2016, I traveled to a new city of New Zealand every week managing pop up makeup and fragrance store…my makeup kit went from 3 items, to well over 50 items…not all are created equal for travel. I was never a makeup gal, and by no means class myself as an expert, but have grown to enjoy playing with products and am now we versed in what products are dual purpose, and idea for rough backpacker style traveling.
I’ll list the products and its costs NZD*
*(Discounted sale price as we sell it in the pop-up store, and I’m a budget traveler…I’m not gonna go into department stores and pay full price, there’s a show every week in NZ!)
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Which Product
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What it does
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Notes on why I like it
Heres a photo of my current makeup bag that I travel with…obviously I can reduce if I wanted too, but I always aim for products that don’t require allot of space or that are easily breakable. To be honest I haven’t touched my kit in around 8 months as I’ve either been active or in Central/South America where I would sweat it off in 2 minutes flat, so think its kinda pointless- I find myself not to terrible to look at in the mirror, and I don’t particularly care what others think!
A little more about each product-
Primer/Pore Minimiser…cause this chica has large pores on my nose!
Product- City Color Mattifying Primer
Costs- $12 NZD
What it does- Primer is like a base layer for your face, you put this on 1st (or 2nd if you use SPF separately) although everyone works in different orders, this is how I do it. The reason behind that is that it creates a flat matte clean surface for the foundations etc to slide onto, “filling” in small wrinkles, pores etc as it goes.
Why I like it- The reason that I like this particular product is that it doesn’t clog my pores, I used to wear it a couple of times a week if I was doing heavier makeup. These Primers and Pore Minimizers shouldn’t be used everyday, your skin needs to breath.
Foundation
Product- W7 HD Foundation
Costs- $12
What it does- This particular foundation for me gives a medium coverage, which I like, cause I don’t like a cake like heavy coverage.
Why I like it- With this particular brand is the shades, they have good red and blue based foundations, and with red undertones my skin has I find their foundations have a right shade to suit my needs.
Contour
Product – W7 Duel end contour and highlighter stick- Medium.
Costs- $6 NZD
What it does- Contouring your face is like painting a portrait, you have probably seen photos of people online with their “clown” like contour/highlighter prior to blending. Once blended it creates “shadows” to slim/bounce light differently so you can adjust your face shape.
Why I like it- The reason its in my kit, it’s super compact, this allows me to have a contour and highlighter in one cream stick, as long as I don’t leave the kit out in the sun the product is fine and last a long time. This particular one blends easier so I can have lighter contouring that I prefer, but don’t worry, if you are someone who wishes/needs heavier contouring then layer it up and blend away.
Brow
Product- City Color Brow Pencil Medium & City Color Sharpener
Costs- $4 NZD each
What it does- Duel ended, one end with spoolie, and the other the pencil, much like a normal coloring in pencil, but softer, so you can define lines and then blend out with the spoolie.
Why I like it- It’s narrow and last forever, yes, you do have to sharpen it, but it really last a long time, I used one everyday for 6 months, sharpening constantly and it was still going. Pencil sharpener is great as its one of those ones where the pencil sharping are collected. Also I have a slight red tinge to my hairs, this color suits my brows.
Eyeshadow
Products- City Color Dream Eyeshadow Stick (cream stick)
Costs- $4 NZD
What it does- Cream eyeshadow stick, I have it in 4 shades, but they glide on easy and can be used under the eye too for a bit more of a dramatic look.
Why I like it- Slim packaging makes it easy for transport. I normally put it on and then blend it with my finger a little if in warmer climates.
Eye liner
Product- Fine tip liner Black
Costs- $4 NZD
What it does- Definite the lash line, can be used to create wings etc This particular one is slim line, a narrow tip.
Why I like it- I have hooded eyes, so normal, heavy eyeliners overtake my eyes when open. Also due to hooded eyes I don’t do wing tips, so the narrow really allows me to get close to the lash line, or on it if I want without overpowering my lid.
Mascara
Product- W7 Flirty Eyes Mascara Black 15ml
Costs- $6 NZD
What it does- While this one doesn’t work the same on everyone, I already have enough eye lashes, so really just need to darken them and get a bit of lift and pop.
Why I like it- The curved wand. My lashes respond really well to this mascara, and while its not a waterproof it definitely stays on me like it is. It gives me a natural lift and doesn’t clump my lashes together.
Lips
Products- Bronx Lip Tint Matte #10 Earth Tone
Cost- $10 NZD
What it does- Lipstick on a wand that dries matte, and last a really long time, normally I only have to reapply if I have drunk a hot drink in the afternoon, before that and it was always fine.
Why I like it- I tired allot of Matte lipsticks while working there, and I tried allot of Bronx products too. I got to say I love pretty much everything from Bronx, and I did have several of the Lip Tint colors. The #10 is a natural looking color for everyday use. Normally Matte lipstick dry out your lips, but this one is a bit moisturizing when putting on before it dries….FYI you need to keep your lips apart for a half a minute for it to dry without getting the sticky feeling.
Finishing Powder
Product- W7 Banana Dreams Loose Powder
Cost- $8 NZD
What it does- A translucent powder with a pale yellow tone. It sets your makeup so it doesn’t shift during your day. Most people use it to “bake” their makeup, packing it on heavily around the under eyes, contour line, in my case chin- cause my makeup just slides right off my chin!
Why I like it- With the yellow tone it helps camouflage the undertones. It bakes and sets well for my needs. It’s also matte, and I find it really makes the contour sharp.
BLUE EYES OPEN 