Traveling Oops and Drugstore Saviors

As someone who is constantly on the go for work, you'd think that I would have learned to better pack for my travel engagements by now. I just started a new project last week and being the procrastinator that I am, I left packing for the Monday morning before heading out... leading to disastrous results, of course. Living out of a suitcase means being without the luxury of scrounging up whatever product my little heart might desire at any given moment. I always, always end up needing something I, of course, forget to bring. This forgetfulness leads to the development of a "travel universe" where my favorite items are substituted with inferior stand-ins for the time being. Since I can't always justify spending $30 for a new moisturizer each time I forget to pack it, I've learned to make do with whatever finds the local drugstores have on hand. What's great is that over time, products that began as make-do items have gradually become Michelle-essentials. No more need to substitute or adjust my regime for travel-friendly products since these have become staples in my regular life as well!

My mom has been using the Oil of Olay moisturizer for as long as I can remember, but her simplified beauty and skincare regimes were never something I could ever relate to. My obsession with products has led me through a maze of skincare-everything, but I guess, moms do know best! She shared with me that her sensitive skin is what keeps her from straying too far into all the lotions and cremes and false promises of department store brands. I finally purchased the Complete for Sensitive Skin daytime lotion and after using it for over a month now, I can't say it's done any less than the more expensive options I've used (Kiehl's Yerba Mate, Ole Henriksen Herbal Day Creme, Fresh Soy Cream). Paying an average of $35 for 1 ounce of these compared to $10 for 6 ounces of Olay? I don't mind investing in skincare, but I really can't justify spending that money now that I've actually tried the Olay lotion. The added SPF is great and although the formula smells a little sunscreen-y, it goes away after it's fully absorbed. The company recently switched the formulation to a chemical sunscreen vs. physical sunscreen, so a few loyalists claim the new formula to be more irritating. Although I haven't found the chemical version to be bothersome, I've always heard a higher recommendation for physical sunscreens, so I might buy the old formula on my second go round.

For a more travel-friendly alternative to MAC Fix+, I started using the Evian Mineral Spray. This is literally my new favorite/cannot live without you/you make my life better product! Although I have oily skin, moisturizer is usually not enough to ensure a smooth foundation application. By not only prepping skin for better application, using a mineral spray also thins out liquid foundation for a more dewy and flawless finish. I lightly mist my face (the cooling effect feels great!) and my MAC 187 brush before applying. With this method, I've found that I use less product, my make-up stays put, and looks a lot more natural. One characteristic that makes it better than Fix+ is that the aerosol-like spray produces smaller drops of product, making it less likely that I'll ever apply too much. It's also a lot cheaper and more easily replaceable of an option (find these at Target, Sephora, drugstores). For those with sensitive skin, this really is just nitrogenized water compared to Fix+'s bevy of ingredients. I still use Fix+ when I'm at home, but for the summer, the EMS will be my go-to product since the lack of glycerine makes it less heavy- and sticky-feeling.

When I'm not wearing foundation, I *love* CoverGirl Aqua Smoothers Tinted Moisturizer! I'll have to admit that I delayed trying this after reading up on mixed reviews for this product, but for $7, it was worth a shot. After 4 tubes of the Light to Medium formula, I think it's on my definite list of must-have drugstore items. Be warned that although it's hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic, some girls have mentioned that it does break them out and clog their pores. I've been lucky to not experience any side effects at all from using it, but I always wash my face thoroughly the minute I get home from work. I've worn this through the summer and winter seasons and found the moisturizing component to be pretty adequate. Like most TMs, coverage is rather sheer. The dewy finish evens out my skin tone, but doesn't completely cover up all my scars. As such, I either drop a few dots of regular foundation in or finish it off with MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural and I'm completely set for the whole day. With how busy I am (and how much sleep I crave in the mornings), combining moisturizer + foundation into one quick and easy step has been a lifesaver!

It may be less of an essential, but for most girls lipstick is a must-have. I've personally never been a lipstick kind of girl. I never liked the heavier feeling of lipsticks (in contrast to lipgloss) and found that they dry up quickly and accentuate any peelies I might have. However, after seeing the Maybelline ColorSensational lipsticks mentioned by several bloggers/YouTubers, I figured I should make an attempt to be a little more mature and make a move from lipglosses to lipsticks... It didn't turn out bad at all! Not wanting to be too adventurous, I bought Warm Me Up, and it's a nice, neutral shade of mauvey-pink. The creamy consistency is nice and the resulting coverage is shiny enough to still be fun. I wear it to work everyday, but sometimes top it off with some lipgloss for nights out. The color range is so expansive that I'm definitely looking forward to trying out more colors since the CS lippies are much more affordable than department store brands. Look at me, all grown up and potentially building a lipstick collection!

Other honorable mentions:
1) Merlot Grape Seed Moisturizer: Our friend, Audrey, first suggested this to us as a great anti-aging product and I had to try it right away. I use this as a night cream for my face and neck and couldn't love it more for its consistency and smell. I'm currently on tub #3 and call me crazy, but I think it's really made a noticeable difference for my neck! I will probably never stop repurchasing! I think these might only be sold at Walgreens, but I could very well be mistaken.
2) Wet N Wild Kohl Brow Liner (Taupe): Nothing more to say beyond what I already mentioned in my previous post--this is quick, natural, and gets the job done. For $1, I keep one of these everywhere with me!
3) ELF Studio Contouring Blush and Bronzer Powder: I randomly threw this in my cart thinking $3 was an awesome deal for something that looked so pretty. Good news, it's really gorgeous! Since the powders are more pigmented and a bit on the glittery side, I use my ginormous MAC 150 brush to spread the color more loosely. After being pretty satisfied with the quality of this powder duo, I want to try more of the Studio products now!

Becoming a little more drugstore dependent has saved me both money and stress when living in my homes away from home! Who says a (department store) snob can't be won over by the little guys?