Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Packing for the Outback

I'm headed for a short trip to Alice Springs and Uluru a few days after Christmas and a part of me is already anticipating scorching temperatures, rainfall, flies and sunburn. With my face melting in those conditions, makeup isn't exactly a top priority. Still, I figured packing a few items "just in case" wouldn't go astray. The only criteria the products needed to meet were to be able to withstand or assist in controlling heat.



Sun protection is vital so my La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Fluide Extrême SPF 50+ is the first thing I'll be packing. Not forgetting the lips, I've also included ChapStick Ultra SPF 30+. For my base, I picked Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector (Combination to Oily Skin) in Light, previously featured in my February Favourites and as one of the five products in my Go-To Low Key Makeup look. I could've opted for Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser instead, but I'm giving it a rest after taking it with me to Europe. The fluid-like Garnier is lightweight with decent coverage and a brightening finish, as well as excellent oil control. I've developed a somewhat alarming number of dark spots around my chin from pimples that have left scarring, which I've been attempting to selectively conceal where foundation hasn't provided enough coverage. Maybelline Fit Me concealer in Sand is a fairly good match for my skin tone which is especially important for camouflaging imperfections, and its creamy texture is easy to blend and doesn't cling to dry patches.

For eyes, I've decided on the absolute minimum (for me, at least). I doubt there'll be time for brushes or powder shadows or even cream shadow pots, so I've chosen Rimmel ScandalEyes Shadow Stick in Bad Girl Bronze for my lid and/or lower lash line, Savvy by DB Luxury Liner in Shimmering Slate for defining the upper or lower lash line, and Revlon CustomEyes mascara, which is just something I'm trying to use up. The Savvy by DB pencil is nicely black, has good staying power and is much easier to wield than a felt tip, gel or liquid eyeliner. The Rimmel eyeshadow crayon may be a bit too dark for the daytime, but used sparingly and blended with the fingers, it should be a quick and fuss-free way to add some depth to the eyes.

In summer heat, Avene Thermal Spring Water is a thing of beauty. This fine mist is refreshing, soothing and cooling. It's probably counterproductive to restoring the skin's hydration to have water evaporate off your face, but I don't care. The instant, calming relief this provides is addictive. It feels like the skin taking a drink of water from a pristine source. I use it for pretty much everything: when I can't be bothered washing my bare face, as a revitalising pick-me-up for dull or tired skin, after hair removal, after makeup removal, to cool down in hot weather, to dampen the skin in preparation for face masks or Bioré nose strips. It does it all. Another staple I'm planning on bringing with me is a mini bottle of Bioderma Créaline H20 to take my makeup off and refresh and cleanse the skin, short of properly washing it as I usually do in the shower before I head to bed.

I'm bound to get shiny no matter how oily/combination skin-targeted my foundation is, which is where The Face Shop Oil Control Film comes in. This is the proper, soft, ultra thin, filmy, blue facial blotting paper. None of that segments of baking paper that other brands manufacture. Finally, I thought to pop in Korres Lip Butter in the reddish-coral Pomegranate for an easygoing slick of colour on the lips. Pomegranate can also double up as a cheek tint, not that I imagine requiring any kind of blush when it's 40°C outside.

40 comments:

  1. Well you seem excellently prepared, thought of everything it seems! I've always wanted to go to Uluru! I'll be excited to hear about your trip when you get back!

    x Tashi
    http://shiwashiful.blogspot.com.au/

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    1. I felt it was my patriotic duty to at least pay a visit once! Not sure what to expect but looking forward to finding out :)

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  3. oh I need short getaway as well! uni has been so demanding lately I barely can enjoy my xmas break T.T but anyway you have fun!!
    looks like you're good prepared in the beauty department! sunscreen is def so important.. We have winter here but no snow yet T-T so I am having no white xmas this year.. hiks!

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    1. I don't think I've ever experienced a white Christmas ... I've never touched or seen snow in my life believe it or not! Hope you manage to find time to unwind and relax during the Christmas break.

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  4. I think taking things 'just in case' is a very good idea, it looks like you're super organised and I hope it's not too too hot for you! I'd definitely take the Avene thermal water too, that's a little can of magic right there! <3

    Jennie xo | sailorjennie.com

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    1. Yes, I love it! Have a huge can on my desk which I use liberally almost every day :p So addicted to it.

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  5. My partner grew up in Alice Springs, so be prepared for hot days and freezing nights! Enjoy your trip :)

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    1. Ah yes, freezing nights! Thanks for the tip Mishelle - should remember to bring something warm for when the weather cools down at night.

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  6. Great picks ! Sounds like a fun trip (minus the face melting off part) !

    Madeline | Its a Mads Mads World

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    1. We'll see I suppose! Hopefully the face melting isn't too severe ;)

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  7. Ohhh, you're so lucky to be going there! Though I prefer winter spending the holidays somewhere nice and warm sounds pretty good right now. If I may I wanted to recommend a setting spray, like Caudalie Beauty Elixir, or the Melvita floral waters. They will keep your makeup in place even on the beach - I used mine like crazy this summer! x

    Živa from Nothin' Fancy. Really.

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    1. Thanks for the tip! I have the Caudalie Beauty Elixir but I rarely use it to set makeup, mainly just on my bare face before moisturiser as a serum, or as a pick-me-up during the day because of the refreshing, herbal, minty scent. Never tried the Melvita waters but I really want to. Do you have a favourite that you particularly recommend?

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  8. The Avene thermal spring water sounds ace! Have a lovely time :) Xx

    Lucy Cole | A UK Fashion, Style and Beauty Blog

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    1. It's my absolute favourite even if it's literally water in a can :p Thank you!

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  9. So nice *-*
    I've been thinking about that concealer from maybelline...For some reason I always think that I should just wait and get something better.
    Oh and that thermal water is amazing! I used to spread that all over my face before going to bed on the hotter days. It's a must-have!

    Take care, have a nice trip and I wish you a Merry Christmas!*

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    1. I sometimes use the Avene over my body to cool down when I'm lying in bed at night :p It is definitely very refreshing and I love how fine the mist is. The Maybelline Fit Me is a pretty good concealer but I've got my eye on the NARS one as a potentially 'better' option :)

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  10. Have a nice trip! Hopefully, it won't be too unbearably hot.

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  11. Have a wonderful vacation!! Sounds like a nice break from reality even if the temperature is going to be overwhelming haha. You've got the right mindset in bringing makeup 'just in case'… I'm not sure I'd have the willpower to actually wear it in those temperatures but heck you never know!!

    ♥Cassie
    thriftthick.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks Cassie! I know what you mean - I don't really know what to expect and how hot it will be. Maybe I won't be bothered at all. The sunscreen's still a must though. Hopefully I don't get too sunburned haha :)

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  12. ohhh so jealous, sounds amazing… have a great time!! :)
    that LA Roche Posey suncream is one of my favourite too, it was very handy when I was in Italy last september.

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    1. Ooh Italy - whereabouts did you go? I visited for a couple of days Milan, Florence and Rome in September. The weather was so nice :)

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  13. Lovely picks! Bioderma is a must for me everywhere I go.
    xx
    Celina | The Celution | Bloglovin’

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    1. It's so nifty and effective! Glad I picked up the mini bottle - great for travelling :)

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  14. Enjoy your outback adventure! I was there about four years ago and I love it. Despite the heat, haha. I wore zero makeup, though. XD

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    1. You seem to travel quite a bit! Wow, you've visited Uluru before? That's so cool! :)

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  15. Oh wow, I hope you have an amazing time! When it's baking hot, I just can't be bothered with makeup.. but that Avene spray sounds wonderful xx

    Gem // Miss Makeup Magpie

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    1. Thank you Gemma :) I totally get what you mean - my face feels so gross when it's boiling and sometimes the last thing I want is to wear foundation or whatever. But we'll see :p The Avene is amazing though!

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  16. My mum has fallen in love with the Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer, which I introduced to her after seeing what fantastic things you had to say about it :) I had to pack very light on my trip back to Hong Kong (Revlon Colorstay, 2 lipglosses, and 1 eyeshadow) so it's great to see what you would bring along on a trip that requires minimal makeup.

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    1. Oh wow, that's awesome your mother is a fan because of my recommendation! So happy to hear that - it's a fantastic product :) That is indeed extremely light packing ... I probably couldn't bring myself to bring only 4 products anywhere :p

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  17. So jealous of your hot weather vacation! Although u haven't particularly mentioned it, I'm assuming the Rimmel eyeshadow stick has a good staying power in the heat which is impressive. I still haven't seen that in my local drugstores but I'm hoping I'd cone across it soon :)

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  18. I hope you're having a great time! The Maybelline Fit Me Concealer has been my favorite concealer recently.

    Emily
    ahemitsemme.blogspot.com

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  19. Hope you had a blast! I don't care if Avene isn't the greatest either - NEED to try its magic this year!

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  20. Uluru is one of the most memorable holidays I've had! We went in September when it was cooler but seeing the sunrise and sunset and the 10 km jaunt around the base is definitely a do-before-you-die achievement. You packed well- I have the same mindset when going back home to Singapore. I can relate completely regarding the Thermal Spring Water- except I went for La Roche-Posay's version after hearing some iffy stories about the sprays on Avene cans and it was excellent for remedying the icky plane ride feeling when your hair is full of static and you're sore from sitting still.

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    1. We went at a really bad time, it was freakin' boiling! Seriously, like a human being can't function in those circumstances. Literally we could only venture outside to do sightseeing/physical activity before sunrise (or like, before 10am) or after sunset. The rest of the day was spent either in a car driving hundreds of kilometres of highway with no phone reception in the middle of the desert, or in whatever accommodation we were staying at with air conditioning on full blast. The flies were also something else - the net we brought along partially for teh lulz actually ended up being my best friend. But still, logistics/planning fails aside, Uluru was pretty spectacular in person I have to say! I didn't even touch the makeup until the last day which was basically just the flight home, that was mainly because I was going to the shops briefly right after. The Avene and the sunscreen were absolute lifesavers though :)

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