CHENNAI : Humour me when I compare my travel make-up pouch to a little black book that I treasure in the relationship I have with myself. It holds all these gorgeous products I know I’d marry in a heartbeat if they’d just pick up the phone and commit already, a few trustworthy friends who won’t let me down when I need an instant pick me up, and a few torrid bad first dates that are still…somehow, hanging around.So a lot like your phone’s contact list and real-life affairs, a bursting crowded make-up bag can get, well, overcrowded. And while you might be holding out, waiting for the “Cute Barista” to call you: Newsflash! That day is probably not going to come. Much like the day you wait for to use that free Sephora sample that seems super cool but you’re not really sure what it’s actually for.
In the spirit of giving and spring cleaning, I’m here to help you through the painful process of streamlining your travel beauty bag. My biggest, most important tip: separate your Fun Make-up Bag from your Everyday Make-up Bag. And by this I mean all your indulgent splurges that you don’t use everyday, ranging from rainbow coloured eyeshadow palettes and vampy purple lipstick.Some days you’re feeling a light BB cream, while the others you’re more full-coverage foundation. The idea of travel make-up is to find a product that fits all your needs, and get rid of all the extra stuff that you know, in your heart of hearts — you won’t use on-the-go. This saves you from carrying deadweight that you really won’t miss at all.
I also enjoy living my life like an episode of Extreme Couponing and those free samples are my everything. These free samples also usually live in my bag much longer than they should, and have (on more than two occasions) broken me out in rashes, way past their expiration date. So in case you didn’t get the memo: BEAUTY PRODUCTS GO BAD. And while I know it hurts to let go of that baby blue eyeshadow you’ve had since you were 14, an itchy expiration rash hurts more. Let it go.
If all else fails, get a smaller make-up bag, which will FORCE you to pack only your essentials. Plus, it’s summer. All my shimmery glow is just sweat. I’ve swapped out a ton of products and I am not even wearing mascara every day anymore! As a general rule of thumb: All Lipstick is Exempt From Spring Sorting. I have five in my handbag at any given time, so go ahead and be the best (selective) hoarder you can!