A month in Moscow: Makeup

A month in Moscow: Makeup

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

In case you weren't aware, I'm in Moscow for a month on a language course, which is the finale to my amazing Year Abroad. Easy Jet baggage allowances are never kind, so to avoid paying any extra charges, I've really streamlined my makeup kit whilst still giving myself plenty of options for different moods and occasions. So, without further ado, here's the run down of my condensed beauty stash for the next four weeks...

The Base:

I've tried to keep things fairly simple here, as we all know that I can get carried away quite easily and end up taking six foundations on a weekend away if I had the opportunity to. One foundation and one BB cream sounds fair doesn't it? I've been thoroughly enjoying the Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation for a while now, and I want to get as much use out of it as I can before it becomes too dark for me again, so that's come along. Then we have the Erborian BB Creme Au Ginseng for those lighter coverage days. Plus, this is a travel size of it - space saving for the win! For concealers, I'm brining three, which I know might sound excessive, but I'm in between shades at the moment so it's (almost) necessary. My 17 Stay Time Concealer is pretty light for me at the moment but works under my eyes, so I ended up buying the Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer before I left in a more suitable colour to cover any blemishes. I've also got my YSL Touche Éclat along for the ride as it is nice for highlighting my ever-so-slightly tanned complexion. I've kept it extremely simple when it comes to powders and I've just brought my current favourite along - the Bourjois Healthy Mix Powder which is incredibly fine-milled and comes in a ridiculously compact case - perfect!

The Face:

Again, keeping things streamlined, I've only brought two blushes, and even better, they're in the same compact! I know, I've even impressed myself with my restraint! My compact of choice is the NARS Blush Duo - Orgasm and Angelika (LE), which will cover me for every eventuality. Sticking with my love of NARS, I also packed my beloved NARS Laguna Bronzer to keep me looking sun-kissed. These three are a match made in heaven - they're all incredible quality - are we really surprised? - and make the skin glow. 

The Eyes:

The eyes are always my favourite, so by keeping it minimal in other areas I've allowed myself a tad more wiggle room here. Right, let's start with bases - I've got my much-loved Bourjois Colour Edition 24h Eyeshadow in Pétale de Glace which is great for everyday, and then I've brought my most reliable eye product ever - the MUFE Aqua Cream in #13. As for eyeshadows, I packed two palettes, the NARS And God Created The Woman for everyday neutrals, and my Z palette with some of my favourite MAC shadows in it (see more about this here). Then I have the most gorgeous golden bronze single eyeshadow from Laura Mercier called Fire Glow, and the KIKO Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow in 05. Day to day I only realistically use one eyeliner, my longtime favourite MAC Powerpoint Eyeliner in Stubborn Brown. Paired with that, I've been really enjoying the new Bourjois Volume 1 Second Mascara, so I decided to bring that as my daily mascara - and I haven't regretted one second of it. Finally we have to talk brows, and my two top products for taming them are the Benefit Gimme Brow and the Maybelline Eye Studio Master Shape Brow Pencil in Dark Blonde. 

The Lips:

For the lips I've stuck to the basics, one bold colour, one gloss and one balm - simples. There wasn't ever really a question as to which balm would be coming with me, as I've never found anything better than the Nuxe Rêve de Miel. Then I've brought along my favourite lipgloss ever - and that's saying a lot - the Maybelline Colour Sensational Shine Gloss in Pink Shock, along with the best bold lip out there, the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick in Pink Pong. Covered!

The Extras:For extras, I've only got a few bits and bobs. Firstly - a must have - a pencil sharpener for my MAC eyeliner. Then we have one of my handy lil' Travelos holding the perfect summer fragrance - the Chanel Chance Au Tendre. Finally I've bought a new addition to my stash (that should probably be in my skincare bag) the Lanolips Antibacterial Hand Cream to keep my hands clean yet moisturised whilst dealing with my face.  

So, how do you think I did? Have I conquered streamline packing, or do you think it's still too much makeup for a month away? Let me know in the comment section!