PART 1: GETAWAY ESSENTIALS

Words: Leila Petersen | Images: Supplied

Ah, the sweet smell of an early summer break is here. Sure, you’ve managed to edit down your weekend wardrobe to the basics, but what about your beauty bag? Just because you are on a mini-vacation, doesn’t mean your beauty routine should be on one, too. In this two-part series, we find out from the beauty experts what they pack for a summer weekend away – those essentials that take them from the sand to sundowners. First up we chat to beauty editor Nokubonga Thusi and makeup maestro Areeba Baker Davids.

Nokubonga Thusi, Group Beauty Editor at Arena Holdings

How do you decide which beauty products to pack for your getaway?

I have a bit of an unconventional way of deciding on my getaway beauty kit. I obviously have favourite products that are absolute go-to's, but I usually like to take a selection of products that I haven’t used before. Since I’m always receiving new products to try, I don’t always have time to test everything while at home. So for some reason, I love to take advantage of a new setting, climate and environment to put new products to the test that suit that climate and that I’ve been wanting to try for a while. It gets me excited to try lots of products and allows me to look at everything with a fresh set of eyes. It’s a strange method, but it really works for me.

What are the key skincare products that you take along?

When I’m going away on a break or holiday, I like to keep skincare very simple, but smart. I’m a sucker for warm or coastal climates, so I always have a hydrating facial mist with me to use after cleansing and at the end of my skincare routine. I never compromise on serums or treatment products, so I always have a vitamin C serum or retinol on hand. I am prone to pigmentation, so I always have one or both of those. I may pop a hydrating sheet mask into my bag, especially if there are dinner plans for the time away – they are so easy to pack and super effective. Lastly, I’m a firm advocate for sun protection, so I never leave without packing sunscreen.

And then when it comes to makeup, which products are always packed in your bag?

I really like to travel light with makeup. Glowing skin is always key for me as an everyday look, but even more so on a getaway, as it just feels more fresh and easygoing. I like to pack a lot of multipurpose products such as cream blush sticks and highlighters that can double up as eyeshadow or a lip tint. I always have a luminous matte foundation with a second-skin finish or a tinted moisturiser in the mix, if the coverage is decent. A good brow is key, so I always have a brow palette or pencil. Since I’m heavily into soap brows lately, a spoolie and bar of transparent soap are a must.

Sunscreen is one of the products one should never leave behind. How do you decide on the factor and formula?

Sunscreen has come a long way over the years. Many actually feel like moisturisers, which I love, and they leave the skin with a healthy glow. I stick to chemical formulas as these are more easily absorbed by the skin and won’t leave a white cast (a particularly bad look if you have a dark skin tone like mine). As for the SPF factor, I always go for 50, but 30 is actually the happy medium and offers basically the same protection – the higher factor just makes me feel better.

Take us through your go-to mini-break makeup look...

It’s all about glow with hints of colour. I always go for a liquid foundation in a luminous matte texture such as Dior Backstage, Chanel Ultra Le Teint or Revlon Candid applied over freshly cleansed and misted skin. Sometimes I mix my foundation with a liquid highlighter or apply a cream highlighter on the high planes before foundation. Brows are next – I usually go for a soap brow. If I’m making it super easy, I brush some soap through my brows and call it a day. Otherwise, I add a bit of fill with a brow pencil or powder. Blush is a must for me, so I apply a cream or powder blush across the cheeks and nose for a fresh, sun-kissed flush. Then I add more highlighter to exaggerate the glow factor, because why not? I end with a lip tint or tinted lip balm in a shade similar to my natural lip colour. At this stage, mascara and eyeshadow are optional, but if I do choose to apply, it’s always a subtle wash of brown eyeshadow and one coat of mascara.

Any other tips you can share about beauty on your break? How you store products or beauty hacks?

Always use the time to try new things, whether it’s a new makeup look, trend or product, go for it. The change of scenery allows for a little experimentation. When it comes to products, pack light, you don’t need so much makeup – multipurpose products are your friends. Pack products with easy application methods such as mists, sticks and spray sunscreens as it makes reapplication easy and they are great for when you are on the go. If you’re a fan of serums and treatments, pack sheet masks instead of mask tubs and serum capsules instead of bottles. It saves space and allows you to pack more if you need to.

Follow Nokubonga Thusi on Instagram.

Areeba Baker Davids, Beauty Creative + Makeup Artist

How do you decide which beauty products to pack for your getaway?

I like to pack my usual must-haves like a primer, a foundation with medium coverage, concealer, setting powder and bronzer. I basically pack one of each step in my makeup routine to complete my everyday “natural” look. Once I have all those packed, I add a few extra things that I would like to play around with and I am ready.

What are the key skincare products that you take along?

SPF! The first thing I throw in my skincare bag is some sunscreen. Then it’s my day cream and night cream – I am currently using the Elizabeth Arden Great 8 Daily Defence Moisturizer for the AM and the Esthederm Intensive Hyaluronic Cream for the PM. I also like to pack some serums and hydrating masks. My skin demands extra attention when I am travelling. And of course, my makeup remover.

And then when it comes to makeup, which products are always packed in your bag?

My Dior Skin Correct Concealer is my best friend for days I don’t feel like wearing makeup. I do a little spot control with it and it evens out my skin. I am also such a blush person – it does so much for my skin and instantly makes me look healthier and happier. Essence has some cute affordable options. I always throw in an eyebrow product and two lip options plus, more recently, a lip gloss.

Sunscreen is one of the products one should never leave behind. How do you decide on the factor and formula?

I always use SPF 20 or higher, so that’s the first thing I look for when purchasing sunscreen. The sunscreen should not leave a white cast once I am done applying it. It should blend into the skin seamlessly and have a light-weight finish.

Take us through your go-to mini-break makeup look...

After applying my skincare, I apply some primer all over my face and jump straight into spot control with my concealer. If my skin is really not working with me, I apply some foundation, otherwise I leave that step out. I brush my brows with a brow mascara, sweep some blush on, put on some lashes and finish off with lipstick that matches my outfit.

Any other tips you can share about beauty on your break? How you store products or beauty hacks?

Before packing my beauty and skincare products, I like to make a list. Then I grab two bags so I can pack my beauty and skincare products separately. I like using a bag that has washable lining to avoid a mess that’s difficult to clean while travelling. I also pack some Ziplock bags just in case anything ends up leaking. If I am running out of space, I pack products that serve a dual purpose, like lipstick with a pink hue that can also be used as a blush.

Follow Areeba Baker Davids on Instagram.