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. ;)