on the skin - just smooth, supple, fresh and hydrated!  I may just repurchase this in its full size when I have finished it, especially now that we're heading into the colder months down-under - it will definitely be much needed.

F & G: Rahua Voluminous Shampoo & Conditioner (deluxe sizes)

This is ok as a normal shampoo and conditioner - perhaps slightly drying.  Unfortunately, I do not find this gives my hair volume so I would not repurchase.  /:-\

H: L'Occitane Ultra Rich Shower Cream (deluxe size)

An oldie but a goodie.  Smells and feels great on the skin.

Makeup

For makeup, I used my Anya Hindmarch in-flight bag in the uber bright clementine shade.  It has two compartments - one smaller compartment labeled for "Touch Down" and a larger compartment labeled for "Take Off".  Although I wasn't flying, I do love the usability and convenience of its size and clear compartments - making it perfect for travel no matter how you get there.

In the larger compartment, I packed the larger items including:

A. Burberry Sheer Eye Shadow in Pale Barley (No. 22) - gorgeous, unique neutral shade - perfect on its own for a quick and simple, yet beautiful eye look.  It's reviewed in full here.

B. Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in Cocoa Mirage - a must-have neutral palette with exquisite formula.  One of the few I have never fully reviewed on its own on my blog, but is nonetheless well-loved and have used frequently for ages.  If you need me to post swatches and more thoughts on it - let me know in a comment below!

C. Chanel Ombres Perlées de Chanel - my all-time favourite eye shadow palette from Chanel Spring 2011!  Amazing colours, finish and unique cream to powder texture.

D. Jardin de Chanel (Camelia Rose) Blush from Spring 2015 (limited edition)

Featured in my previous post - here.

E. By Terry Cover-Expert Foundation

Another of the few that I absolutely love, but not yet fully reviewed on my blog! >_<  This is my favourite foundation and I've been using it 99% of the time since I first tried it over a year ago.  Again, let me know if you'd like to see swatches and more detailed review.  I mix two shades to suit my skin tone.

F. Burberry Light Glow Blush in Earthy

Top contour/bronzer/blush of 2014 and still top now.  A must-have.  And, no...I haven't reviewed it on my blog yet, but let me know if you'd like me to!  >_<  

G. Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Powder in Candlelight

Love the compact size of this highlighter making it perfect for travel.  Very pretty and easy-to-use.

H. By Terry Cellularose Brightening CC Lumi-Serum

My new favourite serum primer.  I think this may just beat Le Blanc de Chanel Sheer Illuminating Base that I raved on about here!  Both add a subtle glow/luminosity to the skin, are brightening and help prolong makeup wear, but I do appreciate the By Terry's that little bit more as I find it lifts and brightens my complexion without any white cast or altering the way foundation looks on top.  Sometimes I find Le Blanc de Chanel's makes my skin tone lighter so my foundation is no longer a perfect match for my skin tone and I have to correct it with a bronzer or slightly darker foundation.

I. Chanel Eye Lash Curler

My go-to curler since 2012!  (See my comparative review here).  I've changed the rubber pads on it a couple or so times since, but now I've ran out. *sheds tears*  I went to the Chanel Makeup Studio to get a new curler, but have just been told it was a limited edition!!!!!  :'-(  I'm still trying to come to grips with not buying backups of this curler.  How did I not know this?!  #beautybloggerproblems #sosadrightnow

 In the smaller compartment of the makeup bag are:

A. Benefit They're Real Mascara

My current favourite mascara.  Love the spiky ball end for making my short outer lashes longer, more wispy and flattering.  Also love the fact that it isn't too difficult to remove at the end of the day.

B. Burberry Eye Definer Pencil in Midnight Brown

Beautiful, brown eye pencil - smooth and doesn't tug, fade or transfer.

C. Burberry Effortless Eyebrow Definer in Ash Brown (No. 03)

My new favourite brow pencil.  Another must-have!

D. By Terry Ombre Blackstar Cream Eyeshadow in Bronze Moon

Another super easy eyeshadow to work with, especially being in a convenient stick form - making it perfect for travel when you may not have too much time for makeup application, because there are things to do and people and places to see!  Just draw it on in a single stroke or two on the eye lid and blend with a clean finger tip.  Bronze Moon is a stunning shade on its own.

E. Too Faced Shadow Insurance in Champagne

A nude shimmer eye primer that is pretty on its own as a brightening wash of shimmer or as an eye shadow primer - making it a great dual-purpose makeup travel companion.

F. Chanel Rouge Allure lipstick in Séduisante (91)

Been loving this warm-toned, light to medium pink for every day.

G. Rouge Coco - Ultra Hydrating Lip Color in Jean (454)

Review and swatches here.

H. Burberry Lip Cover in Bright Plum (No. 15)

My go-to, deep, "vampy-type" (or as "vampy as I can get") lipstick - it has enough brightness in it and sheen to give life to my medium olive skin tone.  Very chic and modern colour.

I. By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder (mini size)

I've only used this once, so I can't say too much about it at this stage except that this loose powder is one of the finest I've seen (it just puffs up into the air very easily!), and it's translucent.  Because it's so fine, a little goes a long way and it doesn't give me a caky or powdery finish.  I received this as part of a Mecca Beauty Loop (Level 3) box recently (see post here) and it's such a perfect, cute, mini size to take on trips as many loose powders usually come in huge, heavy containers - far too inconvenient to bring along.  I love that it has a sifter, too!

J. Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer

My all-time favourite concealer.  Yes, it's expensive, but I've used this 90% of the time since I purchased it two years ago(!) and believe it or not, it's still the very same stick (will most likely finish this tube some time this year though)!  Nuff said.

K. Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat (Re-shape and Resize Lip Liner) Pencil

The perfect nude pencil for me.  Highly recommend.

L. Burberry Beauty Lip Definer Shaping Pencil in 'Bright Plum' (No. 04)

I rave about this beauty here.

M. Burberry Pencil Sharpener

Makeup Brushes

My favourite brush case is the Hakuhodo Po810Sb (also featured in this haul post).  I love it so much I purchased a second in the champagne colour as well - see it here.  It's just the perfect size to keep the essential brushes I need when I'm travelling.  This time around, I brought along some of my go-to brushes - I have several that I love, but these are some of my favourite and happen to be clean at the time!):

A. Rae Morris Deluxe Pro Blender Brush 6 - perfect small and flat shape for powdering over small areas of the face such as under the eyes, 't-zone' and blemishes where concealer has been applied.  I also love it for applying highlighter and even blending out eye shadow.

B. Rae Morris Pro Powder Brush 22

C. Mac 217 Blending Brush

D. Suqqu Cheek Brush - I've now invested in two of these, because I use it ALL the time and is undoubtedly the most used brush in my collection.  See my comparative review of it here.

E. Tom Ford Eye Shadow Blend 13 - excellent eye shadow blending brush that's also directional so it offers precise blending due to its shape and isn't too fluffy.

F. Rae Morris Deluxe Round Shader (#7.5)

These Rae Morris magnetic brushes have been solid workhorses in my makeup brush collection since I got a hold of them as soon as they were released two years ago.  They're superb quality and made from super soft, luxurious feeling blue squirrel hair that's animal cruelty free!  The brushes I have are mentioned in this haul post.  Let me know if you'd like me to do a review of any of them, or if you'd like to see my favourite makeup brush post. ;)

And...that's a wrap!  Hope this was useful. :)

Thanks for stopping by! ^_^ xo

What are some of your favourite beauty travel companions?  Do share!

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