Holiday Beauty: what I actually used

Beauties, hello again!

I am still über excited about my recent trip – to San Francisco, central California coast, Long Island (Montauk) and of course New York, New York. So excited in fact that I have had blog blindness – too excited to blog about any one detail because I want to blurt everything out at once.

But one must be patient. Baby steps, baby steps. After much deliberation it occurred to me that a logical first step would be to match my initial what-to-pack makeup, skincare, haircare and in-flight product lists with what I actually used – and could not live without. So here they are – my precious beauty babies which stayed close to my heart – and my handbag – during the entire four weeks.

Ultraceuticals Ultra Moisturiser Cream. I have waxed lyrical about this one many times, and it did not let me down. I slathered it on before boarding my international and USA domestic flights and again after arriving at my destination. I typically only use this at night but while on holiday I would use it AM and PM for two-three days on either side of a flight, to make sure my oily skin did not get all grumpy, inflamed and dehydrated. And it didn’t! Otherwise I used this every night, with nothing but the matching Ultraceuticals Ultra Moisturiser Eye Cream, and my skin looked great. Both products available from Adore Beauty.

Korres Yoghurt Mask. I knew this baby wouldn’t let me down when I listed it as part of my in-flight (and post-flight) beauty regime. I did indeed wear it during the long-haul flight (after cleansing my face with my Lancome eau Fraiche Douceur) and also overnight after I disembarked. Call it overkill but if you have ever flown from Australia to … well almost anywhere, you will understand that a long flight is a LONG flight and the skin is severely punished. Korres from Korres and Kit Cosmetics. Lancome from Lancome.

Invisible Zinc Environmental Skin Protector. No chemical sunscreen actives. No fragrance. Light on the skin. Innovative yet wonderfully minimal formulation. What more can I say? Well if you really want a reminder of precisely how much I love this product, take a peek here. From Adore Beauty and Invisible Zinc.

You may remember that I intended to pack a dazzling variety of makeup items in my trusty Mimco mesh pouch. However it may not surprise you to hear that I did not use all of these products while travelling. But I wouldn’t be a true beauty philosopher if I only packed what I would actually use, would I? What I did use, all day every day:

Chanel Teint Innocence Compact Makeup. This was not on my original list, but an impulse purchase at the airport. It immediately became possibly my favourite foundation of all time – or at least a more travel friendly equal to my beloved Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. I have not used the liquid version of Chanel’s popular Teint Innocence but I loved the compact version because it is incredibly easy to apply (and reapply should the humid August New York weather demand it); it is sheer but somehow mysteriously evens the skin tone; it has a perfect, not quite dewy, definitely not powdery finish; it powered-on throughout the entire day, even on my oily skin; and it looks pretty. I stocked up on several of these (thank you USA cosmetics prices) and am now a practice of the gospel of Chanel Teint Innocence. From Chanel and in Australia, Myer and David Jones.

Two other last-minute additions to my beauty routine were MooGoo Skin Milk Udder Cream and Aesop Immediate Moisture Facial Hydrosol. I bought the MooGoo the day before I flew out, after my legs and bikini bits reacted to being waxed. MooGoo actually make a special Waxing Cream but this was sold out and I settled on the Skin Milk, a lighter version of the original MooGoo Full Cream. I loved this and had to refrain from using the whole tube in the first week – it smells of sweet milk (I have a funny thing for milk scents), it is SO moisturising yet light on the skin, and it is free of superfluous additives and other bits and bobs. I definitely want to try  more from the MooGoo range, which has a legion of admirers. From MooGoo.

After discovering that my local pharmacy no longer stocked generic rosewater I turned to Aesop, a company I have always admired for its high quality formulations, ultra chic packaging and rare ability to match intellectual, artistic endeavours with cosmetics and beauty. This hydrosol comes in an airplane-handy 50ml bottle and also functions as a sleep – or at least deep relaxation – aide as it smells divinely of lavender and gentle geranium. From Aesop and Adore Beauty.

Then of course I was not surprised to find my Nars Blush in Orgasm, Biotherm Biosource Cleansing Mousse, Becca The Ultimate Mascara and Laura Mercier Eyebrow Pencil in Blonde on everyday rotation. A word to the wise – always set your brow colour with a clear gel or it may not last the day.

Phew! And I haven’t even begun writing about all the goodies I bought in the US! Stay tuned lovelies – and if you are a tad impatient do check out all my other excited holiday inspiration ramblings.

xx