Double Impact

Pack the best and keep the rest, is the best policy to follow, when packing for a trip. But if you are the woman who likes to be one-up, then let us enlighten you on how to make the most of your beauty bag, that is perhaps less in volume but double in impact and effect.

Foundation, mascara, liner, blush, bronzer, cream, cleanser, toner, mist, perfume, roll-on...the list goes on. Perhaps, if you are packing for your honeymoon, and if you want to be all dolled up, maybe yes, you sure need them. Or alternatively, if you are going to attend a big event, walking the ramp or need to a heavy duty makeup, where you need to be caked up, surely, nothing should stop you from carrying your mini beauty cabinet on your tour. Also, if you have serious skin related problems, then sure you carry them all. But if you are on beach vacation on the Caribbean, or hitch-hiking in the Alps, or scuba diving in the Andaman islands, or paragliding in New Zealand, or Museum-hopping in Italy, you better be calculative with packing your beauty barrage. Okay, we missed out the London and France, where you need to look your best, but don’t you want to keep some space free to hoard the hot-sellers? You don’t want to be caught in the, ‘I carried so much, used nothing and could buy nothing’ syndrome’.

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Travelling light is fast becoming a mandate. If airlines had their way, they would recommend a size zero for luggage, but alas! 20-23 kilos is the standard allowance to prove your terrific packing skills. While the essentials are a must, most women go overboard with packing for their trips, even if it is a short trip within the country or a three-day tour to abroad. The proverbial question is what does one do; after all, one needs makeup, sunscreen, the CTM kit, body lotion, face cream, and the works. Really? No, we say. However, we are nowhere preaching that you need to be in an out-of-the-bed look and we pretty much wish you look your best, especially for the all shots in your smart phone and heavy duty digital camera. We are only telling you to pack less and pack smart as we lead you to a discovery of some products that could actually play a double role, not particularly wrecking havoc on your skin or look, for that matter.

Fire two, with one gun!

Moisturiser as Cleansing Milk or Makeup Remover

You love your moisturising lotion, and you end-up packing a big bottle in your vanity bag. But then do you stop at it? You also pack in your cleansing milk, makeup remover and all its country cousins; you are on a vacation and the fundamental to be followed is less is more. So here it, your body lotion, (it must have a fluid like consistency) can help you remove makeup. Use it just like you use your cleansing milk; with a cotton pad or apply on face and wipe it off with a disposable face towel. You could also rinse it off with lukewarm water and pat dry and your makeup should be gone!

Tip: Make a rough estimate of the number of uses and include the freebees you will get in case you are staying in a good hotel. Try and carry the quantity that you think your skin will drink up, so that you can simply trash the bottle on your way back.

Tone-on-tone

Toner or Antiseptic Lotion or Face Mist or Rose Water

Yes, in hindsight it is a bit maddening to realise that we stock them all. Notwithstanding, that the hero remains the good old toner, and we all know the multi-benefits of them. To begin with, it’s an integral part of your CTM routine. And some women follow it like a life diktat, wherever they are. But, do you need toners, antiseptic lotions, face mists and rose water to tone and soothe your skin, considering that trips are often time-crunched. Try taking one instead, that has both toning and soothing properties, and preferably comes with a spray. If you have OCDs, then a good antiseptic lotion in its diluted form will double up as a toner and would also serve handy, if you get rashes, sun burns, etc in a new place. Even the humble rose water could do good could cater to most of the needs.

Tip: Remember to take one that is of high-quality and something that your skin is already friendly with.

Wash away extra load

Body Wash or Face Wash or Soap.

Target pampering is always good, but when on the go, it’s better that you make do with one in place of three. If you are particular of your face, carry a big tube of face wash and it should solve your purpose of three. A face wash will also come handy to remove any traces of stubborn makeup, that has been refusing to budge with the wipes and the swipes.

Tip: Choose a strong fragrance like a lemon, lavender or eucalyptus, and it will work perfect as a shower gel as well.

As you name it

BB Cream for sunscreen and foundation

When the BB Cream was formulated, it was kind of a certified breakthrough in multi-purpose products. One pack of it, and you could cut out your sun screen and foundation from your list in a minute. It truly is a concoction of moisturiser, sunscreen, and foundation, making it a light substitute to the other heavier versions. You can play with layers on your face and décolletage as a substitute for face powder. Put a bit of powder to make its consistency thick and you could use it like a make-do concealer. And the good thing, you do not have to restrict it to your face, you could use it all over the body.

Tip: Perfect for short dresses, take some drops and rub it down your shinbone, with a smooth blending effect.

Very versatile Vaseline

Lip balm, hand, foot and elbow cream and for all overtly cracked areas

The beauty in this balm lies in its thick texture. Choose one with vitamin E, to heal chapped lips. Also, when stepping out it is a good idea to put an extra layer on your hands, elbows, heels, (of course don’t not leave a slippery finish) and lips as a preventive step. Not just that, if you are in a windy area and all your hair is all frizzy, just rub a little onto the ends to tame the unruly tresses.

Tip: You could also use them for your cuticles and nails, as a change of weather could let your skin become dry and rough.

Different strokes for different folks

As brow gel, eye liner and brow liner, eyeshadow

Mascara hands down, is a must in one’s makeup box. It could turn the most drab look into fab in minutes. But wait; let its kudos not end at that. All you need is a bit of dexterity and trick the brush and tame the stroke for varied effects on the eyes. Use the tip of the brush or an ear bud to take some liquid and create the liner effect on the upper and lower eyelids. Dab a little with fingers on the entire eye-lid for an eyeshadow effect. Also, you could use it on your eyebrows as a brow gel, but make sure you wipe out all the extra bit with a tissue to make it smudge free.

Tip: You could also carry an extra brown shade to increase your colour palette.

The coming of ‘Bronze’ Age

Bronzer is the one product that you put in; it’s a must-carry for contouring especially cheeks, forehead, nose, chin and jaw line. Go for one without the shimmer or glaze dust. The darker you want, the more you apply. When you want to apply it on your cheeks, choose a wide, brush (like a Kabuki), for an even tone look. Take a smaller brush, maybe a flat one, to outline your features and voila you don’t need any of your compacts, pressed powders, or brown blushes, and your job is done. You could also use it as a natural tone eyeshadow, and it will let your eyes set a glamorous spell.

Tip: You could take a box of bronzing pearls of different shades for a multitude of effects.

Tinted to Tango

Lip and cheek tints and cream blush

There is nothing like making tints and blush multi-task from your eyes, to your lips to your cheeks. Just put a few drops, on a dry or wet brush, or fingertips and experiment with the strokes for myriad colours and effects. Let your imagination run wild and be a makeup maestro.

Tip: Try and buy combinations of opposite colours, and they shall save your day a little more than perhaps you wish for.

Well, these are the most common double uses of beauty products. However, do not restrict yourself to these, use your creativity, surf up the Internet, ask your beauty pals and they shall give you some really handy ideas. Just remember to be sure of the quality and be aware of your own sensitivities. Get ready with a smartly packed beauty bag as you get ready to take-off without panic but confidence! Bon voyage!