Friday Beauty Bits

travel-friendly cushion foundation from Dior

We’re on our way home, and it’s been such a wonderful trip! I have lots more to share, but in the meantime just wanted to give you a heads up about a couple of new products I tried while traveling.

A Firm Foundation…

I often get questions about packing cosmetics and hair products for travel, which can be challenging especially if one is traveling with only carry-on luggage. I’ve been reading about cushion foundations for a couple of years now and even have tried one or two in that time, but the color options in this format can be limited and it’s tricky getting the color right. Right before we left, I’d picked up Dior Capture Totale Dreamskin foundation (#20 for me) to try while traveling. I like that it has some SPF, and that it’s easy to reapply on the go. Downsides: it’s pricey (though the initial purchase includes one refill, and refills can purchased separately) and can be more bulky than a regular compact in your purse. Still, I like the sheer-but-there and buildable coverage and ease of application. For travelers, this won’t count as a liquid for airline security.

Keeping Dry Lips At Bay…

 

avene lip balm

Somewhere between Rome and Lake Como, I misplaced one small pouch that contained my lip balm. I picked up this one at a farmacia and have been using it for the remainder of the trip. It does not seem to have any discernible fragrance and does a good job keeping my lips moisturized.

On My List To Try…

Audrey Hepburn's favorite fragrance, Aqua di Parma

Our hotel in Rome had Acqua di Parma toiletries, and I loved the fragrance. I kept meaning to stop by a counter to try their cologne, but just didn’t get to it during our stay. When I get home, I’m definitely going to give it a try. (It was reported to be one of Audrey Hepburn’s favorite fragrances.)

Happy Mothers’ Day! Bon weekend!

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17 Comments

  1. Products in compacts are considered pastes and do (sadly) count as part of your liquids allowance, as indeed do lipsticks and salves.

    1. Hi Jan, I’ve never been asked to move any of those to my liquids bag, even at Heathrow where they’re sticklers. 😉 In fact I’m waiting for a flight there right now, and just went through security with this compact in my purse, as well as a couple of lipsticks.

      1. Nor have I ever been challenged on the purse-size l’Occitane hand cream I keep in my purse. Never the lipstick either. Although last year, at Heathrow, in the Express line because of a tight connection, I got “chosen” for a more thorough check and had to surrender the l’Occitane hand cream in my liquids bag — although only a quarter left, and rolled up with the sardine-can key, it was “illegal” because it had originally held more than 100 ml. Sheesh!

        1. In flying frequently during the years since the “liquids” rule went into effect, I always have carried purse-size tubes of toothpaste and hand cream, a tube of lip balm and tubes of lipstick in a small cosmetic bag in my purse rather than in my “liquids” bag. (It never occurred to me that any of those products was subject to the “liquids” rule.) After those items had passed through airport security with nary a mention for all those years (and over 100 flights), the hand cream was confiscated during a routine check, because it was in a 5 oz. tube–even though that almost-empty transparent tube clearly contained far less than the maximum amount allowed). While jarring, such inconsistency may be deliberate and serve some security purpose.

  2. I brought a stick foundation with me to France this year and you are right, it is difficult to get the shade correct – the color was just not quite right, even though it was the exact same as the liquid version that I used (and loved). I did like the ease, though, and will try again. Going for a month next summer, and if I can’t get it right I just may shop there instead of hauling foundation from home!

  3. Good luck! I think it depends on how picky they want to be. My mother had a new compact of face powder confiscated a while ago (not sure where she was) and I once had to pay £50 to check my bag in at Birmingham when they counted my face powder, lip salve and toothpaste among the ten items you’re allowed in your plastic bag. In fact, I usually check my bag in these days because I find it so hard to get down to ten items. And I also hate only being able to take on a laptop bag and not having a handbag.

    1. I don’t think there is a limit on the number of items in the plastic bag though one may only have a single quart size baggie. I always have more than 10 and have never had an issue with that, flying domestically or internationally. Sounds like you found a tough agent at that airport!

  4. More great travel tips again, thank you Susan. My dermatologist recently gave me a whole pile of samples of Avene products, great for sensitive skin. Apparently perfumes are major sensitisers in cosmetics so the absence of fragrance can be a good thing.

    1. Essential oils are common sensitizers, so products that use them for fragrance can be problematic for those with sensitive skin or allergies. Good quality synthetic fragrances usually don’t pose this problem.

  5. I have used Aqua di Parma for many years, until it got too expensive in the US for me to buy. It is such a refreshing scent. I always feel like I am being transported by to Rome for a fabulous adventure. You must try it and see what adventures the scent conjures up for you! Enjoy!!!

  6. I love Aqua di Parma! I bought a bottle years and years ago in Epcot (in the Italian pavilion) before I could find it anywhere locally. I have the Fico di Amalfi fro the Blu Mediterraneo line, it’s my favorite summer perfume. Sephora carries it online, but I don’t think I have seen it in the stores.

    1. I too am finding how great their products are. When I ran out of my usual toner (Arden) I bought Avene and just love it. I use the water spray to set my makeup. There was a great piece about a child with severe eczema who was treated at the Avene clinic.

  7. I love cushion foundation for its light texture and coverage. I used to think that it didn’t last long enough until I learned that you’re supposed to flip the cushion over periodically; the product settles to the bottom. I like Laneige’s version. They’re a reasonably-priced, but high-quality brand (they’re owned by Amore Pacific).

  8. We recently flew from London to Ireland via the City Airport and they were much more picky about what needed to be in a clear plastic bag. Cream eye shadow, deodorant, toothpaste etc all had to be moved to a clear bag.

  9. I purchased some contact lens cases recently for travel purposes. The kind with the screw top are perfect for small amounts of face cream, foundation, primer, and similar products, and hold enough to get me through at least several days. The cases take up very little room in the quart-size ziplock bag.