Travel Makeup Bag | #FOTD Essentials

My "face of the day" doesn't change much, especially after nailing down some of my favourite products ever over the course of 2015. Here's a list of my no-fail makeup essentials that I always keep in my travel bag:



Smashbox Photo Finish Primer 
For long-lasting makeup, I like to prime my face with a Smashbox primer. I usually use the hydrating version, but this blemish control sample is pretty good too.

Eye Primer 
I'm keeping this NYX HD primer in my travel bag, but I'm not a big fan of it. I am using the MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot for day-to-day, and it's working really well.

Nude Shadow Palette - Tarina Tarantino
Any nude palette will do, but this one is so beautiful. I got it at Costco in the US, and if you can get your hands on it, I'd recommend picking one up.

Brown Eye Liner - Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal
I included another Tarina Tarantino product in the photo above, but the brown kohl liner I'd recommend is from Rimmel. It works amazing, lasts so long, and is under $10. I also keep my Dior sharpener in a tiny bead bag, which I got free with a liner a few years back.

Eyelash Curler
Any curler will do, this one is Bobbi Brown. I'd recommend the Shu Uemura one, but I'm also planning on trying the Surrat lash curler after reading rave reviews.

Clinique High Impact Mascara
I've gotten so many little samples of this mascara, and it works really well at creating volume and length for my lashes. A drugstore favourite of mine is the CoverGirl Flamed Out. I'll also include a mascara wand or "spooly" brush into my bag to separate any lashes that may clump up after applying mascara.

Clarins Instant Concealer in 01
No matter what foundation I try, I always go back to this concealer as a one-and-done complexion enhancer. Under the eyes, on blemishes, lightly blended over the cheeks, its always beautiful. A good drugstore alternative would be the Rimmel Match Perfection 2-in-1 concealer, also featured in the photo.

Laura Mercier Pressed Mineral Powder in Real Sand
Lightly dusted over the Clarins concealer, this powder is unbelievable. I used to use her loose mineral powder as a foundation on its own, but I've resorted to the pressed version since it's less messy (and easy to travel with!). The finish is impeccable, and the coverage is just enough to even out my skin. It is mattifying, but still oh-so glowy.

Mistura Retractable Brush
I'm obsessed with the convenience of this retractable brush. It applies my powder like a dream, dries fast, and can be adjusted to fit into smaller areas just by sliding the case up the bristles to tighten them.

All-in-One Shadow Brush
My favourite shadow brush has to be the wet n wild one featured here, but anything that's soft and fluffy will do. I always recommend checking out EcoTools at Walmart, Rexall or Farleyco.ca for inexpensive brushes that work well.

Cargo Contour Palette in Monaco
Though the powder quality isn't my favourite in this Cargo palette, the shades work really well on my skin and it's perfect for on-the-go. The big mirror is fantastic. Cargo can be found online or at Rexall.

EcoTools Retractable Kabuki Brush
This brush is ah-mazing. I've had it for years, and it applies the Cargo powders like nothing else. You can buy it here.

Marcelle Nano Eyebrow Liner in Medium Brown
This is a great drugstore brow pencil in a nice light brown shade. I like how it doesn't need to be sharpened, and the spooly end is so useful. Marcelle can be found at the drugstore.

Benefit Brow Zings in Light
This is my current favourite brow powder palette. It includes a slanted eyebrow brush that I use for both the wax and powder, along with some really good quality tweezers. The shades match my brows OK, since the wax can come off a bit too orange.

Clarins Gloss Prodige Candy 04
If I could only choose one lip product for the rest of my life, it would be this gloss, 100%. I cannot get over how moisturizing and beautiful this long-wearing rosy gloss is on my lips. Love love love.

Buxom Lip Gloss in Erin
If I want a more dramatic lip, I'll apply this sticky plumping gloss from Buxom that leaves my lips feeling tingly and refreshed.

Lancome Colour Design Lipstick Creme in All Done Up
I'll then add a layer of this beautiful berry lipstick over the Buxom gloss to create a natural diffused colour that keeps my lips hydrated all night.


I'm a big fan of the cute, colourful Antik Batik pouch that I got for free with a recent purchase on ca.loccitane.com. It's a great bag for travelling, and I imagine that it would be pretty easy to clean.

To see my daily makeup routine in action, head over to my YouTube channel linked here as I've done a handful of makeup tutorials using most of these favourites.

Happy travels!

xx