Holiday Makeup - Perfect for Traveling!

The past few years my husband I always traveled over the winter holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years) to our families or friends homes. Some times we would spend the night one of our parents' homes, and other times we would we be driving most of the day. So I decided I would share a step-by-step tutorial for holiday makeup look that's perfect for those traveling, and only use products that are compact and long-lasting.  

Step 1: Toner and Moisturizer!

The best way to get your makeup to last all day and apply easier is to moisturize your skin. Plus it's always good to moisturize everyday, because will keep your skin from drying out this winter. I normally use a toner on a cotton ball all over my face, then apply a moisturizer and eye cream to my face, and Vaseline to my lips every morning. Be sure to give your moisturizer a few minutes to absorb into your skin before applying make-up (perfect time to get a cup of coffee and eat breakfast, finish packing, or do your hair!).

Step 2: Apply and Set Concealer & Foundation

I love using mineral foundations for everyday looks and while I'm traveling, because you don't have to worry about it rubbing off your face leaving your face looking patchy. Since I am using a mineral foundation for this look, I apply and set my Maybelline Fit Me concealer with Covergirl's Clean Pressed Powder on my under-eye circles and blemishes first. Then, I apply Bare Minerals Matte Foundation in Fairly Light all over my face on a kabuki brush. This foundation is perfect for travel with its click, lock and go lid.

Step 3: Apply Blush

Use a blue-toned pink cheek color to give your face that "I just came in from the cold" flush to your cheeks. Today I'm using Wet n Wild's blush in the color Heather Silk.

Step 4: Fill Those Brows

Your brows help frame your face, and for me are a must-do step. I recently found (and fell in love with) New York Color's (NYC) brow kit - it's super compact, long-lasting, and affordable.

Step 5: Apply Waterline Color

One of the worst parts of traveling is lack of sleep; either you're waking up early to go somewhere, or you're getting terrible sleep in a bed that's not your own. So to fake a good nights sleep, put a white or cream-colored eyeliner to your waterline.

Step 6: Apply Eyeshadow Base or Primer

To help my eye make-up last all day I'm going to apply a nude eyeshadow base called Just Beige by Maybelline all over my eye area.

Step 7: Apply Lid Color

For all the eyeshadows in this look I'm using Urban Decay the Naked Basic palette. The first shadow I apply is a light-colored, matte, peachy eyeshadow all over the eyelid called WOS.

Step 8: Apply Transition Color to Crease

Next I'm applying Naked 2 on a large, fluffy brush to my crease, which is a matte color that is close to my skin tone. This will help the darker crease color I apply next blend with the rest of the lighter shadows.

Step 9: Deepen the Crease Color

To darken the crease color and give it a little more va-va-voom, I'm adding a matte medium brown shade called Faint. Keep this color concentrated in and slightly above the crease, and take the few extra seconds to blend it seamlessly with your transition color.

Step 10: Apply Brow Highlight Color

I use the warm, light-colored, matte, eyeshadow called Foxy to highlight under my brow bone.

Step 11: Apply Inner-Corner Highlight Color

For the last eye shadow I use the satin, champagne color called Venus and place it in my inner-corner/tear-duct area. Doing this is makes your eyes appear wide-open, thus making you look more awake.

Step 12: Winged Eyeliner

Use your favorite black liquid or gel eyeliner, and make a slight cat-eye.

Step 13: Curl Lashes and Apply Mascara

Curl your lashes and apply 2 coats of a long-lasting black mascara. I love using the waterproof version of Maybelline's The Rocket Mascara in Very Black, because it's clump-free and will keep your lashes curled all day.

Step 14: Lip Color

To finish off this look, apply a cranberry colored stain or lipstick. I used Wet n Wild's balm stain in Lady and the Vamp. This balm stain is awesome, because it will give a wash of cranberry color to your lips and also last through two servings of dinner and dessert.

What's your favorite holiday look, bold lips or glittery eyeshadow?