My favorite part of the summer is coming up! It’s the part where I make a long drive to see my family at the beach! The waves are pretty much calling my name at this point and even the thought of laying on the beach or playing in the ocean (just not with sharks, please. They don’t play nice, apparently) feels just a little healing. Since I’m gearing up for travel, I figured it might be a fun post to see what I pack beauty-wise to go on vacation. Of course this varies ever so slightly year after year depending on what I’m into, and sometimes it’s just fun looking at what other people pack to get some ideas.

The bag with my name on it was given to me as a gift a very long time ago. I always keep most of my personal care and certain beauty items in there such as face lotion, deodorant, and makeup wipes. I’m currently using and bringing in this bag my Tom’s deodorant in Lavender, Simple face lotion, Nail Polish remover pads from Ulta (I found these at the checkout), q-tips,Neutrogena makeup wipes (the travel pack and I’m trying them for the first time. I use Aveeno, otherwise and love them), big sexy hair travel hairspray, Victoria’s Secret body spray from the PINK like in fresh & clean, and Curious perfume by Britney Spears (because I’ve had that one for ages and it’s about time to use it and move on, let’s be honest). I’m also bringing my Schick Hydro 5 razor (because I swear a man’s razor is better than the one they make for women), and Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Pure Castile Soap (that can be used for 18 different things! They say it on the bottle, I’m not making it up. You can wash veggies with this soap!) that I’ll be using as both body and face wash. I’m bringing the 8 oz bottle of the Dr. Bronner’s because it’s much more travel friendly than the 32 oz bottle that I typically use. Not pictured is my Aveeno shampoo and conditioner. I usually put the shower related items in a plastic grocery bag and tie is shut. It’s not glamorous but in case anything spills, the plastic catches it without anything getting on my clothes in the suitcase.

Next is the makeup part! This year I’m keeping it pretty simple. I’m bringing just one neutral eyeshadow palette, which is the Natural Eye palette by Too Faced. I’ve had this for a few years and seem to mostly pull it out during the summer months. They’ve since brought out new packaging and a few new colors and I can’t wait to be done with this one and get the newer version. I do really like this palette though! It has all you really need if you’re into neutrals. As you can see, I’ve hit pan on both of my blushes! For a makeup lover that’s an exciting thing because that means possibilities for new blush in the future fairly soon. I’m using the E.L.F. contour palette (the bronzer broke out of it a long time ago, which was fine because it made me look like an oompah loompa anyway) and NARS blush in Orgasm. I have my M.A.C Studio Fix powder in NC25, and my ColorStay foundation by Revlon (which I’m hoping I’ll need a darker color soon! Hello tan!). My current bronzer is the Physicians Formula Argan Wear Ultra Nourishing Argan Oil bronzer. Since I’m currently so light, this gives me just enough bronze and glow without making me look too fake or orange. I’m also currently using Scandaleyes mascara by Rimmel (I change my mascara all the time and still trying to find that perfect one with certain restrictions), and Lasting Line eye liner in the color Brandy (because of course) by BareMinerals. I found this cute makeup bag in T.J. Maxx a while back and throw all of my makeup in there along with makeup brushes and it’s worked out very nicely for travel.

Have any beauty travel essentials I should know about? Let me know in the comments below!

Hope everyone is having a great summer!