Holiday make-up-what I packed and how

Last week were on holiday in Cornwall and London.  Now for someone who lives in Dubai that may seem like a strange destination.  We always knew we would grab a weeks holiday in September but it can be a tricky month-it's the rainy season in the East (Thailand and Sri Lanka were both on the 'maybe list'), we thought about diving in Egypt for a week but it was a little politically unstable (plus I go there every 3 weeks when it isn't unstable for work) and we also considered Cyprus but we'd been there and done that.  We love the States but for a week it's just too far to travel from Dubai.

Hiring a cottage in Cornwall is something we have talked about and wanted to do for years.  I really liked the idea of it although I have never been and Mike had spent a lot of time there when he was younger.  So we decided that's what we would do and a cottage was sought and booked.

We had a good week-lots of local seafood, walking, Cornish pasties, cider and fudge was consumed.  It definitely wasn't a place to dress up-I wore very little make up every day because we were outside so much and my hair was always in a ponytail.  I quickly discovered EVERYTHING in Cornwall is on a hill, heels are completely unnecessary and it's always going to be windy from the sea!

But of course going make up less was obviously out of the question so here is what I did pack.

My make up bag is the Laura Mercier large size custom portfolio which is brilliant because it has a hard case to stop things getting damaged and it has magnetic, zipable and removable pouches to keep everything neat and tidy.  I couldn't fit everything in but admittedly I overpacked (as usual)

It costs £65 from Space NK and is currently out of stock sadly.  I am sure this is Limited Edition but there may still be some instore.  Pricey I know but for someone who travels frequently you will get a good cost per use out of it.

On the left side of the case are two equal size pouches-a bit 'school pencil case' size.  In these I put all my base products.

L-R Clarins Instant Light Complexion Perfector in 03 Bronze Shimmer, Estee Lauder Double Wear Light in 01, Caudalie Vinosource moisturizig sorbet, Hydraluron, Estee Lauder Double Wear in Bone

I packed two foundations, a heavier one for evening and for when we were in London and the lighter version for every day use.  Unfortunately I found when we went out to dinner in London and I wore the Double Wear I found on photos I got awful 'ghost face' from the SPF in the foundation.  I need to remember that for next time we go out and use a foundation without SPF.

The Clarins Instant Light Complexion Perfector is great for mixing in with foundation when you pick up a bit of a tan.  Don't be put off by the name-it contains NO shimmer whatsoever.  This is my 3rd or 4th tube of this-I love this light liquid bronze gel/lotion which can be used alone or added to foundation.

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet is my current morning moisturiser and it's really nice and light on the skin.  I apply my Hydraluron first and then the Caudalie.

L-R Clinique Even Better Eyes, Benefit Fake Up, Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

L-R Benefit High Brow, Nars oil free Pro Prime, Mac pro palette with Omega and Star Violet

In the top pouch I packed some more essentials-the Clinique Even Better Eyes is a lovely eye cream designed to lighten dark circles.  It's slightly tinted and has quite a silky texture, I really like it.  I then apply Benefit The Fake Up as my under eye concealer-again this is really hydrating and doesn't crease at all.  But I probably wouldn't repurchase as it doesn't offer a lot of coverage even though I am glad I tried it.

This is my 3rd repurchase of the Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural and it's perfect for setting my foundation.  It's not super matte and gives, as the name suggests, a natural finish.

I have almost finished the Nars Pro Prime pore refining primer.  I don't honestly love it, I much prefer the Smashbox primer.  I don't think it has pore refining properties it claims to have but it has a light texture that people who don't like the feel of silicon based primers on the skin will enjoy using.

Mac Omega is my go to eyebrow filler-I tried Benefit BrowZings in Light and Medium but both were too dark for me whereas Omega is the perfect shade.  Benefit High Brow is a great under brow highlighter although I didn't use it once on holiday!

The middle part of the case has a dedicated section for brushes and here's the selection I took-left to right-a brush for highlighter, foundation brush, eyeshadow brush, blusher brush, 2 more eyeshadow brushes, concealer brush, another blusher brush, eyebrow brush, concealer/lip brush

The back section has a narrow section perfect for pencils and tubes-I used it to hold mascara, eye primer and eyeliner.

Under that is a large zipped pocket perfect for compacts-this was the most jam packed section for me!

I packed....

A very good neutral palette from Lorac

Two cream blushes-Benefit Fine One One and Chanel 'Revelation'

Mac eyeshadow quad from the Temperature Rising collection March 2013 and Dior Fall 2013 Bonne Etoile palette

Powder blushers-Nars Orgasm, Mac Royal Sunset and Benefit Hervana

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light and Mac mineralize in Soft and Gentle

And of course there were bits that didn't fit into the case....

I really like the Laura Mercier Custom Portfolio, I just need to learn how to fit everything into it!  Am travelling again on Sunday so will have a second go at it!