Hello, beautiful souls! I’ve just returned from an unforgettable six-week adventure through the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand. The diverse scenery in NZ is a visual feast, and I am excited to share my curated list of the best makeup for travel that I discovered along this incredible journey. This enchanting experience was a delightful surprise gift from my amazing partner, Dave, blending the magic of Yule with our Anniversary celebration, forever changing the trajectory of our lives. New Zealand’s spellbinding beauty has captivated my heart, inspiring dreams of one day calling this magnificent land my home.

Our Love Affair with New Zealand’s Beauty

Dave and I wholeheartedly embraced the captivating charm of New Zealand from the moment we arrived. We departed from sun-kissed Florida on a Monday, stepped into the enchanting embrace of this land by Wednesday, embarked on a camping adventure by Friday, and by Sunday, we were completely enchanted by its wild and untamed beauty. Our desire to explore this stunning country ignited in 2012, but we faced setbacks in planning our trip twice—first in 2020 due to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and again in 2023 because of my health challenges following double mastectomy surgeries.

All products mentioned were purchased by me, except where noted as PR. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Travel-Ready Makeup Storage: The Zuca Bag

All of my makeup essentials conveniently fit into a single Zuca bag, which nestled perfectly in my carry-on backpack. This journey prompted me to embrace the philosophy of minimalism, carefully selecting essential travel makeup while avoiding unnecessary duplicates. With my very fair neutral cool skin tone, I gravitate towards makeup shades that are cool to neutral in tone. Warm colors often turn an unflattering orange on my complexion. I’m still on the hunt for my ideal ‘nude’ blush, so I packed a variety of products to experiment with. Previously, theBalm Balm Beach was my go-to ‘nude’ blush, but its discontinuation left me searching for alternatives.

Highlighters and Blushes: My Go-To Products

One Size Cheek Clapper 3D Blush Trio Palette Overview

The One Size Cheek Clapper 3D Blush Trio Palette in Attention Seeker features a stunning bubblegum pink blush trio, comprising cream, matte, and shimmer finishes. This palette has become my daily favorite, as I typically layer the cream blush with the matte powder for a fresh look.

Haus Labs Bio-Radiant Gel-Powder Illuminating Highlighter Details

The Haus Labs Bio-Radiant Gel-Powder Illuminating Highlighter in Rose Quartz presents a light magenta hue. I love using this product as a highlighting blush, layering it atop the pink cream from the Attention Seeker palette for added dimension.

Hydrating Lip and Cheek Balm Stick Insights

The Haus Labs Color Fuse Longwear Hydrating Glassy Lip + Cheek Blush Balm Stick in Glassy Hibiscus is a gorgeous deep cool-toned nude mauve blush that complements my skin tone beautifully.

Urban Decay Face Bond Luminizer Features

The Urban Decay Face Bond Luminizer Waterproof Glow Drops in Silverlake are described as having a Y2K frosted glaze shimmer. This product provides a neutral liquid blingy glow that enhances my overall makeup look.

Kaleidos Space Age Highlighters Review

The Kaleidos Space Age Highlighters in Moon Cruiser (a rich neon lilac with a cool, moonlit cobalt shift) and Star Surfer (a smooth, rosy champagne with silver undertones) are two of my favorite highlighters. Moon Cruiser is my go-to for daily wear, while I prefer Star Surfer for professional office makeup.

RMS ReDimension Hydra Powder Blush Overview

The RMS ReDimension Hydra Powder Blush in Crystal Slipper is a sheer, sunkissed buff shade that appears as a light beige brown with a subtle pink iridescent shift. For those with very fair skin seeking a blonzer (a blend of blush and bronzer), I highly recommend this shade for a delicate all-over color.

RMS ReDimension Hydra Bronzer Insights

The RMS ReDimension Hydra Bronzer in Beachwalk Betty is characterized by its neutral nude undertones, perfect for fair skin. I experimented with this bronzer to achieve a sun-kissed glow on my complexion.

RMS ReDimension Hydra Powder Blush Details

The RMS ReDimension Hydra Powder Blush in Hanky Panky is a recent addition that I didn’t take on my trip, but I wanted to include it in these swatches. It’s described as an iridescent magenta plum that appears as a nude plum on my skin tone, making it ideal for layering over Glassy Hibiscus.

Upon reflection, based on my usage, I could have left behind Pink Mushroom, Beachwalk Betty, Glassy Hibiscus, and Silverlake when packing my best makeup for travel. I relied heavily on Attention Seeker and Moon Cruiser during this journey.

Achieving Complexion Perfection for Fair Skin

LYS Triple Fix Blurring and Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation Stick Review

The LYS Triple Fix Blurring and Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation Stick in LN1 Porcelain is a true gem for my fair skin, with its neutral undertones. Friends, let me introduce you to the magic of this foundation stick; it has become my daily beauty essential. I am incredibly thankful to have a stick foundation that is so user-friendly. For days demanding more coverage, I also adore the About Face the Performer liquid foundation as a close second option.

Why This Foundation is a Must-Have

This stick foundation has quickly become a beloved item in my collection, especially after years of searching for a formula that truly works for me. Applying it feels like a delightful ritual; I glide it directly onto my skin and gently blend it in with my fingertips, as recommended by the brand. A brush can also be used if preferred. Although I accidentally left my foundation brush behind while packing, the stick foundation still showcased its beauty effortlessly, proving its effectiveness. It eliminates the need for a primer, functioning beautifully as an all-in-one serum, primer, and skin tint, while seamlessly softening the appearance of texture and pores.

Wear Test Results for All-Day Coverage

I conducted a thorough wear test for the LYS Triple Fix Blurring and Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation Stick along with the Axiology Foundation (which ranks third on my list of best foundations) on my Instagram stories before my trip to New Zealand. Both foundations performed admirably, maintaining their stunning appearance even after 12+ hours of wear. If you are in the market for a new foundation, I highly recommend the LYS Triple Fix Blurring and Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation Stick for its remarkable blurring properties and ease of application.

This innovative blurring technology delivers just the right amount of coverage while allowing your natural glow to shine through, solidifying its place as one of my top recommendations for the best makeup for travel. Priced at a reasonable $25 for .25 oz and available in a range of approximately 22 shades, this product is an accessible indulgence that highlights the versatility of beauty.

Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer Insights

The Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer in 01 Fair Neutral has been my go-to concealer for the past year, consistently delivering impressive results. It effectively conceals blemishes while blending seamlessly with my skin tone, making it an essential part of my makeup routine.

Rare Beauty Positive Light Under Eye Brightener Feature

The Rare Beauty Positive Light Under Eye Brightener in Light is perfect for my under-eye area, providing just the right amount of coverage to diffuse shadows and brighten my complexion. On some days, I relied solely on this product for under-eye coverage while using the Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer for spot concealing around my face.

Huda Beauty Easy Bake Blurring Loose Baking & Setting Powder Review

The Huda Beauty Easy Bake Blurring Loose Baking & Setting Powder in Poundcake has quickly become a favorite! I adore this formula, although my absolute favorite is the Silk Naturals Brightening Powder; however, they currently do not have a dupe for the Poundcake shade. In my experience, this loose powder formula vastly outperforms the pressed version, which has not worked well for me. Nevertheless, I plan to experiment with a different application method for the pressed powder next time I wear it.

Huda Beauty Easy Bake and Snatch Pressed Talc-Free Brightening and Setting Powder Insights

The Huda Beauty Easy Bake and Snatch Pressed Talc-Free Brightening and Setting Powder in Poundcake is tailored for fair to light-medium skin tones. It features golden undertones that brighten and disguise under-eye darkness. Unfortunately, this was the only makeup product I brought with me that fell short of my expectations. I need to try a different application method to see if that improves its performance. I initially hoped to use this for touch-ups and to set my foundation, but I found myself getting shiny when I applied it exclusively instead of using the loose powder.

One Size On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray Review

I have been singing the praises of the One Size On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray for the past two years, and I have no plans to stop. This setting spray performs exceptionally well for me, whether I’m in the hot, humid climate of Florida, the muggy, windy atmosphere of New Zealand, or experiencing the rare freezing cold in New Orleans snowstorms. A quick spritz ensures that my makeup stays put all day.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist Overview

The Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist is a product I purchased based on the recommendation of my friend Kat. It is perfect for refreshing my makeup when it looks cakey, helping it meld into my skin and eliminate any powdery appearance.

Essential Lip Products for Fair Skin

Buxom Power Line Plumping Lip Liners: My Favorites

The Buxom Magnetic Mauve Power Line Plumping Lip Liner is a stunning cool-toned mauve pink lip pencil that has become my go-to for a ‘my lips but better’ (MLBB) look. I wore this liner paired with the VE Innocent gloss the most during my time in New Zealand.

The Buxom Hush Hush Henna Power Line Plumping Lip Liner is a nude pink pencil that serves as a neutral warm hue for my skin tone. It pairs beautifully with the Half-Magic Frosty B*tch Magic Drip Gloss, and I used Hush Hush Henna alongside the Half-Magic Y2K Cherub Magic Drip Gloss throughout the trip.

The Buxom Recharged Ruby Power Line Plumping Lip Liner is essential for my collection, providing the perfect cool-toned red that I always need. I paired this liner with the Kaleidos Penthouse gloss during my travels.

Kaleidos Blue Agave Softening Lip Mask Overview

The Blue Agave Softening Lip Mask was my essential lip treatment, ensuring my lips remained hydrated throughout the trip.

Kaleidos Untamed Glow Glossy Lip Glazes Review

The Untamed Glow Glossy Lip Glazes in Freefall and Penthouse are delightful additions to my lip collection. Penthouse features diamond shine that shifts from fuchsia to rose to gold, while Freefall is a semi-translucent shimmer reminiscent of sparkling diamonds.

Essence Super Peptide Glossy Lip Treatment Insights

The Essence Super Peptide Glossy Lip Treatment was an impulse purchase aimed at adding hydration during the trip. While it’s decent, I prefer the hydration of the Kaleidos lip mask far more.

Half Magic Magic Drip Glitter Lip Gloss Details

The Half Magic Magic Drip Glitter Lip Gloss in Y2K Cherub is a formula I absolutely love, especially in shades like bubblegum pink with periwinkle and pink reflects, along with Problem Child (black with multicolored reflects) and Frosty B*tch (icy peach with multicolored reflects). The iridescence in this formula is simply stunning.

Ve Glamour Magic Gloss Review

The Ve Glamour Magic Gloss in Innocent (PR) (use code CORDELIA to save 10% at Ve) caught my eye for its multichrome iridescence! The shimmer and finish are captivating, with a strong color shift. Even a light layer of this gloss provides gorgeous shine and dimension. I wish there were a version in red and blue that showcased this beautiful iridescence.

Black Moon Liquid Lipsticks: My Favorite Shades

The Black Moon Liquid Lipsticks in Sorrow and Armageddon are two of my favorite shades. Sorrow is a blackened deep blue with flecks of artic blue, while Armageddon is a blackened metallic red with hints of copper and lavender. I wore Sorrow once during my time in New Zealand, but I felt compelled to bring liquid lipstick along.

Flower Bitten Lip Stain Review

The Flower Bitten Lip Stain in Sass (a beautiful blue-pink) was another lip product I wore several times while in New Zealand. While I’m not entirely convinced of the appeal of lip stains due to their tendency to wear off, I do adore this specific cool-toned blue-pink hue as it complements my complexion perfectly.

Reflecting on my usage, I would have streamlined my lip product selection to include just the following: Buxom Magnetic Mauve and Recharged Ruby lip pencils, VE Innocent gloss, Kaleidos Penthouse gloss, Flower Sass lip stain, and Black Moon Sorrow liquid lipstick.

Eyeliners and Eyeshadow Pencils: Must-Haves for Fair Skin

I wanted to share swatches of the liquid eyeshadows, eyeshadow pencils, and eyeliners I brought with me on my trip. Additionally, I included swatches of three of my favorite Urban Decay eyeliners that did not make the journey with me – Reflect, LSD, and Alkaline.

Silk Naturals Tour Loose Eyeshadow Review

The Silk Naturals Tour Loose Eyeshadow (use code CORDELIA to save 10% at Silk Naturals) is the perfect sheer black matte, and it’s a dream to work with! I currently dye my brows blue-black, and I use Tour with a slim angled brush to fill in any sparse areas. While Tour also makes a stunning eyeshadow, it has primarily become my go-to product for brow filling.

Kaleidos Sea Sparkle Epiphany Glow Melt-On Eyeliner Overview

I absolutely adore the Kaleidos Epiphany Glow Melt-On Eyeliners (PR). The Sea Sparkle shade shifts through silver, icy blue, and denim blue, creating a breathtaking effect, especially when paired with other grey eyeshadows.

Nyx the Brow Glue Review

The Nyx the Brow Glue in Clear is my go-to product since I’ve started regularly tinting my eyebrows blue-black. Minimal filling is required, and I find that clear brow glue holds them beautifully in place.

Nyx Epic Ink Liquid Liner Insights

The Nyx Epic Ink Liquid Liner in Black is my favorite for achieving bold black wings coupled with iridescent eyeshadow and a vibrant red lip. Its precision allows me to create that stunning look effortlessly.

REM Midnight Shadows Lustrous Liquid Eyeshadow Review

The REM Midnight Shadows Lustrous Liquid Eyeshadow in Fembot is a standout product that I absolutely love. Fembot features a gorgeous shade that shifts from pink to blue to violet, based on a mauve beige base. It offers a wet look that brightens the eyes. I’m unsure if these liquid eyeshadows are being discontinued, but they are currently on sale at Ulta.

Sigma Eyeshadow Primer Base in Bubbly Overview

The Sigma Eyeshadow Primer Base in Bubbly is described as a pinky peach champagne shimmer, and I find this description to be spot on. It’s perfect for a minimal makeup look or as a reliable eyeshadow primer.

Fun Cosmetics Holo Boss Eyeshadow Feature

I adore this eyeshadow so much! I brought it along for a festival we attended in New Zealand, and the holographic rainbow effect was simply perfect! Just this eyeshadow paired with black liquid liner created a stunning look.

Julep Eyeshadow 101 Crème-to-Powder Waterproof Eyeshadow Sticks Review

The Julep Eyeshadow 101 Crème-to-Powder Waterproof Eyeshadow Sticks in Sand Shimmer (light beige champagne shimmer) and Vanilla Matte (light yellow beige matte) were essential in my makeup kit. Sand Shimmer was my most-used shade.

I enjoy using these eyeshadow sticks as tinted eyeshadow primer bases, as they pair beautifully with multichromes. They are currently on sale, and I’ve picked up several shades including Mint (cool-toned pastel green matte), Marigold (yellow gold matte), Periwinkle (blue-violet matte), Black Cherry (burgundy matte), Midnight (blackened blue), and Evergreen (blackened green). Please let me know if you’d like to see swatches of these shades!

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencils Insights

The Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencils in Faux Doe, Cool Coyote, Space Cowboy, and Perversion are fantastic products. I’ve recently added a few of the newer Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliners to my collection.

Space Cowboy was a bit disappointing for me because it’s too dark to serve as an eye brightener, rendering it suitable only for use as an eyeshadow or base. Cool Coyote leans more brown than grey on me, which was unexpected, but it works beautifully for subtle makeup looks. If you’re looking for a color to enhance blue-green eyes without overwhelming them, it’s a great choice. Faux Doe is stunning and perfect for brightening the lower waterline. Perversion is a matte black eyeliner that is ideal for tightlining along the lash line to fully enhance my lashes. Moreover, Urban Decay Reflect (a multidimensional golden green), LSD (a deep navy blue with turquoise reflects), and Alkaline (a deep wine matte) are three of my favorite shades that deserve more love!

Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions: My Ultimate Mascara

The Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions in Brynn is my all-time favorite mascara! It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and comes in a tubing formula that is available in several beautiful hues including Black, purple, hot pink, green, and blue. I’m eagerly waiting for them to create a burgundy wine shade!

Creating a Versatile Singles Eyeshadow Palette

I packed this singles eyeshadow palette to carry a few of my favorite Devinah shades with me. I specifically needed Fairy Fire and Frost Bane, as they are two shades I wear regularly.

Half-Magic Cheek Fluff Soft Blur Cream Blush Overview

The Half-Magic Cheek Fluff Soft Blur Cream Blush in Pink Mushroom is a hybrid cream-to-powder formula that beautifully blurs on the cheeks and is incredibly easy to blend. I do wish it leaned more cool-toned, but it works well for me as a neutral warm blush.

Devinah Pressed Eyeshadows: My Favorites

The Devinah Pressed Eyeshadows I brought included Fairy Fire, Frost Bane, Starfire, Lucius, and Ethereal (use code CORDELIA to save at Devinah). Here’s a brief overview of the shades I packed:

• Fairy Fire – yellow beige base with green to blue to turquoise shift
• Frost Bane – iridescent lavender pink with pink-blue violet shift and iridescence
• Starfire – burgundy, violet pink, coppery orange, magenta
• Lucius – cool-toned mauve plum matte
• Ethereal – cool-toned muted nude taupe plum matte

Fairy Fire and Frost Bane are two eyeshadows I wear on a weekly basis because they bring me joy. I appreciate the way they catch the light and the stunning color shifts. Starfire is my go-to for adding an accent to the outer lid. Ethereal serves as a cool-toned muted nude taupe plum shade, which makes for a fantastic crease color that enhances the vibrancy of my blue-green eyes. Lucius is also a lovely berry mauve shade that works beautifully in the crease.

When packing my best makeup for travel, I always ensure to include a singles eyeshadow palette filled with my favorite eyeshadow singles, like Fairy Fire and Frost Bane, to keep my look versatile.

BellaBeauteBar Morally Grey Palette: A Must-Have

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