Sunday, November 2, 2014

WIMB? | Arizona Trip Essentials Edition ✈


Happy November 2nd, lovelies!  This Friday I'm flying out west to Arizona with my best bud Emily.  I've never been further west in the US than St. Louis (awesome place, btw!), and we haven't done a road trip since 2006.
At the St. Louis Arch, Gateway to the West, 11/16/06
She and I have long dreamed of cruising down historic Route 66 so we're renting a car in Phoenix and hitting the road!  Needless to say, we are both SO excited!  I don't know about you guys, but I love a good What's In My Bag post.  I've decided to share the makeup items that made the cut into my getaway bag for our western adventure!

FACE //
For base products, I'm bringing NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer [review here] in St. Moritz and Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet [review here] in 30 Beige.  I like having an easy-breezy light-medium coverage option like the NARS PRTM to slap on in a jiffy (the SPF 30 it contains will be great for day trips under the desert sun), as well as a full-coverage option like the Chanel PLV since we'll be attending a wedding while we're there and I prefer fuller coverage foundation for fancier events.  I'm bringing the Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark-Circle Roller for under eye assistance and NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer [review here] in Custard for blemish concealing.  My daily setting powder, YSL Poudre Compact Radiance in Shade 4, will be along for the ride, as well as my go-to bronzer, Too Faced Chocolate Soleil [review here].  For cheeks, a blush fiend like myself needs options.  I chose Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Pink Frosting, City Color Cosmetics Be Matte Blush in Fresh Melon, and Benefit Dallas, to serve as my respective pink, coral, and neutral buddies.  For the first time ever, I'm bringing a highlighter with me!  Lately I've been enjoying them since my oily skin's out of it's summer loco mode.  The beige-y golden goodness of MAC Soft and Gentle Mineralize Skinfinish seemed like the one to bring along since it reminds me of the colors of the desert.

EYES //
I know.  Who brings 2 Naked palettes?!  *raises hand*  I always struggle with narrowing down the eyeshadow field for even a short weekend getaway.  The OG Urban Decay Naked Palette [review here] has gone on every trip with me since I bought it in 2011.  It contains 2 perfect matte brown transition shades and a plethora of gorgeous neutrals in shimmer and glitter finishes.  Since I've had this for 4 years, I know exactly which shadows play best together which takes the guess work out of the equation.  UD Naked2 is also coming with because it contains 2 shades I cannot get enough of: YDK and Snakebite.  I'm also packing the UD Pulp Fiction Palette because I am mad for Tyranny and Vengeance, and felt I couldn't leave home without them.  If you haven't yet picked up this palette, it's currently going for $16 BUCKS (USD) at UrbanDecay.com and Macys.com, which is pure insanity bargain time.  Rounding out my need to have 1,476 eyeshadow options are a few faves from MAC.  The Groundwork Paint Pot is literally the simplest eye look in the history of the world, making it a great on-the-go companion.  I loaded my quad with 4 of my most beloved MAC shadows: Sable, Era, Mythology, and Cranberry.  {Sidenote: I REALLLLLLLY wanted to bring the LORAC Mega Pro Palette and nothing else, but I'm too scared it could get damaged during travel and I wouldn't be able to replace it since it was super LE.  If you see it pop up for sale on Amazon and you even think you want it, GET IT.  It is INCREDIBLE.  Total contender for my Best Purchase of 2014.}  For liners, I grabbed 2 old favorites, sparkling bronze MAC Lord It Up Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner and creamy satin brown Clinique Chocolate Lustre Cream Shaper For Eyes [review here].  I also included a new love, olive green L'Oreal Green Ivy Silkissime Eyeliner [my review, swatches and EOTDs of 3 of the Silkissime liners will appear in an upcoming guest post on Swatch and Review!  Stay tuned!].  I'm bringing a tube of the L'Oreal Voluminous Miss Manga Mascara for my lashes and NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base for my lids.  Brows will be handled by Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Soft Brown and Benefit Gimme Brows in Medium/Deep.

LIPS //
As you can tell, I don't like to travel light with it comes to color cosmetics and lips picks are no exception.  I'm packing 8 lippies.  I had it narrowed further but than I thought WHY?  Life is short, bring both the matte and glossy red pencils!  BRING ALL OF THE REDS!  My 8 selections are NARS Salamanca and Eternal Red Lip Glosses, Revlon Striking ColorBurst Matte Balm, Clinique Two Ton Tomato Chubby Stick, MAC Up the Amp, Creme In Your Coffee, Syrup, and Modesty.
What would you pack for a desert destination?  Have you ever been to Arizona?  Any road trip song suggestions?    
I will definitely be Instagraming my little heart out during the Arizona journey, so follow me there if you'd like to come along in spirit on the trip! ❤  Apologies in advance for the overuse of the cactus emoji. ;)

25 comments :

  1. How long are you going for LOL? I used to bring a a lot of makeup on trips, but I realized that I hardly wore any of it. Especially if I was spending 8 hours in a car. Sunscreen, a TM or BB Cream, and blush is what I always wear. Cream eyeshadows are another road trip staple. That's about it.
    Have fun! And I can hardly wait to see your road trip pics!

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  2. Bring all the reds! I agree! Heyyy I have a perfect song for travel! Let me email it to you! haha! Enjoy the vacation! xx

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  3. Ha ha! I know, I think I might be getting crazy with the proverbial Cheez Wiz on the eyeshadow front for a 5 day trip. But I like variety...the struggle, man! I might end up editing this down before I leave, lol! And thanks! I can't wait to stand on the corner in Winslow, Arizona! BRING IT! :D

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  4. Right?! Road Trip Reds FTW! ;) Ooh thanks for emailing me a song! Will go check it!

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  5. You got yourself covered here! LOL! I like minimal makeup when I travel, so I usually only pack essentials like maybe a BB cream, brow pencil, powder, blush, mascara and tinted lip balm. IF I knew I'd attending some fancy function, then I'd probably take an eye palette and a bold lipstick :-)
    Enjoy your trip and stay safe!

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  6. How fuuuuuun! :-) And it makes me feel better seeing that you don't pack light, lol.

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  7. This is quite a stash, Kristen LOL I always have problems deciding between Naked and Naked 2, but I usually force myself to pick one. Have fun in Arizona! Will be following your adventure on Instagram :)

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  8. Can't wait to "follow" you on this journey down Route 66! I hope you have a super-fantastic time! We now know your makeup will be killing the game the whole trip...! I especially love your bold lip choices. Props to that! Stay safe (LOL I'm your mom?) and have LOADS of fun and excitement and FOOD and NOMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Mucho Gusto (is the first thing that I thought after writing "Mucho"........??)
    MUCH LOVE,
    -Pancake Flapper

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  9. Love your picks Kristen! Such good stuff! :-) Have a blast you two! <3 :-)

    TheConscienceFund

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  10. Oh do you have room for one more person?? I want to gooooooooooooooooooo with youuuuuuuuuuu! I've never been on a road trip before. :(


    That aside....


    Great picks! I don't think you are over-packing at all! You should see me when I'm only going away for one night. Haha. It's ridiculous! But like you, I like to have options! You never know what kind of mood you'll be in. We need to be prepared for all types of situations!!! Hehe. Speaking from a true makeup addict. ;D


    Will be looking forward to your guest post and lots of pix on IG! Have a safe & fun trip, Kristen!

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  11. I know! It looks like I'm moving to Arizona, not visiting it for 5 days! I am still considering taking the LORAC Mega Pro instead of these 15 eyeshadow palettes. If it gets damaged, c'est la vie. It's only eyeshadow, after all, not an elvin embryo from Venus. ;)

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  12. I'm happy to know I'm not the only over-packer of makeup items, Melissa! I just can't toss 5 items into a bag and feel excited about it, lol!!

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  13. I'm probably going to end up only taking one of the Nakeds or swapping out all of the eyeshadow items for the LORAC Mega Pro which contains everything a gal could want! I'm so glad you'll be following the AZ adventure! I've never seen a desert so I'm pretty excited!

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  14. Yes, Jaa! Come on! We'll meet you in PHX! :D You cannot leave the United States of America without going on a road trip. It's the American way, man!! You would love road trippin'!
    I'm glad a few of you guys have convinced me that my selection of 48 products isn't utterly insane, lol! I agree - it's all about being prepared for any situation that might arise! It took me forever to narrow my choices down to this, so imagine now having to narrow it further?! I just don't know, lol!
    Thank you for the sweet travel wishes! Much love!

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  15. Well your makeup stash looks A LOT like mine would!! Your face will definitely be prepared for whatever Arizona throws at you! Never vacationed there so excited to tag along via Instagram! Have a blast girlie!

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  16. Your travel makeup bag looks a lot like mine :) That being said, maybe I didn't see it in your post, but what are your impressions on the Be Matte Blush?
    xx
    Jenny
    www.mishmoshmakeup.com

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  17. yes you need to drive route 66--for a bit anyway! i did it one summer during college break--no gps back then, so think 1999 or 2000. ha! so much fun. i love a roadtrip!!

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  18. LOL, I also get afraid good makeup will get destroyed during a trip, so sometimes I just take the stuff I wouldn't cry any tears over. Have a blast and safe travels! <3

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  19. I'm the same way and worry that my things will get destroyed. Totally kicking myself for not buying the Mega Pro!

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  20. I have to believe LORAC will bring the Mega Pro back. It would be INSANE of them not to! I'd love to see what magic you could make with that palette!

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  21. That's a brilliant methodology, Liz! :D

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  22. Wow - you are gangsta for doing that pre-GPS! Although our rental car didn't have GPS, our phones thankfully did! I'd definitely love to go back and drive more of it. Did you guys make it to Santa Monica Pier?!

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  23. Hi Jenny! LOVE the Be Matte Blush. Fresh Melon is one of my absolute favorite blushes I've bought this year! Thank you for stopping by! :)

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  24. Thanks, JSM! <3 I ended up having to narrow this down TREMENDOUSLY when I found out we weren't going to check our bags and everything had to fit in one small suitcase. I've been thinking about doing a follow-up post called "WHAT ACTUALLY WENT", lolol! Arizona was gorgeous and the weather....OMG. From one Georgia-born girl to another, the lack of humidity was one of the nicest feelings EVER!!

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