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Summer is officially here, and that means vacations are on the horizon! We’ll be headed to Maine next month for our annual family vacay, and I can hardly wait.
I’m not exactly known for traveling light, but in the summertime I’m always looking for ways to simplify my routines, especially when on vacation. I try to pare down my beauty regimen to the bare essentials, and I’m always looking for easy travel solutions that make packing easier.
Today I’m working with QVC to share my latest summer beauty finds.
Fun fact: The QVC studio is located just a few miles away from me, and I worked there for a time, back before I had kids. It was a really fun place to work, and I’ve enjoyed having the opportunity to partner with them as a blogger a few times over the years.
Unfortunately my Lay/N/Go Travel Bag has sold out, but QVC has several other clever cosmetic travel solutions like this hanging travel cosmetic & jewelry tote and this travel caddy.
Inside, I’ve stashed a few of my new summer beauty finds…
This Clinique SPF 30 Sunscreen Face Cream is a blend of mineral and traditional SPF 30, and it goes on easily and absorbs quickly. You can also use it alone or under your foundation for extra coverage.
And their Sun SPF 45 Targeted Protection Stick is great for the more fragile areas such as the lips, nose, earlobes, and around the eyes. I have a few scars that I try to protect, even when tanning the rest of my body, so I like having a stick like this to apply to those specific areas.
I try to keep my makeup minimal during the summer, and lately I’ve been loving this IT Cosmetics Full Coverage Oil-Free Matte CC Cream SPF 40 with Luxe Brush. (Whew, that’s a mouthful!)
It’s perfect for days when I’m at home and don’t need a heavy foundation… which, let’s face it, is almost every day during the summer!
This product claims to be your serum, moisturizing day cream, pore perfecting primer, brightening cream, color corrector, SPF 40 sunscreen, and foundation all in one. It has an oil-free matte finish, which helps control any excess shine without looking dry or heavy.
I will say, I usually use moisturizer underneath, but I tend to be very dry. If I’m in a pinch, I can apply this right to freshly cleansed skin, and it does just fine.
The brush is some kind of magic, and it really does achieve a flawless, airbrushed-looking finish.
Another IT Cosmetics product I’ve been loving this summer is their Tightline Waterproof Black Mascara Primer Duo. This is an eyelash primer, mascara, and eyeliner in one.
It has a super skinny wand that allows you to start coating your lashes at their actual root, giving you maximum length and volume. Plus the brush lays down black pigment along your entire lash line, filling in spare spots to give the look of an eyeliner.
The result is an enhanced natural look that is perfect for casual summer days at home or on vacation when you don’t want a full-on mascara job, but you want to look awake and alert.
The other new addition to my summer travel arsenal is this Floxite 5x Lighted Folding Travel & Vanity Mirror. There’s nothing worse than a hotel room with poor bathroom lighting, and I’ve stayed in more than my fair share of those!
I am so in love with this lighted travel mirror because the cover transforms into a stand so you can apply your makeup hands-free, and it folds up to fit easily in a suitcase. Plus it has a 5X magnification mirror and bright LED bulbs provide plenty of illumination — even for these old eyes!
This mirror would also make a great gift for any women you know who are college-bound in the fall. It would be great to use when the bathroom is occupied.
These products are a great start to a summer beauty travel kit if you’re preparing to head out on vacation.
Add your favorite go-to skincare and makeup essentials to your favorite travel cosmetic bag, toss it in your suitcase, and you’re good to go!
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photos: Alison Cornell
8 Responses
I ordered the mascara combo. I am always on the hunt for good mascara!
The CC Cream by IT cosmetics is a favorite of mine. I do not use the brush to apply it though. I will have to try that. Thanks for sharing your routine!
I have been told to stay away from matte finish foundation as I get older. Have you heard that?
I think it depends on your skin type. I’m fairly dry so I usually don’t go for matte finishes, but during the summer, I find that it’s helpful because I get oily due to the heat.
I love to shop at QVC, and they have stepped up their game in the makeup department by offering many new brands. I use the IT Cosmetics Matte CC Cream with the brush, and the IT Bye Bye Under Eye Waterproof Concealer. Using both makes my skin look flawless, even though it’s not.😉
I live here in Central FLA and with the Heat Index being around 106 I have found that my makeup is not staying on I can leave the house and I swear by the time I get where I am going I am sweating off my makeup. I have tried everything, I mostly where a tinted moisturizer during the summer months for light coverage. Any recommendations?
Yikes! I don’t deal with that kind of humidity but I will say this IT Cosmetics CC cream does have good staying power, and the matte finish should work well for you and your climate.
Thanks I will have to check it out I feel like why even bother with makeup but rule of thumb for me is I don’t go out of the house without makeup even if its a quick run to town:)