Summer Packing – Makeup Case Essentials

The other night when I was wide awake at 3pm (thank you 3rd glass of white wine) and having watched some lame Marky Mark movie about having to make a quick getaway from the end of the world as we know it (thank you The Happening and TWCable OnDemand) I spent some time wondering whether our family should have a survival box pre-packed for that very instance….when the plants turn on the humans and release deadly poison gases, and we will have to mad dash for Appalachia to live out the pestilence….. and was soon distracted by the thought all the products and equipment I would personally have to pack in my getaway bag.  Forget water and purification tablets.  I’m talking the beauty basics that keep this facade going, which frankly would take up a 30 QT Storage Box all on their own.  I’m pretty sure I finally fell back asleep exhausted by calculating the potential expiration dates and replacement costs for all the stuff in the Susu Survival Kit.

In my summer weekend travel bag, I do like to keep a few summertime essentials I can’t leave home without, all packed and ready to go.  I’m a product junkie anyway, but I’ve also been known to live out the cosmetic case from June thru Labor Day.  So when we have to evacuate for the weekend to Charleston or Rehobeth or Chicago or New Orleans or Nice, I’m good to go.  Here’s what I’m lovin’ this summer.

GIANT PUMP BOTTLE OF ELTA FACE & BODY MOISTURIZER WITH SUNSCREEN (UV Shield Broad Spectrum spf 45)  No matter what Derm or Plastic Surgeon’s office I go to, and trust me I go to a lot, ELTA is the number one sunscreen / moisturizer every one recommends.  They may love their Skinceuticals or Skinmedica or Obagi for the other stuff but they really love the ELTA for suncreen & moisturizer.  I like the Two-in-Ones of the face/body combo and the tinted facial sunscreen, and use one or the other every single day.   You can order this online, there are lots of different options.  One distinct advantage to the Face & Body sunscreen – it doesn’t sting your eyes when you sweat.

ELTA SLIGHTLY TINTED FACIAL SUNSCREEN SPF 41 

KATE SOMMERVILLE TANNING TOWELETTES and  360 FACE SELF TANNING PAD.    I love how you get little packets to pack in your travel case.

I’m pale anyway, and stopped pretty much all overt contact with the sun 20 years ago.  So even my summer bronzers are pretty low-key.  But I do love the look of some shimmery tan highlights instead of blush in the summer months, and Trish’s luminizer pen would make into my Survive The End Of the World Kit for sure.

TRISH McEVOY LUMINIZER PEN

GIORGIO ARMANI FLUID SHEER SHADE No 11  Lots of shade options in this amazing sheer color lotion.  I like #11 as a bronzer and #6 as a blush.  

TRISH McEVOY EVEN SKIN PORTABLE FOUNDATION  I like these Trish compacts, where you can pop in and pop out different shades, products etc. depending on the season and what you need.  You can get Trish at Nordy’s and NM, and once you know your shade you can replenish by just ordering online if you want.

TRISH McEVOY BRIGHTENING LINE MINIMIZING CONCEALER

GIORGIO ARMANI FLASH LIP LAQUER SHADE 106 AND SHADE 520.  Nothing highlights my fake tan like a shimmery pink gloss.  Right now, I’m obsessed with Armani Flash in every shade.  You can get Armani at Neimans, and they are great about digging up samples for you to try.  Tell ’em scoop sent you.

LAURA MERCIER CAVIAR STICK EYE COLOR IN ORCHID….OR SAPPHIRE…..OR SMOKE….Yeah, again, I’ll take one in every color.  These caviar sticks make a smoky eye so easy, just a quick liner of color to smudge and go.

GIORGIO ARMANI EYES TO KILL MASCARA     This is my current love, although I have been known to cheat with any Johnny Come Lately that crosses my path.

EAU D’ITALIE PARFUM & BODY PRODUCTS just smell like an expensive summer vacay to me, and I am crushing on Un Bateau pour Capri right now, but am never far from a stash of the Eau d’Italie that started it all.

EYEBOBS SUN-READERS.  Best. Sunglass Reading Glasses ever.  Eyebobs.  Find them at Eyebobs.com.  I know you know that being in the sun sans shades leads to cataracts. some cancers and maybe even macular degeneration.  And big shades help shield the delicate skin around your eyes from sun damage.  And, you look way chic wearing them.  Win Win all around.  Even better when you can actually read your phone with them on.

I don’t know about you, but I’m already prepared for The Happening.  When everyone else is doing this……..

I’ll be doing this…..