I love packing for holidays. The challenge is to fit everything you need into that suitcase, being able to close it and getting your luggage within the allowed weight limit. To do that you need to plan you days and bring with you versatile items that preferatbly can meet more than one need.

Let’s start with your skincare and makeup.

Essential 1: A Jar of Vaseline

Essential 2: A lipstick in a natural shade

For winter, you need serious moisture. For face, hands, lips and all. You can bring a travel set but if you really are short of space and do not have an acne problem, bring with you a small jar of vaseline instead. You can apply on lips to prevent chapping. Use it on hands and feet to prevent chapping too. Apply a small amount all over your body right after patting yourself dry after a shower to lock in the moisture. If your skin can take it, apply a little all over your face to keep your face from drying. Bring along a lipstick in a rose or coral or peach that flatters you and use that as a cream blush (apply with finger tips) as well as a lipstick. Note: this is only for people who do not break out easily. Avoid using lipstick on cheeks if you are prone to pimples or have oily skin.

Not everyone can take vaseline on the face and lipstick on cheeks. If you can’t get all the skincare and makeup you need from a travel set. If you find the makeup pouch too bulky, you can take the contents out and put them in a compartment in your bag. Or if that makeup pouch is large enough, you can make it double up as hand luggage to carry other essentials you would want easy access to on your journey. Read the rest of this entry »